WESTLANE SERIES: LONDON HAS FALLEN

Chapter 6: Unspoken Ties

As the luxury van glided smoothly through the bustling streets of London, Jenna settled into the plush leather seat at the back, her thoughts as turbulent as the city outside. Lexa, seated beside her, scrolled through her phone, but her occasional glances in Jenna's direction made it clear that she hadn't missed the doctor's unease. Up front, William was practically bouncing in his seat, captivated by the car's features and the novelty of the trip. The overhead lights cast a soft glow on his eager face as he discovered the large TV screen, gleaming buttons, and high-tech gadgets that surrounded him.

"Wow, Mom! Look at this! Can we watch cartoons?" William's voice rang out with enthusiasm, his small hands pressed against the TV screen, completely enthralled by his discovery.

Jenna blinked, momentarily pulled from her reverie. "Just a second, sweetheart," she replied absentmindedly, her mind already slipping back to the tangled emotions swirling within her. The last few days had been a whirlwind of revelations and confusion. She still hadn't processed the fact that Alena was back in her life, once again looming over her like a shadow she couldn't escape.

Mary, her mother, gently tried to rein in William's excitement, her soothing voice doing little to temper his energy. "William, dear, let's not get too wild in here. There will be plenty of time for cartoons when we get to the hotel."

Sarah, ever the accommodating secretary, was quick to jump in. "It's perfectly fine, Mrs. Davidson," she said with a reassuring smile. "The van is designed for comfort and fun. Let him enjoy it." With a knowing glance, she pulled out a small tablet from the seat pocket and handed it to William. "Here you go, young man. You can watch your favorite shows on this until we arrive."

"Thank you!" William beamed, immediately engrossed in the screen, his little fingers swiping with precision Jenna hadn't expected from him.

The sight of her son's joy warmed her heart, but it also added to the weight on her chest. This is the first vacation out of the country. Jenna had been busy being a single mom and a doctor.

Jenna's thoughts were interrupted when Lexa, sensing her distraction, playfully nudged her arm. "Hey, earth to Dr. Davidson!" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You've been zoning out for the past few minutes. You okay?"

Jenna forced a smile, pushing away her anxiety for the moment. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied, her voice lacking its usual conviction.

Lexa wasn't convinced. "Uh-huh. Is this Stavros woman your admirer or something?"

Jenna shook her head, a light laugh escaping her lips. "Not at all," she insisted, though the words felt hollow. "She probably just wants to accommodate us since she's sponsoring the event. It's nothing more than that."

Lexa raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Really? Because from where I'm sitting, it seems like she's going out of her way to make sure you're... comfortable."

"Lexa," Jenna said, her tone soft but firm, "I'm telling you, it's nothing like that."

Lexa held up her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright." she said, leaning back in her seat with a knowing grin. "But if you ever need to talk, you know I'm here."

Jenna offered her a grateful smile, though she doubted she'd ever open up to Lexa about what really lay behind her tension. There were some things she just couldn't share—not with Lexa, not with anyone.

As the van pulled up to The Ritz London, the grandeur of the hotel took Jenna's breath away. The iconic structure stood majestically, its ornate architecture bathed in soft, golden light. The bustling energy of guests arriving and departing filled the air, the murmur of conversations blending with the steady rhythm of the city outside.