Pawn in the game

Chapter 23

Victoria's POV

We pulled up to the address Jaxon had given me, and my stomach twisted at the sight before me. The house stood in stark contrast to the life I was used to—its peeling paint, overgrown weeds, and the general air of neglect made it look like a relic from a different era. This wasn’t just an ordinary house; it was a symbol of everything I was trying to escape, a reminder of the kind of life I had no interest in leading. Jaxon parked the car, and we sat in silence, waiting for Alex to emerge.

Minutes felt like hours as the tension in the car thickened. I could feel Jaxon’s gaze darting between the house and me, his concern palpable.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I saw a figure step out of the house. Jaxon honked the horn, the sound piercing the stillness like a gunshot. The young man who had been inside hesitated, his brow furrowed with confusion as he ambled over, taking his time as if weighing the risks.

“Alex?” I greeted him with a sm