The drive to the meeting spot was tense, the silence stretching thick between Celeste and Andrew. Neither of them spoke, but the weight of what they were about to do pressed down on them.
Jaxon Westwood.
Not Jaxon Collaway.
The truth had been buried for years, hidden beneath lies and manipulation. Collaway had stolen him, raised him as his own, turned him into his enforcer. But now, Jaxon knew.
The question was—what would he do with that truth?
Andrew drove with steady hands, but Celeste could see the way his knuckles whitened around the wheel. They had spent years running, hiding, planning. And now, they were placing their lives in the hands of a man raised by their enemy.
It was madness.
But it was the only choice they had.
They pulled into an abandoned parking lot on the outskirts of town. A single streetlamp flickered weakly, casting long shadows over the cracked pavement.
Jaxon was already there, leaning against a sleek black car, arms crossed over his chest. His sharp features were unreadable, his expression cold.
Celeste inhaled deeply before stepping out of the car.
Andrew followed, his movements measured but tense.
Jaxon didn't move as they approached.
"You're late," he said.
His voice was smooth, controlled.
Celeste narrowed her eyes. "You should be grateful we even showed up."
A flicker of amusement crossed Jaxon's face, but it vanished just as quickly.
Andrew didn't waste time. "We need your help to get into the compound. You're the only one who can get us close to Rina."
Jaxon's expression didn't change.
"Why should I?"
Celeste's fists clenched. "Because you know what he did. To us. To you."
Jaxon let out a slow breath, his gaze shifting slightly.
"I know what he did," he admitted. "And I know what I should do."
Celeste's heart pounded.
"But I don't think you understand what you're asking me," Jaxon continued. His eyes met Andrew's, sharp and unyielding. "You want me to betray the man who raised me. The man who gave me everything."
"Everything?" Celeste snapped. "He stole you."
Jaxon didn't flinch. "Maybe. But that doesn't change the fact that he's the only father I've ever known."
Silence.
Celeste wanted to scream. How could he hesitate? How could he not see what Collaway had done?
Andrew stepped forward. "If you help us, we can end this. We can take him down, free Rina, and make sure he never hurts anyone again. Including you."
Jaxon exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
For the first time, he looked... uncertain.
And that, more than anything, made Celeste nervous.
Because if Jaxon Westwood wasn't sure where his loyalties lay…
Then they were already as good as dead.
To Be Continued…