Two Worlds (18+)

Twenty Eight | A Hunch

A I S L I N G

Josephine brought me to a what looks to be a farmer's cabin along some of the ever so green Ireland fields. The scenery is all such a drastic change from the city.

She said we're safe here while she get us flights out of here under different identities. We had to stop at a beauty supply store on the way back.

Unfortunately I have to dye my hair, which I'm a master at since I had done it so much on my own when I was younger. I cringe, knowing this will damage my healthy hair all too much.

Josephine tells me to relax and that she's going to go devise a safe route back. I head to a room to get some well needed rest.

A ringing comes from the burner phone in my pocket. Seeing Nate's number pop up, I pull it out and answer.

"Hey." I answer tiredly as I plop myself onto the bed.

"Aisling, what do you know about that girl, Aaliyah?"

I sit up, now very much attentive. "Giovanni's sister? She's my friend or was, honestly I really don't know where I stand with anyone but you."

"She called me." Huh? Is she hunting me down for Alessio? "It sounded like she was looking for you on her own, as a friend. She said she knew if you ran and would contact anyone, it'd be me." Nate answers my thoughts and I can't help but crack a smile, I've barely known her for a month but she knows me so well.

Is that good or bad? I'm leaning towards good, maybe I'm just being hopeful. "She asked me to call her number specifically, if I find anything. She sounded kind of worried in my opinion. Take that as you wish though."

"Just text me the number. Thank you. And Nate, can you do me a favor? Just check up on Bailey, Laila, and Hannah. Make sure they're doing okay for me."

"Of course, you got it. Love you A."

"Love you too." I hang up, awaiting the text. It's not a good idea, and it goes against all my rules for plan abandon ship.

Though I can't help myself, I want to know how she feels. Maybe she doesn't believe it all? Who am I kidding, Alessio probably believes it, so why wouldn't she?

I hit the highlighted number in the message and press call. It rings a couple times before it's picked up. All I hear is silence though.

"Aaliyah?" I speak hesitantly.

"Shit. Aisling?" A familiar gruff voice responds, sounding surprised to hear my voice.

Dante.

What in the hell is going on?

"Yeah. Um, Dante is that you?" I answer cautiously, I could be blowing my cover.

He clears his throat. "Yeah it's me. We've been trying to reach you."

"We?"

"Aaliyah, Valentina, and I." Oh. It was stupid of me to think Alessio wouldn't doubt believing I had bad intentions, he's like me, untrusting.

Although it feels like he's the only person I've ever let in to know the real me, all of it, not just the good but also the painful.

I can be honest with Aaliyah but her and I never really talked too deeply about our pasts. For some reason, Alessio just wanted to know mine.

Of course there are still things I haven't told him but my point is that I feel like someday I could work up to being completely open with him.

It's nice to know some people do have faith in me though.

"I'm at a safe house, with a friend."

"Who?" Should I just answer honestly? I don't have enough information to know what the smart play is here.

I don't know who to trust. I sure as hell don't even know if I trust Josephine.

"Someone who claims they can protect me. Why are you three looking for me on your own? I hear everyone has an eye out."

"We know it's not true, Aisling. Although Gio has been spearheading the campaign to convince Alessio to turn against you. We don't know why, but us three came back from Italy to start our own search for you." Ouch, Giovanni flipped real quick.

That's suspicious...

Despite the situation, I laugh in my head for a moment, hearing that in Cardi B's voice.

That's weird...

Okay okay I'm done.

"Dante, I don't know who to trust or what to do next. I hate not knowing so much." I admit truthfully.

"Come back. We can help you. We've already begun searching for Agent Hadley." Damn, I really can't miss that. I need to be the one to speak with him.

"And what's your plan for when you find him?"

"We're going to kidnap him." Dante states simply, as if it's just that easy.

"Is that smart?" I ask cautiously, I didn't want them to put themselves into trouble for me.

"I'm going off a hunch. This isn't about an investigation surrounding supposed intel from you. That's just bullshit, I have friends in high places, they haven't heard a word of it. That means this Agent Hadley is likely dirty, being paid off or threatened by someone else to put you in a compromising decision so it looks like you snitched." He explains sensibly.

"And this someone else has a vendetta against me..." I trail off thinking of the one person who has the motive, power, and resources to do this.

Alexsei Sorokin.