Page 54 of Dangerous Beginnings

Chapter 33

A Dangerous Beginning

Aslanov

As I sit in the corner, the bitter taste of coffee lingers on my tongue, mirroring the bitterness of the decisions I’ve made. The bustling streets of New York seem to swirl around me, a chaotic dance that serves as a stark contrast to the calculated steps I’ve taken to orchestrate my departure.

My bags, packed with warm attire, stand as silent witnesses to my readiness to embrace the frigid winds of Moscow.

Pulling out my phone, I find solace in the familiar sight of the camera feeds from my house back in Moscow. It’s a stark image – an empty home that once echoed with life, is now a mere shell of memories. The clock continues its relentless march toward 1 p.m., the minutes ticking away with a cadence that matches the rhythm of my restless thoughts.

Isabella

As the clock inches towards 1 p.m., a sense of hopelessness envelops me. The realization dawns that whatever decision I make will define my fate. The thought of stepping into the unknown both terrifies and intrigues me.

The bruised face in the mirror reflects not just physical scars but the internal struggle that rages within me. I take off the bandage, letting the bruise heal on its own. The stitches on my eyebrow are covered in dried blood. I wet a cloth and try to remove some of the already forming scabs. My chest hurts, I try to take in a deep breath but everything aches.

Driven by a mix of despair and curiosity, I walk out of the bathroom, my gaze fixed on the doorway and the bag in front ofit. I’m not thinking rationally. Am I going to give myself away? My freedom?

My phone vibrates in my pocket, a message from Ada:When are you coming to work again?

Guilt rips me apart a little bit as I now am meeting with the man the whole city is looking for to bring to justice. In the meantime, I am just having a conversation withhim. He left New York completely confused and shattered, with nobody to catch him. Suddenly the doorbell rings, jolting me from my contemplation. With a sinking feeling, I recognize the silhouette through the frosted glass - Trevor, my boss at the police department is standing at my door. What the hell?

Heart pounding, I hesitate before opening the door, knowing what his presence signifies. Trevor’s stern expression betrays his intent before he even utters a word. I raise my eyebrow. He doesn’t even seem to care or pay attention to the bruises on my face. That’s unusual and rude.

“Isabella,” Trevor begins, his voice measured but laced with an undeniable edge, “We need to talk.”

I swallow hard, the air thick with tension as I brace myself for what is coming. “I’m aware of your recent... interactions,” Trevor continues, his words hanging in the air with a weight that sends a chill racing down my spine. My heart skips a beat, my mind racing to comprehend how Trevor could know about my clandestine meetings withAslanov. Besides I did not intend them, he did. I never had a choice, even though I might have slightly provoked him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I respond, my voice strained with a feigned innocence that does little to mask my growing panic. Everyone is on my ass lately. Trevor’s lips curl into a knowing smirk, his gaze unwavering as he delivers the blow I have been dreading.

“Don’t insult my intelligence, Isabella,” he retorts, his tonedripping with disdain. “I know about your little rendezvous with him.” My blood runs cold, my facade crumbling under the weight of Trevor’s revelation. Panic courses through my veins as I realize the gravity of the situation I’m now trapped in.Fuck.

“I-I can explain,” I stammer, my mind racing for a way to salvage the situation. But Trevor cuts me off with a dismissive wave of his hand, his expression hardening with each passing moment.

“Save your excuses,” he snaps, his voice a sharp rebuke. “What matters now is what you’re going to do.”

“You want me to betray him,” I state, my voice barely above a whisper, already knowing the answer.

Trevor’s expression remains stoic, unwavering in his resolve. “We need insider information, Isabella. And you’re in the perfect position to provide it. From the man himself. We need something to be able to arrange his arrest. We havenothing.”

A wave of despair washes over me as I realize the depth of Trevor’s expectations. The choice he’s presenting me with is clear, but the consequences are anything but. Yet another feeling fills me with relief. They have nothing on him; therefore they can’t arrest him.

“I can’t,” I breathe, my voice trembling with defiance and fear. Trevor’s features harden, his patience wearing thin.

“You don’t have a choice, Isabella. This is bigger than you, bigger than both of us. We’re talking about dismantling one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world.” My mind races, torn between my loyalty to the badge and the inexplicable pull I feel towardshim. But Trevor leaves me no room for hesitation, his words a final decree. Almost threatening.

“You’re either with us, Isabella, or you’re against us. And if you’re against us, you’ll be on the wrong side of the law.” Trevor’s eyes gleam with a sinister glint as he leans in closer, hisvoice a low, threatening growl.

“You’ve been playing a dangerous game, Isabella,” he says, each word dripping with malice. “Meeting with the boss of the Russian mafia behind our backs? That’s a betrayal of the highest order.” My heart pounds in my chest as I meet Trevor’s gaze, a cold sweat breaking out on my brow. “You think you can defy us and get away with it?” Trevor continues, his voice rising with each word. “You’re sorely mistaken.” My breath catches in my throat as Trevor’s threat hangs in the air, the weight of his words pressing down on me like a leaden weight. I realize with a sinking feeling that I have been outmaneuvered, trapped in a web of deceit with no way to escape.

“Now,” Trevor says, his tone cold and commanding, “You’re going to do exactly as I say. Or else,” he leans closer to me, “I will put out an arrest warrant for you and have you thrown into the filthiest highest security jail I can get access to.”

Chapter 34

A Journey

Aslanov

---