Page 61 of Dangerous Beginnings

“When they died a part of him died.” Her voice shakes me out of my thoughts, making me look at her while she stares at the picture in my hand. “He became bitter,” she sighs heavily, “heartless by heartbreak.”

I resonate with the pain of feeling lonely and lost. Taken away from people you love. “He never was the same. They took away what mattered most tohimso he chose to never let anybody in anymore. This has been more than 15 years ago.” I then remember our age gap. “One of the reasons he doesn’t speak much.”

I offer her a sad smile. It must have been hard for her too. Losing her sister and niece, but also him since he was never the same again. I wonder if she has a husband, but I don’t want topush her. She has opened up to me more than I expected anyone to do here. “I wonder if he feels something for you,” she says abruptly.

I stare at her while giving her an awkward laugh. “I’m positive he doesnot.”

I swallow down my pride when she speaks again, “The past month he had been different. He seems out of place, not incontrol. That is nothing for Aslanov.” The way she speaks of his name sends shivers down my spine, her Russian accent engulfing it. She turns to me again, “It’s a dangerous world here—don’t be fooled by your special treatment—he is a verydangerousman.” I swallow at her statement, her eyes hinting at danger. She knows what she is talking about and is warning me: “Evenifhe’d care just thetiniestbit about you, in his world that equals nothing. Just do as you’re told,” she murmurs while cleaning the dishes, “and especially whenheorders it.”

She takes the empty cup from me and my empty plate. “He doesn’t order it without reason.” With that, she turns away, in a hurry. As if she can sense something. And apparently, she can because not a minute later headlights appear on the porch. But as I gently pull the curtain back to look through the window, I notice an unfamiliar car. Soon a tall silhouette exits, it’s Dominik.

Dominik steps into the house, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion as he spots me in the kitchen. He approaches cautiously, his gaze shifting between me and his phone. He furrows his brows before typing something.

I didn’t expect to see you here.

I give him a weak smile, “It’s a bit complicated I guess.”

About half an hour later we got to know each other, and I concluded that he’s for sure a soft guy. He turns his phone around again.

Well, since Aslanov won’t be back for hours, how about wemake the most of it?

He suggests a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I know a casino nearby. Do you want to join me for some games?

“I’m not sure that’s,” I wait hesitantly before adding, “allowed.”

Dominik shakes his head before typing away again, I stare at his ink-black hair while he types. He looks nothing like Aslanov, his features are way darker, and he’s not nearly as tall.

You’ll be safe with me. Don’t worry about it.

“You sure? He told me not to leave.”

Dominik reassures me again that it would not cause any trouble and that he would communicate with him, so eventually I decide to go. Maybe making friends here will help me.

Despite his words, I can’t shake the feeling that disobeying Aslanov’s orders might lead to trouble as we enter Dominik’s car. He offers me candy and turns on some music. Dominik glances at me, catching my eye with a playful grin. He puts his thumb up asking me if the song is good, as he nods to the music playing through the speakers. I nod enthusiastically, feeling a rush of warmth as the melody washes over me.

“Yeah, it’s great,” I reply, unable to suppress a smile.

The car ride is relaxed and fun, and for those ten minutes, it seems that life is relatively normal. But as the car comes to a stop and I step out onto the bustling streets, the sense of overstimulation hits me like a tidal wave. The noise, the crowds, the flashing lights—it’s all too much. I glance around frantically, searching for Dominik’s familiar figure in the sea of people, but he’s nowhere to be seen. Did he just disappear? I walk inside the building hoping he is waiting at the entrance, but I cannot find him anywhere. Something feels off. Panic sets in, my heart pounding in my chest as I struggle to catch my breath. The building is large and filled with wealthy people. It’s so crowded,that an all-too-familiar panic settles in.

When I turn around to find Dominik a man glances my way, and I immediately know that his intentions are wrong.

“Hey there, sweetheart,” the man says, his voice oozing with false charm as he leans in closer, invading my personal space. “You look lost. Need some help?” His very thick Russian accent fills the space, and he can see I’m not a Russian, hence the English. I look like a deer lost in the forest. I swallow my mind races with fear and uncertainty, every instinct screaming at me to get away from him.

“I’m okay, I’m just waiting for someone.”

An eerie smirk plays on his lips. I swallow. I need to find Dominik and get the hell away here. The man doesn’t leave me alone and comes closer. I back away while the toilet catches my eye. I make a sprint for it before he can move any closer. As my panic escalates, my surroundings seem to blur into a dizzying whirlwind of noise and movement. Every breath feels like a struggle, my chest tightening with each gasp for air. I lock the door and try to catch my breath. I’m in an unfamiliar country and I just lost where I am, and the person I’m here with.

My shaking hands get out my phone with just one contact number in it: Aslanov. “Fuck…fuck!” I curse to myself as more panic settles in. With a shaky finger, I press the dial and close my eyes, he is going to kill me.

Suddenly he answers, his voice a whisper from the other side of the line.

“Isabella?” he asks, his tone commanding and authoritative. My breath is caught in my throat as I panicky start to explain what happened. His answers are silent as I try to speak up and tell him that I thought Dominik would tell him. About the man, and that I do not feel safe at all. I tell him I lost Dominik and now locked myself in a toilet. All this time he doesn’t say a single word.

“Can you please come?” He doesn’t answer. More panic settles in, I should have never left the house, not even with Dominik. “I’m very sorry, please come.” I whimper as I can’t catch my breath.

“Isabella, listen to me,” Aslanov’s voice cuts the silence with a slight anger, yet filled with an undercurrent of concern. “I need you to focus on your breathing. Inhale deeply through your nose, and exhale slowly through your mouth. You’re having a panic attack.” His words are a balm to my frayed nerves, guiding me through the storm of my anxiety with practiced ease.

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