Aylin paced around Zayden’s sleek office, gripping the encrypted burner phone like it was her only lifeline. Her golden-brown eyes shifted over to Zayden, who was sitting in his leather chair, watching her with that intense blue gaze that always made her heart skip a beat. He nodded once, giving her a little push of encouragent.
Taking a deep breath, Aylin hit dial.
In Istanbul, Ayla was lounging on her comfy couch, scrolling through her phone mindlessly, when an unknown number popped up. The ringtone caught her off guard, and her heart raced. Not again. mories rushed back: the auction hall, blood, screams. Two years of therapy, and she still felt those shadows hanging over her. She stared at the screen, her hands trembling. Just answer it. Be brave.
"Hello?" Ayla whispered, her voice shaky.
"Heyyy! How are you?"
Ayla froze. That voice sounded so familiar—impossible. Her sister. "Aylin?"
She blinked rapidly, tears filling her eyes. Her hands shook more. "Aylin... is that really you?"
"Yeah, it’s ." Aylin’s voice cracked a bit on the other end, soft and emotional. "I’m good. What about you?"
Ayla let her tears flow, warm trails streaming down her cheeks. "I’m... I’m good now. Oh God, Aylin, where are you?"
"I’m safe. I’m okay. In the U.S."
Ayla wiped her face, feeling her heart race. "Is this your number?"
"No, it’s Zayden’s."
"Who’s Zayden?" Ayla frowned, curiosity breaking through her sobs.
Aylin let out a nervous laugh. "I’ll fill you in on everything."
Ayla pressed on, "Where did you go two years ago? Liam, Jax, Jane—they searched everywhere and couldn’t find you."
Aylin sighed deeply, a long, painful breath. "I’m really sorry. After the hospital, I cut ties with Liam and the others. I thought Alpha’s guys were right behind , so I just kept running. When I looked back, they were gone. But Alpha’s crew caught up to and chased into the woods. I crashed into Zayden—he saved . I spent three days with him, healing up. But when they ca after again, I had to bail. I didn’t want to drag him into my ss."
Ayla’s breath caught. "You were all alone? In the woods? At night?"
"Yep. I hid all night. The next day, they were on again. After Reyes helped vanish, I went to Malaysia. I changed my identity and went off the radar. Now... Zayden needs my help. I’m working with him."
Ayla’s voice cracked. "I was really worried. You used to check in all the ti, but two years... nothing. I thought you were gone."
Tears filled Aylin’s eyes as she spoke softly. "I wanted to call every day, but I couldn’t take the risk. The Alpha could trace ... if they found out where you were, I couldn’t bear to lose you again. You’re all I have left."
Ayla sniffled. "I get it, but it really hurt. And now? Soone’s watching us. Liam’s always on edge."
Aylin managed a small smile even with tears in her eyes. "That’s just Reyes’ guys. I asked him to keep an eye on you. I can’t lose my little sister."
Ayla laughed, feeling so relief. "Always the one looking out for ."
"Listen," Aylin said, her tone serious. "You need to co to the U.S. Zayden said you can crash with . It’ll be safe."
Ayla’s eyes widened. "But why is he being so helpful?"
Aylin hesitated, a flirty smile creeping onto her face as she glanced over at Zayden. "I’ll tell you when you get here, okay?"
Ayla peeked out the window and noticed Liam’s car pulling up. "Okay, babe. Love you. Take care. Liam’s here—I’ll let him know."
"Love you too. Bye."
Click.
Ayla hung up, grinning through her tears. A wave of relief washed over her—like two years of stress just lifted. She’s alive. Safe. And she wants to co over?
In the office, Aylin set the phone down, her eyes a bit glossy. Zayden watched her quietly, waiting.
She turned to him and handed over the phone. "Here’s your mobile."
He took it with a playful look. "I wonder why you didn’t just use yours."
Aylin smirked and settled onto his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I wanted her to have her brother-in-law’s number first."
Zayden raised an eyebrow, surprised, then laughed as he pulled her closer. "So you’re introducing already?"
She nodded, a shy smile lighting up her face.
He leaned in and kissed her neck softly, teasingly. "That’s a bold move, hacker girl."
Aylin giggled.
Zayden tilted his head and asked, "So, I’m curious... how’d you end up in that forest? It’s still a bit of a head-scratcher for . The last I heard, Lunel was taken—then just three days later, everyone was talking about how Lunel was dead."
He paused, his face getting serious. "I looked everywhere for Lunel. The hacker who saved my empire revealed Alpha’s betrayal. I can’t shake that off."
Aylin narrowed her eyes. "Really?"
"Yeah." He lightly traced her jaw with his fingers. "How could I forget the ghost who turned my world upside down?"
She leaned in, her voice playful, "And now?"
"Now?" He grinned, looking a bit dangerous. "You’re mine."
Aylin rolled her eyes, but her heart raced. "Can we flirt later? Tell —how did you not catch that Alpha was Michael Arthur? His betrayal?"
Zayden’s smile faded, so anger flashing in his eyes. "Soone helped him—an insider. I still haven’t figured out who that is. But we will."
Aylin tilted her head. "Maybe that person is the one feeding Alpha and Maksim now. Soone close to you—closer than you think."
Zayden narrowed his eyes, getting serious again. "Who? Leo? Kade? Are you hinting at soone?"
She shook her head. "Not pointing fingers. Just... soone you trust. But I doubt it’s them."
Zayden frowned. "Leo and Kade are solid. No families, no ties. They’re orphans turned military; they’d die before betraying . My staff is mostly like that—mostly loners, well-vetted. Twenty percent have family, but they’re just guards. After Alpha’s betrayal blew up, that insider disappeared too. It could be soone from the outside."
And sowhere among the people Zayden trusted most, a ghost was still breathing.
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