Salzburg
Aaliyah
The hotel was nothing short of stunning. Aaliyah stood in the middle of their suite, spinning slowly to take in the high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and plush furniture. The whole place felt like it belonged in a movie—rich fabrics, warm lighting, and a panoramic view of Salzburg’s historic skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The Salzach River glimmered below, winding through the city like a silver ribbon.
“This is… wow,” Aaliyah said, setting her bag down on the nearest chair. “How did you manage this?”
Cruz shrugged, her expression unreadable as always. “It’s easier to stay under the radar in a crowd of wealthy tourists. Besides…” She glanced around the room, her lips curving into the faintest smirk. “Mrs. and Mrs. Mendez deserve the best, don’t you think?”
Aaliyah rolled her eyes, though she couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. “Right. Our honeymoon.”
Cruz chuckled softly, dropping her bag on the bed and beginning her usual ritual of unpacking and checking her gear. Her movements were calm, methodical—more relaxed than Aaliyah had seen her since this whole thing began. It was subtle, but the tension in Cruz’s shoulders wasn’t as sharp, and her gaze wasn’t constantly darting to the door.
“Are you really not going to enjoy this place at all?” Aaliyah asked, raising an eyebrow. “Because I’m pretty sure they’ll bring champagne to the room if you just pick up the phone.”
“Tempting,” Cruz replied without looking up. “But you know we can’t let our guard down.”
Aaliyah sighed, flopping onto the couch. “I know. But we’ve put so much distance between us and… them. Can’t we just relax for one night? Enjoy Salzburg? I’ve always wanted to visit Austria.”
Cruz paused, glancing up at her. “You have?”
“Yes!” Aaliyah said, sitting up straight. “It’s beautiful, historic, and I’ve heard amazing things about the nightlife.” She gave Cruz her most convincing smile. “Come on. One night. Let’s have some fun.”
Cruz frowned slightly, clearly weighing the risks in her head. Aaliyah could almost see the wheels turning, and she leaned forward, pressing her case. “Please, Cruz. We’re staying at a fancy hotel under fake names. Nobody’s going to be looking for us at a club. Besides, isn’t that what honeymoons are for? Celebrating?”
Cruz groaned, rubbing a hand over her face. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
Aaliyah beamed. “Absolutely not.”
--
The night air was cool and crisp as they strolled along the Salzach River, the sound of water lapping against the banks mingling with the distant hum of the city. The streets were alive with activity—couples walking hand in hand, musicians playing near streetlamps, and the occasional cyclist whizzing by. Aaliyah felt lighter than she had in days, her earlier tension melting away with every step.
She glanced at Cruz, who walked beside her with her hands in her jacket pockets. The usual stoicism was still there, but there was something softer in her expression, something almost… content. Aaliyah’s heart fluttered, though she quickly pushed the feeling aside.
“This is nice, isn’t it?” Aaliyah asked, breaking the silence.
Cruz nodded. “It is.”
They walked in comfortable quiet for a while, the river’s glow casting soft reflections on the cobblestones. But then Aaliyah spotted it—a vibrant, pulsing building just off the main street, its neon lights promising music and energy. Her eyes lit up.
“There!” she said, pointing toward the dance club. “That’s where we’re going.”
Cruz followed her gaze and immediately frowned. “Aaliyah…”
“Nope,” Aaliyah said, grabbing her hand and tugging her toward the entrance. “This is our honeymoon, remember? We’re celebrating.”
Cruz resisted for a moment, muttering something about bad ideas and terrible timing, but Aaliyah refused to let her off the hook. “Come on,” she said, turning to face Cruz with a teasing smile. “Don’t you think we deserve a little fun?”
Cruz sighed, clearly defeated. “Fine. But just one drink.”
Aaliyah grinned, her excitement bubbling over as she dragged Cruz inside. The music hit them immediately, a thumping bassline that vibrated through the floor and into their chests. The club was packed, the dance floor a sea of moving bodies illuminated by flashing lights. Aaliyah couldn’t stop smiling.
“This is perfect,” she said, leaning close to Cruz so she could hear her over the music.
Cruz gave her a skeptical look but didn’t argue. She let Aaliyah lead her to a small table near the edge of the dance floor, where a server quickly appeared with menus. Aaliyah ordered a cocktail with a name she didn’t recognize, while Cruz stuck to a simple whiskey.
“See?” Aaliyah said, sipping her drink. “This isn’t so bad.”
“Yet,” Cruz muttered, but there was a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Cruz
The hotel suite was the kind of luxury Cruz rarely allowed herself to enjoy. The sweeping views of Salzburg, the plush furniture, and the subtle scent of fresh flowers made the room feel like a dream. But for Cruz, it wasn’t a reprieve—it was just another temporary hideout. She moved through the space with her usual precision, unpacking her gear and mentally cataloging the exits, the sightlines, and the potential threats.
Aaliyah’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Are you really not going to enjoy this place at all?”
Cruz glanced over her shoulder to see Aaliyah sprawled on the couch, looking far too comfortable for someone on the run. “Tempting,” Cruz replied, “but you know we can’t let our guard down.”
Aaliyah groaned dramatically, sitting up and fixing her with an exasperated look. “Can’t we just relax for one night? I’ve always wanted to visit Austria.”
Cruz paused, her hands stilling over the clasp of her bag. “You have?”
“Yes,” Aaliyah said, her voice softening. “It’s beautiful, historic, and I’ve heard amazing things about their nightlife.” Her expression brightened, and Cruz immediately felt a twinge of concern. “Come on. One night. Let’s have some fun.”
Cruz frowned. Fun. The word felt foreign, misplaced in a situation as precarious as theirs. But Aaliyah’s eagerness was infectious, and Cruz found herself wavering. She hated this part—saying no to someone who had already lost so much. And deep down, she knew Aaliyah deserved this. They both did.
“Please, Cruz,” Aaliyah pressed, giving her a look that was impossible to ignore. “We’re staying at a fancy hotel under fake names. Nobody’s going to be looking for us at a club. Besides, isn’t that what honeymoons are for? Celebrating?”
Cruz groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”
Aaliyah’s smile lit up the room. “Absolutely not.”
--
The night air was cool and crisp as they walked along the Salzach River. Cruz kept her hands in her jacket pockets, her gaze sweeping over the city’s glowing streets and the darkened water below. For the first time in days, her shoulders felt lighter. The distance they’d put between themselves and their pursuers wasn’t much, but it was enough for her to breathe easier.
“This is nice, isn’t it?” Aaliyah said, breaking the comfortable silence.
“It is,” Cruz admitted, her voice quieter than usual. She glanced at Aaliyah, who seemed more relaxed now, her steps light and her expression open. Cruz wasn’t used to this side of her—the one that wasn’t weighed down by fear or frustration. It was disarming.
The peace didn’t last long. Aaliyah suddenly pointed at a neon-lit building just off the main street, her eyes lighting up like a kid spotting a candy store. “There! That’s where we’re going.”
Cruz followed her gaze and immediately frowned. The club was loud and crowded, its thumping bassline audible even from a distance. “Aaliyah…”
“Nope,” Aaliyah said, grabbing her hand and tugging her forward. “This is our honeymoon, remember? We’re celebrating.”
Cruz resisted at first, muttering under her breath about bad ideas and terrible timing. But Aaliyah’s grip was firm, and her enthusiasm was impossible to ignore. Cruz found herself letting out a reluctant sigh as she let Aaliyah drag her toward the entrance.
“Fine,” Cruz said, her tone resigned. “But just one drink.”
--
The club was a sensory overload. Music pounded through the air, vibrating the floor beneath their feet. The flashing lights painted the crowd in neon colors, and the energy was electric. Cruz felt out of place immediately, her instincts on high alert as she scanned the room for exits and potential threats.
“This is perfect,” Aaliyah said, leaning close to Cruz so she could be heard over the music.
Cruz raised an eyebrow, skeptical but unwilling to dampen Aaliyah’s excitement. “Sure,” she said dryly, following her to a small table near the edge of the dance floor.
Aaliyah ordered a cocktail with a fancy name, while Cruz stuck to whiskey—something simple and familiar. She sipped it slowly, her gaze constantly sweeping the room, but Aaliyah’s laughter kept pulling her attention back.
“See? This isn’t so bad,” Aaliyah said, grinning as she swirled her drink.
“Yet,” Cruz muttered, though the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.