Nobody's Daughter

Aaliyah

Aaliyah held Cruz through the night, her heart aching in a way that felt both tender and overwhelming. She had never seen someone so strong look so vulnerable. Cruz, who had fought to protect her, who had shielded her from every danger without hesitation, had finally let her walls fall. And now, as Aaliyah lay beside her, she realized something she hadn’t quite allowed herself to admit until this moment.

She was falling in love with Cruz.

It wasn’t just the way Cruz protected her, or the quiet strength she carried with her everywhere she went. It was the way Cruz had let herself be vulnerable tonight, had trusted Aaliyah enough to show her pain, her past, her scars. That trust meant more to Aaliyah than anything else ever had.

Cruz shifted beside her, her breathing evening out as sleep began to take her. Aaliyah watched her, the soft rise and fall of her chest, the tension in her shoulders finally melting away. Without thinking, Aaliyah leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Cruz’s forehead, her fingers lightly brushing through her dark hair.

“You’re safe with me,” Aaliyah whispered, even though Cruz couldn’t hear her. “Always.”

As the silence of the night wrapped around them, Aaliyah felt the weight of everything between them—the emotions they hadn’t fully named yet, the connection that had grown stronger with each passing day. She didn’t know what the future held for them, didn’t know how long they had before danger found them again. But tonight, in this moment, none of that mattered.

Aaliyah tightened her arms around Cruz, pulling her closer, and as Cruz stirred slightly, their eyes met—soft, dark, and filled with something Aaliyah couldn’t quite name but felt deep in her chest.

Neither of them spoke. Words weren’t necessary.

Aaliyah leaned in slowly, her lips brushing against Cruz’s in a kiss that started soft but quickly deepened, fueled by the emotions swirling between them. Cruz responded instantly, her hands finding Aaliyah’s waist, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.

It was different this time—slower, more deliberate. Every touch, every kiss felt like an unspoken promise, a quiet declaration of something neither of them had been ready to say out loud.

As they moved together, their bodies tangled beneath the sheets, Aaliyah felt herself surrender completely to the moment, to Cruz. This wasn’t just desire—it was something deeper, something that made her chest ache in the best way possible. And as the night stretched on, they lost themselves in each other, the world outside fading into nothingness.

--

The morning sunlight streamed softly into the room, painting warm streaks across the sheets. Aaliyah stirred, her body still pleasantly tangled in the afterglow of the night before. The warmth of Cruz’s body beside her, the steady rise and fall of her breath, had lulled her into a rare, dreamless sleep.

But now, the bed felt empty.

She blinked her eyes open, scanning the room until she spotted Cruz by the window, her silhouette framed by the golden light. She was dressed, leaning slightly against the wall with her phone in hand, her posture tense. The sight of Cruz looking so serious made something tighten in Aaliyah’s chest.

“Hey…” Aaliyah’s voice was soft as she sat up, clutching the sheet around her. “Is everything okay?”

Cruz glanced at her, the sharp lines of her face softening slightly at the sight of her. She didn’t answer right away, instead tucking her phone into her back pocket and crossing the room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she rested her elbows on her knees, her head dipping briefly as if searching for the right words.

“We need to leave,” Cruz said finally, her voice low but steady. “Your father’s men are closing in. They’ve widened the search, and if we stay much longer, we risk being found.”

Aaliyah’s heart sank. She had known this peace was temporary, that eventually they’d have to move again. But hearing it said aloud made it real, and it hurt more than she expected. Salzburg had become more than just a hiding place. It was where she had started to feel something real—something she was finally brave enough to acknowledge.

“Leave? Just like that?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Cruz nodded, her gaze unwavering. “It’s not safe here anymore. We’ll head to Milan. I’ve got a contact there who can help us lay low for a while.”

Milan. Another city, another unknown. Another place to start over.

Aaliyah dropped her gaze, her fingers curling around the edge of the sheet. She should have been used to this by now—the constant running, the uncertainty of what came next. But this time was different. This time, leaving felt like walking away from something she wasn’t ready to let go of.

“You’re quiet,” Cruz said, her tone softer now. “What’s going on?”

Aaliyah hesitated, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts she couldn’t quite put into words. “It’s just… It feels like every time things start to feel normal, they get ripped away. Like we can never just… be.”

Cruz shifted closer, her hand brushing lightly against Aaliyah’s arm. The touch was brief but grounding, steadying her in a way only Cruz could. “Normal isn’t something we get to have right now. But it doesn’t mean this—what’s happening between us—goes away when we leave.”

Aaliyah looked up, meeting Cruz’s gaze. The sincerity in her eyes was undeniable, and it made something inside Aaliyah ache. Cruz had always been her protector, but now she was becoming something more—something Aaliyah wasn’t sure she could name yet, but something she didn’t want to lose.

“You mean that?” Aaliyah asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cruz nodded, her hand lingering on Aaliyah’s arm. “I meant what I said yesterday. This doesn’t change because we’re leaving. It’s not about where we are—it’s about us.”

Aaliyah exhaled slowly, the tension in her chest easing just a bit. She leaned into Cruz’s touch, resting her head on her shoulder. “It’s just… I don’t want to lose what we have here. I don’t want things to change.”

“They won’t,” Cruz said firmly. “At least, not in the way you’re afraid of. I’m still here, Aaliyah. I’m not going anywhere.”

The quiet promise in Cruz’s words settled something deep inside Aaliyah, easing the fear that had taken hold of her. She closed her eyes, letting herself savor the warmth of Cruz’s presence, the steady beat of her heart beneath her ear. For a moment, it didn’t matter that they had to leave, that danger was lurking just beyond the horizon. All that mattered was this—being here, together.

“I guess Milan could be fun,” Aaliyah said after a while, her voice lighter now. “New city, new adventures.”

Cruz huffed a quiet laugh, the sound low and comforting. “That’s the spirit.”

Aaliyah pulled back slightly, just enough to meet Cruz’s gaze. “Promise me something.”

“What?”

“Promise me you’ll let me take you on dates,” Aaliyah said, her lips curving into a small smile. “Wherever we go.”

Cruz arched an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Dates, huh?”

“Yeah,” Aaliyah said, her smile widening. “We’re overdue for a proper one anyway. No danger, no running—just us.”

Cruz didn’t answer right away, but the way her eyes softened, the way her smirk faded into something more genuine, was enough. “I’ll do my best.”

“Good,” Aaliyah whispered, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Cruz’s lips.

The kiss was brief but full of quiet promises, of unspoken understanding. When they pulled apart, Aaliyah smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Cruz’s face. “We’ll figure this out. One city at a time.”

Cruz nodded, her hand finding Aaliyah’s again. “One city at a time.”

--

The suite was quiet except for the soft rustle of clothing and the occasional sound of zippers being tugged shut. Aaliyah’s suitcase lay open on the bed, half-packed, while Cruz’s sat neatly by the door—already zipped and ready to go, because of course Cruz would have finished packing first.

Aaliyah tossed a few more things into her bag, glancing over at Cruz, who was leaning against the dresser, watching her with an unreadable expression. It wasn’t the intense, calculating gaze Cruz usually wore when they were out in public. This was softer, quieter—more like curiosity, like Cruz was trying to figure her out in a way she hadn’t before.

“You’re staring,” Aaliyah said with a teasing grin, holding up a neatly folded blouse before tossing it into the suitcase. “Like what you see?”

Cruz’s lips twitched, though she didn’t outright smile. “Just making sure you’re actually packing and not planning to smuggle the entire hotel suite with you.”

Aaliyah laughed, the sound light and unrestrained. She picked up one of the scarves she’d bought in town and dramatically draped it around her neck. “I mean, can you blame me? The aesthetics here are hard to beat.”

Cruz finally smiled—a small, fleeting thing, but it warmed Aaliyah’s chest. “You sure you need all that?”

“First of all,” Aaliyah said, tossing the scarf at Cruz, who caught it easily, “yes, I do. Second, we’re going to Milan. Fashion capital of the world. I’m just… blending in.”

Cruz shook her head, amused, and crossed the room toward her. “You’ve got a plan for everything, don’t you?”

“Always,” Aaliyah said with a playful smirk. “It’s called being prepared.”

As Cruz approached, Aaliyah’s heart gave a small, traitorous flutter. There was something about the way Cruz moved—calm, confident, in control—that made her pulse quicken. And now, after everything they’d shared, that feeling was amplified tenfold. Every glance, every touch, felt charged with something unspoken.

Without thinking, Aaliyah reached out and hooked her fingers through the belt loops of Cruz’s jeans, pulling her closer. Cruz didn’t resist, stepping between her and the bed, their bodies almost touching.

“You really going to supervise my packing the whole time?” Aaliyah asked, her voice softening as her fingers played with the edge of Cruz’s belt. “Or are you just looking for an excuse to stay close?”

Cruz’s dark eyes flicked down to where Aaliyah’s hands rested on her hips, then back up. “Maybe both.”

Aaliyah’s grin widened. She loved this—loved seeing Cruz’s usual stoicism crack, loved coaxing out these rare moments of openness. It made her feel powerful in a way she hadn’t expected, knowing she could do this to someone as guarded as Cruz.

“You could just admit you like being near me,” Aaliyah said, her voice teasing but her heart pounding.

Cruz’s lips quirked in that almost-smile she did so well. “I thought that was obvious.”

It was such a simple statement, but it stole her breath for a second. She didn’t know how Cruz managed to do that—turn her world upside down with a few quiet words—but she wasn’t complaining. Instead, she tugged Cruz even closer, until their foreheads touched, their breaths mingling in the small space between them.

“I’m glad we’re doing this,” Aaliyah murmured. “Even if it’s messy. Even if we’re still figuring it out.”

Cruz’s hand came up, fingers brushing lightly along Aaliyah’s jaw before tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Me too.”

For a moment, they just stood there, wrapped in each other’s presence. Aaliyah felt like she could stay like this forever—caught in the warmth of Cruz’s touch, the quiet intensity of her gaze. But then reality crept back in, reminding her that they still had a plane to catch, a life to outrun.

“We should finish packing,” Cruz said, her voice low but steady, a smirk playing at her lips. “And by ‘we’, I mean you.”

“Yeah, probably,” Aaliyah agreed, though she made no move to let go.

Still, Cruz gently pulled back, giving her one last lingering look before turning toward the dresser to grab a few things she had left out. Aaliyah watched her go, her heart swelling with something she didn’t quite know how to name yet. She didn’t have to say it aloud to know she was starting to fall for Cruz—fall hard and fast in a way that felt terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, Aaliyah turned back to her suitcase, grabbing a pair of heels and tucking them into the side pocket. She packed methodically after that, occasionally sneaking glances at Cruz, who was meticulously checking over her gear one last time. The sight of Cruz so focused, so steady, made Aaliyah feel grounded in a way she hadn’t felt in years.

When they finally zipped up the last of their bags, Cruz stepped up beside her again, their shoulders brushing. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” Aaliyah said, flashing a grin to mask the nervous flutter in her chest.

Cruz didn’t miss a beat. She reached out, taking Aaliyah’s hand and giving it a brief, reassuring squeeze. “We’ve got this.”

Aaliyah squeezed back, letting the warmth of Cruz’s touch chase away her nerves. 

Cruz

The soft glow of the morning light filtered through the curtains, painting faint golden streaks across the suite. Cruz stood by the window, phone in hand, her gaze shifting from the screen to the quiet street below. The intel she had just received weighed heavily on her mind. Aaliyah’s father had widened his search. If they didn’t leave Salzburg soon, it would only be a matter of time before someone found them.

Her grip tightened on the phone. She hated this—hated the constant running, the need to uproot Aaliyah every time they got a moment’s peace. Cruz had lived her life in constant motion, always ready to leave everything behind. But Aaliyah wasn’t like her. She deserved better than this. Better than danger lurking around every corner, better than a life dictated by fear.

A quiet rustle behind her drew her attention. Cruz turned to see Aaliyah sitting up in bed, the sheets tangled around her bare shoulders, her hair tousled from sleep. Despite the seriousness of the situation, something in Cruz softened at the sight. Aaliyah looked at her with those warm, curious eyes, and for a moment, the tension in Cruz’s chest eased.

“Hey…” Aaliyah’s voice was soft, still laced with sleep. “Is everything okay?”

Cruz didn’t answer right away. Instead, she slipped her phone into her back pocket and crossed the room, sitting on the edge of the bed. She rested her elbows on her knees, head dipping slightly as she tried to find the right words. She hated having to be the bearer of bad news, especially now, after last night—after everything they had shared.

“We need to leave,” she said finally, her voice low but steady. “Your father’s men are closing in. They’ve expanded the search. If we stay much longer, we risk being found.”

She watched as Aaliyah’s expression shifted, the lightness from moments ago replaced by something heavier. Cruz braced herself for an argument, for resistance, but Aaliyah simply dropped her gaze, fingers curling around the edge of the sheet. It was moments like these that reminded Cruz just how much Aaliyah had lost—her home, her freedom, her sense of normalcy.

“Leave? Just like that?” Aaliyah’s voice was quiet, steady, but Cruz could hear the hurt beneath it.

Cruz nodded, her gaze unwavering. “It’s not safe here anymore. We’ll head to Milan. I have a contact there who can help us lay low for a while.”

Milan. Another city, another temporary refuge. It was the best option she could think of, but even as she said it, Cruz felt a pang of guilt. Aaliyah had just started to find her footing here, to feel something resembling normal. And now Cruz was asking her to leave it all behind again.

Aaliyah didn’t respond right away. Instead, she stared down at the sheet, her fingers curling and uncurling around the fabric. Cruz could see the conflict in her eyes, the way she fought to keep her emotions in check.

“You’re quiet,” Cruz said softly, shifting closer until their knees brushed. “What’s going on?”

Aaliyah hesitated before finally speaking. “It’s just… It feels like every time things start to feel normal, they get ripped away. Like we can never just… be.”

Cruz’s heart clenched at the words. She knew exactly what Aaliyah meant. She had felt it too—the brief moments of peace, of something real, only to have it shattered by the looming threat of danger. She reached out, her hand brushing lightly against Aaliyah’s arm in a gesture of comfort.

“Normal isn’t something we get to have right now,” Cruz said gently. “But it doesn’t mean this—what’s happening between us—goes away when we leave.”

Aaliyah lifted her gaze, meeting Cruz’s eyes. There was a vulnerability there, a quiet plea for reassurance that made Cruz’s chest ache. She wasn’t used to this—wasn’t used to being someone’s anchor. But for Aaliyah, she wanted to be.

“You mean that?” Aaliyah asked quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cruz nodded, her hand lingering on Aaliyah’s arm. “I meant what I said yesterday. This doesn’t change because we’re leaving. It’s not about where we are—it’s about us.”

Aaliyah exhaled slowly, leaning into Cruz’s touch, her head resting on her shoulder. Cruz wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. She wasn’t good at this—at words, at emotions—but she hoped Aaliyah could feel what she couldn’t say.

“It’s just… I don’t want to lose what we have here. I don’t want things to change,” Aaliyah murmured.

“They won’t,” Cruz said firmly, her voice steady. “At least, not in the way you’re afraid of. I’m still here, Aaliyah. I’m not going anywhere.”

The quiet promise hung between them, and for the first time in a long while, Cruz felt like it was one she could keep. She might not have control over much, but she could control this—she could be here for Aaliyah, no matter where they ended up.

After a moment, Aaliyah pulled back slightly, a small smile tugging at her lips. “I guess Milan could be fun. New city, new adventures.”

Cruz huffed a quiet laugh. “That’s the spirit.”

Aaliyah’s smile widened. “Promise me something.”

“What?”

“Promise me you’ll let me take you on dates,” Aaliyah said, her eyes shining with mischief. “Wherever we go.”

Cruz arched an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Dates, huh?”

“Yeah,” Aaliyah said, grinning. “We’re overdue for a proper one anyway. No danger, no running—just us.”

Cruz didn’t answer right away, but the way her smirk softened into something more genuine was answer enough. “I’ll do my best.”

“Good,” Aaliyah whispered, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Cruz’s lips.

The kiss was brief but full of quiet promises, of unspoken understanding. When they pulled apart, Cruz brushed a strand of hair from Aaliyah’s face, a rare smile tugging at her lips. “One city at a time.”

Aaliyah nodded, her hand finding Cruz’s again. “One city at a time.”

Packing was quick for Cruz. Years of having to be ready at a moment’s notice and fly across the world for an op had made her efficient, methodical. She zipped up her suitcase and placed it by the door, turning to watch as Aaliyah packed at a much more leisurely pace. The sight made her smile—a real, unguarded smile that felt strange but good.

“You’re staring,” Aaliyah said without looking up, a teasing grin on her lips. “Like what you see?”

Cruz leaned against the dresser, arms crossed. “Just making sure you’re actually packing and not planning to smuggle the entire hotel suite with you.”

Aaliyah laughed, the sound light and infectious. She picked up a scarf and draped it around her neck dramatically. “I mean, can you blame me? The aesthetics here are hard to beat.”

Cruz shook her head, amused. “You sure you need all that?”

“Yes, I do,” Aaliyah said, tossing the scarf at Cruz, who caught it easily. “We’re going to Milan. Fashion capital of the world. I’m just… blending in.”

Cruz crossed the room toward her, her steps slow and deliberate. “You’ve got a plan for everything, don’t you?”

“Always,” Aaliyah said with a playful smirk.

Cruz stopped in front of her, close enough that their bodies almost touched. Aaliyah’s fingers hooked through the belt loops of Cruz’s jeans, pulling her closer. Cruz didn’t resist, letting herself be drawn in.

“You really going to supervise my packing the whole time?” Aaliyah asked, her voice softening. “Or are you just looking for an excuse to stay close?”

“Maybe both,” Cruz admitted, her voice low.

Aaliyah’s grin widened. “You could just admit you like being near me.”

“I thought that was obvious.”

Aaliyah’s expression softened, her fingers brushing lightly against Cruz’s waist. “I’m glad we’re doing this. Even if it’s messy.”

Cruz cupped Aaliyah’s face gently, her thumb brushing over her cheek. “Me too.”

--

To anyone else, this might have looked like a simple task—a couple packing for a spontaneous trip to Milan. But to Cruz, it was far more than that. Every moment, every movement, was calculated. Every step needed to be planned, contingencies mapped out in her head like a complex web.

First priority: get to the airport without being noticed.

Her contact had assured her that the window of opportunity was small but viable. They needed to blend in, avoid drawing attention, and move quickly. Cruz had already plotted two routes to the airport—the main one and a secondary route through less crowded streets in case she spotted a tail.

Second priority: ensure safe passage through customs.

She had fake IDs from Marco ready—ones that would pass even a close inspection. The names on their passports, Kate and Sam Mendez, were tied to solid backstories she’d prepared weeks ago. She mentally ran through the details again: married couple, traveling for leisure, visiting friends in Milan. They even had a cover story for why they’d been in Salzburg—tourism, a romantic getaway.

Cruz’s eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Aaliyah toss another blouse into her suitcase, her movements relaxed, carefree even. She envied that about Aaliyah—the ability to stay lighthearted in moments like this. But for Cruz, there was no room for that kind of ease. Every action, every thought, carried the weight of responsibility.

Third priority: establish a safe base in Milan.

Her contact there was reliable, someone she trusted from her old network. Cruz planned to set up in a secure apartment—nothing flashy, nothing that would draw attention. She’d have eyes on the streets, a clear view of all entry points, and multiple escape routes in case things went south. And they could. They always could.

As if sensing her tension, Aaliyah glanced up, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “You’re thinking too hard again.”

Cruz huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head as she walked over to her gear bag, double-checking the contents. “It’s kind of my job.”

“Well,” Aaliyah said, stepping closer and draping a scarf loosely around her neck. “You’ve packed enough to survive the apocalypse. Are we expecting zombies in Milan?”

Cruz shot her a look but didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she focused on the mental checklist running through her mind: passports, cash, burner phones, weapons… She had it all, but it didn’t ease the tight knot of tension in her chest. There was always something that could go wrong.

“You okay?” Aaliyah’s voice was quieter now, more serious.

Cruz straightened, slinging her bag over her shoulder before turning to face her. “Yeah. Just making sure we’re ready.”

Aaliyah studied her for a moment, her gaze steady. “You know, you don’t have to do this all on your own. We’re a team now.”

Cruz’s lips quirked into a faint smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Team. She liked the sound of that, but it didn’t change the fact that she felt the full weight of responsibility pressing down on her shoulders. Aaliyah might have been resourceful, quick-witted, and stronger than she gave herself credit for, but Cruz couldn’t shake the feeling that it was on her to keep them both safe.

Still, she didn’t want Aaliyah to worry. So she closed the distance between them, resting a hand lightly on Aaliyah’s waist. “I know. But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop planning for every possible scenario.”

Aaliyah leaned into her touch, her expression softening. “Just don’t forget to breathe, okay? We’ll figure it out together.”

Cruz nodded, though the weight in her chest remained. She appreciated Aaliyah’s words more than she could say, but it wasn’t something she could just let go of. The stakes were too high, and failure wasn’t an option.