I check my social media while walking towards the shelter and find a new post from Marcus last night. A photo of the moonlight with Rian’s hand slightly showing, with the caption “#mymoonlight”
There’s nothing that trails back to Rian, it’s his non-tattooed hand, but I have a feeling Marcus’ post was the reason of the fight. Rian was over conservative before Marcus at least.
“Vee,” Maya calls and I lock my phone looking up at her tall, curvy figure. “I need to tell you something-”
“May, hi! Not in the mood for gossip right now,” I respond and Maya looks at me like I’m making a mistake.
“Did you check Dominik’s socials?” she asks knowing Dominik matters would be the only thing I’d listen to now. She also knows my Rian relapsed face and probably knows why I’m trembling so much my phone almost falls out of my hand. And my freaking hand is closed around it.
“No, why?” I ask and before I unlock my phone, I see it. Dominik hadn’t posted anything for several weeks, maybe months, and now there’s a new photo. A photo of the two of us. It’s me smiling at him, but all you see of him is his hand on my cheek. He made me the total focus. There’s no caption. Despite that, since Dominik has a massive following, everyone is freaking out in the comment section.
And then there’s an update on the publication. I click the tagged people and there’s my profile. Right there is @notyourlove and then he comments “Indeed my love”and pins it. He craves the chaos at this point.
My phone starts blowing up. Everyone who follows me and isn’t close has an opinion. I mute every single message and notification and enter the shelter with Maya. With Maya and a stupid smile on my face.
“Sammy, how are the cats?” I ask her when I see a vet.
“Two more are in quarantine, they caught the conjunctivitis. But they’ll be fine in a few days. It’s just a check-up. Can you handle Dr Thomas here?” she asks, clearly, he’s the one who’s taking care of the cats today; yesterday it was someone else.
“Of course. Is everything ok?” I ask her and she nods grabbing her phone and car keys. “Yes, I forgot something at home, I’ll be right back. Thank you, Love,” she says kissing my cheek and leaving. Maya goes towards the cat’s hanging out room, they’re all there during the whole day, nights are the only times they’re in cages, it’s strictly necessary for their safety. There’s no one around in case of any fight and/or injury.
“Of course, take your time, we’ve got this,” I assure her, trying to make her not practically fly home and back in worry. Sammy blows a kiss my way and exits the shelter.
“Sorry, Dr Thomas, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Love”
“Thomas Alakai, nice to meet you,” he says smirking.
“Alakai? As if in Aiden Javol’s ex? Why does it seem like this isn’t a coincidence?” I ask him and his smirk morphs into a grin.
“You’re fast. It isn’t, you’re right. I’m here to exchangefavours-”
“I’m not handing Aiden over-,” I gasp when Thomas grabs something quickly next to me, and have to control myself not to laugh it’s a water bottle.
“I’m not here to ask for that. I’m here as a friend,” he informs, “No one but Aiden can know where this information came from,” he says and I nod having a feeling this concerns Liot. “Before I disclose it, I need you to promise me you’ll give me Aiden’s new phone number”
“I don’t know you, and have no idea what you’re going to tell me, so give me some insight, or leave-”
“I’m actually a veterinarian so accompany me to the quarantine room, please,” he says and shows me a small paper saying “Bugs here,” “There’s the medicine you’ll need for the cats from yesterday,” he folds the paper and hands it to me, I put it on my pocket and walk besides him to the quarantine room.
When I close the door, Thomas’ smile fades. “I know something about Liot you don’t”
“Phone number first, right?” I ask and Thomas nods handing me his phone, there’s already a contact named Aiden ready for me to add a number. “I have to warn you if you hurt him, I’ll hurt you,” he doesn’t laugh as most people do, he takes my threat seriously.
“I don’t intend on hurting him. Camilla misses him too, she asked him to give her a call. That’s her number in case he lost it,” he hands me a small card, “Make sure he calls,” Camilla, Aiden’s sister, the one he left behind to help us with Liot.
“Drop the bomb, not literally please,” I request and helaughs.
“You’re funny, Love. I see what Aiden saw in you. Here’s everything I got. Liot changed home to the address on the other side of Camilla’s number card. I have insiders that report to me every day and Liot is at a loss, he was planning to deal with just Dominik, Kane’s and Denfell’s, he didn’t expect Aiden, much less me.-”
“You’re allying?-”
“Do your part of the deal and we’ll see,” Thomas says his silver eyes look for one moment towards Aiden’s number and I can see something on them, an emotion I can’t name he masks it too fast. “As I was saying, he isn’t expecting it. No Mitkus was. And they’re doubting his authority and the relevance of this vengeance for them, to endanger themselves. If you strike now, in a few days to two weeks everything will be resolved. If Aiden calls me I already have a plan. You can background check me and the address, you’ll see it all adds up. I’ll only help you on the pretext that Aiden is the one to call me. If that call doesn’t happen. Good luck on getting Mitkus to trust any non-Mitkian leader.”
“So that’s what you gain with this alliance? Power over Mitkus mafia?” I ask him and he makes a “So so” head gesture.
“Partly, but you don’t have to worry about that.-”
“It’s Aiden isn’t it?” I ask and Thomas checks the cat's eyes.
