Stuck with the enemy

Chapter 41: Joining Forces

I froze. I hadn't considered that. The patrol had access to records and investigations that were otherwise off-limits. If I played this right, I might finally find out what happened to my family.

"You're a genius," I said, the beginnings of a plan forming in my mind.

"I know," Alya said, grinning. "Now, go deal with Aras. Good luck with that."

At home, I found Aras and Jacob in the living room, laughing over some stupid video on Jacob's phone. My stomach churned as I stepped into the room, clutching the letter like a shield.

"Guys," I said, drawing their attention. "We need to talk."

Aras's smile faded immediately. "What did you do?"

I rolled my eyes. "Just read this." I handed him the letter and waited as his eyes scanned the page.

His expression darkened with every word.

"No," he said flatly, dropping the letter onto the coffee table.

"Aras—"

"No, Deniz," he interrupted, standing up. "This is insane. You're not doing it."

"It's not about me!" I shot back, my frustration boiling over. "This is for the kids. Without me, they won't even get a chance!"

"I understand," Aras said, his voice strained but steady. "And you're right—it's a huge opportunity for them. But not with you as their leader."

I blinked, stunned by his words. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're risking too much," he said, stepping closer. "This isn't just about giving them a chance. This is about you putting yourself in danger—again."

"Brother, I have to go," I insisted, my voice softer but no less determined. "I've thought about it. If I'm there, I can do more than just help them." I paused, steeling myself before revealing my true intentions. "I can find information. I can finish the investigation. I can catch the people who killed our parents."

That stopped him in his tracks. He stared at me, his jaw tightening, his eyes darkening with an emotion I couldn't quite place.

"I can handle it," I said firmly tryingto calm him down. "I'm not a kid anymore, Aras. I can do this."

"No, you can't," he snapped, turning back to me. "You're not ready for something like this. And you know it."

Aras's jaw clenched, and for a moment, the room was filled with tense silence. Finally, he let out a harsh breath, his shoulders slumping slightly.

"You're really going to do this, aren't you?" he asked, his voice laced with both resignation and anger.

"Yes," I said softly but firmly. "And I'd rather have you by my side than against me."

"She's right," Jacob said, surprising us both. "This could be good for her—and for us. Maybe it's worth the risk."

Aras turned on him, his eyes blazing. "You're supposed to back me up."

"I am," Jacob said calmly. "But I'm also backing her. Come on, Aras, you know she's not going to back down."

Aras let out a frustrated growl, running a hand through his hair. Finally, he turned to me, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and worry.

"Fine," he said reluctantly. "But if anything happens to you—"

"Nothing will happen," I said quickly, relief flooding through me. Then, I added, as casually as I could, "Besides, you'll be there too."

"What?" Aras froze, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "No. No, Deniz, don't do this to me. Don't drag me into this."

"Oh, I already have," I said sweetly. "You and Jacob are the first names on my list."

"Now we're talking," Jacob said, a grin spreading across his face.

Aras glared at him. "This isn't a joke."

"It's not," Jacob replied. "But if we're doing this, we're doing it together. That's what family is for, right?"

Aras, on the other hand, looked like he might combust. "Absolutely not. I'm not signing up for some reckless—"

"Oh, stop," I cut him off, crossing my arms. "You're always saying you need to keep an eye on me. Well, here's your chance."

"That's not the point—"

"It is the point," I interrupted. "You don't trust me to do this on my own, so you're coming with me. Problem solved."

Jacob laughed, clearly enjoying Aras's dilemma. "She's got you there, man."

Aras glared at him. "You're not helping."

"I think I am," Jacob said, grinning.

Aras let out another growl, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Fine. But if I end up regretting this—"

"You won't," I said confidently. "Now, let's start planning."

Aras muttered something under his breath, but I ignored him, feeling the first glimmer of hope. Together, we might actually make this work.

Later that evening, as the house settled into a rare quiet, I sat cross-legged on my bed, a notebook in my lap. The soft glow of the bedside lamp barely pushed back the shadows in the room, but it was enough for what I needed. I chewed the end of my pen, staring at the blank page before me. Forming a good team wasn't just about strength—it was about trust.

The suburbs were home to plenty of skilled fighters, but this wasn't about who could punch the hardest or run the fastest. It was about who I could rely on when things got tough. I couldn't afford betrayal, hesitation, or weakness. The stakes were too high—for the kids, for my investigation, and for my survival.