Novels by Starman

28THE WARNING ARIAHe didn’t need me to say Nico’s name because he already knew who the hell I was asking after.“He’s in custody.”“For how long?”“That depends.”“On what?” I asked. “On what I can prove.”The answer made my chest tighten. My father was like dog after a bone. But he was also law enforcement and everyone was a criminal in his eyes except proven otherwise. And he was going to do everything it took to bring his suspects to justice. “You’re going to build a case against him," I said. “Yes.”“And if you can’t?”His gaze stiffened at once. As if that was a scenario he didn't even want to think about. “Then I’ll find another way.”That didn’t sound like justice.It sounded personal.“You hate him,” I said.“I don’t hate him.”“You do.”“I don’t trust him.”“That’s not the same thing.”“It is when someone puts my daughter in danger.”I flinched slightly.“He didn’t put me in danger,” I said.My father raised an eyebrow.“The house. The attack. The chase. The warehouse.

PROVE IT ARIA The question hit harder than anything else tonight. So I hesitated. I didn't want to give him ams answer that wouldn't satisfy the both of us so I had to think of one that would. And that hesitation was enough. His expression went dark immediately, and he knew that my answer was going to be in the affirmative. “How involved?” he pressed. “It’s not like that.” “That’s not an answer, Aria.” I looked away. Because I didn’t have one. Or maybe I did… and I just didn’t want to say it out loud. My father let out a quiet, frustrated breath. “He’s not a good man.” “You don’t know him.” “I know enough.” “You know a case file,” I shot back. “That’s not the same thing.” “I know what kind of world he operates in.” “And what about yours?” I challenged. “You deal with criminals every day. Does that make you one?” “That’s not the same.” “Why? Because you’re on the ‘right’ side?” “Yes,” he said firmly. “Because I don’t break the law to get what I want.” “And you

CHOOSING SIDES ARIA “Police! Don’t move!”Flashlights flooded the space.My father stepped in behind them, gun raised.His eyes found me instantly.“Aria!”Relief.Then anger.Then something worse.Disappointment.“What are you doing here?” he demanded.I opened my mouth—But Nico stepped slightly in front of me.“She’s with me.”That was the wrong thing to say.My father’s expression hardened immediately.“That’s exactly the problem.”Officers moved in, surrounding Nico.“Hands up.”Nico didn’t resist this time.He raised his hands slowly.I stepped forward instinctively. “Dad—”“Stay where you are,” he snapped.I froze.My father approached Nico, his gaze cold.“You’re done running.”“I wasn’t running.”“You were at a crime scene. Then you disappeared. Then you show up here.” My father’s voice was sharp. “You want to explain that?”Nico didn’t answer.“Thought so,” my father muttered.He nodded to the officers.“Cuff him.”They moved quickly, grabbing Nico’s arms.I felt something

DONE BEING A PAWN ARIAI nodded, feeling a strange mixture of relief and fear. Relief that we were alive, and fear because the war wasn’t finished — not by a long shot.Outside, sirens grew louder, the chaos of the city reaching the abandoned warehouse. But inside, for the first time that night, I felt a small sense of control, even if it was fleeting.I looked up at Nico. “I’m not going anywhere. Not from you. Not from this.”His expression softened further, and he reached for my hand. “Then we fight together,” he said, voice low, determined.And in that moment, I realized: no matter how dangerous, how unpredictable, or how ruthless the world around us had become… I was done being a pawn.This war was far from over. But for the first time, I wasn’t standing in the shadows alone.And that made all the difference.***The warehouse felt too quiet after Luca disappeared.Like the storm had passed… but left something behind. Something waiting.My hands were still shaking slightly from h

FACE-OFF ARIALuca smirked, tilting his head. “Does it? Or does it only begin?”I pressed back against Nico instinctively, my mind spinning. I had no weapons, no backup, and we were completely exposed. Every move felt like it could be the last.“I won’t let you take her,” Nico continued. “Not tonight. Not ever.”“You always think you can protect her,” Luca said, advancing slowly. “But protection isn’t enough. Power is everything.”I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. “Stop fighting over me!” I shouted. “This isn’t about me!”Both men froze for a moment, their gazes flicking to me. I realized suddenly that I was the fulcrum of this battle — the one thing that tipped the scales between them.“Exactly,” Luca said softly, smiling cruelly. “It’s always been about who controls her influence over him.”I shook my head. “I am not a pawn!”Nico’s hand brushed mine briefly. “You’re not. But you’re the reason he came here. The reason this escalated.”“I don’t care!” I yelled. “I won’t be

UNDERGROUND ARIA“They’re close,” Nico said. “We need to split. I’ll draw them away. You keep moving.”“What? No! I’m not leaving you!” I protested.“You won’t survive if I hesitate,” he said, his eyes locking on mine. “Trust me. Go. Now.”My pulse thundered. I wanted to argue, to stay with him, but instinct screamed at me to obey. I nodded reluctantly.He pressed a small device into my hand. “This. If you activate it, it will create a temporary blockage in the tunnel behind you. Don’t waste it. Only use it if you have no choice.”I nodded again, my fingers tightening around the device. Nico leaned close, his breath brushing my ear.“Aria… whatever happens… survive. That’s an order.”Before I could respond, he dashed down a side passage, shadows swallowing him almost instantly.I took a deep breath and forced myself forward, every step echoing like a warning. My heart felt like it was going to leap out of my chest. The further I moved, the louder my thoughts became.Suddenly, the tun