LOGINWHEN THE DEVIL WALKS IN ARIA“I need to give a statement,” I added quickly.That part wasn’t a lie.He hesitated, as if he wasn't sure if letting me do that was going to be a good idea. He probably didn't want to get into his superior's bad books. Then he finally nodded.“Have a seat," he offered. I did.Heart racing.Minutes felt like hours.Then—“Aria?”I looked up.My father.Standing there.Looking very unimpressed.Of course, what made me think that I could easily have my easy around here without him knowing?“Well,” he said slowly, “this is unexpected.”I forced a small smile.“I told you I wanted to be involved.”“And I told you no.”“Good thing I didn’t listen.”His jaw tightened.“Come with me.”I followed him down the hallway, the tension thick enough to choke on it. Once we were in a private room, he shut the door.“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?” he demanded.“Yes.”“No, you don’t.”“I’m giving a statement.”“You’re trying to see him.”That wasn't a lie so I
A THREATARIAI stared at my phone, heart pounding.And one thing became painfully clear—This wasn’t just Nico’s war anymore.Luca had just made it mine.***I didn’t sleep.Not even for a second.Luca’s voice stayed in my head long after the call ended—calm, amused, like none of this was real danger to him. Like I was just another move on a board he’d already mapped out.We’ll see.The words replayed over and over.By morning, my eyes burned and my head throbbed, but my mind was sharp.Too sharp.I sat up in bed, staring at my phone.One question kept circling—How did he get my number?I hadn’t given it to him.Emma didn’t know him.Nico wouldn’t—My thoughts stopped.Would he?No.I shook my head immediately.Nico had protected me. Again and again. He stepped in front of a car for me. He fought his own brother for me.He wouldn’t hand me over.But then…Someone had.A knock on my door broke the spiral.“Aria,” my father’s voice came. “You’re awake?”“I didn’t sleep,” I replied.Th
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
18BROTHERS AT WAR ARIA“Miss me?”The man at the top of the staircase smiled like this was a family dinner and not the aftermath of gunfire and wrecked patrol cars.Luca Velden.He looked so much like Nico it was unsettling — same height, same sharp jawline, same dark intensity in his eyes.But w
INTO THE DARKARIASilence.Then —A slow clap echoed from the top of the stairs.“Sharp,” Luca murmured. “Very sharp.”He took one step down.Every officer tensed.Nico shifted forward instantly.“Don’t,” Luca warned again.The word held more edge this time.“Or what?” Nico challenged.Luca’s smil
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 toni
13WHERE THE LINES ARE DRAWNARIA “Don’t what?”“Don’t look at him like that.”“Like what?”“Like he’s the victim.”The accusation stung.“I was in that house,” I said sharply. “Men broke in with guns. He pushed me out of the way.”“And what were those men looking for?” my father shot back.“I don







