All Chapters of A TALL HORNY STRANGER : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

21ESCAPE AT NIGHT ARIAThe cold night air hit my lungs like a shock.For a moment, I just stood there outside the mansion, gasping for breath as if I had been underwater for hours. The distant wail of sirens grew louder with every passing second, flashing red and blue lights reflecting faintly against the tall iron gates and towering trees that surrounded the estate.Nico’s hand gripped my wrist firmly, pulling me further into the shadows.“Keep moving,” he said quietly.I stumbled beside him, my legs still trembling from everything that had just happened.The fight.The gunshot.Luca.My mind was still spinning.We slipped through a narrow pathway beside the estate wall, hidden by tall hedges that blocked the view from the driveway. Gravel crunched softly beneath our feet as Nico led me toward a dark parking area tucked behind the trees.A black car waited there.Of course it did.Nico opened the passenger door quickly. “Get in.”For once, I didn’t argue. I slid into the seat, my f

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

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

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

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