The car sped through the night like a bullet — headlights slicing through rain and darkness. Aria gripped the seat, heart pounding. The city lights faded into shadows as Adrian drove past the edge of downtown and into the industrial outskirts.
“Where are we going?” she demanded, voice trembling more than she wanted.
“Someplace safe,” he said, eyes fixed on the road.
“That’s not an answer.”
He smirked faintly. “You’re learning.”
She glared. “You think this is funny? Someone literally tried to kill us!”
“Welcome to Tuesday night in my life,” he replied dryly.
Aria wanted to scream — at him, at herself, at the stupid voice in her head that whispered she’d never felt more alive.
---
The car screeched to a stop in front of a massive steel warehouse at the docks. Rain tapped against the metal roof, echoing through the empty lot. Adrian got out, scanning the area before motioning her to follow.
Inside, it was dim and quiet. A few crates, a leather couch, maps pinned to a wall. Definitely not homey, but definitely his.
“This is your idea of ‘safe’?” Aria muttered, brushing rain from her hair.
Adrian locked the door behind them. “Nobody knows this place exists. Except me, and now you.”
“Oh, great. That makes me feel so much better,” she said sarcastically.
He turned to face her, eyes glinting. “Sarcasm’s cute when you’re not bleeding.”
“I’m not bleeding.”
“Not yet,” he said with a grin.
Her jaw dropped. “You’re unbelievable.”
He stepped closer, smirk fading into something quieter. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m cold,” she lied.
Adrian tilted his head, unconvinced. “Sit down. You need to breathe before you pass out.”
“I’m fine.”
He arched a brow. “You’ve been shot at twice, chased by people who’d kill for sport, and you’re fine?”
“Yes.”
“Liar.”
The word hung between them.
Aria swallowed. “You think you know me?”
“No,” he said softly. “But I’m learning.”
For a second, the tension was electric — like the air before lightning strikes.
---
He threw her a towel and sat opposite her on the couch.
“Whoever attacked the tower wasn’t random,” he said. “They knew where to hit. That means someone’s feeding them information.”
“You think it’s me?”
“If I thought it was you, you’d already be dead,” he said matter-of-factly.
Aria blinked. “Charming.”
He smiled faintly. “I’m just honest.”
“Honesty doesn’t make threats sound better.”
“Neither does pretending you’re not scared.”
She shot up from the couch. “Stop doing that!”
“Doing what?”
“Acting like you can read my mind!”
He stood too, close enough that her chest brushed his jacket. “Maybe I can.”
Her breath caught. “You really think you’re that special?”
He leaned in, his voice a dangerous whisper. “No. I think you are.”
Her heart stuttered. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re trembling again.”
“Because you won’t stop standing so close!”
He grinned. “Then tell me to move.”
She opened her mouth — but no words came.
---
A sudden knock at the door shattered the moment. Both froze. Adrian’s expression hardened instantly.
“Stay here,” he said quietly, pulling out his gun.
“Adrian—”
“Stay. Behind. The wall.”
She obeyed, peeking through a crack. Adrian opened the door an inch, gun hidden behind it.
A tall man stepped inside — sharp suit, cold eyes.
“Adrian,” he said smoothly. “You’ve been busy.”
“Lorenzo,” Adrian greeted flatly. “What are you doing here?”
“I heard about your little rooftop incident. Thought I’d check if you’re still breathing.”
“I always am.”
Lorenzo’s gaze flicked toward Aria’s hiding spot. “And who’s the guest?”
“No one you need to worry about,” Adrian said, blocking the view.
Lorenzo smirked. “You’re getting sloppy. Bringing outsiders into our business.”
Aria held her breath.
Adrian’s tone dropped to ice. “Watch your mouth.”
Lorenzo chuckled. “Relax, cousin. I’m just saying — she looks like trouble.”
“Good,” Adrian said. “I like trouble.”
Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed. “Father won’t like this.”
“Father doesn’t like anything I do.”
The tension between them was razor-thin. Finally, Lorenzo sighed. “Just don’t let her get you killed.”
When he left, Adrian locked the door again, shoulders tense.
---
“You have a cousin?” Aria asked, stepping out.
Adrian exhaled. “Unfortunately.”
“He’s… intense.”
“So am I,” he said, smirking.
“Yeah, but you hide it better.”
He chuckled quietly. “You have no idea.”
Aria sat back on the couch, exhaustion catching up to her. “So now what?”
Adrian leaned against the wall, watching her. “Now, you stay here until I fix this mess.”
“And if I say no?”
He smiled faintly. “Then I’ll make you.”
She crossed her arms. “You can’t just control people like that.”
He met her gaze, all humor gone. “In my world, control is the only thing that keeps people alive.”
Their eyes locked — stubbornness against danger.
Finally, Aria sighed. “Fine. But I’m not your prisoner.”
He smiled. “Didn’t say you were. But maybe… my guest of honor.”
“Do all your guests get shot at?”
“Only the interesting ones.”
Despite herself, she laughed — soft, shaky, but real. Adrian watched her with a small, genuine smile that was gone almost as soon as it appeared.
For the first time, she saw something behind his armor — exhaustion, maybe regret.
She wanted to ask about it, but his phone buzzed again. His face darkened.
“What is it?”
He looked at her. “They found us.”
---
End of Chapter 5 — “The Hideout”
---
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