Unlawfully yours - Chapter 16: Chapter 16

The first night in her new flat should have felt safer. It didn’t.
Ishani lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying everything. The case. The threats. Aarav.
Especially Aarav.
She groaned, rolling onto her stomach. Why the hell did he have to be so— everything? Infuriating, cocky, overprotective… and yet, impossibly attractive.
Her phone buzzed.
Aarav: Locked the doors?
Ishani smirked, typing back.
Ishani: Kyun, mujhe chupke dekh raha hai kya? (Why, are you secretly watching me?)
A reply came instantly.
Aarav: Agar main dekh raha hota, toh tujhe pata bhi nahi chalta. (If I were watching, you wouldn’t even know.)
🔥 Damn him. Again. And AGAIN. 🔥
Ishani’s fingers froze over the keyboard.
Was he flirting?
She exhaled, deciding not to give him the satisfaction of her flustered state.
Ishani: Zyada mat ud. Main so rahi hoon. Good night. (Don’t fly too high. I’m sleeping. Good night.)
His reply took longer this time.
Aarav: Sweet dreams, forensic girl.
Ishani stared at the message for a long time before switching off her phone.
Her heart should not be beating this fast.
The Next Day
Ishani was halfway through her forensic lab work when her phone buzzed again.
Unknown Number: You think a new flat changes anything?
Her fingers went cold.
A second message followed.
Unknown Number: Some things… are just unavoidable.
Ishani immediately forwarded the messages to Aarav.
Ishani: I think I pissed someone off again.
Less than a minute later, her phone rang.
“Aarav—”
“Where are you?” His voice was sharp, clipped, dangerous.
“In the lab, I—”
“Don’t move. I’m coming.”
The line went dead.
Ishani swallowed.
Was she scared? Yes.
But was it because of the threats? Or because of the way Aarav had just sounded like he was ready to kill someone?
She wasn’t sure.
Aarav arrived fifteen minutes later—and he was furious.
His usual controlled expression was gone. His jaw was tight, his fists clenched, his entire aura screaming one thing— DON’T MESS WITH ME.
Without a word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the lab.
Ishani struggled. “Aarav, ruk—” (“Aarav, stop—”)
“Chup.” (“Quiet.”)
She huffed but followed, her pulse racing.
They reached his car, and Aarav pushed open the passenger door. “Get in.”
Ishani folded her arms. “Agar main na jaaun toh?” (“And if I don’t?”)
Aarav stepped closer, his voice dangerously soft. “Toh main tujhe uthake andar daal dunga.” (“Then I’ll pick you up and put you inside.”)
🔥 OH. 🔥
For a second, Ishani forgot how to breathe.
But she wasn’t about to let him win. “Tu mujhe boss nahi kar sakta, Mr. Control Freak.” (“You can’t boss me around, Mr. Control Freak.”)
Aarav smirked, but his eyes were still burning with anger. “Bahar khade rehna hai ya andar aana hai?” (“Do you want to stand outside, or get in?”)
Ishani groaned, but got into the car. Aarav slammed the door shut, walking around to the driver’s seat.
The second he sat down, she turned to him. “Tu mujhe kahaan le ja raha hai?” (“Where are you taking me?”)
Aarav’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Somewhere safe.”
Ishani blinked. “Mera flat toh safe hai na?” (“My flat is safe, right?”)
Aarav didn’t answer.
Because the truth was, he didn’t trust anything anymore.
He didn’t trust the security of her flat. He didn’t trust the locks. He didn’t trust the cameras.
The only thing he did trust… was himself.
And keeping her close.
Thirty Minutes Later
Ishani stared in shock as Aarav pulled up to a high-rise apartment.
“Tujhe abhi bhi lagta hai tu lawyer hai, ya ab sach mein mafia ban gaya hai?” (“Do you still think you’re a lawyer, or are you officially the mafia now?”)
Aarav smirked but didn’t answer. He got out and opened her door.
Ishani huffed but followed him inside.
The place was—ridiculous.
A penthouse. A literal penthouse.
Ishani turned to him, wide-eyed. “Tu mujhe yahaan kyun laaya?” (“Why did you bring me here?”)
Aarav leaned against the wall, watching her. “Jab tak yeh case chal raha hai… tu yahan rahegi.” (“Until this case is over… you’re staying here.”)
Ishani’s jaw dropped. “TU PAAGAL HO GAYA HAI?!” (“ARE YOU CRAZY?!”)
Aarav smirked. “Nahi. Par tu zaroor mar jaayegi agar maine tujhe akela chhod diya.” (“No. But you’ll definitely die if I leave you alone.”)
Ishani groaned. “Aarav, main apne flat mein—”
“Shut up, forensic girl.”
🔥🔥🔥
She blinked. “Excuse me?”
Aarav took a step closer, voice lower. “Main ek baar bolta hoon. Sunna seekh lo.” (“I only say things once. Learn to listen.”)
Ishani’s breath caught.
There it was again.
That dangerous, intense, way-too-hot side of him.
Aarav turned away, heading to his room. “Mujhe disturb mat karna.” (“Don’t disturb me.”)
Ishani folded her arms. “Tu mujhe apne ghar rakh raha hai aur mujhe disturb na karne ke liye keh raha hai? Mazak hai?” (“You’re keeping me in your house and asking me not to disturb you? Is this a joke?”)
Aarav didn’t turn back. “Mujhe bahut kuch pasand nahi hai, Ishani. Aur ek cheez list ke sabse upar hai.” (“There are a lot of things I don’t like, Ishani. And one thing is at the top of the list.”)
Ishani frowned. “Kya?” (“What?”)
Aarav finally turned back, his dark eyes locking onto hers.
“Log jo mujhe ignore karne ki koshish karte hain.” (“People who try to ignore me.”)
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Ishani HATED how that sent a shiver up her spine.
Damn him. Again. Again. AGAIN.