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Shivansh's POV
The sun had barely touched the marble domes of the Jaipur palace when I opened my eyes.
For a second, I forgot where I was.
Then the reality set in-Jaipur.
Still.
Again.
I sat up, leaning against the headboard, letting the soft morning silence crawl over me like a second skin. My hand reached for the phone on the side table. No unread messages. No missed calls. Not from her.
It had been days since I properly slept.
Not the kind of sleep that came from exhaustion.
But the kind that came from peace.
The kind I used to get when she was beside me-talking about random things, teasing me, fighting with me, touching my hair while I worked, or just... breathing next to me.
But now, she wasn't here.
She hadn't been, for two whole months.
And yes, we spoke. We texted, we video-called.
But anyone who says that's the same as holding her hand, hearing her laugh in real time, or watching her roll her eyes at me for the hundredth time...
They've clearly never been in love.
Two months.
Exactly two months since Holi.
Since I last saw Isha.
The memory of her, drenched in color, laughing freely, her cheeks stained pink and her eyes full of fire-that memory had refused to leave me since.
I was in Jaipur.
Handling meetings, contracts, expansion strategies.
Keeping myself busy with numbers and faces that didn't matter.
I rolled out of bed reluctantly, the sheets cold without her warmth. I washed up, threw on my office formals, and headed downstairs for breakfast.
The palace dining room was loud. Too loud for this hour. But that's when I noticed-it was them.
Ranveer, my elder cousin.
Aviyansh, his younger sibling and Dhruv.
The three devils. And my brothers
All grinning, laughing, piling food on their plates like they hadn't eaten in weeks.
Like seriously when did ranveer also become like them but forgot that I am happy that he's smiling and laughing, nhi toh he forgot in past how to even smile.
I pulled out a chair and sat down, nodding toward the staff as they served me.
"So you guys going somewhere?" I asked casually, sipping my black coffee.
Dhruv smirked, voice louder than necessary.
"Delhi. Didn't I tell you? Going to surprise Isha. She hasn't seen me in the last two months. And I have some work there and avi also missed ishika."
Aviyansh jumped in, grinning like an idiot.
"Yeah, and we're tagging along. Delhi trip! Couple reunion!"
Ranveer gave me a slow side-eye.
"Don't pretend you're not burning from inside, Shivansh."
I ignored him. Or at least tried to. But they were right.
I was burning.
I hadn't seen her since Holi.
The colors had barely faded from my kurta the last time I held her.
Since then, work swallowed me whole. Meetings. Files. Responsibilities. Being king of too many damn things. But still... she stayed.
In my thoughts.
In my bones.
In my every damn breath.
"You're quiet today," Dhruv teased. "Missing someone?"
I picked up a spoonful of salad, chewing slowly.
Maa sa looked at me with that typical 'oh my poor child' smile.
My dadi sa just chuckled and patted my shoulder.
Choti maa leaned in and whispered something about how dull my skin looked without Isha around.
I didn't respond. I couldn't.
Because they were right.
I missed her. Hugging her. Kissing her. Smelling her jasmine-scented hair.
I missed the fights too-God, even her angry silence was better than this echoing distance.
And just when I thought I'd had enough-my eyes landed on him.
My father. My dad.
What made it worse-
Was my father.
Every time I blinked, he was in Delhi.
Always finding reasons to visit.
Official trips, conferences, family check-ins. He never said it, but I knew.
He wanted to see her.
He had a soft spot for Isha-too soft for my liking.
He never interfered in my choices, but with her, he didn't hesitate. He wanted updates. Wanted to know how she was doing. Her work, her health, her happiness.
I wouldn't say it out loud, but some part of me-a sharp, quiet part-hated that.
Not because I didn't trust Isha.
But because... she wasn't mine yet. Not truly.
Not officially.
And still-everyone else got to be with her except me.
Sitting calmly at the other end of the table.
Smiling. Chewing his toast like life had no complications.
He had seen her. More than once.
Whenever he missed her, he just went.
To Delhi.
To her.
Spent time with her like some giddy father-daughter duo on vacation.
And the worst part?
She adored him. She shared her stories with him, laughed at his jokes, showed him new cafés to try.
He could go, he could make time.
But I-I had responsibilities. I had people to manage, businesses to handle, boardrooms waiting for my signatures.
I wasn't just her lover. I was a name. A title. A king.
And that title kept me away from her.
I stabbed a piece of fruit with more force than necessary and pushed the plate away halfway through breakfast.
"I'll finish all my work today," I muttered under my breath, standing up.
"What?" Ranveer asked.
I didn't look back.
Just buttoned my coat, adjusted my watch, and walked away.
Because the truth was, I couldn't sit still anymore.
And tonight, whether they knew it or not-
I was going to Delhi.
The silence in my office was loud.
Too loud.
The ticking of the clock above the bookshelf was almost mocking me. Ten hours since I walked into this room, and yet, every inch of me still felt incomplete. I had buried myself in files, meetings, strategy notes-anything to distract myself. But no matter how much I buried myself in work, my heart somehow kept pulling me back to her.
Isha.
Two months since I last saw her in person.
Two. Full. Months.
Only after Holi... that day she had left for Delhi. Since then, she'd become a ghost in my world-alive in my calls, in my video chats, in my messages, but absent from everything else. From my arms, my eyes, my space.
And somehow, everything felt hollow without her. Even I felt hollow without her.
Sure, we talked every day. She'd text something ridiculous, call to scream at me for forgetting to eat, or send me a blurry selfie captioned: "I don't care what you say, I look hot even with messed-up eyeliner."
And I'd smile. Like an idiot. Like a man in love.
But today... today it was worse. Maybe because the house had felt emptier than usual. Maybe because all three of my brothers had just left for Delhi-to surprise her. Because aviyansh "missed his girlfriend" and suddenly, dhruv and Ranveer decided they also "needed a break".
What a joke.
They were all going for her. And I knew it.
And the worst part?
They'd get to see her laugh. Live. Not through a screen.
I had just dropped my pen and leaned back in my chair when my phone buzzed. A FaceTime from Ranveer.
I picked it up without thinking-and immediately froze.
Isha was on the screen.
Hair tied in a lazy bun, oversized sunglasses covering her eyes, laughing like a kid over something Ritvik was saying from the passenger seat. The car was clearly too chaotic-music playing, voices overlapping, snacks being thrown around.
She was there, in the middle of it all.
My girl. My peace.
Laughing.
And I wasn't even a part of it.
"Look at this, bro," Ranveer announced. "Your girl is having way too much fun without you."
As soon as her face appeared on the screen, my eyes immediately softening as i saw isha. "Is she now?"
Isha, hearing ranveer voice, turned and gasped. "bhai sa!" she scolded, trying to grab the phone.
I chuckled and said in teasing tone. "Hi, love. Having fun?"
Isha huffed, shooting a glare at Ranveer before nodding. "I was until someone decided to ambush me."
God. That voice.
Ranveer, Ritwik and ishika laughed as the teasing continued, while I was watchinh her with an amused yet fond expression.
"Alright, enjoy yourself," i said, my voice warm. "But don't let them bully you too much."
Isha smiled. "I can handle them."
But then She turned, and said in teasing to be then smiled faintly, "Oh look, the grumpy king is here. Still pretending to work?"
I didn't even say anything-just smiled, small and stupid-and the call disconnected because they hit a network patch.
And I was left staring at a blank screen.
I tried to go back to work, but it was hopeless. My thoughts were a mess. My hands restless. My brain was still in that car with her. Sitting beside her. Holding her hand maybe. Laughing too, if I remembered how.
So I did something I rarely do-I called Dhruv.
Twice.
No answer.
Called again.
No answer.
This idiot better not be doing something dumb. Finally, on the fourth ring, he picked up with an annoying chuckle, "shiv, I was just about to call you. Why are you calling so much? Scared we'll steal your fiancée?"
I rolled my eyes, "Shut up. Where is she?"
"She's here. Eating a whole plate of momos like she hasn't been fed in weeks. Wait-why don't you call her yourself?"
"I can't call her," I muttered under my breath.
"Why not?"
"Because she'll block me if I call too much. She already said 'you're too clingy when I'm away' last week.
Dhruv laughed so loud I wanted to throw my phone. "Bhai, you are clingy. I'll record her for you. Hold on-"
"No, just-just keep the camera on her."
And so I watched.
She wasn't doing much. Just... being herself.
Laughing. Talking with her hands. Pointing at something like a kid. Wiping her mouth in the messiest way possible. Looking adorable in an oversized hoodie I was sure she stole from my closet.
My throat tightened.
I wanted to be there.
Right there.
Pull her into my arms. Bury my face in her neck. Kiss her like I hadn't in forever. Tell her how much I missed her without saying a word.
And I cut the call silently before she see me and kill me.
Then I just couldn't stop myself to call again and again to know what she is doing or yo see what is she doing.
But then she see me in video call cause dhruv has to tell her about me and that time they all are in ritwik and ishika house.
That's when she noticed the phone screen.
Her eyes narrowed. "Is that Shivansh's call?"
Dhruv smirked, "Yeah. He was desperate."
She snatched the phone, "Ugh, stop spying on me, Mr. King. What do you want?"
I smiled. "To see you."
She tilted her head, teasing, "Well, your royal subjects are enjoying here, and you're rotting in Jaipur. Sad life."
Before I could say anything, she looked at the group around her and suddenly lit up with an idea.
"WAIT. Why don't we all just go on a holiday?"
Ritvik: "You mean like... Goa?"
Dhruv: "Please, not again."
Isha, without hesitation: "Nope. Let's go somewhere out side of India."
Then Everyone debated on which country they go that is when I remember something and I said.
"Paris."
Ritvik: "Why Paris?"
And then I remembered.
Months ago-maybe on a late-night video call or one of those long silly conversations-Isha had once said:
"I want the man I love to propose to me in Paris. In front of the Eiffel Tower. At night. Lights, music, everything cheesy. I want that."
I looked at her glowing face through the screen. She was excited. Rambling about croissants and dresses and spa days. She didn't even remember what she'd said back then.
But I did.
Every single word.
"Paris sounds good," I said softly.
She paused. Her eyes flicked to the screen.
I didn't say anything else.
I didn't need to.
Because somewhere deep down... I was already planning it.
That kiss under the Eiffel Tower.
That ring.
That proposal.
She wanted Paris.
And she would get it.
With me.
The moment Isha cut the call, I sat back in my chair, staring at the screen for a few seconds longer than necessary. The corners of my lips curled up-not in amusement, but something softer. Something only she could stir in me.
That laugh. That teasing glint in her voice when she knew she'd won. And she always wins. Damn her.
I didn't wait. I dialed Maa sa
She answered on the second ring, her voice already carrying that knowing tone. "So, you've decided to leave, haven't you?"
I blinked. "How do you always know everything?"
"Because you're still my boy," she said smugly. "And also because I could hear it in your voice when we last spoke. I just didn't expect you to run this fast."
I smirked, brushing a hand through my hair. "I didn't run."
"You flew."
That made me laugh, just a little. "Fine. Maybe. But I have to see her, Maa sa. "
Her tone softened. "I know. Just... don't do something which take her away from you, Shiv."
I nodded to myself. "I won't. Not this time."
As soon as the call ended, I dived into work. I had a mess of meetings, reports, board decisions-all things that demanded my signature, my thoughts, my time. But my mind was already on her.
I worked like a machine till early morning-every task cleared, every file signed off. When it was finally done, I leaned back in my chair, eyes burning, but my heart was light.
I called my manager next. "Clear my calendar for the next three weeks. No calls. No meetings. No interviews."
"Three weeks, sir?" he sounded like I'd asked him to cancel the sun.
"Yes. And prepare the jet. I want to be in Delhi before late morning."
"Right away, sir."
The jet landed smoothly in Delhi a little over two hours later. I didn't feel tired. I didn't feel anything-except anticipation. I didn't even wait to breathe in the Delhi air. My security was already in place, the car ready.
Destination? Ishika and Ritwik's place. I didn't have to ask-I knew she'd be there. She always found her comfort with those two.
I considered calling her. Just to say I'm here. But no-she'd either ignore it or block me again. That girl held grudges like they were heirlooms.
Dhruv? No point. He'd be out cold.
So I called the most half-conscious option available.
"Aviyansh," I said as I hit dial.
"Hmm... Bhai sa?" came his groggy reply.
"I'm outside."
A pause. "Outside...? Wait, you mean outside-outside? Like-here-outside?!"
"Open the door, sleepyhead."
The door creaked open, and there he was-one sock on, hair looking like he'd fought a cyclone, and squinting like a mole in sunlight.
"Bhai sa?! What the-are you real?" he blinked, literally poked my chest like I was a dream.
I shrugged. "Unfortunately, yes."
"Why are you here? At 6:30 in the morning?"
I walked past him, dropping my coat on the side. "Because someone needs to get sleep. And I need a bed."
He blinked again. "So you flew to Delhi to sleep?"
"To sleep here," I corrected, walking toward the rooms. "And to see her. But later. Right now, I need two hours. Don't disturb."
He just scratched his head. "Sure. Bhai sa."
I found dhruv's in a room, unsurprisingly dark and quiet. He was passed out on one side of the bed, hugging a body pillow. Classic. I slipped into the other side, not even bothering to change. The moment my head hit the pillow, I was out cold.
I woke up almost two and a half hours later to a knock and My eyes adjusted slowly as I sat up.
Voices filtered in from the kitchen-light, teasing voices. Hers wasn't among them. Yet.
When I stepped out, everyone in the house looked like they'd seen a ghost.
"Bro!" Ritwik pointed at me with a glass. "You're not a hallucination?"
"Sadly for you, no."
I walked into the living area and saw Aviyansh and Dhruv flipping the carpet and arjun and arav collecting the waste.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Divided teams," Ranveer explained. "Some cook. Some clean."
I just smirked. "simple, you and me in a team, we will make break fast. Other will do the cleaning."
Then I and ranveer made breakfast for everyone, we make pancakes and poha for everyone.
I made myself a cup of black coffee and sat in the living room, sinking into the carpet beside the sofa as everyone slowly joined in-plates in hand, sleepy faces, but laughter around.
And then-she walked in.
Hair messy, wearing an oversized tee, eyes barely open-but still somehow glowing. My heart stilled.
She didn't even look at me. Just sat down next to me on the carpet, silent.
I stared.
She didn't glance.
Maybe she didn't realize?
I leaned closer, voice barely above a whisper. "Good morning."
Her eyes widened. Her head snapped to me. "You-what-YOU'RE HERE?"
Before I could answer, she wrapped her arms around me.
God.
That feeling.
"I can't believe you came," she mumbled into my shirt, holding me like she hadn't seen me in months.
"I couldn't stay away," I murmured into her hair.
That moment... was worth every sleepless hour.
We sat like that for a bit until the teasing began again. Poha was handed out. Pancakes devoured. Girls disappeared to freshen up, leaving the rest of us spread across the room like lazy cats.
She came back in jeans and a crop t-shirt, hair still damp, carrying her phone.
And then it happened.
The mall was empty. Flashy lights. Perfume-scented air. The kind of place I usually hate shopping. But today-I didn't mind.
Because she was there.
I watched Isha bounce from one store to another, dragging Ishika and Prisha along, holding up outfits, tossing playful glares at me like I was the shop assistant and not a goddamn king.
She held up a white dress at one point and smirked.
"Think this would impress my fiancé?" she asked.
I raised a brow. "Depends. Are you trying to kill him or seduce him?"
She bit back a grin. "Both."
Damn her.
She knew exactly how to mess with me.
Aviyansh, Dhruv, Aarav and Ranveer were trailing behind us like zombies with shopping bags. Arjun and Ritwik was nowhere to be seen-probably hiding inside the gaming zone or pretending to be lost on purpose. Smart mans.
Hours passed. Laughter. Photos. Coffee breaks. I didn't even notice the time.
The rooftop air was cooler than I expected. Delhi's noise melted into a distant hum beneath us. Up here, under the glow of fairy lights and the laughter of my people, everything felt—momentarily—peaceful.
We all sat together at a long wooden table-perfect view of the city lights below.
The girls looked radiant, dressed in what they bought at the mall. Isha sat beside me, her hand brushing mine occasionally under the table. She didn't say anything, but her smile... that damn smile-it was mine.
Dinner was filled with stories and teasing. But halfway through dessert, something shifted.
After dinner, I walked away from the group to take a call. Not urgent—just one of those rare moments when you miss the sound of your maa sa's voice.
I pulled out my phone, heading to the edge of the rooftop.
But just before I could dial, something flickered in the corner of my eye.
A car. Parked oddly at the far end of the alley below. Black. Tinted windows so dark, I couldn't even see the silhouette of the driver.
Too still.
Too quiet.
I narrowed my eyes. There was no movement, no reason for that car to be there—especially not under a rooftop restaurant.
I didn't need a second guess.
I immediately dialed Raghav, my head guard.
He picked up on the first ring.
"Yes, rana sa?"
"There's a car parked in the alley. Matte black. Tinted windows. Right below the restaurant rooftop. I don't like it."
"I'll send someone immediately."
"No. Don't approach. Just observe. Keep your eyes on it till we leave. And don't alert the girls."
My tone turned razor-sharp. "If anything goes off—even a flicker—you act."
"Understood."
I cut the call and let out a slow breath.
Whoever it was… they were unlucky to pick this rooftop tonight.
I finally made my call to Maa sa.
"Hello?" she answered, warmth instantly flooding the line.
"Maa sa, " I said, letting my voice soften.
"Shiv," she teased gently, "did you remember me between your shopping, dining, and royal dramas?"
I smiled. "Always."
She asked about everyone—Dhruv, Avi, Ranveer, ishika, arav, prisha, arjun even ritwik. But the moment I said Isha's name, she hummed.
"How is she?"
I stared back at Isha from across the rooftop—her laughter echoing as she teased Ranveer about his eating habits.
"She's… different," I said, voice low.
"Different?"
"She makes me forget who I am, Maa sa. What I'm supposed to be. She makes me want things I didn't think I needed."
There was silence. Then, "Then love her fully, beta. Before the world gives you a reason not to."
I hung up.
And walked straight into a world I didn't know I was already falling for.
"Where did you go?" Isha asked, sipping from a mocktail.
"Talking to someone important."
"Oh?" she tilted her head. "More important than me?"
I stepped closer. "Depends. Do you dance better than my mother?"
She laughed. Loud. Pure. Unfiltered.
Then the music changed—soft jazz with a lazy beat.
I held out my hand. "Dance with me."
She blinked. "Here?"
"Why not? Lights, music, you, me…" I looked down at her lips. "The rooftop couldn't be better."
She placed her hand in mine slowly, biting back a smile. "You're such a show-off."
We moved together—her arms over my shoulders, mine around her waist. The others cheered but we drowned them out. It was just her and me, swaying slowly under a string of lights and a sky full of stars.
"I never thought I'd see this side of you," she whispered.
"What side?"
"This… soft, dancing, poetry-reading prince side."
I leaned in close, my forehead brushing hers. "That side only wakes up for one woman."
Her breath hitched slightly.
The moment slowed. Her eyes met mine—searching, flickering, challenging me to close the distance.
So I did.
Our lips touched—soft, hesitant, the kind of kiss that asks for permission while already knowing the answer.
Then she kissed me back. Firmer. With more fire.
My hand slid up to the back of her neck, fingers tangling in her hair, pulling her closer as the world blurred around us. Her lips parted, and I kissed her like I needed her to breathe.
She responded like she'd been waiting for it.
For me.
Her fingers clutched my shirt, her body arching slightly into mine. The kiss turned messier, deeper—my thumb brushing her cheek as if to memorize the curve of her skin, the exact heat of her blush.
She made a small sound—a breathy hum—and it shattered something inside me. I deepened the kiss, tilting my head, pouring everything I hadn't said into it.
Not just want.
Devotion.
Possession.
A promise I didn't know how to speak but could only show.
When we finally pulled away, barely an inch between us, she looked up at me—eyes glazed, lips red, breath shaky.
"Shivansh…" she whispered.
I rested my forehead against hers again.
"You've ruined me," I said quietly.
She blinked. "What?"
I brushed a kiss to her jaw. "And I don't want to be fixed."
I her off.
Watched her wave goodbye.
Watched her disappear behind that gate, like it was some wall between my world and hers.
She didn't look back.
I did.
More than once.
The ride back to the penthouse was quiet. Too quiet. The city that usually whispered noise into my ears now just echoed her name.
Isha.
Isha, with the scarf always falling off her shoulder.
Isha, with those soft, tired eyes after a long day of laughing.
Isha, whose lips still lingered on mine like a promise I hadn't made out loud.
I reached my place, but I didn't feel like I had arrived anywhere.
The lights were on. The staff had already retreated. The city blinked beyond the glass windows like it always did. Cold. Distant. Familiar.
But I didn't sit. Didn't change. Didn't even take off my shoes.
I walked to the bar, poured myself a drink I didn't want, and stood at the window, staring out like the night owed me answers.
Why couldn't I breathe properly?
Why did she feel like the calm I didn't know I needed?
Why did I want to hold her even after the night was over?
Love?
No. That word sounded too soft for what I felt.
This wasn't just love. This was possession. This was protection. This was the terrifying realization that I had something to lose now.
Someone.
I couldn't sleep.
I tossed. I turned. I stared at the ceiling, then at the stars, then back at the memories playing on repeat in my mind.
That kiss.
That damn rooftop kiss.
Her breath on my skin.
Her fingers tangled in my shirt.
Her lips saying my name like a secret.
I cursed under my breath, running my hands through my hair. "This girl…"
And then—
A memory stabbed into the quiet.
That car.
The one from earlier.
I grabbed my phone and dialed.
Raghav picked up instantly.
"Rana sa?"
"That car from the rooftop," I said, voice low. "Still following?"
There was a pause. "We tracked it, yes. No movement tonight. Parked."
"Where?"
Another pause.
"Outside rani sa's house."
My heart dropped into my stomach.
"She's okay," Raghav added quickly. "I have two men posted nearby. Unmarked. Armed. No approach orders. We're just watching."
I walked to the balcony, looking down like I could see through the layers of night and buildings to where she was sleeping.
"Do not lose sight of her. Not even for a second," I said.
"Yes, rana sa."
"And that car?"
"It hasn't moved. We'll pull the footage in the morning. Might be nothing. Might be more."
"I want to know before it becomes more."
The rest of the night?
I didn't sleep.
I sat on the sofa like a man waiting for a storm.
Because I knew one was coming.
The Next Day
I wore black.
Black suit. Black tie. Black thoughts.
Ranveer, Dhruv, and Aviyash were already at the meeting room in the delhi Business Centre when I arrived. The conversation was casual—deals, shares, international calls.
But I wasn't really there.
I was with her.
Wondering if she was still at the spa. Wondering if she laughed the way she did last night. Wondering if she told her friends about the kiss.
And then—
My phone rang.
Raghav.
I picked it up immediately, stepping away from the glass conference wall.
"Tell me."
"There's movement," Raghav said. "Two men from last night. They're not just watching. They're following now."
My jaw clenched.
"Following who?"
"Rani sa and others, They're at the spa. But rana s—"
"What?"
"They're armed. Small weapons. Knives. Possibly more in their bags."
Everything in me stilled.
Then ignited.
"Where are they now?"
"We lured them to an isolated road near Defence Colony. My team's got them."
"Alive?"
"Yes."
"Good," I said, already walking back to the table. "Keep them that way. I'm coming."
Ranveer stood when he saw my face.
"What happened?" he asked.
I grabbed my coat. "They went after the girls."
Aviyash cursed under his breath.
Dhruv was already on his phone, calling the driver.
"Where?" Ranveer asked.
"Warehouse."
"We're taking your car," Dhruv said.
We didn't waste another second.
This wasn't just about Isha anymore.
This was war.
And no one touches what's mine.
The black SUV came to a sharp stop outside the warehouse. It was one of our own—off the records, untraceable. The kind that's been used to clean messes no one ever hears about.
Ranveer stepped out beside me. Aviyansh pulled his sleeves up. Dhruv cracked his knuckles like the storm was only beginning.
The iron gate creaked open.
The moment we stepped inside, I could smell the fear. Not ours.
Theirs.
The air was thick. Smelled like rust, concrete, and blood.
I walked into the dim warehouse. Shadows danced across the floor from the flickering tube light above.
Two men. Tied to chairs. Bloodied. Bruised. One was barely conscious.
My guards had done their job well.
I walked slowly. My boots echoed.
They all looked up.
Panic.
I removed my coat. Loosened my collar.
There.
Two men.
Tied.
Beaten. Blood on the floor. On their lips. On their pride.
And yet, not enough.
Not nearly enough for daring to even look at her.
Raghav stood at the side, arms folded, nodding toward the prisoners like they were garbage ready for disposal.
"They were following rani sa," he said. "They stayed close. Were about to make a move when we surrounded them."
He looked at me. "They didn't expect us."
"They never do," I murmured, stepping forward.
One of the men whimpered. The other spat blood and tried to speak.
Bad move.
I slammed my boot down on his ankle. Hard.
A crack echoed in the room. He screamed.
"Talk when I ask," I said coldly.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
I crouched, face to face with the man whose eyes were now wide with pain.
"You know who I am?"
He didn't answer.
I grabbed his hair, pulled his face closer.
"I'm the man whose woman you followed."
Still no reply.
"You followed my wife," I said, voice low. "You thought you were clever?"
No one spoke.
I slapped one so hard his chair rattled. "Speak. Who sent you?"
Silence.
Ranveer stepped forward, his face darker than I'd ever seen. "You think this is a game?"
Dhruv punched one in the stomach so hard the man threw up blood. Aviyansh kicked another chair over.
"Speak!" I shouted.
Finally, one whimpered. "We... we were paid... photos. Videos. Said the girls were important..."
"Who paid you?" I asked again, bending close.
He hesitated.
I took my knife out. Quietly. Let it glint near his cheek.
"Last time. Who paid you?"
"Let me make it clear. I don't leave bruises. I bury problems."
He flinched. That was better.
Behind me, Aviyansh muttered, "Want me to take the other one?"
I nodded.
Dhruv walked over to the first guy, calmly rolled up his sleeves, and punched him across the face. Blood splattered.
Ranveer leaned back, watching, his voice soft but lethal. "You made the worst mistake. You followed the wrong girls."
I was done crouching. I stood, towering above them now.
"You think you can just touch what's mine? Follow them like some cheap gang of cowards? You don't know who we are?"
One of them, the slightly braver one, spat again. "We were paid."
I paused.
Paid?
By who?
"Names."
He hesitated.
I didn't.
One step. One kick. Right into his ribs.
He choked on the pain.
"I'm not going to ask again."
"W-we don't know... fake ID... private number..."
Cowards.
Spineless, disgusting cowards.
"You think you can touch my world and walk away?"
I gritted my teeth and turned to Raghav. "Keep them here. Get everything. Use whatever you need."
"Yes, rana sa."
"I am asking again who paid you tell me and this time don't lie. "
The name he said next made me freeze.
Not because I knew it.
But because I didn't.
Anonymous. Unknown. Foreign.
Someone watching.
Someone planning.
Someone who knew enough to target Isha.
I turned away before I did something worse.
As I walked away, blood roared in my ears.
They'd followed her.
My light.
My jaana.
And they thought I'd let it go?
Never.
Ranveer was already on the phone, giving instructions to trace every contact, every bank account, every alley this bastard crawled from.
I looked at Raghav.
"Make sure this never happens again. Double security. Triple if needed. No one gets near her. Not without going through fire."
"Yes, rana sa."
I stared at the broken man on the floor, his eyes now pleading.
"Next time you even think of her face," I said, walking toward the door, "I hope your bones remember mine."
Outside, the air was sharp, cold against my burning skin.
Dhruv handed me water. I didn't take it.
I lit a cigarette instead. I hadn't smoked in weeks.
"She's okay?" I asked quietly.
"Yeah," Raghav said. "Back at the spa. They don't know anything."
"Keep it that way."
Ranveer placed a hand on my shoulder. "She means a lot to you, doesn't she?"
I didn't reply.
Because silence was already screaming yes.
The city was silent, and I was still.
Until the phone rang.
Unknown number.
I stared at the screen. Something twisted in my gut. A coldness. A knowing.
I answered.
And then—silence.
Just breathing.
And then, a voice.
Low. Crooked. Smooth like a serpent's hiss.
"I know you got them," the voice said. "Those dogs you caught today… they don't matter."
I didn't speak. I let him continue.
"You think this ends here, King?"
I froze.
"You killed my brother. You don't even know you did it. But you did. So now…"
A pause.
"I'll kill someone you love."
And just like that, the line went dead.
No trace. No time to breathe. No mercy.
I stood still for one second.
Then hell broke loose inside me.
My jaw clenched. My hands turned into fists.
I grabbed my phone, called Aarya
"No signals, no tracking. It was scrambled," he confirmed seconds later.
I didn't wait for more.
"Where the f*** is Danny? Find him any how or I will kill you. " I barked.
Ranveer, half-awake, rushed out of his room.
"Shivansh, what—?"
"he's coming," I growled, storming toward the garage. "For her."
The car engine roared under me as I drove.
Red lights blurred past. My thoughts raced faster.
I remembered his words again. "I'll kill someone you love."
And her face came to mind.
That stupid, reckless, soft-hearted girl.
Who still left her balcony doors open.
Who slept like the world owed her peace.
I reached her house.
Everyone was asleep.
I didn't knock. I didn't wait.
I scaled the wall. My palms gripped the cold metal of the railing as I hoisted myself over to her balcony.
The door?
Open.
Of course, it was.
Stupid. Careless. Mine.
I stepped in.
She was there.
Sleeping. Breathing slowly, lost in some innocent dream.
Her hair sprawled on the pillow. Her hand curled against her cheek.
I exhaled shakily.
God, if anything ever happened to her...
I knelt beside the bed.
My fingers reached for her cheek, then her forehead.
A kiss.
Soft.
Lingering.
Mine.
But something inside me twisted.
I wasn't just her lover tonight. I was her guardian. Her shield. Her storm.
I was her goddamn sword.
I climbed in beside her, not making a sound.
But when I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her gently, something startled her.
She flinched but sleep.
My hand accidentally hit her arm. She move.
"Ah—Shivansh?" she whispered, in sleep, startled.
She looked up, scared. And beautiful.
"Shhh," I whispered, pulling her closer. "It's me. It's okay."
She sleep peace fully
But if she asked what happened
I couldn't lie.
I couldn't pretend.
But i could not let anything happen to her.
I tightened my grip. "But not tonight. Not while I'm here."
She tried to move from me. but I didn't let her.
"Don't," I said firmly. "I need you close."
Her breathing hitched.
But then she didn't move in her sleep.
Seems like she hear me in her sleep.
I pressed my lips against her temple, then her jaw.
My voice dropped to a whisper. "I don't care what happens to me. But if they touch you… I'll burn this world down."
I pulled her against my chest, her heartbeat racing against mine.
"Jaana. I'm protecting you."
I whisper to her.
I tucked her under my arm. Covered her in my warmth.
Because if someone was coming…
They'd find me first.
They'd pay.
The sun hadn't even kissed the sky yet.
But my eyes were open. Not because of any noise. Not because of some threat.
Because of her.
Isha.
Lying there, wrapped in my arms like she belonged there—because she did.
Her head rested on my chest, right above my heart, as if she'd known exactly where to find the most peaceful rhythm in the world.
Her hair spilled around us like dark silk, her breath soft, warm, hitting my skin in waves.
My hand rested instinctively on her waist, holding her protectively, yet gently—as if even the morning air shouldn't dare touch her without my permission.
I smiled.
What a view.
Not the mountains of Mussoorie, not the palaces of Jaipur, not the skyline of Paris we were flying to.
This.
This sleepy little chaos with messy hair, long lashes brushing my chest, and her face buried in me—this was the best thing I'd ever seen.
I shifted slightly, and she moved with me.
Her fingers curled unconsciously near my side. Her legs tangled with mine.
God. She was trouble.
My fingers brushed her waist, slowly. She squirmed a little but didn't wake. I leaned in, kissed her forehead, smiling against her skin.
"janna." I murmured quietly, teasing. "Aap kuch khati bhi ho kya, kitni halki ho aap, aisa lag hi nhi raha hai ki koi humare uper soo raha hai. "
( Do you eat anything? You are so light, it doesn't seem like someone is sleeping on top of me.)
She stirred.
Her brows knit together slightly. She stretched her arm lazily, still half-asleep, then blinked… and stilled.
She looked up, confusion swirling in her eyes.
Her gaze scanned my face.
Then my chest.
Then the position we were in.
Then—shock.
She gasped.
"What the hell—what… what are you doing here?!"
I grinned, voice still low and smug, "Correction… what are you doing here?"
She sat up a little, hair falling over her face. "Excuse me?! I was sleeping, peacefully. Alone! In my room."
I raised a brow. "Really? Then how come I woke up and you were on top of me?"
She stared at me. "Because you pulled me! I was going back to my side, but this idiot—" she pointed to me "—just hugged me tighter and mumbled something like, 'I'm not dead yet.'"
I blinked.
Had I really said that?
A smirk crept across my lips.
"Oh… that was probably because I thought I'd died and gone to heaven with you beside me."
She threw a pillow at me. I caught it, laughing.
"Shivansh!"
I rolled onto my back. "Relax. I just missed you."
She stared. "Missed me?"
I turned to her again. My tone dropped. Soft. Real. "Yeah… I did."
Silence. The weight of it sank between us.
Then I said, "You left your balcony open. So I came in from there."
Her mouth dropped open. "What?! You climbed into my room like some Romeo?!"
I smirked. "More like Batman. With better hair."
She shook her head. "You're insane."
"And you're beautiful."
She turned away, but not before I caught her smile.
Ten minutes later, she stood by the dresser, brushing her hair. I watched from the bed, propped on one elbow.
She looked like chaos and calm had made a deal to exist in one body.
She looked like mine.
I walked up behind her, wrapped my arms around her waist, and buried my face into her neck.
"I could stay like this," I whispered.
"We have a flight to catch," she replied, her voice soft.
"Then let's miss it," I said.
But I knew we wouldn't.
We had Paris waiting.
And love that deserved to be lived loud.
We came downstairs, both of us pretending not to smile like idiots.
My brothers were already outside, laughing with Isha's friends. The trunks of both our cars open, suitcases being stacked in.
Her family stood at the door, warm and generous as always.
I greeted them with folded hands and a soft smile, offering nothing but respect.
They nodded. Her father smiled at me like I was already part of their home.
And maybe I was.
But then her father eye brows joined like he is thinking, when and how I came here but he didn't asked me.
Outside, Avi teased, "So? You guys took your own sweet time, huh?"
Arjun smirked. "Must've been stuck in traffic… on the balcony."
Isha's cheeks turned red. I threw a warning glare at both of them.
"My fist still works, boys," I muttered, hauling the last bag into the trunk.
We were finally seated in the car.
Next stop?
The airport.
And then…
Paris.
A new chapter.
With my jaana by my side.
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