I pause at the doorway and glance over my shoulder.
“Why? Sad your husband’s leaving you alone on your wedding night?”
She scoffs. “In your dreams.”
“Well, sweetheart, I don’t want to leave you. But thanks to the mess you’ve created, I’ll have to go and fix a few things. After all… it’s a husband’s duty to correct his wife’s mistakes.” I wink at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”
With that, I step out, close the door behind me, and stride down the hallway.
Within minutes, I am in the car, pulling out of the driveway and heading straight to the police station. I’ve made Meera my wife. Now I just have to get my brother out of jail.
???
“I still can’t believe you married her, bro.”
Veer hasn’t stopped running his damn mouth since he got in the car. I don’t even know why I told him about the wedding the second he sat inside the vehicle. My already-frayed patience is wearing thin—first her parents, then that loser journalist friend of hers, then me dealing with the police, the whole circus… and now him whining. This night just keeps finding new ways to piss me off.
“If you wanted, you could’ve had a night with her and—”
I slam the brakes so hard the car jerks violently. Veer lurches forward, and before he can steady himself, I twist towards him, grabbing his collar and tightening my fist around it.
“Don’t even think about finishing that sentence. One filthy word about my wife, and I swear, blood or not, you and I will have a very real problem,” I warn, my voice lethal.
He stares at me, startled, but not enough to shut his damn mouth. “She put me behind bars, bro… and you’re fighting forheragainst me?”
“You think I don’t know that?” I let go of his collar. “But she is mine to deal with. Not you. Not Dad. Not anyone else. Mine. And you won’t do anything that will piss me off.”
I know Veer. I know exactly how he gets when he’s angry. And now, after this damn jail fiasco, he’s even more likely to jump into something reckless without thinking twice. But I can’t let him do anything stupid just because his ego is bruised. Not when there’s even the slightest chance it could hurt Meera.
“She. Is. My. Wife,” I bite out when he doesn’t answer. “And youwillrespect her.”
Veer studies my face, something dawning slowly in his eyes. “Are you turning soft and falling in—”
“I don’t do soft,” I cut him off. “And before you start reading too much into anything… this marriage is my way to make herpay.” I pin him with a cold, steady stare. “And I’ll handle it without anyone interfering.”
“Fine,” he mutters at last.
“Good.” I nod towards the house. “Now let’s go. Dad will be happy to see you home.”
We climb out of the car, the night air hitting us hard. Veer hangs back a step, still grumbling under his breath, but I ignore him and lead the way to the front door.
I push it open, and the moment we step into the living room, her voice hits us immediately.
“Welcome home, Devarji.”
I watch her descend the staircase, her salwar suit swaying lightly, that wicked smile tugging at her lips. She stops at the foot of the stairs and locks eyes with Veer.
“You were supposed to welcome me,” she mocks, “but here I am welcoming you, Devarji.”
Veer’s jaw tightens. “You bi—”
I press a hand firmly against his shoulder before he can curse.
“Bhabhi,” I correct sharply.
Meera glances at me, her smile widening, then turns back to Veer.
“So, Devarji… how was your little visit to jail?”
