Rohan chokes, clawing for air. “I—I just meant—”
“You meant what?” I seethe, dragging him up another inch. “That my wife is entertainment for you?”
His eyes widen, the arrogance draining out of him like someone just cut his vein.
Veer grabs my shoulder. “Bro, let go of him.”
“Don’t fucking interfere,” I growl, not even sparing him a glance. My grip only tightens as I lean in to Rohan. “You don’t get to think about her. And you will never so much as take her name. Do you understand me?”
He nods frantically, his voice rasping. “I—I understand—”
“Dev. Enough.” Dad’s voice grinds out from behind me just as Veer steps in, locking both arms around me from behind.
“Let him go, bro.”
My jaw flexes, and I finally shove Rohan away. He stumbles, clutching his throat, gasping like a fish dragged out of water.
“Clear out.” Dad orders. The men obey instantly, filing out in seconds.
When the door clicks shut and it’s only the three of us, I turn around. Dad walks towards me, his posture rigid.
“Have you lost your mind?” he snaps. “For that ill-mannered wife of yours, you’ll pick fights with your own men?”
“Yes,” I reply with a fury I don’t bother to hide, don’t even try. “If someone so much as breathes wrong about my wife, I will tear them apart,” I bite out. “And I don’t need anyone’s fucking permission for that.”
“If you keep fighting like this, if you keep losing your temper over that woman, you’ll be the one to destroy yourself,” he snaps, jabbing a finger hard into my chest. “Not your enemies. Not your rivals.You.”
“I’d rather destroy myself,” I reply, staring straight into his eyes, “than let a single man disrespect my wife.”
“Why don’t you get it? You’ll bring down everything you’ve built, everything I handed to you,” he snarls, trembling withrestrained rage. “No woman is worth losing your power. Or your goddamn sanity, Dev.”
“If protecting my wife costs me my sanity or burns a few bridges, so be it, Dad.” I flex my hands at my sides. “I’ll build new ones from the ashes. But I won’t stand by and let any asshole speak filthy about my wife.”
His jaw ticks, just once. “I can see this obsession of yours is turning you deaf to reason. But I will not stay quiet and watch you slip.” His gaze hardens to steel. “I swear to you, I will make sure she’s removed from our path. Permanently.”
“You will do no such thing, Dad.” I slam my hand against the wall so hard the wood cracks beneath the force. Pain spears up my arm and warm blood trickles down my wrist, but I don’t flinch. My eyes stay locked on him, burning.
Veer swears under his breath. “Bro—fuck—”
Dad’s eyes flick from the blood to my face. I lower my hand, letting the blood drip onto the floor. My breathing turns rough, uneven, as I force the words out.
“Dad, if you so much as touch a hair on her… you will lose me. Permanently.”
I don’t wait for his reply. I turn on my heel and walk out.
The guards snap to attention as I storm past. I ignore their nervous glances as I step outside. The night’s cool air hits my face, but it does nothing to quell the fire tearing through my chest. I yank open the car door, drop into the driver’s seat, and slam it shut.
The steering wheel smears with my bleeding hand, but I don’t bother about it. All I can feel is Dad’s threat needling under my skin, and the promise I made in return. I will not let anything touch her. Not a single person, not a single thing. And if anyone even tries… even if it’s my own blood, they’ll regret it.
Inhaling sharply, I start the engine and roll out of the parking lot, heading straight home.To her.
By the time I pull up in front of the house, my pulse is still racing. Even the drive, which usually clears my head, hasn’t done a damn thing to settle the storm tearing through my chest.
I step out of the car and walk inside. My footsteps echo through the hallway as I make a beeline for my room. I stop at the doorway, letting my gaze settle on my wife.
Meera is curled up on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, a blanket draped around her waist, and a book resting loosely in her hands. Soft yellow lamplight spills over her face, making her look almost ethereal. Just looking at her eases the storm in my chest, if only a little.
I walk in and head straight for the side table. I yank off my wristwatch and drop it with a hard thud.
