Good. But not nearly good enough for me to let it go.
“Where is he?” I ask, leaning forward, my hand slamming onto the desk.
Khurana swallows hard before replying. “Outside.”
“Send him in.”
He nods and steps out. A few seconds later, he returns with Gopal, my oldest and most trusted truck driver. The moment Gopal sees me, he drops to his knees. His hands come together in a desperate plea, sweat dripping down his temples.
I circle my desk and crouch in front of him, watching how he can’t bring himself to look at me.
“Look at me,” I say, my voice deadly calm.
Gopal forces his head up, shame twisting his aged features. “Sir… I—I didn’t want to. But he… he said he’d hand me over to the police if I didn’t take the money and cooperate.”
“Who?” I ask, even though my gut already knows. I just want to hear him say it.
“Samarth, the journalist,” he whispers.
My hands curl into fists. Of course it’s that fucking asshole. He just can’t stay out of my way. He has to keep testing me.
Before I can speak, Khurana steps closer. “We brought him in as well. He’s in the holding room.”
I nod at him. “Double the guards on every route. Triple-check every driver. No one moves a truck without my fingerprint approval. And not a word about it to my dad or brother.”
I don’t wait for his reply. Instead, I rise to my feet, stride out of the office, and take the elevator down, fury pounding through my veins with every step.
The moment I step into the dimly lit room, my eyes lock onto Samarth, seated with two of my men standing on either side of him. His face is bruised, but he still lifts his chin, arrogance dripping off his face.
I give my men a look, and they leave. Once we’re alone, I turn my gaze back to the jerk.
“Dev, so good to see you,” Samarth drawls, like we’re old friends meeting for a drink.
“You bribed my driver to hand my consignment over to the police,” I hiss, stepping closer until I am right in front of him.
“I believe in social service,” he shrugs. “Imagine Dev Rathore behind bars. Headlines screaming your downfall. And Meera… finally getting rid—”
Her name on his tongue makes me see red, and before he can say another word, I grab him by the collar and yank him to his feet. “Don’t you dare take her name.”
He shoves my hand off his collar. “You really like proving it every time, Dev, that you’re nothing but a violent criminal.”
“And you are exactly the kind of coward who bribes people and goes behind backs to do the damage you’re too scared to attempt to my face.”
“Scared?” He scoffs, shaking his head. “No, Dev. I am just smarter. Unlike you, I don’t need violence to get what I want.”
“Smarter?” I echo, a humourless laugh slipping out. “If you were smart, Samarth, you would’ve stayed the hell out of my way. You wouldn’t be standing here with that pathetic, daring attitude, acting as though you’ve actually sabotaged me.” My gaze locks onto his. “Let me tell you something. You didn’t even come close to scratching me.”
“Maybe not yet, but I will,” he spits the words before adding, “You think dragging me here scared me? You think catching Gopal will stop me? You think I won’t find another way?” His eyes burn into mine. “You’re not untouchable, Dev. Everyone has a weakness. And I am going to find the spot that makes you bleed the most.”
I hold his stare. “My weakness doesn’t break me, Samarth. It turns me into something you don’t want to fucking meet.”
“Then bring it out, Dev. Bring out the beast you think you are. It still won’t stop me.”
“You sound awfully brave for an ordinary man.” I look him up and down, slow and deliberate. “But tell me something. Allthis chest-thumping, all this courage, this delusion that you can come after me… it’s all because of my wife, isn’t it?” I lean in just an inch. “Because it kills you that she chose me over you, and you’re still choking on it.”
“She didn’t choose you,” he snarls. “You forced her. Because there’s no way she would choose a man like you… whose hands are dirty with filth. And I know she deserves far better.”
“I don’t give a damn what you think you know. The truth is, she’s married to me, and nothing is changing that. So don’t open your mouth about what she deserves again.”
