Jia’s father sighed. “Then I believe we should discuss the marriage contract, yes?”
Elation soared through Dev. “Yes.”
The older man reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. “First things first, however. Her sisters wanted to meet you before the ceremony. Do you mind if I call them?”
He would agree to walk on hot coals at this point. “Not at all.”
Mohammad handed Dev the phone, stood, and clappedhim on the shoulder. “Survive this”—he nodded at the phone—“and I’ll give you my blessing.”
What? He didn’t have time to clarify what the older man meant, though, because the call connected.
“Hello?”
“Hello?”
“Well, well, well. Look who it is.”
Dev focused on the small phone screen. He could identify them based on Jia’s descriptions alone. The woman with the hijab and the oxygen tank, that was Noor. The polished one, that was Zara. The pregnant woman, Sadia. “Hello,” he said and waved. “Um, I’m Dev. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Noor squinted at him. “You’re not that handsome in real life.”
His lips parted.
“Are you still tall at least?”
“Yes,” he managed.
“Good. We could use some more tall genes in this family.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Sadia said warmly. The peacemaker of the family, but also the one who had rebelled to marry the man she loved. “This wedding has come as a shock to us. We’re sorry we can’t be there.”
“Still not quite sure why it has to be today.” Zara’s eyes narrowed. “What’s your game, what’s the rush?”
“Ah—”
“Besides your grandmother,” Noor interjected. “So sorry about that.”
“And this ridiculous will,” Zara added. “Which I’m stillskeptical of. I’d like a copy, please.”
Dev would have whiplash if they were here. “I’m sorry you can’t be here as well. As for the rush, well, Jia and I simply... we wish to be together, as quickly as possible.”
Sadia visibly softened, but the eldest sisters didn’t so much as bat an eye. “Jia told us you were willing to wait, despite your grandma and the money, so that’s a point for you,” Noor said.
Thank God. He imagined he’d need many points.
“Are you rushing just for sex?” Zara demanded.
“Oh God, no.” He looked around, fearing someone might hear. “I’d never... for that.”
“He’s blushing,” Sadia said. “That’s cute.”
“Listen, Dev. We love our sister very much.”
He met Noor’s eyes. Her worried eyes. “I understand. I know what it’s like to protect family.”
“Good. Then you know that if you hurt her, there is nowhere on this planet you could go where we would not destroy you.”
“We don’t care how much money you have or how much power your family wields. We will kill you and make it look like an accident. We’re physicians. We know exactly how to do that.” Zara’s teeth flashed, and her bright smile was made scarier by her fierce words.
