“And if I give my home address, I won’t get the bags while I’m here.”
“Also correct.” The guard shrugged and moved away much to her dismay.
“B-but-“
“Feeling better?” Daksh towered over her, still rubbing at his jaw. The glint in his eyes told her whatever little patience he’d possessed, it had evaporated.
She nodded, dumbly. The anxiety attacks always left her feeling drained and weak, her brain foggy and muddled, and today was no exception.
It was the only excuse she had for doing what she did next.
When Daksh looked over at her and asked, “Shall we go find a hotel then?”
She nodded once more and followed him and his giant haversack out of the airport.
CHAPTER 6
DAKSH
Daksh raisedhis camera as he watched the sun set over the ocean, the clicking sound soothing him. Relentless, chaotic travel followed by the day from hell at the terminal with the feral mouse had muscles in his shoulders knotting with stress. Muscles that he hadn’t known existed.
His phone rang and he ignored it, picking up his camera again and focusing on the ships in the distance. He got a picture of the one silhouetted against the burning orb of the setting sun. That one, he knew in his gut, would be worth something.
The phone rang again. He sighed, lowering his camera and pulling his phone out of his pocket.
Dad.
The knots in his muscles developed knots. The feral mouse had nothing on his father. He sent the call to voicemail and pocketed his phone again. His father’s name on his screen had ruined his mood. He needed a drink and maybe some action. He was in Goa, after all. He took a deep breath and headed back to his room to change.
As he crossed Room 252, he hesitated. Was he supposed to inviteheralong? He was pretty sure he didn’t want to. He hadn’t seen her since she’d scooped up her room key card and marched away in the reception lobby. He’d been fervently grateful to see her go.
He made it to his own room just as his phone started ringing again. Fuck, his father was persistent. A wave of relief washed over him when he saw it was Ashish calling.
“Hey man. No need to worry. Your mouse is in her burrow. All settled in for the night.”
“Daksh.”
There was no one in this world who could infuse rage, disappointment, and sheer disgust into his name like his father could. Daksh pulled the phone back and checked the display. Yep, his father was calling him from his brother’s number. Most people got senile in their old age. His father got sneaky.
“Dad,” he said flatly.
“I expect you to make sure that Aakash Thakkar’s daughter is happy, safe, and peaceful in this unexpected upheaval.”
Daksh’s eyebrows shot up. “It’s an extra day in Goa, Dad. Most people consider that a stroke of good fortune not unexpected upheaval.”
“Most people aren’t good for nothing wasters like you.” Prasun Mathur sounded like the top of his head was going to blow off with rage.
“Noted,” Daksh drawled sardonically, well aware that his tone would tip his father over the edge he was teetering on.
“You are to remain glued to her hip for the entire duration of your stay there. Do you understand me? Until she’s home, safe and sound, I don’t want you to be more than a few feet away from her, making sure she’s comfortable.”
“Dad!” Daksh injected just the right amount of shock into his voice. “Are you asking me to spend the night with her too? You do remember which son she’s marrying, right?”
For a second, furious silence pulsed down the phone. And then his father replied, “Of course, I remember. The only son who matters.”
Daksh held his tongue, processing the hurt the comment brought. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t heard before. So why did it still hurt?
Ashish came on the phone a second later. “Sorry about that,” his brother mumbled, sounding embarrassed. “Aakash Uncle called and told Dad about the whole clusterfuck and he got into the act.”
