For long moments, they lay tangled together, both breathing hard.
Then he rolled to his side and pulled her against his chest.
"Sleep," he murmured. "I've got you."
For the first time since their anniversary disaster, Nimisha felt safe.
Even if it was temporary. Even if tomorrow he'd be cold again.
Tonight, he was holding her like she mattered.
And for now, that was enough.
CHAPTER 10
Three Days Later - Main Drawing Room, 4:17 PM
The Ranawat family had gathered to celebrate Tanisha's engagement to Kabir Malhotra. The formal announcement would be made at a party next week, but today was family only—champagne, sweets, and excitement about the upcoming union.
Nimisha sat in her usual corner, a book in her lap that she wasn't reading. Her new security detail waited outside—two men who followed her everywhere now, discreet but present.
Samarth hadn't been exaggerating. She wasn't allowed to go anywhere alone.
Strangely, she didn't mind as much as she thought she would.
"Nimisha, you're so quiet," Tanisha said, her face glowing with happiness. "Aren't you excited?"
"Of course. Congratulations."
"Kabir is wonderful, isn't he?" Tanisha gushed, looking at her fiancé with stars in her eyes. "So successful, so charming, so perfect."
Kabir smiled modestly, but Nimisha caught the way his eyes slid to her—a look that made her skin crawl.
It happened quickly. He was standing near the refreshment table, talking to Raghbir about business. Nimisha went to refill her tea.
As she reached for the pot, Kabir shifted closer than necessary.
"Allow me," he said smoothly, taking the pot from her hands.
His fingers brushed hers deliberately.
Then, as he poured her tea, his other hand grazed her lower back—high enough to seem accidental, low enough to be possessive.
Nimisha flinched, stepping away quickly.
A low, menacing growl rumbled through the room.
Bruno.
The massive dog had appeared from nowhere, positioning himself between Nimisha and Kabir, his eyes fixed on the other man with unmistakable threat.
"Bruno, hey boy," Kabir said with a nervous laugh, backing up. "Easy there."
Bruno's growl deepened.
"Why is that dog always near her?" Tanisha asked, annoyance creeping into her voice. "He's supposed to be bhai's dog, not hers."
"Maybe he senses she needs protecting," Saroj said, though her tone suggested she found the whole thing odd.
