That name lands inside my head like a blow I never saw coming. For one horrifying second, I forget how to breathe. That namehitssomething deeper inside me… because it also belonged to my late mother. The woman I’ve never seen, never felt the touch of. The woman whose absence shaped my entirelife. All I have is her name, which is sacred to me, and I respect it more than anything else I ever have.
How the hell did I never know that Siya’s mother’s name was Rukmini?
While I’m still processing this, she looks at me one final time with sheer disappointment in her eyes. Then, she turns and slams the bedroom door directly in my face.
For a long moment, I simply stare at the closed door. Nobody has ever done that to me before. Shut the door in my face. Strangely, though, I don’t feel angry.
My mind is still stuck on one thing:Siya’s mother’s name is Rukmini.
I drag a hand slowly over my jaw before turning away and heading out of the villa and move towards the office cabin where I manage most of my business operations. Once the door shuts behind me, I head straight to the desk and yank open the drawer. I pull out the file Haider had prepared months ago on Siya Vardhaan.
It has every detail, from her background checks to her family history. My fingers tighten around the file as I flip through the pages, my eyes suddenly stopping at that one line.
Mother’s Name: Rukmini Shamsher Vardhaan.
A humourless laugh escapes me. How the hell did I not see this before? I recall the rage I saw in Siya’s mother’s eyes just minutes ago. For one f*cked up second, it felt personal. As if my own mother was standing in front of me, furious. As if she was disappointed in me.
I instantly hate that thought. I have no memories of my mother. No idea what it feels like to have someone protect you that fiercely just because you belong to them. That kind of unconditional love was never meant for men like me.
Yet back at my villa, when Rukmini Vardhaan slapped me without the slightest traceof fear in her eyes, ready to fight theDark Prince himself for her daughter… an old wound cracked open inside me. A wound I stopped acknowledging a long time ago. The ache of never knowing my mother.
The cabin door suddenly opens behind me, and Haider walks in. One look at my face is enough for him to realise my mood is already lethal tonight.
“Word has already started spreading through the underworldacross every continent that the Dark Prince is alive and operating from here… the RK Estate.”
That was bound to happen.
The moment the mafia came to know about me, there was no going back to the quiet life I had built here. From now, nothing stays simple anymore because the underworld knows I’m alive and exactly where to find me. Which means everydamnday from now on will be about survival again. Protecting and eliminating threats before they even think about reaching my people.
No loopholes.
No mercy.
Putting Siya’s file away, I lean back against the edge of the desk.
“What about the security here?” I ask.
“Increased everywhere,” Heather replies immediately. “Additional men have already been deployed around the estate and spread across Shivtara Valley as well. All perimeters have been secured, and all routes leading through the vineyards are under constant surveillance.”
Good.From tonight onwards, RK Estate stops being a mere luxury resort. It becomes a fortress.
“I’ve also instructed our men to monitor every suspicious movement around the valley,” Haider continues. “If anyone from the mafia tries getting close—”
“They die before they even reach the gates,” I finish coldly.
Silence settles briefly as he nods in agreement.
Then I look at him again. “What about the security at Shergill Mansion back in Mumbai?”
“Ayaan’s men are already on high alert,” he replies.
“Not enough.” My voice hardens instantly. “I wantoureyes there too. On Baba. Meher. Ayaan. Everybody.”
Haider nods once.
“I know GLEN won’t leave any stone unturned,” I continue darkly, “but I’m not gambling my family’s lives on assumptions anymore. Not after this.”
Haider watches me carefully, probably trying to understand whether I regret any of this. But I don’t. Not one f*cking bit.
