Of course, my brother didn’t like it. He had never trusted me, not after my first attempt to escape. He sent some of his best men with me, an entourage, more like prison guards dressed in suits. And Michael, his most loyal shadow, was given one clear order. To keep his eyes on me at all times. And not just me. Samarjeet also wanted to make sure Parag didn’t touch meeither. Intimacy before marriage is against the sacred codes of the mafia.
So half of my work was done. I had what I wanted:an excuse to leave Cape Town. To set foot in India again.
And this time, I wasn’t running blindly. I had a perfect plan. I told Parag sweetly that while he spent the next fifteen days buried in business, I’d explore the vineyards, the valleys, and the hills. That I’d stay at a luxury resort, enjoy my time, and wait for him to join me when his deals were sealed. He liked the thought of me waiting for him like a dutiful fiancée.
Now Parag is four hundred kilometres away, chasing some deals. And I am right here, in the heart of the Shivtara Valley, standing inside RK Estate. Exactly where I wanted to be. And no one, not Samarjeet, nor Parag, nor their men, has the faintest idea what I intend to do next.
“Siya,” Mom’s voice pulls me back, breaking through my wandering thoughts. “Yesterday I was talking to Samarjeet… and we were discussing Parag.”
I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see it.
“He is not a bad choice for you—”
“Mom, but—” I try to cut her off.
“No, listen to me first and then speak.”
I sigh, dragging my fingers through my hair as I step onto the balcony.
Mom continues, “You’re twenty-seven now, and Parag is only four years older than you. That is nothing, Siya. In our world, women are often given in marriage to men twice their age. At least you’ve been spared that. Besides, Parag looks good, and from what I’ve heard, he isn’t like Samarjeet. He isn’t weak when it comes to women. He could still make a good husband.”
“Just because he sleeps with fewer women than my brother doesn’t mean he’ll make a good husband, Mom,” I say with abitter laugh. “And you know me. I don’t want to marry into the mafia at all.”
The words are barely out of my mouth when I seehim.And my heart stutters. There, across the wide expanse of the vineyards, on a black horse, in a black shirt, is Raghav himself.
RK!
Even from this distance, at least half a kilometre away, I know it’s him. With his spine straight and shoulders relaxed, he holds the reins in one hand, the other resting loosely at the side. Even the horse obeys him, without any resistance, knowing that power like his doesn’t ask.It commands.My palms grow clammy. I shouldn’t be staring like this.Not at him.
“You need to come out of your fairy tales, Siya,” Mom sighs on the other end, unaware of the storm building inside me. “There’s no prince coming for you.”
The wordprincepulls my thoughts back to the man riding the horse.The Dark Prince.
Then, as if the devil hears the thoughts I shouldn’t be having, he turns his head. Our gazes lock from across the distance, and for a heartbeat, my pulse stops.
“Mom…” I whisper, tearing my gaze away from him. “Every Cinderella has a Prince Charming written in her fate. You’ll see, I’m no different. Now go back to sleep. I’ll video call you in a few hours.”
She sighs. “I hope you find your prince soon, Siya. And I hope the man you choose is strong enough to fight the entire underworld to keep you by his side. Only then will your love and your freedom survive.”
Her words hit hard as I end the call. Mom is right. Whoever I choose will have a war on his hands against the mafias. And I’m not sure he would be strong enough to survive something that fierce. And with that thought, my gaze meetsRaghav’sagain.Somehow, he is the only one who fits that description. Only he seems capable enough to survive something this fierce.
But him and I?
Never!
CHAPTER 4
RAGHAV
Late Afternoon – Stable
Rogan, the dark brown stallion, has been fighting me for twenty minutes now. I can feel the strain in my palms, the burn in my shoulders, and the sand sticking to the sweat along my spine. He is young, powerful, recently brought to these hills… untamed, and definitely not used to fences or commands. He thinks strength alone will win him his freedom. If only he knew who he was up against. A man who never gives up when he marks someone or something ashisown.
Rogan rears again, his front legs slicing through the air as he tries to throw me again. I tighten my hold on the reins and move with him instead of against him. Force is for amateurs. Controlling a stubborn horse like him requires patience.
The sun is high in the sky, and by now, I should be at the resort, but I’m still here. I have no intention of facing that princess who knows too much about me. Not until I figure out why she is really here.
Sensing my distraction, Rogan unexpectedly twists and catches me off balance. My boots lose their grip for a fraction of a second, and he uses the opportunity to slam me hard to the ground. The impact knocks the breath out of my lungs.
