She just pats my back, and suddenly, I don’t feel like I’m alone in this anymore. I have Trisha.
And most importantly, I have the support of the man who sent her here for me.
Raghav.
****************
Next Day (2 Days for the Wedding)
The next morning, Samarjeet is crossing the living room when he suddenly slows to a stop on seeing Trisha sitting across from me casually as I chat with her. Mom is busy making coffee for us and is happy to see me relaxed. I haven’t told her yet who Trisha is or who sent her here. I will, but not when Samarjeet or his men are around.
Samarjeet narrows his eyes slightly as he reaches the living area and looks suspiciously between us.
“You getting along with a bodyguard now?” he asks, raising a brow. “Am I dreaming?”
I shrug before taking a sip of the coffee Mom has just placed in front of me.
“I still hate guards,” I reply easily. “That hasn’t changed. Maybe you should’ve hired female security years ago instead of those useless men following me around everywhere.”
Trisha lowers her head slightly, clearly hiding a smile.
I continue. “At least this one can hold her own in a fight with me. Your men usually end up flat on the floor within minutes.”
Samarjeet’s jaw tightens. His eyes flick towards Trisha again, studying her longer this time. As if trying to understand how she managed in one day what his entire security team failed to do in years.
“How long have you worked with Vipers Security?” he asks suddenly.
Trisha doesn’t even blink.
“Three years,” she replies smoothly.
“Directly under Parag’s network?”
“Mostly external assignments,” she replies in the same calm, professional tone. “High-risk escort operations, private protection, cross-border movement details. Mr. Reddy brought me in recently after reviewing my record.”
I almost admire how effortlessly the lies leave her lips.
Samarjeet continues watching her. “Who was your handler before this?”
“Victor Hale.” Her answer comes instantly. “Cape Town Division.”
Not a second of hesitation.
Damn.
Trisha really came prepared for this mission.
“And Parag trusts you enough to assign you to Siya?” Samarjeet asks, still probing.
“He trusts results,” Trisha says simply. “I deliver them.”
That seems to satisfy something in him. Not completely. But enough. His gaze lingers on her for another moment before finally shifting back to me.
“Hmm.” That’s all he says before turning and walking away, though I can still feel the suspicion hanging behind him like smoke. The moment he is gone, I exhale. Even Mom looks relieved as the atmosphere finally settles.
“Whatever you say, I’m happy to see this,” she says softly to Trisha before turning to me. “It reassures me even more that you’re marrying the right man. Because look,” she points at Trisha again, “he sent someone you’d actually be comfortable around instead of another guard who spends every second irritating you while doing their job.”
“That, I totally agree with,” Trisha suddenly intervenes, smiling at Mom before looking at me. “His concern for Siya surprised even us.”
