Yaar, is dropping your votes and comments that hard? Mai vote ka kuch nhi bolti, tum log target nhi bhi complete krte to I update aur abhi to mai aur jldi update kr deti hoon to mjhe smjh nhi aata ki problem Hai kya 😭

Like agr my chapters are lacking anything to mjhe whi Bata do yaar tum log - kuch pasand nhi aa rha, expectations exceed nhi kr rha. Kuch to hoga bolne ko? 😭

As a reader I understand ki comment krne me maza nhi aata maybe 😭 but as an Author yaar that is my sole motivation to keep writing other than writing for myself. 🫶

I am not saying ki tum log 10 comment kro 100 kro but atleast mjhe bas ye Bata do ki chapter Acha lga ya nhi kuch bhi scene memorable hua to, kuch dialogue Acha lga to 😭 kuch to bol dia kro yaar please - I swear it keeps me giggling and laughing for the whole day (that's how much your words mean)

𐙚⋆°🦢.⋆ᥫ᭡

Aira:

The sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, its golden hues warming my face and pulling me reluctantly from sleep. My eyelids fluttered open, and I blinked against the brightness, expecting to find the familiar calm of my room. But the moment my gaze focused, my breath hitched in my throat.

Flowers. Everywhere.

The room was a mess of fragrances - roses, lilies, peonies, and wildflowers I couldn't even name, their vibrant petals spilling from vases, baskets, and even laid in careless heaps across the floor.

Any other person would have smiled dreamily at the scene in front of me, twirled and played with the flowers, trying them on their hairs and looked in the mirror but unlike other's dream, it was a nightmare for me.

The overwhelming scent clawed at my senses, a cloying sweetness that turned suffocating within seconds.

My chest tightened.

It wasn't just the sheer excess of it all, it was the realization of who could have orchestrated this.

Him.

Did he not know I am allergic to flowers.

I stumbled out of bed, my heart pounding against my ribs. He hated me as much as I hated him - this, whatever it was, couldn't be an act of affection.

No, it was calculated. A deliberate move in a game I had no control over.

He did this intentionally because he knows of my allergy.

"Why?" I whispered, my voice shaky. "Why would he..."

Fuck, I don't want to die just yet.

A sudden itch prickled at my throat. I reached up instinctively, my fingers brushing against my neck as the familiar burn of an allergic reaction began to take hold. My breath grew shallow, my head spinning as the sweet, choking scent of the flowers wrapped itself around me like a noose.

I couldn't even bring myself to speak a single word, my heart pounding in my chest at the terrifying realisation that I could die just like that.

I stumbled backward, my legs weak beneath me, and clutched at the doorframe for support. My vision blurred, the edges darkening.

And then I fell.

When I awoke, the world felt distant and muted, as though I were trapped beneath a layer of fog. My body felt heavy, my limbs weighted down by an invisible force. Somewhere in the haze, I heard voices - low and urgent, but too far away to make out.

"Her breathing is stabilizing," a calm voice said, followed by a heavier one laced with tension. "What took you so long? I told you to get here faster."

I tried to focus, to peel back the layers of darkness, but it clung stubbornly to me. I caught fragments - a deep voice muttering curses, the scrape of a chair against the floor.

And then, warmth.

A hand brushed against mine, tentative yet unyielding, sending a jolt of awareness through me. I wanted to pull away, but my body refused to obey.

"Damn you, little wolf," he muttered under his breath. His voice was rough, low, but unmistakable. "You just can’t stop provoking me, can you?"

I wanted to scream, to remind him that this was his doing, not mine. But the effort of forming words was beyond me.

Time slipped away again, and when I woke next, the room was dim, the once-overbearing scent of flowers replaced by the sterile cleanliness. My throat was dry, my skin clammy.

I turned my head slowly, every muscle protesting the movement. And there he was.

Seated beside me in a rigid chair, his head tilted forward, elbows on his knees, hands clasped tightly together. The furrow between his brows spoke of worry, but his eyes were closed, as though he was fighting off sleep - or something deeper.

The sight of him - this version of him - conflicted me. The man who had orchestrated the chaos that almost killed me now sat as though guarding me against the very danger he had unleashed.

His eyes snapped open as though sensing my gaze. "You are awake."

I swallowed, my throat raw. "Why?"

His jaw tightened. "You need rest."

"I asked.." My voice cracked, and I coughed violently, the effort ripping through my chest. "Did you knew?"

He leaned forward, his expression a mix of frustration and something I couldn't quite name. "Hm, You are allergic to flowers. I know that. I didn't mean for it to..." He stopped, exhaling sharply. "I didn't know it would get this bad."

A bitter laugh escaped me, weak as it was. He fucking tried to kill me.

The audacity of his words sent a fresh wave of fury through me, but before I could muster a response, my body betrayed me, dragging me back into the heavy pull of unconsciousness.

I woke sporadically over the next day, each time finding him there - sometimes pacing, sometimes seated, but always present. Each time, I drifted back under, his shadowed figure the last thing I saw.

When I finally woke for good, the room was quiet.

The faint hum of activity beyond the door was a cruel reminder that life continued as though nothing had happened - as though my near-death experience hadn't shaken me to the core. My body ached, a dull, relentless throb that refused to let me forget how close I had come to the edge.

A soft knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. The door creaked open, and a maid stepped in, her expression a mix of relief and worry when she saw me awake.

"Maam, you are up! Let me help you sit," she said gently, hurrying to my side.

I didn't resist as she adjusted the pillows behind me, but the moment I was upright, the weight of my anger and betrayal surged to the forefront.

"Do you need water? Or food? Should I call the doctor?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

I shook my head, my throat too raw for explanations. My mind was elsewhere - on him. On my husband.

He tried to kill me.

The thought burned through me like wildfire, consuming every other emotion until all that remained was a desperate need for answers.

The maid hovered nervously. "You should rest, ma'am. You are still very weak."

Her words barely registered as I reached for the IV in my arm. The sharp sting as I yanked it out was a fleeting discomfort compared to the rage boiling inside me.

"Ma'am, please no!" the maid exclaimed, rushing forward.

"Leave it," I snapped, my voice hoarse but firm. My hands moved to the heart monitor's leads, tearing them off one by one. The machine let out a shrill alarm, but I didn't care.

"Please, ma'am, lie back down. You are not well enough to..."

"I said leave it!" I barked, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My knees wobbled as they hit the cold floor, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand.

The maid reached out as though to steady me, but I shot her a glare that stopped her in her tracks.

"I need to see him," I said, my voice trembling with barely restrained fury.

The maid looked torn, her hands wringing together. "Ma'am, please. Let me call someone..."

"Don't." My gaze was unrelenting, and after a long pause, she nodded hesitantly, stepping back to give me space.

Every step out of the room felt like a battle against my own body, but I refused to stop. The hallway stretched out before me, suffocating in its sterile quiet. Each step echoed, the sound a reminder of my own fragility.

By the time I reached his study, my breaths were shallow, my chest heaving from the exertion. The door loomed in front of me, a barrier between me and the man who had turned my world upside down.

Without hesitation, I pushed it open.

Arsh was there, standing near the window as though in deep thought. He looked up at the sound of the door, his expression unreadable.

Vyom was also standing there, and I think I almost saw pity flashing his eyes before he masked it over and any hesitation I seemed to have flew out of the window.

I kept my eyes locked on the monster's in front of me as I stated. "Leave us."

𐙚⋆°🦢.⋆ᥫ᭡

Arsh:

The tension crackled in the air. I stood near the window, gazing out into the dark night, my hands clasped behind my back. My thoughts were a storm, chaotic and unrelenting, but I didn't let it show. I couldn't afford to.

I shouldn't have gone so far.

Behind me, Vyom spoke again, his voice heavy with confusion and frustration.

"You asked me to sent her flowers," he said, his tone almost accusing. "Knowing she is allergic. Do you realize how dangerous that was for her?"

I didn't turn to face him. My reflection in the window seemed as unyielding as I felt. "I know."

His incredulous laugh broke the silence. "You know? And you still did it? One day, you risk your life to save her, and the next, you..." He paused, his words catching in his throat. "You try to kill her?"

"I didn't try to kill her," I said coldly, my voice devoid of emotion.

Vyom stepped closer, his frustration taking over his composure. "Then explain it to me, Because from where I am standing, it looks like you are unraveling. Do you even realize what you are doing?"

I turned then, meeting his gaze with an icy stare. "She is alive, isn't she? That's what matters."

His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tight with barely restrained anger. "Alive? You could have been the one in the line of fire two days ago! If the assassin had pulled the trigger the moment you shoved Aira into that pool..."

I clenched my jaw, the memory of that day flashing in my mind. The shooter's cold, calculating aim. Aira's wide confused and angry eyes as I had suddenly shoved her into the pool. The rush of adrenaline as I had looked up meeting the assassin's eyes, daring her to pull the trigger.

"She didn't shoot," I interrupted, my voice sharp. "And I wouldn't have cared if she had. As long as Aira is safe."

Vyom stared at me, his disbelief turning to something softer, more probing. "Are you even hearing yourself? You risk everything to save her, and then you pull stunts like this. Why? Is this some sick game to you?"

I looked away, my jaw tightening. "I don't owe you an explanation," I snapped, my patience wearing thin

"No," he said firmly. "You don't, but remember she is a person not a toy who you can keep pushing away, and then pull her back like a damn yo-yo whenever you feel like."

Before I could respond, the door to the study swung open. Aira stood there, her frame frail but her presence commanding. She was a ghost of her usual self - her face pale, dark circles under her eyes, and IV lines trailing from her arms. But it was her eyes that held me captive. They burned with an intensity that made my chest tighten.

"Leave us," she said, her voice hoarse but steady, her gaze never leaving mine.

Vyom hesitated, glancing between us, before nodding and stepping out. As the door clicked shut behind him, silence enveloped the room.

"You are unbelievable," she said, her words laced with quiet fury. She took a step forward, wobbling slightly. I moved instinctively to help her, but she held up a hand, stopping me in my tracks.

"Don't," she spat. "Don't you dare."

I froze, my hands clenched at my sides. "You shouldn't be out of bed, Aira."

"And you shouldn't be playing with my life," she shot back. Her voice cracked, but the fire in her eyes remained unyielding. "Flowers, Arsh? You sent me flowers knowing what they would do to me. Why? Why are you doing this to me?"

I didn't respond. I couldn't. The words wouldn't come.

Her IV line dangled like a chain, tethering her to the fragility I wanted to exploit and protect in equal measure.

She laughed bitterly, the sound cutting through me like a blade. "You won't answer, will you? You will just stand there, hiding behind your silence and your control, while I…" Her voice broke, and she swayed on her feet.

I stepped forward despite her protests, catching her before she could fall. She pushed weakly against my chest, but I held firm, my arms steady around her.

"Let go of me," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"No," I said quietly. "I won't."

Her fists pounded weakly against me, her anger giving way to frustration. "You are a coward, Arsh. You hide behind your walls, your games, your power. But you are a monster." Her voice trembled.

"Then stop making me feel like a man," I whispered, my eyes locking onto hers.

She pulled back just enough to look up at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Tum meri jaan lene wale the."

(You were going to kill me)

I cupped her face gently, brushing a tear away with my thumb. "Jaan kha li maine tumhari?"

(But I didn't?)

Her gaze wavered for a moment, but then she shook her head, pulling away from my touch. "Tum chahte the meri jaan chli jae."

(You wanted me dead)

I leaned in, my lips brushing against her ear. "Nhi, mai bas tumhe..."

(No, I was just)

"Tum mujhe kya Arsh?" She interupted pulling her head back to look straight into my eyes.

(What Arsh?)

"Mai.." I didn't know what to say.

(I...)

"Tum mujhe dard pahuchana chahte the?" she answered her own question, her voice barely above a whisper.

(You wanted to hurt me?)

"Haan, bas dard dena chahta tha. Jaan nhi le sakta tumhari." I murmured, my voice low, almost tender.

(Yes, I just wanted to inflict pain on you. I can't kill you)

"Khud se kitna jhooth bologe? Tumhe chahiye ki meri jaan chali jae, Arsh," she repeated her words, her voice steady but hollow, her eyes piercing through me.

(How much more will you lie to yourself? You want me dead, Arsh)

"Maine kaha na, agar jaan leni hoti, toh apne haathon se leta," I replied coldly, my words deliberate, cutting.

(I told you, if I wanted to kill you, I'd do it with my own bare hands)

She scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Haan, kyunki tumhe maza aata hai na mujhe tod kar dekhne mein?"

(Yes becuause you enjoy seeing me break)

I stepped forward, closing the gap between us. "Aur tumhein maza aata hai mujhe khud ko todne par mazboor karne mein?" I shot back, my voice sharp. "You think you can stand there, accusing me, without acknowledging that you provoked me."

(And you enjoy forcing me to break you)

Her gaze didn't waver. "Aur maine kya kiya, Arsh? Tumhare khilaf zinda reh gayi? Tumhare har jhakm ke baad bhi khud ko sambhal liya? Tumse nahi tooti toh tumhe itna bura kyun lag raha hai?"

(And what did I do Arsh? I survived against you? I somehow managed to hold myself together after each of your atrocities? Are you feeling so bad just becuause you couldn't break me?)

She wanted to emerge victorious in this war but that was far from the ending I had in my mind for us.

The venom in her tone stung, but I refused to let it show. "Tumhara zinda rehna mujhe bura nahi lagta, Aira. Tumhara mujhe har pal yaad dilana ki tum meri dushman ho, woh bura lagta hai."

(I don't mind you staying alive, Aira. I mind you reminding me each moment that you are my enemy)

"Dushman?" she repeated, her voice cracking. "Tumhare saath jo kuch bhi hua, woh meri galti thi? Tumhare khelon ka hissa ban gayi, woh meri galti thi?"

(Enemy?)

(Whatever happened to you, how is any or it mu fault? I became a part of you games, is that my fault?)

Her words were a blade twisting in my chest, but I didn't falter. I leaned in, my voice a whisper, dangerous and unrelenting. "Tum galti thi. Har pal jab tum uss family ka hissa thi, wo galti thi. Aur tumhe ab us galti ko bhugatna pad raha hai."

(You are a mistake yourself, every moment that you were a part of that family, it was a mistake. And now you have to pay for that mistake)

She flinched, just slightly, but didn't back down. Instead, she leaned her face closer to mine, her frail form trembling with rage. "Toh phir khatam kyun nahi kar dete, Arsh? Agar main sirf ek galti hoon, toh mujhe mitane mein itna waqt kyun lag raha hai tumhe?"

(Then why don't you finish it for once and all, Arsh? If I am just a mistake that why is it taking you so much time to finish me?)

I clenched my fists, the darkness in me roaring to the surface. "Kyunki tumhe mitana itna aasaan nahi hai, Aira. Tumhari har saans mujhe yaad dilati hai ki tum mere khilaf khadi ho. Aur har baar main sochta hoon… kitna acha hota agar tum na hoti."

Her lips parted slightly, her breath hitching, but her eyes burned brighter. "Toh tum kya chahte ho, Arsh? Mujhe barbaad karna? Mujhe apne haatho se jaan se maarna?"

I stared at her, my chest heaving. "Main chahta hoon ki tum hamesha yaad rakho ki tum sirf meri wajah se yahan zidna ho. Main chahta hoon ki tumhe pata chale ki main tumhe tod sakta hoon, kabhi bhi, kahi bhi."

Her hands clenched into fists, and for a moment, I thought she would hit me. But instead, she laughed - a bitter, broken sound that scraped against my ears.

"Tum barbaad mujhe karoge, Arsh? Tumhe lagta hai tumhare saare dard ka ilaj mujhe tod kar mil jayega?" She shook her head, her laugh hollow.

"Tumhe lagta hai tum mujhe tod sakte ho?" she whispered, her voice laced with mockery. "Arsh, tum khud itne toote hue ho ki tumhe samajh nahi aata tum mujhe todne ki koshish mein apne aap ko aur khokhla kar rahe ho."

Her words hit harder than I wanted to admit, but I refused to show it. Instead, I smirked, my voice a low, menacing growl. "Tumhe lagta hai ki tumhe todne ki koshish mein main khud ko khokhla kar raha hoon? Galat ho tum. Main tumhare har dard, har tootne ko apni jeet ke liye jeeta hoon. Tumhara har aansu, tumhari har cheekh... mujhe yaad dilata hai ki main jit raha hoon."

I straightened, my eyes locking onto hers, daring her to break under the weight of my words. "Toota shi Aira. Par jab tak tum meri zindagi mein ho, main tumhe sambhalne ka ek pal bhi nahi dunga. Toh yeh mat sochna ki tumhare hone se mujhe koi farq padta hai. Tum bas ek saboot ho... ki main kisi bhi insaan ki rooh ka har tukda kaise cheer sakta hoon."

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she didn't let them fall. Instead, she stepped back, her frail frame shaking but her resolve unbroken.

"Sooner or later, you will have to let me go," she whispered, her voice a soft echo of the storm raging between us.

My chest tightened, a cruel, inexplicable ache spreading through me. "Do you not know when I will let you go?" I asked, my tone low, biting, desperate to keep the chaos inside me from showing.

She lifted her chin, her jaw set even as her hands trembled at her sides.

"When I die," I stated, each word a deliberate, brutal strike against myself and her.

I stepped closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And you fucking missed the chance to kill me, Princess."

A flicker of pain flashed in her eyes before she masked it behind a cold, impassive stare. Without another word, she turned and walked away, and I was left standing in the suffocating silence, her accusations reverberating in my mind.

What did I want? Revenge? Control? Or something darker, something I couldn't yet name?

Or if I refused to take that name?

Whatever it was, I wasn't sure I would survive it. And neither would she.

I paced the room, my mind a whirlwind of rage, confusion, and something darker, something unsettling. Aira's words echoed in my ears, each one a dagger, each one a reminder of the fire she had sparked within me. I had to force her out of my mind, but even in the silence, her voice remained.

I clenched my fists, the grip so tight my knuckles turned white. The pain was familiar, but the ache inside me felt new - raw and unmanageable. I pushed the emotion aside, focusing on control.

Aira's absence would be temporary. She would break, like all the others beside her. But for now, I had to deal with more immediate threats.

I turned to Vyom who came right after Aira left, his eyes tracking my every movement. "Did she say anything?" I asked directing towards the assasin, my voice low, dangerous.

Vyom hesitated, his gaze shifting between me and his hand which had some blood on it and I was guessing it was her.

She was in our hold, at least for now, but she was still dangerous. Her presence, her purpose - everything about her reeked of deception.

"She doesn't know much, sir. But..." Vyom's voice faltered for a moment before he continued. "She mentioned something about the connection between the Agnihotris and Cartels. She doesn't know exactly how, but her orders came from them."

I froze, my mind immediately going into overdrive. The Agnihotris? They had always been an enemy. Ofcourse. But I hadn't expected to cross paths with them when it clearly concerned Aira. She was their family.

But I wasn't so shocked becuase if I guessed it right then someone was indeed trying to kill two birds with one stone.

"Details," I demanded, my voice cold as ice.

Vyom stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "She didn't have much to say. But there is a lead. She mentioned someone - a middleman with connections deep within the cartel. It's all tangled, but she said that's where you will get your answers."

I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest. The cartel... It was the last thing I wanted to deal with right now, but if it meant uncovering the full scope of the Agnihotri's involvement, I had no choice.

Besides they had it coming for since the moment they thought betraying the circle was a nice shot.

"Where are they?" I asked, already knowing Vyom would have the answer.

"Delhi," he replied. "The operation runs deep there. The middleman's name is Luca - he is the one who facilitated the meeting between the assassin and the if she is correct, then someone from the Agnihotris. If we want answers, we will need to go there."

I felt a sharp sting of impatience. I wanted to burn whomsoever was behind this to the ground. But I had to do this carefully - too much was at stake.

I turned to leave the room, but Vyom's voice stopped me. "Sir, are you sure about leaving Aira unguarded?"

I looked back at him, my gaze hardening. "She stays here. Alone, but under guard. I need you to ensure that nothing happens to her while I am gone. She is a distraction, nothing more. Her safety isn't my concern but it'snecessary - and right now, my focus is on finding answers."

That statement was to convince myself more than to convince him.

However, Vyom's face tensed, his defiance seeping through. "You are not going without me."

I turned to Vyom, my eyes narrowing. "You don't give me orders, Vyom. You take them. And right now, I am telling you to stay." My voice was low, controlled, but it carried enough weight to make even the air in the room tense.

Vyom didn't flinch, but his jaw tightened. "You are walking into dangerous territory, Sir. If the Agnihotris are involved, it's clearly an alliance against us and you will need backup."

I stepped closer to him, each word a sharp edge. "Backup? For what? To handle a middleman and scare him into talking? I have handled worse alone. You will stay here, keep an eye on Aira, and make sure no one gets to her while I am gone."

Vyom's defiance didn't fade, but he bowed his head slightly, a reluctant sign of obedience. "As you wish. But if you are not back in 24 hours, I am coming after you."

"Make it 48," I replied coldly. "If I am not back by then, assume I don't need saving."

Without waiting for his response, I turned and left the room. My footsteps echoed down the hallway as I made my way upstairs to the roof. I didn't trust anyone else with this task and I didn't trust anyone else with Aira's safety as well.

The Cartels were a coward I had only touched the surface of before. But I was done with half-measures.

If the Agnihotris had a hand in this attack, I needed to solve this myself.

I didn't have time for subtlety anymore. I had been patient for too long.

I was definitely not doing this for Aira, besides the thought of someone double crossing the cirlce was infuriating. But her face, pale and fragile, kept flashing in my mind.

She is fine. Vyom will make sure of it.

The cartel had its claws in deep, and if they were forming an alliance and if the Yakuza's were involved as well, I wouldn't be surprised.

Luca was just a pawn. I needed to find out who was pulling the strings, and I wouldn't stop until I had my answers.

The darkness outside mirrored the storm brewing inside me. Aira was right about one thing - this wasn't just about revenge anymore. It was about control, power, and the destruction of anyone who thought they could cross me.

As the helicopter flew toward Delhi, I let the darkness of the night consume me. The Cartels had been lurking in the shadows for too long, playing a game I no longer wanted to be a part of.

I made no attempt to hide my arrival - quite the opposite. I wanted them to know I was here. Fear was a powerful weapon, and I bappen to wield it mercilessly.

The warehouse was a fortress of shadows, its perimeter guarded by men who fancied themselves untouchable. As the Chopper descended onto the open yard, floodlights flickered to life, illuminating the area in a stark white glow. The guards scrambled, weapons drawn, shouting orders.

The moment the skids touched the ground, I stepped out, my coat billowing in the wind, my two guards silently falling into position behind me. The chaos unfolding before me only fueled the storm brewing inside.

"Who the hell are you?" one of the guards barked, his voice strained as he pointed a rifle in my direction.

I didn't answer. Instead, I took a measured step forward, my gaze locked on him, cold and unflinching.

The sound of a rifle cocking broke the tension. Another guard stepped closer, emboldened by his comrades. "Turn around and leave, or we will..."

Before he could finish, I raised my gun and fired a single shot. The bullet grazed the ground inches from his feet, silencing him instantly.

"I don't repeat myself," I said, my voice slicing through the air like a blade. "Take me to Luca."

The guards exchanged uncertain glances, their earlier bravado evaporating. One of them finally nodded and spoke into his phone. "Boss, we have got a situation…"

I let them squirm, watching as their fear spread like wildfire. It wasn't long before the warehouse doors creaked open, revealing a group of men spilling out, weapons in hand. Luca was at the center, his face pale as he took in the scene.

"Arsh Oberoi," he called out, trying to mask his unease with a forced smile. "What's all this? You could have just called."

I ignored his feigned cordiality, stepping closer. His men raised their weapons, but I didn't stop. My guards remained motionless behind me, their presence a silent warning.

"Lower your weapons," Luca barked at his men, his voice cracking. "Do it now!"

The hesitation was clear, but they obeyed. I closed the distance between us, stopping just short of Luca.

"This is a bold move, even for you," he said, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

I smirked. "Bold? No, Luca. This is barely a warning."

Before he could respond, the air shifted. A shadow moved in my periphery - a man lunging from behind with a blade. I sidestepped effortlessly, catching his wrist mid-swing and twisting until the knife clattered to the ground. Without missing a beat, I slammed my gun into his temple, sending him crumpling to the floor.

Another man charged, but I was faster. My fist connected with his jaw, the crack of bone echoing in the open space. He staggered back, only to be met with a kick to the chest that sent him crashing into a stack of crates.

The rest of Luca's men hesitated, their confidence shaken. I straightened, adjusting my coat as if nothing had happened. "Anyone else?"

Silence.

I turned back to Luca, whose facade of composure was crumbling. Grabbing him by the collar, I shoved him against a nearby pillar, pressing my gun to his temple.

"You are going to give me the answers I need," I said, my voice low and deadly. "Who ordered the hit on my wife? Who has pulling the strings between the Agnihotris and the cartel?"

Luca's breath came in short gasps, his fear palpable. "I-I swear, it wasn't me! I have no idea what you ads talking about. I don't know who, I swear!"

"Liar," I growled, pressing the gun harder against his skull.

"I am not lying!" he yelped. "I am not fucking stupid to target your..."

I didn't give him the chance to finish, my fist connecting with his jaw in a brutal uppercut. He stumbled back, crashing against the pillar as the men around him closed in on us.

"Stay. back." My voice was a low growl, each word laced with menace.

The men hesitated, their gazes darting between me and their leader. Luca raised a hand, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he waved them back.

"I happen to not have a lot of time," I said, my tone ice-cold. "Tell me about the Agnihotris and the cartel alliance, or I will paint these walls with your blood."

Luca's eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape that didn't exist.

He swallowed hard, his fear visible to my eyes.

"Okay, okay!" he blurted out. "They... they are working together. The Agnihotris needed muscle, and the cartel needed a foothold here. It's a deal-money, drugs, power. And you... you happen to be in both of their ways."

That was obvious.

"But it wasn't just them. There's someone higher up - The Broker. That fucker is playing both sides. pulling the strings, I just arranged their meeting. That's all." He added, his hands trembling.

"The Broker?" I repeated, the name rolling of my tongue like a challenge.

I am sure I have heard about them before but why will they go as far as getting involved in the circles business.

"Yeah," Luca said, his voice trembling. "He is dangerous - untouchable. Deals in weapons, drugs, people... whatever brings in the cash. He doesn't care who gets hurt as long as he gets paid. I only met him once, and even then, it was through intermediaries. He operates through layers, so no one can trace him."

"If they are as powerful as you claim, why will they align themselves with someone as weak and insignificant as the Cartels and the Agnihotri and go against the circle?" I mused.

"The Agnihotris have something he needs," Luca blurted. "A shipment route - one no one else has managed to control. It runs through the city, Untouchable by the authorities. The cartel wants it for their product, and the Broker needs it for his operations."

I stopped pacing, my mind piecing the puzzle together. A shipment route. That explained their sudden surge in power, their willingness to take risks despite knowing I am keeping their eyes on them.

"And me?" I asked, my voice cold. "Where do I fit into this grand plan of theirs?"

"You are in the way," Luca admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Your presence, your influence and your commitment to ruin every deal the Agnihotris make - it disrupts everything. The Agnihotris want you dead to secure their position, and the Broker... he doesn't want someone messing up his shipments."

I crouched down in front of him, leveling my gaze with his. "Who ordered the hit on my wife? Was it the Agnihotris, or was it him?"

Luca's face went pale, and he swallowed hard. "It came from the Broker's network. But the Agnihotris approved it - they are desperate to take you down. Your wife... she was collateral damage, they mentioned something about killing two birds with a single stone."

Collateral damage. The words ignited a fury in me that I barely contained.

"Why would the Broker risk exposing himself for this?" I pressed, my voice dangerously calm.

Luca shook his head. "I don't know. All I know is that the Agnihotris gave him access to the route, and in return, he promised them power. Taking you out is just the beginning for them."

So that's what the alliance is being formed for.

To bring me down.

I leaned in, the barrel of my gun pressing against his forehead. "Any information on the assasin?"

"She, she is just a pawn," Luca choked out. "But she is a powerful pawn. It's not easy to get to her, and she doesn't have any way out that's why they choose her."

"Even if she doesn't succeed, she won't open her mouth." He stammered shaking his head.

A slow, cold smile spread across my face. "We will see about that."

I stepped back, lowering my gun but keeping it ready. Luca sagged in relief, but his respite was short-lived when I turned to one of his guard and pulled the trigger.

I looked down at Luca, who was trembling on the floor. "Send a message to the cartel. Tell them the circle doesn't tolerate betrayal. And I am coming for them."

"Pray I don't have to come back here, Luca. Because if I do, no amount of pleading will save you." I added, unloading my gun.

With that, I turned and walked out, the warehouse fading into the background as I boarded the helicopter.

As we lifted off, the city lights spread out below me, the unknown names looming large in my mind. Whoever this was, they have just made themselves next target. And I wouldn't stop until I brought their entire world crashing down.

𐙚⋆°🦢.⋆ᥫ᭡

Obviously I am a little sad maybe but at the end it's up to you qki meri trf se you all will get the chapters as promised 🫶

Also to my comment wale readers tum sb ko meir virtual jhappi yaar 😭 Mera dil rkh lo okay 🫶