SAANVI'S POV

I laid the gun on the table, the metallic clatter echoing slightly in the confined space. My eyes fixed on the target, a standard B-27 silhouette, riddled with my recent practice shots. The head covering came off, revealing hair damp at the temples, and I placed the black fabric next to the gun. Force of habit made me rack the slide one last time, confirming the empty chamber.

It's been a month since the worst of it. The physical wound, a jagged souvenir from the incident, is finally knitting together. My life has become a routine of recovery and violence preparation. The gun training started immediately, enforced by my not so sweet husband. And my designated instructor? Kabir.

In all of this, I still haven't brought it up with Rudra. I know he was sexually assaulted. I have the complete, brutal picture of the trauma he buried. I tried to speak, tried to find the words to crack open that silence, but a genuine fear stops me every time. It's not fear of his anger, it's fear of his devastation. He'll be deeply hurt, profoundly disappointed that I accessed this raw, private history without his consent, without him initiating the conversation. It feels like an unforgivable violation of his trust, even if my motives were driven by a desperate need to understand him.

I grabbed a tissue and wiped the sheen from my forehead, then peeled off the lightweight jacket. Standing in just the black sports bra and track shorts, I felt the immediate rush of cooler air against my skin. I re secured my high ponytail, the rubber band biting into my scalp, and leaned back on the table to drink half the water bottle in one go. I pulled out my phone to check for an emergency, even on my scheduled days off, the beeper never truly stops ringing.

My gaze flicked up to the reinforced glass doors and that's when I saw the familiar, imposing shape of Rudra's S Class glide through the main gate. The car stopped, and he emerged.

Damn. He looks like a whole damn meal right now.

He walks in loosening his tie, that light grey blazer hanging from his forearm while he talks on the phone. He hands his keys, blazer, and tie to one of his men, then unbuttons three buttons of his white shirt, exposing that teasing glimpse of skin that screams trouble.

He ends the call, says something to the guard who points toward the glass of the firing range. Rudra nods, dismisses everyone, and shoves his phone into his pocket before walking here.

I turned quickly, placing my palms flat on the wood, listening to the heavy thud of the door opening and closing behind me.

He whistles behind me. "Now that's a view worth sinning for."

Before I could even brace myself, he was there. His hands settled over my hips, pulling my back flush against the hard, unyielding wall of his body, and he buried his face into the side of my neck and shoulder.

I twisted in his grip, facing him, and immediately cupped his jaw in my hand, stopping him before his lips could find mine. "Control your goddamn horny ass."

He smirks, eyes flick down my body and back to my face. "Sweetheart, if you let me check, I'll prove you're dripping harder than the sweat on your neck."

He's absolutely right. I am.

I scoff. "Keep dreaming." I push his hands away and turn for the gun, but he flips me back, grabbing my waist and lifting me effortlessly onto the table. My palm lands on the gun as I lean against the wall.

"I do," he says, rolling his sleeves up slowly, eyes dragging down my body. "Every damn night. You ruin my sleep schedule, Pearl."

I roll my eyes, twirling the gun in my hand. "Yeah, those sweet little dreams where you and I sit under the stars and talk about feelings? I know."

He steps closer and suddenly, two fingers slip beneath the elastic of my sports bra, hooking just under the curve of my breast. I felt the cool press of his knuckles against my skin and then he tugs me closer to his face. "No, baby. The dreams where I've got you spread out on my bed and you calling me names that would make a priest faint. In my dreams, I kiss every inch of you, your lips, your throat, your chest, your stomach and right between those thighs you're squeezing right now."

My lips part and eyes flutter shut, because I am clenching my thighs.

He clicks his tongue. "You don't wear a single thing in my dreams. Such a shame reality doesn't match."

I scoff. "I knew you were a pervert the moment I saw you."

He grins, cocky. "You say pervert like it's an insult. I call it having good taste." His thumb strokes my waist. "And right now, my taste happens to be wrapped in black sportswear and a bad attitude."

"Don't touch me." I say.

"Please." He whispers it, a low, easy sound, then leans in, aiming for my lips.

I block him, placing a flat palm against his lips. The subtle stubble catches against my skin. "If you kiss me, I'll carve the bullet right through your heart," I whisper, tapping the gun on his abdomen which I put there when he was busy telling me his horny dreams.

He looks down at the gun in a lazy, assessing way, then back up at me, a low, breathy sound leaving his throat. It's not a nervous sound, just a precursor to mischief. "Aim for my heart then, but press your lips to mine first." He rasps softly, his eyes dropping to my lips like a man planning a feast, then snapping back to meet my gaze. "Because I'd let you murder me a thousand times if it meant I die with your lips on mine."

My eyebrow ticks up. The sheer cockiness of him, knowing I'm holding a weapon, even if he doesn't know it's empty and still framing the danger as a transaction for a kiss is breathtaking and unhinged.

"Okay," I manage, attempting a bored shrug. "But remember the deal the second our lips meet, I'm pulling the trigger. Don't be mad when you flatline."

He doesn't waste a second. He pulls the whole table to him, a sudden, powerful jerk that makes me stumble, and his mouth slams down on mine. He wraps a large hand around the back of my skull, not guiding, but taking, locking me in place. One immediately roaming low on my back, pressing my pelvis against his.

I push the gun more, signing I'm going to pull the trigger, but in response, he just deepens the brutal connection, swallowing my breath. There's nothing tender here, he's eating me desperately, his tongue a hungry force demanding entry, demanding submission. I pull the trigger. He doesn't flinch, too focused on devouring me with an aggressive, hard desperation that tastes like sin and need, the wet, heavy sounds of our locked mouths echoing in the space. I throw the empty gun away and wrap my hands around his neck, gripping his hair, pulling him closer to the absolute edge we're falling over.

His calloused, big hands move down, settling on my bare thighs and spreading them wider, subtly tilting my pelvis so I'm flush against him, straddling him. His thumbs graze the fabric of my shorts. My breathing is already heavy, ragged. He finally breaks the kiss, pulling back just an inch, our chests heaving, a thin thread of saliva stretching and snapping between us.

I swallow, trying to catch my breath, as his hands start to slide up my thighs, beneath the rough fabric of the track shorts. My fists instinctively clench the front of his shirt, ready to rip the material. Then, he stops.

I immediately stop his hand before he could pull away, digging my nails into his wrist. "I swear I'll fucking bury you alive if you dare to pull away." I rasp.

His dark eyes, full of triumph and hunger, stare into mine. He doesn't pull his hands out. Instead, I feel the shocking, cool intrusion of his finger, pressing against the lace of my Brazilian briefs.

I gasp, my head falling back as his touch finds my heat, the slick, undeniable proof of my body's betrayal.

"Oh, fuck!" I hear his low curse, the sound rough with surprise or maybe satisfaction, echoing just above my ear.

"Rudra..." I manage to swallow.

"I told you you were soaking wet," he murmurs, his lips brushing mine.

I clench my thighs, an instinctive attempt to hold myself together, to clamp down on the swirling sensation his touch has ignited.

He pushes his first finger inside me and a loud, guttural moan escapes my lips before I can bite it back. My eyelids feel heavy, sinking closed against my will. He starts to move his finger, a slow, deliberate sweep that makes me choke on my own breath.

I've used my own hands before, of course, but the kind of ecstasy he is conjuring, the sheer, focused intensity of it, is unlike anything I have ever experienced. I can't articulate how desperately I need more. Then he adds a second finger, and I jerk slightly, the sudden fullness startling. He immediately pulls me closer by the waist, anchoring me against him.

"Take a breath, baby," he murmurs near my ear, the sound both a command and a caress. "Let me handle everything."

This bastard. This unhinged, beautiful fucker is seducing me and the absolute worst part is that I am willingly, helplessly getting seduced. I am unraveling, and I am loving every humiliating, needy second of it.

He thrusts his fingers deeper, finding a rhythm that sends a direct, sharp wave of pleasure into my core. I can feel the inevitable build, the pressure coiling tighter and tighter.

"I... I'm close," I manage to murmur.

"I know. The way your walls are clenching around my fingers, I know you desperately need release," he rasps, his soft yet throaty voice vibrating through my core, precisely the kind of sensory overload that helps push me toward the edge.

"Rudra... fuck," my voice falters, dissolving into a helpless, escalating moan.

"That's what I'm doing, love," he breathes back, the arrogance utterly seductive. He goes deeper, faster, and I can't control myself anymore. Tears blur my vision, a strange, intense release of pleasure that borders on pain, the pain of letting go, of surrendering all control. I need to...

"Let go. I've got you. Just let go," he urges, his fingers accelerating into a blur of motion. I let out a cry, my nails digging into the skin behind his shoulder. Finally, the pleasure hits, a massive, seismic wave. I let it out, a slightly muffled scream swallowed by the sound dampening walls.

My head drops heavily onto his chest, and I feel my thighs shaking uncontrollably. I breathe in deep, ragged gulps, my eyes sinking closed, utterly exhausted, spent, and strangely peaceful.

I feel his hands shift, the gentle drag of tissue between my legs.

"Tired?"

I simply nod against the solid warmth of his chest. My body feels heavy, deeply satisfied, but strangely fragile. He grips my shoulder, pulling me back to face him, his eyes immediately intense as they catalogue the exhaustion and the lingering desire on my face.

"You need to show me how much you practiced today." he demands.

"I honestly can't right now," I whisper, leaning my head away slightly. "My legs are shaking."

His lips curve into that slow, devastatingly arrogant smile. "If that was the result of a little finger work, imagine the absolute mess we'd be making with a proper, full commitment."

"Shut the fuck up before I shove the gun in your mouth," I warn him.

He chuckles before sweeping me up into his arms in one fluid motion. He carries me the few steps to the firing line where the silhouette target hangs. He sets me down, standing so close behind me that his heat completely envelops my back. He pulls a fresh magazine, expertly loads the weapon, and presses the gun into my grip.

I let out a sigh and aim, my mind immediately calculating the sight picture. Just as I find the center mass, his palm connects to the bare skin of my waist. His lips press a trail of wet kisses from my neck down to my shoulder.

"How am I supposed to focus if you keep distracting me?" My eyes automatically fall shut against the intense sensation.

"It's a necessary part of your training," he murmurs, his mouth hovering over my collar bone.

I scoff, annoyed. "Training? Who are you trying to fool, Rudra?"

"Training to maintain absolute control under maximum distraction," he corrects, his voice dropping to a seductive rasp right at my ear. "When you're fighting, you'll get many distractions. So you need to learn to overcome everything." His palm stops at my ribs, and he brazenly tucks his thumb under the band of my sports bra, dragging it gently against my chest.

"So you mean, those other men will distract me like this, touching me, all over my body?" I push the question, needing to know the boundaries of his dark possessiveness.

His playful touch vanishes. His hand shoots up, gripping my throat with a chilling, non painful intensity. He tilts my face up, forcing me to meet his dark, obsessive eyes. "There are no 'other men' touching you. Ever. This type of distraction is my privilege." His hand slides down my arm, taking control of the gun. "If anyone else dares to even think about putting a single finger on you, they will regret it." His index finger hovers over mine on the trigger guard. He forces my finger down, and the shot breaks the silence.

I look at the target. The bullet is perfectly placed in the center ring.

"That's what they get," he finishes. "A bullet through their skull."

-------------------

"Busy?"

I look up from the bright screen of my laptop and see him standing near the doorway of the study, leaning against the frame. "Slightly," I admit, giving him a quick, tired smile.

He nods and walks inside, settling silently beside me on the deep leather couch. He immediately wraps a heavy arm around my shoulder.

I try to refocus on the screen, diligently completing the final patient records, post op notes, medication changes.

Finally, after what feels like an hour, I hit 'save' and shut the laptop lid with a sigh of relief. I lean back and look beside me. Rudra is staring off into the middle distance, mind clearly elsewhere, absentmindedly twisting a lock of my hair around his finger. I chuckle softly.

"Let's go to sleep, it's really late," I say, glancing at the time. It's 12:30 AM. It's been a draining stretch for both of us. Rudra has to manage the hospital and his actual mission, while I'm constantly juggling surgeries, consults, and fitting in those one or two required gun practice sessions a week.

"Are you sleepy?" he asks, straightening up and looking directly at me.

I shake my head.

"Then let's stay like this for a bit," he murmurs. "We aren't giving time to each other." I smile and nod, understanding immediately. He lays his head down gently on my lap and takes my hand, placing my fingers directly onto his hair, a silent, familiar signaling for me to play with it. It's his typical, vulnerable habit.

I start running my fingers through his soft strands. "Any information about Yashwant?" I ask. "It's been over a month."

He looks up at me. "We located his primary processing center. It's code named Hexcell. The physical site is in Malatya, Turkey." He speaks the details precisely. "According to our reports, Hexcell is the main hub where his trafficking victims are warehoused before their final movement. But, more importantly..." He breaks off again. "There are detailed records and accounts of his entire illegal operation stored in Hexcell."

I frown, instinctively troubled by the detail. "That's weird. Why would a high level criminal like Yashwant create a document detailing his own crimes? Isn't that a massive risk for him? If those details fall into the cops hands, his entire operation is finished."

He nods slowly, taking my palm in his and rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb. "You're absolutely right. But Yashwant runs a massive, layered organization, not a small time crew. He also needs to maintain records, accounts, routes, and personnel manifests to maintain control and prevent internal confusion or betrayal. It's the cost of running an empire. And that information, which he needs to control his power, is what we're going to use to destroy him."

"Oh..." I nod slowly, processing the information. "So you guys are preparing some kind of specialized extraction team?"

He smiles. "I'm the lead Field Agent, Pearl. This is my direct mandate, so I have to go in."

"What?" I frown, the casual acceptance in his voice grating on my nerves. "Rudra, you can't-"

"Relax," he cuts me off smoothly. "Avyaan, Kabir, and Abhimaan are going with me. It's a full contingency team."

I stare at him. A deep, cold fear is settling in my stomach, the kind of professional dread that paralyzes action. I never thought I could feel this acutely worried about anyone else. What if something happens? What if that complex goes wrong and those security teams surround them?

"Pearl." He lifts his hand, cupping my cheek gently, forcing me to hold his gaze. "Don't worry. This isn't new for me, I've been running operations like this for years." His thumb rubs across my cheekbone, the subtle friction grounding me. "I promise you, I'll get that information, no matter what. Once we secure that digital evidence, Yashwant will be boxed in, facing a lifetime in a maximum security penitentiary."

"But I don't think it's going to be that easy," I counter. "As you said, Hexcell is the operational center, the proof of his whole criminal enterprise. I'm sure the security protocols around those records and manifests are going to be absolutely ironclad."

He sighs. "Yes. The blueprint we managed to acquire confirms it. The entire facility is secured tightly. Avyaan has mapped out the basic infiltration route into Hexcell, but the real bottleneck is at the center. There's a single internal room, the archive chamber, where all of Yashwant's illegal operational data is stored. It's secured by a perimeter of highly advanced laser grids and integrated alarm systems. We either need to shut down the entire system to enter, or we need Yashwant's own biometric credentials."

My eyes widen. "Then how the fuck are you all supposed to go inside that chamber?" I scoff.

"That's the tactical hurdle we're still trying to solve," he admits.

"Can't Kabir handle this?" I ask, referring to our tech genius.

"He can, but he can't do it by magic," he replies. "He needs some sort of initial network access point or a physical source uplink to breach that high level security framework. It's not just a firewall, it's a tiered physical and digital defense." He squeezes my hand gently. "Don't stress. My team and I will manage this. We always do."

I manage a small, tired smile, and nod.

-----------------

Late night still clung to my shoulders. I paused, sealing my cabin door shut, before turning.

"You're heading out?"

I look up to see Dr. Neil standing a few feet away, his arms folded. I nod. "Yes. I realized I left a crucial patient discharge summary in the car."

He nods, but then he suddenly takes a step closer, causing me to reflexively step back, creating distance. "Dr. Neil, I-"

Before I can set the boundary, he lifts a hand, his touch feather light near my temple. He pulls his hand back, holding a tiny, pristine white rose petal between his fingers. It must have fallen earlier when I was inhaling the scent of the flowers Rudra sent.

He offers me a small, almost sorrowful smile, then retracts his hand entirely.

I force my own smile. "Thank you for that."

He nods, looking slightly away before meeting my gaze again. "Uh... well, based on the floral arrangements, it certainly looks like things are stable between you and Rudra."

I confirm it simply. "Yes. Everything is good."

"Congratulations, then. It shows. You actually look happy recently."

I let out a soft, genuine chuckle. "All thanks to Rudra, I suppose." I shrug. "Anyway, Dr. Neil, I really need to grab that file." I turn to leave.

"Wait."

I stop, hearing the genuine urgency, and look back at him. He takes a visible, deep breath, his eyes fixed on mine with a startling intensity. "You don't love him, not really, do you?" he asks with desperate hope.

"I love him." I reply immediately.

He closes his eyes, pressing the heels of his palms against his forehead for a moment of raw defeat before meeting my gaze again. "Could I say just one thing?"

I look pointedly at my watch, then back at him. "Make it quick, please."

He steps slightly closer. "Saanvi..." He hesitates, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm falling in love with you. I know it's ridiculous, but it's happening."

I stare at him. "And I hope you don't expect me to reciprocate that feeling."

He shakes his head immediately. "No. I wouldn't. I understand where you stand. You love him. I just needed to tell you. I needed to feel... lighter."

"Dr. Neil," I say gently, trying to maintain professional distance while offering human kindness. "You will find someone who is available, someone who can cherish and love you back. And I sincerely hope you find that person very soon." I offer him a small, compassionate smile.

He just nods, his eyes downcast. "Thank you. For your honesty and your kindness."

I nod. "Okay, see you later." I turn and leave.

While walking toward the elevator ready to head down to the parking garage, I spot Naina approaching from the opposite side of the corridor staring at her phone. "Naina," I call out, and she immediately breaks the stride and walks over.

"Yes, Ma'am?"

I hand her the car keys. "I need you to retrieve a patient file for me. It's in the back seat of the car. Please." She nods, taking the keys without question, turns, and heads toward the hospital exit.

I pivot back toward my cabin and immediately spot Khalid. I roll my eyes in private annoyance.

"Relax, I'm not running," I say as I walk. He joins me instantly.

"You aren't known for adhering to the containment protocol," he states. I look over at him. His eyes are cold, focused, and his large frame is tightly contained within the fitted black T shirt. He looks like a force of nature dressed for civilian life.

"I seriously wonder how you manage working with Kabir," I remark, trying to inject some levity. "You look so structured and strict, and he's literally an organized pain in the ass."

He makes a slight clicking sound with his tongue and sighs. "He's barely sufferable."

Suddenly, a deep, concussive boom shakes the entire structure, a sound that isn't just noise, but physical pressure. I flinch violently, my heart leaping into my throat. Everyone in the vicinity stops, instinctively recoiling from the shockwave.

Khalid instantly taps his air pod, his face snapping into full alert.

I look around, watching the staff erupt into panicked murmuring and frightened whispers. My eyes find Rudra, who appears further down the corridor, his head whipping left and right, searching. He sees me, and a heavy sigh of pure relief escapes him. He covers the distance fast, pulling me into a hard, anchoring hug. I clutch him just as tightly.

"You aren't hurt, are you?" he murmurs urgently against my shoulder, pulling back slightly to cup my cheeks, scanning my face for signs of distress.

I shake my head, unable to vocalize the question forming in my mind. My eyes find Vedant, who is also looking around.

"But what was that?" I demand. Rudra looks at Khalid, who ends his communication and turns back.

"There's been a bomb blast near the main parking area," Khalid reveals.

My eyes widen, and I swallow a rising wave of nausea.

Rudra closes his eyes, rubbing his forehead briefly. He turns back to me. "You get back to your office with Khalid."

"Where's Naina?" Vedant asks, his head snapping toward me.

My heart plummets. I look at Rudra, panic making my voice tremble. "R... Rudra, Naina just went to the parking garage to grab my file-" Before I can even finish the explanation, Vedant is gone, sprinting full out toward the entrance.

"Vedant, wait!" Rudra yells, but he's already too far. He turns to Khalid. "Khalid, establish the internal containment perimeter and initiate lockdown procedures." He turns and leaves, following Vedant.

Naina... My heart rate is impossibly fast. I spin around, determined to follow, but Khalid immediately blocks my path.

"No." he says, the finality in his voice absolute.

"Khalid, please," I plead, tears welling up instantly. "You can escort me, but please, I need to see. I sent her there."

AUTHOR'S POV

Saanvi stops and her breath is caught in her throat, escaping in ragged gasps as she stares at the blast zone. A column of thick black smoke claws its way into the sky, and the mangled husk of a vehicle is still actively burning near the parking perimeter. Khalid stops abruptly behind her.

"Naina!"

Saanvi hears the roar of the name and scans the scene. She spots Rudra grappling with Vedant, whose eyes are fixed, utterly consumed, by the flaming wreck, Saanvi and Rudra's car. Vedant is thrashing with maniacal strength. He finally tears himself from Rudra's grip and stumbles toward the fire.

Saanvi's eyes widen in horror, and she instinctively moves toward Rudra.

"Naina!" Vedant screams again, tears already blurring his vision. Driven by a complete loss of reason, he reaches the intense heat and slams his bare palm against the melting car door, trying to force it open. He hisses in pain, but his gaze is locked on the burning interior. "Naina... please, answer me! Where are you?!" He screams again, the desperation raw, touching the blistering metal repeatedly.

Rudra tackles him again, pinning his arms. "Stop it, Vedant! Get a grip!"

Vedant shoves Rudra away with frightening force. He rips off his blazer and wraps the thick fabric around his arms, using it as a futile shield to push aside larger sections of wreckage. His hair is plastered to his sweat drenched face. He looks utterly unhinged.

"Naina..." he whispers, the sound cracking into a terrible sob that wrenches free from his chest. "Naina... Where are you?" he mutters, his voice muffled by tears.

Saanvi watches, tears streaming down her own face. He is beyond rational control, he looks like a man being consumed by his worst possible fear.

"Vedant! You absolute bastard! What the hell are you doing?!"

Every head turns in sync toward the source of the furious shout near the emergency elevators. They see Naina running toward them, eyes wide with terror, breathing hard, but completely unharmed.

Vedant's lips tremble. He spins around to face her, but the sudden, paralyzing shock of relief is too profound. His legs give out entirely. He collapses fully, sinking onto his knees, then leaning forward onto the pavement, sobbing loudly, heaving gasps and cries tearing out of his chest. The shock has paralyzed him.

"Vedant!" Naina immediately rushes forward, dropping to her knees in front of him, pulling him into a desperate, tight hug. Her breath is coming in quick, shallow bursts.

He grabs her, clutching her so tightly it must hurt, burying his face into her neck, letting the full force of his fear escape in loud, ragged cries. She can feel the shuddering relief racking his powerful body.

She pulls back slightly and grabs his arms. She rips away the scorched blazer and gasps, seeing the angry red welts and peeling skin where he touched the hot metal. Her tear filled eyes meet his heavy lidded, bloodshot eyes.

He doesn't speak. He simply pulls her face to his and captures her mouth in a deep, consuming kiss. Naina closes her eyes, accepting the fierce demand. After a few seconds, he breaks the contact, resting his forehead against hers, their shared breaths heavy and fast. "I... I needed to feel you," he whispers. "To feel that you are actually here."

She manages a wet chuckle through her tears, gripping his burnt hands gently.

Saanvi and Rudra watch the intensity of the reunion. She exhales a lungful of relief and lets a soft smile touch her lips. She looks up at Rudra. He walks to her, and she immediately locks her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest, allowing herself to finally feel the sheer, delayed terror of the blast.

-------------------

​"Thankfully, you are safe." Saanvi finishes applying the gauze bandage to Vedant's scorched hand, securing the medical tape with a gentle touch. She glances up at Naina, who is sitting beside Rudra, still staring at Vedant with a mixture of terror and overwhelming relief. "But Naina..."

​Naina meets Saanvi's gaze. ​"You didn't reach the parking garage," Saanvi presses, a slight frown creasing her brow. "Where were you?" Vedant and Rudra both turn their attention to Naina.

Naina offers them an awkward, sheepish smile, swallowing hard. "Actually..." she begins, fiddling with the hem of her skirt. "I was watching a few cat memes on my phone while heading into the elevator, and I accidentally pressed the top floor. So instead of going down, I was up there." She finishes, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

Saanvi gives her a dry, skeptical look. "The amount of screen time you dedicate to those memes, Naina."

​"Well, those memes actually saved her life," Rudra interjects as he looks at Naina. "Keep watching them Ms. Sharma. Consider this your official sign to never stop."

Naina beams broadly. "Oh, Mr. Singhania, I agree completely."

​"Leave that aside for a moment," Vedant says pulling his bandaged hand back with a slight hiss of pain. His eyes are serious as he looks at Rudra. "Who the hell planted the bomb in your car? And why?"

​Rudra remains silent for a beat, staring blankly at the opposite wall. "Whoever did this, the device was certainly deployed here, inside the hospital perimeter."

​"Or maybe at your residence?" Naina suggests tentatively.

​Saanvi shakes her head immediately. "Not possible. Every vehicle Rudra and I use is subjected to a thorough electronic sweep and physical inspection by the security detail before we leave the residence. It's checked again when we return from the hospital. The bomb was definitively planted here."

​Naina nods. "Don't worry, Ma'am. The police are investigating the blast radius and device components now."

​Saanvi sighs, exchanging a significant glance with both Rudra and Vedant.

​"I think the target was clearly Mrs. Singhania," Vedant states.

​"I agree," Rudra replies as he looks at Saanvi. "You were the one heading to the parking lot, weren't you?"

​Saanvi nods slowly. "Yes. I needed to retrieve a file."

​"Did you tell anyone at all about that on your way out?" he asks.

​Saanvi pauses, tracing back her steps mentally, before her frown deepens. "Yes. Dr. Neil."

​Rudra's hands clench into immediate fists on the couch beside him.

​"He stopped me outside the cabin, asked where I was going, and I told him the file was in the car," Saanvi explained, the realization sinking in with cold dread. "He's the only person, aside from Naina, who knew I was leaving for the parking garage right then."

​Rudra looks across at Vedant, who meets his gaze, the same cold certainty reflected in both men's eyes.

• After a week •

Saanvi holds her phone pressed between her shoulder and ear, carefully pouring a measure of kibble into a metal bowl. "When are you coming back?" she asks.

"Just a few minutes, already on my way," she hears Rudra's voice reply. "What are you doing, by the way?"

"Getting dinner ready for my baby," she says, finally lowering the phone to hold it properly.

She hears him sigh dramatically. "Baby?" He scoffs. "Have you ever once, in the history of our marriage, called me baby?"

She rolls her eyes. "You know, that's why my Brownie is more mature than you are. He doesn't get jealous when I hug you or kiss you."

"Yeah?" he challenges. "Then explain why he bit my ankle last week when he saw me kissing you."

She laughs. "Come on, Rudra, he's our baby."

"Oh, please. My baby will be human, not a dog," he countered instantly.

"Who said we're going to have a human baby?" she scoffs. "You know my limits with actual infants. I'd probably hand them over to my bhabhi within a month."

He chuckles. "Alright, alright. I'll accept Brownie as my baby then, if you're against the human variety. But the problem is, he'll never fully accept me."

She smiles, looking out at the dark lawn. "He would, believe me. My Brownie is truly mature and understanding. Just like his mother... my Taffy." The smile fades instantly, replaced by the familiar ache of remembering her Taffy.

"I'm coming right now to hug you," he declares.

"Drive safely-" She smiles again, "-baby."

Silence meets her ears from the other end. She frowns slightly. "Rudra?"

Then she hears a slight, loud bang, like someone had slammed their fist on the dashboard. She stifles a laugh, picturing him reacting to the pet name. "You okay... baby?"

"Y-yeah... I'm perfectly fine. Now hang up, I'm coming home." He stammers slightly.

"Okay." She chuckles and ends the call, staring at the screen for a moment before placing the phone on the kitchen slab. She picks up the dog bowl and heads out to the back of the residence.

She looks up at the night sky, which is dark and clear, contrasted sharply by the bright security lights illuminating the back of the house. "Brownie!" she calls loudly, standing near his large, custom built dog house.

She frowns instantly when she doesn't see him emerge. Brownie is never slow for dinner. "Brownie? Baby? Where are you?" She calls again, scanning the perimeter, but the space around the dog house is empty. She places the food bowl down and walks away from the house, searching the edges of the lawn.

"Brownie!" Saanvi calls out again, raising her voice, a thread of worry tightening her tone.

"Ma'am? Is something wrong?" A guard stops some distance away, alerted by the change in her voice.

"My Brownie. Did you see him?" she asks, concerned.

"He was here before you came back from the hospital. That's odd," the guard replies, frowning.

"The dog?" Another guard approaches, equally perplexed. "I think I saw him near the perimeter fence earlier, heading out."

Her eyes widen, the knot of worry pulling tight.

"Ma'am, please relax," the first guard assures her. "We'll find him. You should wait inside."

"Please find him. Hurry up," she says, the panic making her voice tremble.

The guards leave. Saanvi paces anxiously before sinking down onto the edge of the gazebo bench for a few frantic minutes, digging her nails into her palm.

Unable to stay still, she stands and walks to the main residential gate, spotting a small cluster of guards there. "Did they find my Brownie?" she demands immediately.

"Ma'am, please calm down. Two of the men are searching the immediate perimeter," one guard says, but his lack of urgency only frustrates her.

She turns and walks right to the main control panel, punching in the exit code.

"Ma'am! You can't step outside the residence boundary!" The nearest guard immediately blocks her path.

"You all are taking too long to find him, so it's better if I find him myself," she says, pushing past him.

Three guards immediately follow her out. "Ma'am! We are under strict orders not to let you-"

"Instead of following me, find my Brownie," she cuts them off sharply. "Because I am not coming back without him."

They exchange frustrated glances but remain where they are.

"Where are those two guards searching?" she asks. One of them points vaguely to her right. She looks in that direction. "I'll check the left side," she states, pointing toward the opposite path.

"I'll accompany you," one guard volunteers, falling in behind her.

After walking some distance down the shadowy, tree lined road, she suddenly stops. Her eyes fix on a small, dark object on the pavement. She crouches down and picks up a familiar leather wristband. The name "Brownie" is clearly embossed on it, a personalized tag she'd commissioned. Her tears sting instantly as she notices blood smeared on the leather. "Brownie..."

Suddenly, she hears a bark. Her head snaps up, and she sees Brownie emerging from the dark line of trees, running toward her. A wave of immense relief washes over her, forming a fragile smile on her lips. But Brownie suddenly swerves hard to his left, glances back at her, then increases his speed and crashes into her side, knocking her off balance, and they both tumble to the ground, the dog landing on top of her.

A loud gunshot rings out. She looks up, startled, toward the line of trees, and spots the glint of a man taking cover.

"Ma'am! We need to leave!" her guard shouts. She scrambles up, pulling Brownie into her arms, but her eyes widen in horror at the sight of a long, deep gash across the dog's stomach, already soaking the fur with blood. "Brownie... Oh my God."

"Stay behind me," the guard commands, drawing his gun. As he turns to retreat toward the residence, he is shot once in the stomach. He remains momentarily upright, grimacing, quickly chambering a round. He fires at a dark sedan speeding toward them. He manages a few shots, but another round hits his chest, and he collapses heavily.

Saanvi gasps, the sight of the blood, his sudden fall, blinding her with terror.

The sedan screeches to an abrupt stop. Several men spill out instantly, running toward her.

Brownie lets out a furious growl and jumps from her arms, launching himself at the nearest man, biting down hard. The others pause, distracted by the furious dog.

Breathing heavily, Saanvi immediately drops down, grabs the warm gun from the guard's grip, and expertly chambers a round. She fires instantly, hitting one man in the shoulder.

The attention shifts fully to her. She keeps shooting, forcing the remaining men to duck and hide behind their vehicles.

Suddenly, her magazine clicks empty. She curses under her breath.

The attackers emerge from cover, advancing slowly. Brownie, still growling defensively, scrambles back from the car and plants himself in front of her.

"That dog is really just like your previous one."

Saanvi hears the familiar voice, cold and amused. Another man steps out from the black sedan.

She grits her teeth, recognizing the face that has haunted her nightmares.

"Oh! Hi, sweetheart. I hope you remember me." He smirks, taking a slow, predatory step forward. "Roman is back."

Brownie lets out a fierce, protective growl, staring intently at Roman.

Roman glances down at the dog. "Looks like your whole generation only knows how to serve their owner." He steps closer. "Well, your mother Taffy, she bit me really hard."

Brownie lunges, but Roman simply shoves him aside with a boot, sending the already wounded dog tumbling onto the ground, whimpering.

"Brownie!" Saanvi cries, starting to move toward him, but Roman catches her wrists in a brutal grip.

"We don't have time, sweetheart. Let's talk in a more private setting," he whispers.

Suddenly, she feels a sharp sting in her neck. Within seconds, her vision swims, and the world tilts. She closes her eyes as the darkness claims her. Roman easily picks up her unconscious body and walks quickly to the sedan, settling her inside. "Hurry up," he orders his men. The two cars peel away immediately, tires squealing.

Brownie barks weakly, struggling to his feet. He tries to follow the taillights, dragging his wounded body, but collapses again on the cold, lonely road.

----------------------

"Wait!" Kabir scoffs, looking up at Silas, who stands over the tactical planning table. "So you're saying we are activating the Hexcell extraction mission? Right now?"

"Yes. That is exactly what I said," Silas replies.

Kabir looks at Avyaan. "So you've somehow cleared the access control barrier for the archive center in Hexcell? The one that holds all the records?"

Avyaan shakes his head, already securing his holster. Beside him, Abhimaan is loading magazines. "No."

"Then how are we supposed to go-"

Silas cuts Kabir off sharply. "Saanvi is kidnapped." He glares at Kabir. "This time, she doesn't even have a tracker watch. And this time, Yashwant is absolutely going to kill her. He's already given her too many chances to back away. Our sources indicate Yashwant is leaving for Turkey tomorrow afternoon."

"So?" Kabir frowns, still processing. "We still don't know where they've taken her."

"You absolute dick, use your brain," Abhimaan deadpans, sliding a rifle onto his shoulder. "Hexcell is in Turkey, and Yashwant is flying out tomorrow. That means he's meeting her there. His men are taking her straight to his processing hub."

"Oh." Kabir nods, finally connecting the dots. "Okay, then. I'll start running the remote intrusion sequence now." He turns to his own equipment.

"Where is Rudra?" Avyaan asks, glancing around the cartel.

"He's still at the residence. Go grab his weapons too." Silas replies.

-----------------

Rudra ends his call with Vedant, confirming the private jet is ready.

Suddenly he hears Brownie's frantic, weak bark. He closes his eyes, trying to contain the surge of anger and walks quickly toward the sound.

Brownie is barking loudly at one of the remaining security guards.

"Leave." Rudra's command is directed at the guard, who immediately retreats. Rudra glares down at Brownie, whose stomach is crudely bandaged. "Quiet down. You need to keep your mouth shut and stop raising my goddamn temper."

Brownie barks once more then trots back to his dog house. He emerges moments later with a pearl necklace clasped gently in his mouth and stops at Rudra's feet.

Rudra's eyebrows crease in confusion. He crouches down, taking the necklace. It is Saanvi's. He stares at it, recognizing the piece immediately. He looks at Brownie, who lets out another low, distressed bark. Rudra notices the moisture, the tears, in the dog's wide, brown eyes.

Rudra takes a ragged breath, tipping his head back to stare at the dark night sky, trying to force the sharp pain back down. He looks at the dog again and pulls him into a soft, tight hug, burying his face in the fur.

"Don't worry, I'll bring her back safely. I promise." he murmurs against the dog's neck.

Brownie whines. Rudra breaks the embrace, a tear finally escaping and tracking down his cheek. Brownie immediately licks the tear away.

Rudra manages a slight, tearful smile, sniffing back the emotion as he pats the dog's head gently. "I love your Mumma too, you hear me."

• Malatya, Turkey • (2:23 AM TRT)

Saanvi's eyes slowly open, jarred by a soft metallic scrape outside. She tilts her head, a dull ache throbs behind her temples, and realizes she is securely tied to a heavy metal chair, her hands cuffed behind the backrest.

Her heart hammers against her ribs as the heavy steel door handle turns with a grating sound. She immediately squeezes her eyes shut, listening to the heavy footsteps and the distinct clack of tactical boots entering the concrete room.

"I will end you if you even dare to come near me!" she yells.

"Huh? Are you crazy? We just risked our asses to save you, you foolish woman."

She snaps her eyes open. Kabir stands over her, his nose wrinkled in an expression of sheer annoyance. Abhimaan is right behind him, scanning the room.

A wave of relief crashes over her, making her laugh weakly. "Oh my God, Kabir," she gasps. "I swear, this is the first time in my life I've been genuinely happy to see your face."

Kabir scoffs, rolling his eyes, but he moves swiftly, pulling a cutter from his vest and slicing the restraints behind her chair.

"Are you okay ?" Abhimaan asks, his hand hovering near her. She shakes her head, pulling herself stiffly to her feet.

Rudra stops near the doorway. He lets out a deep, shuddering sigh of pure relief, covering the distance between them in two long strides. He pulls her into a tight, grounding embrace.

She clings to him fiercely. He quickly breaks the hug, his hands moving over her face and neck, searching for any mark or injury.

"Alright, lovebirds, finish the reunion when we're out of this facility," Kabir snaps, already walking toward the exit, deliberately ignoring the display of emotion.

They step out into a dimly lit, narrow maintenance corridor.

"Okay, operationally, what is the next step?" Kabir demands, pulling up his tablet. "Are we breaching the central server room now, as planned?"

"Yes. We are," Avyaan confirms, emerging from the shadows down the hall.

"Are you out of your mind?" Rudra snaps, his jaw rigid, pulling Saanvi close to his side and holding her hand tightly. "She was just kidnapped and drugged. We are not risking her safety by keeping her in the hostile zone. We'll extract her and organize a clean data retrieval mission another night."

Avyaan stares at Rudra, utterly devoid of emotion. "You are not here window shopping, you fucking dickhead. This isn't a situation where you can postpone because your alpha mood has expired."

Kabir snorts, trying to hide his laughter behind his hand.

"They will immediately reinforce security or relocate the damn records to a black site, and we lose everything," Avyaan continues. "I'm the strategist here, you all have to obey my operational directive."

"Obey you?" Rudra scoffs, the word tasting foul on his tongue. "Me? Obey? Don't ever dare say that to me again. And stop acting like you run this whole circus, you delusional prick."

"He's not the leader?" Saanvi asks innocently, stepping slightly into the fray. "Then who is?"

"No one," Abhimaan says, giving Saanvi a flat look. "You are currently unhelpful, Saanvi. And you two," he gestures to Rudra and Avyaan, "stop fighting like a pair of spoiled five year olds."

"Oh, please, Avyaan is clearly provoking him," Kabir rolls his eyes. "When you know Rudra has the emotional maturity of a twelve year old with serious dominance issues, why would you use the word obey?"

Rudra glares Kabir.

"Shut up, Kabir," Abhimaan snaps. "Avyaan is right about the timeline. We can't let this window close. We need to secure that chamber. And you, Rudra." He fixes Rudra with an intense look. "I know you're suffering from some sort of psychotic control kink, but sometimes you need to accept reality."

Saanvi watches their heated, pathetic argument unfold. "I truly wonder, with this level of dysfunction, how you guys ever managed to successfully buy milk, let alone complete a mission."

"Pearl?" Rudra calls her name softly.

"Yeah?" She looks at him with a small, expectant smile.

"Shut up." he says.

Saanvi stares, mortified, her smile evaporates instantly.

Kabir laughs silently, tears welling in his eyes as he watches her. Saanvi throws a venomous glare at Kabir.

"Look, we're all here now. Saanvi is safe, we'll keep her safe," Abhimaan asserts. "But Rudra, we cannot miss this chance. We need to end Yashwant for good. It's been our entire miserable life."

Rudra lets out a heavy, defeated sigh and nods.

"Okay, splitting into pairs. We get caught instantly if we walk around like a damn high school field trip," Kabir declares.

"I'll go solo," Abhimaan says immediately.

They all frown.

"Why?" Saanvi asks, suspicious.

"Because I figure my odds of survival are significantly better if I'm not babysitting any of you walking disaster areas," Abhimaan answers dryly. They all scoff in unison.

"Okay, Kabir and Rudra, you two are partnered. Saanvi and Avyaan, you two are paired," Abhimaan decides.

Kabir smiles broadly and instantly clings to Rudra's arm, locking his hands together. Saanvi glares at Avyaan, who rubs his forehead like he's developing a migraine.

"I am not partnering with her." Avyaan states flatly.

"I am not partnering with him." Saanvi asserts simultaneously.

Abhimaan clicks his tongue, looking between them. "Yeah. I agree now. You two might literally kill each other before Yashwant gets the chance," he says, shaking his head in total exasperation.

"But I'm thrilled with my partner!" Kabir insists, tightening his death grip on Rudra's arm. Rudra tries desperately to pry him off.

"Let go of me, Kabir, you clingy asshole," Rudra says, genuinely whining as he struggles.

"New plan. Avyaan and Rudra. Kabir and Saanvi," Abhimaan commands.

"You're literally pairing the two most emotionally stunted dumb brains?" Avyaan demands, tilting his head at Abhimaan.

"Is he calling us dumb brains?" Saanvi mutters, shooting daggers at Avyaan.

"I think the fuck he is," Kabir grits out, mirroring her murderous gaze toward Avyaan.

"Okay, the final, non negotiable teams," Abhimaan announces, clearly moments away from resigning. "Avyaan and Kabir. Rudra and Saanvi."

Saanvi instantly smiles and locks a satisfied arm around Rudra's waist. Rudra wraps his arm around her protectively. Kabir lets out a noise of strangled disbelief, looking utterly betrayed at Avyaan.

"Me? With this unexpressio?" Kabir cries, genuinely frustrated.

"Let's go," Abhimaan says, ignoring Kabir's existential crisis. He rubs his face one last time and starts moving.

"You all remember the blueprint right?" Avyaan asks, trying to inject some professionalism.

They all nod, except Saanvi.

"We meet at the entrance to the Archive Chamber," Abhimaan confirms. They all nod again.

"Hey, Doctor." Kabir calls out, and Saanvi looks at him.

"Here." He hands her a gun. She looks at him, then takes it. "You better actually hit something. I spent valuable time teaching you." He smirks.

"Shall I start by targeting you?" she smiles sweetly, laced with genuine sarcasm.

He scoffs.

"Okay, move out," Abhimaan says, and the three pairs melt into the shadows.

-------------------

"What about the cameras?" she asks, glancing up at the surveillance dome as they move quickly down the corridor.

"They're all clean," Rudra replies. "Kabir handled the feed loop first. So, don't worry, for now, we're moving blind to their security room." His gun is steady in one hand, the other hand holds hers, his thumb rubbing lightly over her knuckles.

She nods, focusing on the route ahead. Suddenly, a guard appears at the far corner. Rudra immediately yanks them into a small, dark equipment room, slamming the door just as the man passes.

Saanvi instantly gasps, pressing herself flat against the cool concrete wall, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. She turns her face forward and finds Rudra already there, impossibly close. He pins her against the wall, his arms caging her head, one hand still holding the gun, his eyes burning into hers.

"There's plenty of space here, you know," she whispers, turning her face away, hyper aware of their immediate proximity. "Why don't you move aside?"

His lips curve into a slow, knowing smile. He tilts his head slightly and traces the cool silencer of his gun from her temple, down her cheek, pausing on her chin before tilting her face back to meet his gaze. "Why would I waste space when I can waste you against this wall?" he mutters, his breath warm on her skin as he presses his body firmly against hers. "And space is for people who can breathe around each other. We don't qualify."

She swallows, her cheeks darkening. "Rudra, you cannot be doing this while you are in a critical mission."

"Mission or not, when I'm this close, you're the only target I see." He murmurs, his lips brushing the corner of hers. She pushes against his chest, causing him to chuckle softly. She shakes her head, peering around the door frame. The corridor is empty.

"Let's go," she breathes, stepping out. But she immediately freezes. The guard from earlier stands directly in front of her. He spots her, instantly pulling his weapon.

Saanvi instinctively reaches for the gun at her back.

"Don't you dare move," the guard grits, taking a step toward her. Rudra's hand flashes out, knocking the guard's gun slightly off aim, as Rudra raises his own weapon, silencer attached. The guard instantly realigns his weapon on them.

Saanvi is caught in the lethal triangle. "W-wait. Let's just talk this through," she manages, trying to de escalate.

"Shut up. You breached the security of Hexcell," the guard snaps, focusing his glare on Rudra.

"Pearl, step behind me, now," Rudra commands.

She scoffs, turning fully to face Rudra. "Are you insane? He'll shoot us both the moment you pull that trigger!"

The guard smiles thinly. "This chick looks smarter than you."

Rudra's jaw locks, his finger hovering over the trigger.

"Rudra!" She slams her palm over his hand on the gun, shaking her head fiercely. "Please... one of us will die in the crossfire."

"I said, get out of the way," Rudra insists, his eyes never leaving the guard.

The guard starts to laugh. "Surrender yoursel-"

In one fluid, shocking movement, Saanvi yanks the gun from Rudra's grasp and fires directly into the guard's head. The silencer barely whispers.

The man collapses instantly.

Her hands tremble violently, still clutching the weapon. She stares down at the body, swallowing the metallic taste of fear and shock.

She hears a soft, slow whistle right behind her ear. "Now that's my kind of foreplay." he mutters, his lips brushing against her neck.

She spins back, glares fiercely, shoves the gun back into his hand. "Let's go," she says finally, walking past the body.

Rudra's smirk widens as he looks down at the gun in his palm, then back at her retreating, rigid form.

After a few minutes they both move quickly down the service corridor, Rudra pulls Saanvi into a large utility room near the elevator shaft.

She steps inside with him, her eyes wide as she sees the high wall, it's mostly a hidden, reinforced glass panel that gives them a direct, secret view across the narrow maintenance gap.

Rudra pulls her fully inside. Avyaan, Kabir, and Abhimaan are already there, pressed close to the glass, observing the building across the way.

They all turn as Kabir quickly closes the heavy metal door.

Rudra releases Saanvi's hand and moves forward to the glass, seeing the brightly lit section of the complex they need to penetrate. He turns back to his team. "Now what?" he asks, impatient.

They all sigh collectively. "There's a significant complication," Abhimaan says.

"What complication? We breached their outer perimeter and the tightest security layers," Rudra shrugs, frustration clear in his voice. "What's the hold up?"

Kabir steps forward and guides Rudra back to the window, pointing. "The access point to the Digital Archive Chamber."

Rudra frowns, looking across the gap. A woman is walking slowly in front of the massive vault door. She is tall, wearing heavy boots, leather pants, and a black spaghetti strap top, her hair severely braided. More crucially, she has a small, specialized security device clipped to her waistline.

Rudra's eyes snap to Kabir. "That area was supposed to be clean," he demands, walking back to the group.

"It was," Abhimaan confirms. "Our intel mapped the main patrol routes outside the chamber area. We don't know why she's stationed directly at the entrance."

"We have weapons. We can just shoot her quietly, secure the records, and extract the evidence," Rudra says casually, dismissing the guard as a minor obstacle. Saanvi looks at him, startled by his cold disregard for human life.

"Why are you so dismissive about killing someone?" she says. He stares back at her silently.

"We can't kill her," Kabir counters. "The biometric access is on her. I'm not certain, but one false move might permanently lock down this entire Hexcell sector and alert the highest levels of security. We'll be stuck. We need a careful plan."

Rudra nods.

"Avyaan, Abhimaan, and Rudra. Over here." Kabir says, gesturing them toward the furthest, darkest corner. He looks pointedly at Saanvi. "You, Doctor, stay put. This next part is about the Hexcell infrastructure mapping and is sensitive." He moves into the corner with the others.

Rudra shakes his head, looking back at Saanvi. "Don't mind him," he says softly.

She rolls her eyes. "Go." Rudra joins his team in the corner.

"I have an approach," Kabir says, and everyone looks at him, anticipating the plan.

"What is it?" Avyaan asks.

Kabir smirks, his gaze landing pointedly on Rudra. "It's time to utilize your most effective distraction technique, Rudra."

"What?" Rudra frowns, instantly suspicious of Kabir's suggestion.

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