Page 45 of Shattered

“I found a tracking device under Kavya ma’am’s car.”

I freeze mid-step, my hand hovering over the door knob. “What?”

“It happened when Kavya ma’am went inside the house after coming back from work.I was keeping watch outside when I suddenly spotted someone in a mask sneaking out from under her car.I went to confront him, but the moment he saw me, he took off.I tried to chase him but he got away. Sensing something fishy, I decided to search her car, and that’s when I found the tracking device.I’ve already informed Sidharth sir, and he’s following up on it,” he explains.

I let out a shaky breath, my grip tightening on the keys.“I’m on my way. Stay alert and vigilant. Ensure that she is safe. Not even a scratch on her. Protect her with your life. Got it?” I command sharply, loosening my tie, suddenly feeling suffocated. My chest tightens after hearing the news he just shared.

“You can trust me on that.”

“And not a word to Kavya about this,” I say as I end the call.

I waste no time getting behind the steering wheel and speeding to Kavya’s house. Throughout the drive, my mind is in turmoil—I fucking can’t think straight. Everything feels chaotic and out of control, and Sidharth still doesn’t have answers about who’s behind all this. I know it’s too soon to catch the asshole, but I have zero patience when Kavya’s safety is on the line.

Thirty minutes later, I pull up in front of Kavya’s house and spot Karan standing a few feet away, leaning against his SUV with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes fixed on Kavya’s house.The moment he senses my arrival, his eyes flick to mine, and Igive him a curt nod.Just as I’m about to step out of my car, my phone buzzes with a message notification meant for Kavya, but it shows up on my screen since her mobile is linked to mine.

Deepak: Kavya,I can’t stop thinking about you, especially after we met the other day. Can we please meet again? Please, for old times’ sake.

My vision clouds with fury as I read the message. I immediately know who this fucker is—the asshole from her past who hurt her. And now, he wants to meet her and ask for another chance? Over my dead body! There’s no way I’ll let him anywhere near Kavya. But what’s troubling me more is that Kavya met him and didn’t even bother to tell me. Why? She definitely has some explaining to do. I know it’s not right for me to read her messages, but logic flies out the window when it comes to Kavya, turning me into a possessive, obsessed lover with no bounds.

As if that message wasn’t enough to make my blood boil,another message lights up my screen—this one from an unknown number.

Unknown:I had sent one of my men to your house today, and he nearly got caught. I also heard that you visited Nisha’s college. I hope you’re not trying to outsmart me,or you’ll regret it.Don’t forget my warning!

I slam my hand on the steering wheel. That scumbag is keeping tabs on her. If he so much as lays a finger on her, he’ll be facing my wrath.But he’s not the only one on my radar—her asshole of an ex isright up there too. These two men are hell-bent on pissing me off, but what they both don’t realise is that they’re messing with the wrong person. Kavya is off-limits, and I’ll make sureneither of them touches a single hair on her head.

Just as I’m trying to calm my anger, my phone pings again. This time, though, the message has me grinning.

Kavya: Deepak, it’s over between us. Get it through that thick skull of yours. Also, if you don’t stop messaging me, I’ll ask your girlfriend to put a leash on you.

The next message pops up, this time to the unknown stalker.

Kavya:I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was in college to pick Kiara’s certificates. I’m following your instructions and haven’t contacted Officer Viraj.

My heart tightens in my chest. Damn, my womanis fierce—handling all this on her own.But I can’t sit idle. I need to do something.Immediately, I dial Sidharth’s number, waiting impatiently for him to pick up the phone.

“Her ex contacted her,” is the first thing I say the moment he answers.

“Yeah, I read that. Seems like an innocent message,” herepliescasually, which makes me fly off the handle.

“Her ex messaged, and you’re telling me it’s an innocent message?” I fire back.

He lets out a huff. “What do you expect me to do?”

“Get me his address so I can bury him six feet under the ground.”

“Whoa, easy there, caveman. I think you’ve forgotten, but my job here is to track the bad guy threatening her, not go around pulling addresses from her list of exes,” he retorts.

I think this asshole is in a mood to provoke me.The mere thought of Kavya with anyone else makes me see red. “There isnolist,” I say through gritted teeth.

“Fine, no list. Now, can we talk about the stalker? He also dropped a message.”

“Did you get anything on him?”

“Not yet. Whoever he is, he’s smart. The number he’s contacting from is untraceable,but I’m still working on it. Can you talk to Kavya and ask if she has any new lead? That would be of great help. I heard she dropped by the college to get a list. I’m sure she knows something.”

“I’ll talk to her,” I say, running my hand through my hair.

“Cool, I’ll wait.”

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