Page 11 of Married in Vengeance

“Enough children,” Priyanka said laughing. “Let’s go. Athama and Mamagaru have already left for the venue and we can’t be late.”

“She’s shooting for the daughter-in-law of the year award,” Aarush said in an exaggerated whisper.

“Well, that’s fruitless.” Aadhya adjusted her uncomfortable dupatta again. “None of us are winning that. Veda has it locked down.”

Priyanka laughed at the reference to her brother Agastya’s wife. “That she does,” she agreed ruefully.

They stepped out of the house, the balmy night air making Aadhya already feel sweaty and sticky. “We shouldn’t have picked outdoor events,” she grumbled, as she slid into the blissfully cool air-conditioned confines of her brother’s Mercedes.

“We couldn’t find any halls large enough to fit the crowd invited.” The helper ran up with Aadhya’s overnight bag and Aarush opened the trunk for them to slide it in. A few minutes later, they were on their way.

“Why aren’t we using a driver tonight?” Priyanka asked, from where she rode shotgun. Aadhya rested her head against the window and looked out, enjoying the quiet and solitude of the backseat. Once they reached the venue, it was going to be madness.

“I wanted to drive. Why?” Aarush flipped his indicator on and switched lanes.

“I’d have preferred not to spend an hour in this car with you cursing at other drivers.”

Aarush arched an eyebrow at her. “Think you can do better, my love? I’m happy to pull over and let you take the wheel.”

“I think a driver would have been the perfect solution.”

Aadhya tuned out their good-natured bickering, her mind on the evening ahead. It was going to be long and exhausting butshe had something to look forward to. At the end of this wedding mania, her marriage began.

Ram and she were booked into the honeymoon suite of a luxury hotel for tonight. A shiver ran down her spine. It wasn’t the first time they’d be alone in a hotel room. Their clandestine affair had been passionate, torrid and frantic. Completely out of control.

But this was their first time as husband and wife. A delicious tinge of anticipation slid through her. She knew every inch of Ram’s body but she was looking forward to owning it all tonight.

But first, she told herself, even as desire swam in her veins. First, they needed to talk. They’d get to the hotel room and before their always explosive need for each other took over, she was going to call him on his strange behaviour. He better have a good explanation for it. Aadhya didn’t appreciate the unnecessary anxiety he was subjecting her to.

Their interminable ride through Hyderabad traffic and then on to the Outer Ring Road finally ended as they reached the venue, another one of her father’s properties.

Aadhya allowed Aarush to help her out of the car, standing in one place to settle her outfit before stepping forward. They had barely taken a step forward before another car pulled up behind them, a trail of innovas flanking it.

Ram got out of it, Agastya, Harsh and Virat following. Agastya’s security immediately spread out around them on all sides.

“It’s a good thing you left your guard at home,” Aadhya joked to Priyanka, eyeing the wall of muscle around them.

“I didn’t,” Priyanka sighed. “He’s following us in another car.”

The guys stepped forward to greet them, everyone hugging everyone until it was a mad melee. Only Ram stayed back, standing a few feet apart, his eyes on Aadhya. Watching her.

She smiled at him. He didn’t smile back.

Something shriveled inside her, her earlier fears rearing their head.

“Ram!” Aarush called out. “Which car are you taking to the hotel? I’ll have Aadhya’s overnight bag transferred to it.”

A beat of silence followed the question, Ram’s mouth flattening as he looked away from Aadhya.

“You can have it sent to Gadde Mansion.”

“It’s the stuff she needs for tonight. At the hotel.” Priyanka interjected. “Her regular luggage has already been sent to your house.”

“We’re not going to the hotel. I cancelled the reservation that was made.”

Aarush stilled, his brow furrowing. “Why?”

Ram shrugged, his gaze cutting back to Aadhya, some indecipherable message flashing in those dark brown eyes of his. “Didn’t see the need for it,” he said curtly. “I need to find my family. I’ll see you all inside.”

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