Page 82 of Married in Vengeance

“Ram,” he smiled briefly, gesturing to them to take their seats in front of his desk. “We’ve got it all under control. You didn’t need to come down and check on us.”

Ram smiled briefly. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” he assured the other man. “Mayank, this is Aarush and Aadhya Reddy.”

“Of course, Janardhan Reddy’s children.” The senior police officer, whom Ram seemed to know well enough to address by his first name leaned back in his chair studying them. He was a tall, lean, competent looking man with an incisive gaze that seemed to slice right through Aadhya.

“This is quite a mess Mr. Prasad has dropped you into.”

Aarush leaned forward, his elbows resting on his thighs as he steepled his hands in front of his mouth.

“It is but we’ll fix it,” he swore. “Every last bit of it. My father and I already have meetings set up with the investors, starting tomorrow.”

“He’ll go down for every last bit of it. The evidence you gave us is airtight. You guys did our job for us on this one.”

The cop nodded to her, his intelligent, handsome face going to Aadhya’s drawn one. “I was at your wedding, Mrs. Gadde. I doubt you’d remember me from the crowd that day.”

Aadhya forced a smile and tried to reach for her legendary charm. “Thank you for coming. I don’t remember much from the day, to be honest. But blame that on me being a stressed out, exhausted bride because I doubt anyone could forget you in any crowd.”

Ram stiffened beside her. Mayank laughed, his eyes glinting at the sight of Ram’s irritation.

“We need a favour,” Ram said now, glaring at his friend. “Aadhya and Aarush would like a few moments with Prasad.”

“I can’t do that.” Mayank frowned. “You know I can’t.”

“A favour, Mayank.” Ram gave him a pointed look. “For me.”

“You’re calling that in for this?”

Aadhya looked between the two men, her curiosity getting the better of her. What bargaining chip did Ram have with this policeman? Neither of them glanced her way, some kind of silentconversation ensuing before Mayank nodded. “Fine. But I stay in the room.”

“So do I.” Ram’s tone was inflexible.

“Why not?” Mayank grumbled, getting to his feet. “Let’s have a regular fucking party.”

Forty-Five

RAM

The old manthey’d had arrested looked strangely diminished as he sat in the chair, his gaze firmly fixed on the table in front of him.

“Prasad Garu,” Aarush began.

The other man’s head shot up, a sneer twisting his lips. “Don’t bother with the respect.”

“Alright.” Aarush put his hands on the table. “Let’s dispense with that. Why did you do it?”

“You know,” Prasad mused. “I used to take you to school, attend your PTM meetings when your parents were otherwise busy. I saw your report cards. You’re a smart boy.” His eyes flashed with hatred. “So, don’t ask dumb questions.”

“You resented the fact that my father put Aadhya in charge.”

“And you.” Prasad shook a finger at him. “Both of you, little brats, just grew up and took what was mine.”

“How was it yours?”

“I earned it. I built that empire with your father.” He jabbed a thumb at his chest. “Me. While the two of you were still in dirty diapers.”

“Not true,” Aadhya drawled, drawing his attention. “Our diapers were never dirty.”

Ram stifled a grin at the other man’s outraged expression.

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