Page 48 of Fixation

“Why weren’t any of you adopted before Alexander Oshnov came into your lives? Weren’t you well in your teens when he took you in?”

“In the end, it was destiny that none of us got adopted as babies.” His lips curved and he looked lost in thought. “As we grew older, we promised one another that we’d always stay together. Thus, whenever a couple came in for adoption, we would deliberately behave naughty or even get into a fight in front of them. No one wanted to adopt a very mischievous child, and so they didn’t. There were times when we also hid from them. The head matron, Mrs. Braganza, had a soft corner for us and soon realised we didn’t want to be separated; hence, she stopped parading us when someone came in for adoption.”

She put her empty plate on the table the same time he did. “Was she the same Mrs. Braganza you spoke about the other day?”

“Yes.”

“Have you met her after you left the orphanage?”

“Actually, no. But we do speak to her on the phone. She lives with her daughter now. We are in touch with many of the old caretakers, and we do what we can to make their lives better and to help improve the lives of the children in the orphanage. It’s a much better place to live now. We sponsor the higher education of the kids who wish it and give them all an option to come work for us if they want to.”

“That is truly amazing.”

Seeing her expression, he chuckled. “Don’t look so stunned. I’m not a bad man. I’m actually very good; at least, I’d like to think that.”

“I’m beginning to realise that I may have misjudged you.”

Vedant felt a thud in his chest. He linked her hand with his and felt the familiar spark again. She lifted his hand to study his ring.

“Is there a significance to this ring you wear?”

“It’s a rare blue diamond mined from the O-Corp mines in Tanzania. It signifies love, loyalty, and trust. Alexander gave each of us a ring when he adopted us.”

“So, all three of you wear it?”

“Armaan and I do. Mihir lost his a long time ago.”

She nodded. “How did you meet Alexander?”

“I quite enjoy your curiosity,” he flicked her nose. “However, the answer to that, my beautiful Reina, is part of a very long story—one we ought to save for another day because tonight I want to get to know you as well.”

“Okay, one last question.”

“Sure.”

“Rumour has it that you Oshnovs are the most dangerous men on the planet. That you may even have links to the mafia. Is that true?”

He lifted their interlaced hands. “Would you walk away from me if it was true?”

She chewed her lip for a second as if considering his question. Finally, she shook her head. “No, I’d still be here.”

He released the breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding.

She squeezed their joined hands. “So far, you haven’t done anything to hurt me or my team. I liked Armaan as well. Mihir, I still can’t comment on him; he’s too closed off, and to be honest, his aura screams dark and dangerous.”

He laughed. “You got that right. Mihir is the quiet one, the responsible one, and Armaan is the naughtiest amongst us. That guy can charm anyone, including you, apparently.”

“Armaan is very likeable.”

A bolt of envy flashed through him. Never before had he felt something like this for one of his brothers. But Reina thinking that Armaan was nice was annoying him to no end.

Her thumb ran over the top of his hand, making his pulse quicken.

“What about you?” she asked.

“What about me?”

“You described your brothers. Tell me what do they think of you.”

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