Page 114 of Fixation

She nodded. “I have to take you home to formally introduce you to my parents, you know.”

“Yeah, about that,” Vedant said. “Armaan texted that Rajiv and Sheena are downstairs. The two of us disappeared so soon after the incident at the restaurant, and you were not answering your calls. Your brother wanted to see for himself that you’re fine, and so he’s here.”

“Rajiv’s here?” Reina sputtered. “Shit. I’ve never heard him come here before. Despite Armaan and Navya, I always thought he’s maintained a distance from your family.”

“Well, now his baby sister is also in love with an Oshnov!” Vedant grinned. “Come on, we need to go and welcome him.”

“Yes, of course…” Reina looked down at her wrinkled shirt. “Oh God, I’m a mess.”

She patted her hair. “I have to get?—”

Vedant caught her hand. “You’re perfect, okay. Let’s go meet your brother. We don’t have many people we call friends, and my brothers must be delighted to have him and Sheena home. I also need to learn what happened with Karl and if my brothers got any information from him.”

“Alright.” She moved to leave him, but he caught her hand in his and pulled her back to him.

Vedant captured her mouth with his. “Can we tell your family that you’re moving in with me?”

She chuckled. “A marriage proposal, and you’re asking me to move in with you?”

“Yes. What do you think?”

“Yes, please. Although, I have to talk to my family about it.”

His phone rang before he could say anything else. They both looked in the direction of the bedroom.

Vedant caressed her cheek. “Let’s go, beautiful. I think everyone is getting impatient.”

Taking her hand in his, he led her downstairs, where their families were waiting for them.

41

His living room was abuzz. Vedant stood at the side, watching the scene in front of him. Armaan and Navya were seated on the sofas, talking to Sheena, while Rajiv and Mihir stood by the terrace doors, chatting, with a drink in their hands.

“It feels good to see all of them together,” Reina whispered. “Your family and mine.”

“It makes me so happy to have you all in our lives,” Vedant said. “My brothers and I have been alone for far too long, and now to have you all… is… It’s heart-warming.”

Rajiv looked to the side. Spotting them, he left his glass on the table and came to Reina. He captured her in his arms.

“Are you okay, Rei?” Her brother studied her. “I almost got a heart attack when you started fighting that man.”

“I’m fine,” Reina said. “Thank you for forcing me to take those self-defence classes. See, they came in handy today.”

“I’m so proud of you,” Rajiv said.

She smiled. “I’m glad it’s all over now.”

“I seriously doubt that,” Rajiv looked from her to Vedant and then back at her. “Is this what you truly want, Reina? Navya’s lifeis already in danger because of her relationship with Armaan. And you, my littlest one, have always been the quiet one. You’ve always liked discipline and order. Your whole life will be upended once you decide to be with him. You will need to be protected at all times. And your work? That has been your prime focus for so long. How will you?—”

“—Rajiv,” Reina interrupted. “I want this.”

She looked at Vedant and then back at her brother. “I choose him. I will always choose him in every moment, in every lifetime. Even if that comes with danger and an additional need for security. Even if it means I need to find a job that allows me to have bodyguards protecting me at all times. He taught me to put myself first always, and this is me doing that. I’m choosing all this for me because I can’t live without him. He isit.”

Warmth filled Vedant’s chest on listening to her heartfelt words.

“Reina,” Vedant said, “You need to know that apart from your brother having a security guard following you, I’ve had someone from my team watching over you too—ever since I learned your real identity and your whereabouts.”

She gave him a grateful smile, and he felt at ease knowing there were no more secrets between them.

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