Page 72 of Fixation

Vedant shifted away from the screen to wipe his eyes. He was moved simply by looking at her picture.

“Vedant, are you there?” his elder brother asked.

He faced the screen again. “Sorry, guys. I was a bit emotional for a moment. But Mihir, this is fabulous.”

“Yes, it is. But guys, all of us need to keep very quiet on the hunt for Karina. We cannot trust anyone with this knowledge.”

“Absolutely,” Vedant concurred.

“Yes,” Armaan accepted. When Mihir faced Navya, she gave him a nod.

“Is there an update on Ivan?” Vedant asked.

“Our team wasn’t able to locate him in Poland,” Mihir said. “We combed through his possible whereabouts, the ones that we got from Vasily’s phone, but that information was of no use. He’s vanished again. The two men in charge of attacking you and Armaan have also disappeared with him.”

“They’ll all show up,” Armaan said. “Ivan will resurface with another plan, I’m sure.”

“We will be prepared this time,” Mihir said.

Vedant’s face hardened. “Yes, we will.”

He had his own sources in place for finding that Karl Leipzig. He wouldn’t let him get away with murdering Anita. She’d beeninnocent and he would avenge her death. That man would never hurt another person who Vedant knew again.

Armaan looked at Navya. “We have more to protect now,da?”

“Yes, we do,” Vedant smiled. He addressed Navya. “How are you doing? Is Armaan treating you well?”

“Of course, I am,” Armaan gritted out. “What sort of a stupid question is that?”

Navya laughed. “Stop teasing him, Vedant. You know how touchy he gets when it comes to me.”

“Tell me about it,” Mihir said. “He’s become so possessive that he doesn’t let her go for a walk on the beach alone. Can you believe that?”

Vedant chuckled. “I never thought Armaan would be the first one to get tied down. It’s good seeing you in love, brother. You look happy, and that makes me happy.”

Armaan kissed Navya’s forehead. “I am.”

“So, when’s the big day, Navya?” Vedant asked. “Have you guys decided? I do hope it’s after I’ve been given the go-ahead to travel by my doctor. She’s a tough one.”

Navya made a face. “Um, we’ve not decided yet.”

“Don’t worry, Vedant,” Armaan looked at Mihir. “We will get married when every member of our families can make it. Right, Mihir?”

Mihir looked at his iPad, refusing to reply. Armaan looked heavenward.

Vedant alternated his gaze between his brothers. “What’s going on here?”

There was a sudden noise, and Vedant saw Ananya Mehra appear on the screen. His brothers and Navya turned to face her.

Mihir’s face twisted in anger. “Why the fuck isshehere?”

Ananya tilted her head and gave him a smile. “No hello, no hi, Mihir?”

Mihir’s face turned an angry shade of red. “Who gave her the permission to enter our gates?”

“She’s Navya’s sister, Mihir,” Armaan said. “Her name is on the list of approved visitors. She’s welcome in our home any time she wants.”

“No, she’snot.”

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