Page 51 of Obsession

“They’re going to break his legs first,” Armaan said.

“Then every finger on his hands,” Vedant continued, as the screams behind them turned to agonized cries.

“Then they will cut his tongue out,” Mihir said. “And only when he is a begging, blithering mess will they shoot him.”

Paul looked at each of them, horror now etched on his face. Gone was the fake bravado he was throwing in the brothers’ faces.

“See, he’s finally realizing who he’s up against,” Armaan said.

“Our bodyguards at least show some mercy,” Mihir said. “We have none. We will make all this so much more painful for you, and then when you faint from all the agony and trauma, we will wait till you regain consciousness, and then we will it repeat it all over again.”

A gunshot sounded behind them, ceasing the endless cries.

“Ah, that was too soon,” Armaan said coldly.

Vedant looked at Paul. “Shall we start again? Where is Ivan?”

“I don’t know,” Paul said. “I swear I don’t know.”

Mihir swung his fist out. Something cracked. Blood oozed out of Paul’s nose.

“That’s one bone broken,” Armaan said. “Again, where is Ivan?”

“I swear; check my phone. I saw him last in Warsaw. After that, he only sends instructions via voice messages. He doesn’t even call.”

Mihir looked at the guard behind Paul. “His phone?”

The guard handed it to him. Mihir placed it in front of Paul’s face for facial recognition to unlock it. Once done, he checked the messages. Molten anger rolled through him as he saw that Ivan had sent Paul Anna’s picture with instructions to hurt her.

“Why her?” Mihir asked. “Why did Ivan target her?”

“Because of you,” Paul said. “He’s been looking for ways to get to you. It came as a surprise to him that you once dated this woman. He said…”

Paul shut his mouth.

“What did he say?” Mihir asked.

“He’ll kill me if I reveal more.”

Armaan angled his head. “The thing is, you’re going to die either way. You only get to decide if we give you a clean, quick death or a painful one. That choice is entirely yours.”

Paul gulped. “Ivan said that he’d used her to hurt you in the past as well. I don’t know what he meant.”

Mihir felt a rock fall into his stomach. His brothers had gone still. Only the stiffness in their shoulders gave away their shock. So many questions rushed through his mind, but now wasn’t the time for them. He focused on the man staring at him.

“What is Ivan’s plan here?” Armaan asked.

Paul looked at Mihir. “He wants you out. He’s put a bounty on your head for five million dollars. He knows how tight the three of you are. Getting rid of you will be a great loss to your brothers. As the MD of O-Corp, if you’re gone, everything falls apart. He thinks being Alexander’s only legitimate relative will give him clout over the board to replace you.”

Mihir exchanged a glance with his brothers.

“What does he know about our sister?” Vedant asked.

Paul blinked in surprise.

“Yes, we are one step ahead, always,” Armaan said. “Now, answer the fucking question.”

“Ivan knows that she is important to you all, and that you’re searching for her. He intends to find her first and use her against you all too.”

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