Page 42 of Power

“Was Tarun in the photo?”

“No.”

“Were you able to figure out where it was taken?” Maybe it had coordinates associated with it that we could use to find Tarun through her.

“No, the coordinates were encrypted. Jai is running software to decrypt it right now,” he said.

“That could take weeks or even months to figure out,” I said, thinking aloud.

He grunted in frustration. “If we can even decrypt it at all.”

“What does this have to do with me leaving?” I still didn’t see how this affected my trip home.

“Amelia, she had bruises. She didn’t look like herself. She’s being held prisoner.” His eyes were filled with worry.

This was worse than I’d thought. “She’s being forced to marry him?”

“I’m sure of it. He’s trying to prove a point, taking everything that I’ve ever had.”

I didn’t want to be presumptuous, especially after he had blatantly told me how he viewed our relationship, but I itched to ask what was on my mind. “Is that why you don’t want me to leave?”

He didn’t say anything, but concern showed heavy in his eyes.

My heart softened at his silent admission. He was worried about my safety. He wasn’t one for many words when it came to his feelings, so I didn’t expect him to say anything in this moment.

I moved into his body and wrapped my arms around his waist.

“I promise, nothing will happen. I’m taking a direct flight to and from Seattle and going straight to my mom’s house when I get there. I promise to check in with you every day.”

He embraced me back, holding my hips with his hands. “No going anywhere alone. Understand?” he ordered.

“I promise,” I said as I rested my cheek on his chest. He relaxed a little and his chin rested on top of my head, encasing me in his warmth. “You have to trust me with information that you know, Shyam. I’m in this fight, too.”

“I know,” he said, holding me tighter.

Now, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to leave him for a whole week. There was no place safer than in his arms.

Chapter XXIV

Amelia

Seeing my mom again after so long was amazing, but it also made me feel sad. The resemblance between us had always been remarkable, especially with our matching red hair. Except now, she looked older and more tired. It broke my heart that she was working so hard and lived alone all the way out here.

We spent hours catching up and reliving old memories. I missed her so much. She had been such a devoted mother when I was a child. The relationship had changed as I got older and we had become friends. I could trust her with anything.

Thanksgiving was a small affair in our home. It was just Mom and me, so we cooked just enough for two people. Instead of a huge turkey, we opted for a couple of small Cornish hens, cornbread, roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes with gravy—because who didn’t love mashed potatoes?

I was by no means a great cook like my mom, but I could hold my own in the kitchen. I was busy prepping the vegetables for the oven while Mom was making the marinade for the hens. We, of course, indulged ourselves in a few glasses of wine while we cooked and chatted.

“So, have you met anyone special in New York?” she asked as she worked.

I hesitated at her question, unsure of how to answer. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to share the news of my complicated relationship with Shyam. I was usually honest with her and valued her advice when it came to guys, but Shyam wasn’t like the others—definitely not the type you’d bring home to meet your mom.

I decided to rip the bandage off and tell her. She’d know if I was lying anyway.

“Kind of,” I replied without looking up from my cutting board.

She set down her bottle of olive oil and clasped her hands in front of her chest. “Oh! That’s wonderful, sweetheart! How long have you been together?”

---