Page 19 of Twisted Deceit
He took one step closer to her, took the glass of juice from her to take a big gulp of the drink. “The wedding was atmyresort and it was my wedding gift for my friend. And your trip was not last minute; I planned for you to be there with your friends. How did you think your friend got an all-inclusive deal for a fraction of the cost?”
She felt weak to the bone. She took a deep breath, processing the details. “Was it worth it?”
“It will be.” He downed the drink and walked away.
“For what? Is your family really after the oil?” she asked and paused when she caught something flicker in his eyes and added, “I will be your wife as per the contract but I will fight you tooth and nail if you even think about bringing harm to our land or the people.”
“Will you?” It was a challenge.
Her eyes flared. “Have no doubt.”
With those words she walked away from him not wanting to give him any more wins that day. There must be a grand scheme for him to have pulled off such a stunt—all to keep her stuck in a corner.
But she had other plans!
*****
Nakul stepped away from the master suite and walked around the rest of the wing in the Kanwar mansion. Thanks to the recent upgrades done in the building, he obtained a schematic of the space prior. He had scoped out a location for his office and quickly found the ideally located room.
He didn’t trust anyone in the Kanwar mansion, including his bride. Anyone could be working on Tantra’s word for greed as Devraj Gujjar had. He walked around the rectangular room, finalizing the placement of everything he needed to start working from there. He would be in the office when he was not meeting other clans.
He had lined up his team to come to the mansion the following day to check the space for bugs and to soundproof it. He could have conversations without worrying about being heard.
His wife was on a mission to get out of the marriage with him, but it would be hard to crack through the trap he lay around her. The meticulously detailed contract she wrote would work in his favor.
She would undoubtedly try to get out of the contract and the Singoor marriage. One thing that worked effectively was playing the aunt card. He knew that would be his most significant leverage even before he met her.
He warned himself to watch out for any signs of seduction. Given how much she hated being in the Singoor region, she could go to any lengths. And with the large almond eyes and the beautiful curves, she didn’t need to try too hard to get him or any man to give in to her commands.
The first time he laid eyes on her, he knew she was trouble and added the clause about the intimacy so that he didn’t give into the pull however she tried to rope him in.
Chapter 9
Aadhya woke up the following day to a distant tsking sound. Her eyes fluttered open to find the staff opening the curtains to let the morning light in. It took her a moment to remember where she was, and she slowly sat up, smiling at Meenabai. “Good morning, Nani.”
The older woman shook her head. “Your husband left two hours ago.”
She sat up confused by the angry look on Meenabai’s face. She ran her fingers through her long, messy hair. “Okay. Are you upset he left without me?”
Meenabai got angrier. “You were supposed to spend every minute of three days with your husband. You would have done that if you were in the tents on the holy land.”
“Nani, please.” She held her hand up. “Not now. I need coffee.”
“No,” Meenabai growled and Aadhya knew not to mess with the woman who was like the grandmother she never had.
“Why is it my fault if Nakul left to do whatever he wanted?” Aadhya batted innocently, hoping to appease the older woman.
“Do you know where he went and why he left so early?”
Aadhya shook her head, knowing there was no way out of the conversation. But she had to get out from Meenabai’s angry gaze. “I was in deep sleep after—”
“Don’t you make excuses.” Meenabai moved closer. “You not only did not consummate your marriage but also let your husband escape. What if he chooses not to come back?”
Wait! Is that a possibility?
Aadhya shook her head. “You are being dramatic now, Nani. Why won’t he come back?” Even as she said the words, her mind was racing as she remembered a clause; she had added to the contract to make Nakul feel like he would not feel tied down by the marriage.
Nakul can choose to step away from the marriage at any time, but Aadhya is the only one to manage the communication with her family for this reason.
