Page 63 of His Smile
The inherent boldness madeRoman smile wider. "Says the family of criminals," he countered.
"You cannot comparewhat we do, to your dealings!” This time her husband, Amin, spoke and Romansuddenly realized he would much rather deal with the Chopra women than everhave to deal with their men.
Shrugging, Romanlooked pointedly to Mrs. Chopra hoping to get to the point of this meetingquickly so he could get back home to Rahina. "Tell me what you want."
"I want you to leave mydaughter alone," Mrs. Chopra demanded.
"Why? So, you can pairher with a spineless man who comes running to you when he faces an obstaclemoney cannot take care of?" Roman let his mocking gaze slide to Dev.
“You do not even belonghere,” Dev yelled at him, and Roman wondered if the man actually thought thatthe sofa between them would stop him from coming over there and beating hisface into the marble mantle.
“Shut up,” Amit sneered atthe man, walking behind his parents to step directly into Dev’s face. “You’vedone enough.”
Ignoring the two men, Romanlooked to Mrs. Chopra and gave her a knowing smile. "Rahina tells me youare a strict mother, Mrs. Chopra."
Her back stiffened at that."I want the best for my daughters," she answered evenly.
"And is Rahina notalready at her best?" He countered conversationally, walking slowlytowards the sofa. "A girl with her beautiful dark complexion, which isyour complexion,” he reminded, “who is breaking barriers each day, beingdisplayed across billboards in the middle of downtown, is that not her at herbest?"
Mrs. Chopra gave him atwisting smile. "You mean where she is shown half naked to the world? No,I do not consider that her best."
"As the man in her lifeI hate that image too,” he confessed, giving her an understanding look as hewalked around the sofa to stand in front of them all. “But as her fan, it is anundeniable achievement, and you know it." He could see the point settle onher face, but he knew the woman would rather be flayed alive before admittingshe was wrong. "What is it really, Mrs. Chopra, tell me the real problem?"
"You are dangerous,”she gave him an accusing scowl. “And your world will get my daughterkilled."
Roman stilled at this. Itwas his one true fear spoken aloud, and it gave him momentary pause. Keepinghis face impassive, Roman tilted his head back and looked down at the woman."That will not happen."
"You cannot guaranteethat,” she argued. “You're a powerful man with many enemies. I will not let mydaughter be used and killed because of you."
Stepping closer to them, hefelt their fear as they tensed. Amin grabbed his wife’s arm in silent warningand maybe protection, Roman couldn’t be sure. "That would neverhappen," he repeated slowly and evenly.
"Why should I believeyou?" Mrs. Chopra stepped out of her husband’s grasp, and boldly walked upto Roman until they were only a foot apart.
Roman smiled, feeling thebrief anger he felt at the truth she flung so cavalierly at him begin tosettle.
"When I look at you, Iam struck by the same uncanny beauty and strength I see in your daughter."Leaning forward, he brought his face closer to the shorter women, enjoying thedisplay of emotions in her dark eyes. He could tell she was caught off guard byhis comment, but she fought to retain her suspicion. Leaning back, he gave heran understanding smile. "You are right, I am no good for your daughterthis much I have told her, but your foolish daughter decided she wanted meanyways and now I could never let her go. She is like a ray of sunlight shiningand dancing across the cold dark depths of my world. At this point, even thearmy of God could not take me from her. So, let us both come to anagreement." He addressed all of them now. "No more surpriseinquisition dinners and certainly no shunning or ostracizing."
"As if I would turn myback on my daughter for you Mr. Mashir, you are not that important," DeeyaChopra snapped at him, and Roman could see her husband and her son stiffen ather recklessness, but Roman could only grin wider.
She was so much like Rahina,it was amazing. He was positive if he gave the woman a small army of men andtold her to take over three burrows in New York, the woman could do it in amonth.
"Then this issettled," he said.
"Wait," Amitstepped forward. "What do we get from this?"
"Explain." Romangave the younger man a tired stare. Roman knew what he was alluding to, but hewanted the man to spell it out so they could all hear, especially Mrs. Chopra.
Amit looked to his father andreceived a nearly indiscernible nod and looked back to Roman. "I mean thisis a deal we are making, is it not? What do we get from it since you getRahina?"
"Wait a minute…"Dev tried again, but this time Amin turned and faced the man giving him a furiouslook that silenced the man immediately.
"Ah yes, what was Ithinking? I should have known your daughter's happiness would not beenough," Roman gave Mrs. Chopra a sad mocking smile. She turned her faceaway from him, but she didn't look to her son or husband either, her anger forthe new turn of events was evident. Roman continued. "I assume you wantmore money concerning our initial arrangement?"
"Five percentmore," Amin lifted his chin and stared at Roman directly.
Roman enjoyed the brief flickerof doubt laced fear in the man's eyes before answering. "For my Rahina, ofcourse” he enjoyed the way Mrs. Chopra’s shoulder tensed at the use of “my”when he referred to her daughter. “Consider it done."
Roman smiled to himself ashe felt the tension in the room begin to dissipate, and their guards begin todrop. Roman watched as Dev circled the couch in anger heading for the door. Hewas so wrapped up in his anger he either didn’t notice that Roman was rightbehind him or didn’t care.
