Page 41 of Twisted Alliance

The jeep stopped in front of the mansion, and she got out quickly. While he instructed the driver, she held the heavy cloth bag and ran up the mansion steps.

People looked at her curiously when she stepped into the mansion. She was glad her face was hidden behind the veil. Hoping no one recognized her, she hurried to the suite upstairs.

She had barely entered the bedroom suite and was about to hide the cloth bag in the closet when she heard the bedroom door opening and clicking shut.

A moment later, Shivay Thakvar appeared at the changing area doorway. “What is in that bag?” he asked.

She was shaking on the inside, but she managed to speak. “Nothing, just a few things I needed.”

He watched her closely. “Take it out and show me.”

She didn’t want to. “Why?” she asked.

His face remained unreadable. “To see if you are carrying weapons.”

She was shocked. “What? No! I don’t have any weapons.”

His eyebrow rose. “I consider scissors or knives weapons too.”

Her cheeks reddened at his reminder. She shook her head again. “No, I don’t have scissors or knives in the bag—”

“Show me the bag, Ishani,” he ordered. “Now.”

Angry and scared, she slowly pulled the cloth bag from the closet. She opened it and showed him the contents.

They were books, academic books in particular. Every three months, she asked Chotu to bring her university and research books so she could update her knowledge in subjects of interest.

She was embarrassed that Shivay Thakvar would think of her as illiterate since she didn’t have any formal education.

But he didn’t say anything.

“Why did you leave the mansion without informing anyone?” he asked instead.

“I-I needed a few things.” She kept her eyes on him through the veil. Then drawing up some courage, she raised her chin. “I-I didn’t know I am a prisoner here and can’t leave whenever I want.”

Although her voice held false bravado, the look on his face was scary. He didn’t look angry, but neither did he look happy. His dark eyes burned her.

“There’s an active threat to all the heirs of the clans. I’m sure you are aware.”

She did know it. She also knew that if anything had happened to her, the Thakvar family would be blamed.

“I-I can take care of myself,” she replied.

“Can you?” he asked, stepping closer, making her heart nearly burst out of her chest.

“Y-yes.”

She let out a shocked gasp, the cloth bag fell from her hands when his arms grabbed her, and she was suddenly lifted off her feet and pinned against the closet and him. Their eyes were at the same level, and she froze as his dark eyes burned into hers. Even through the veil, the intensity of his gaze made her stomach tremble. He was so close that his warm breath fell on her trembling lips.

“Show me,” he ordered softly.

“W-what?”

“You said you can take care of yourself. Show me by escaping me.”

She was stunned and terrified. She had never found herself in real danger in the past to know how to protect herself. The only times she was in danger and felt threatened was because of him.

Anger burst inside her at the thought that he was the only one who constantly threatened her. Drawing in her anger, she wanted to slap his handsome face, only to realize he held her hands and trapped them behind her against the closet. She tried to kick him, but both her legs were also trapped against the closet by his muscular thighs. She struggled against him but could barely move as his hard chest and torso kept her body pinned.

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