Page 65 of Twisted Alliance

Did he think of her as his family?

“You are mine.”

He was possessive of her, but she knew he didn’t consider her as his family. Strangely, she felt hurt by that fact.

She shook her head in confusion.

It doesn’t matter what he thinks of me. I need to find out the truth about him.

She had to, or she would end up being drawn but also falling in love with her husband.

CHAPTER 20

“Are you sure you don’t want me attending the clan meeting, son?”

Shivay looked at his father. “Yes, Dad. This meeting is between the next generation of heirs. It’s important they see it as burying the hatchet of what happened during previous generations.”

Shivay’s father nodded.

“Shivay will take care, Dad. Don’t worry. Mom is looking forward to your visit.”

At Rishab’s words, Mihir Thakvar’s face softened with intense longing.

“I crave to go back to Chitra too, son. Every moment being apart from her feels like a certain death. And I can’t wait to see her and Nandini. But I’m worried about what might happen during the clan meetings. There is always a risk of violence. If anything happens to Shivay, I won’t be able to face Chitra or myself.”

“I’m going to be fine, Dad,” Shivay replied. “I have assessed the risk and invited only the clans that are open to forming alliances.”

Shivay’s father still looked uncertain, but he nodded. The discussion then veered to the details of what topics would be presented during the clan meeting. Shivay’s father gave some input and suggestions.

“I want Ishani to feel safe,” Shivay’s father added. “She’s now a Thakvar, and it’s our responsibility to ensure her safety.”

Shivay didn’t want to tell his father that the biggest danger came from the Gujjars, especially his beautiful yet treacherous wife.

“Yes, she will be safe, Dad.”

Shivay’s father looked relieved. “That’s good. I like Ishani. She’s a daughter to me now.”

Shivay didn’t say anything.

“All right, son. I do trust you to take care of things in the best way possible.”

Shivay’s father then hugged Rishab. “I still can’t believe you are here too, son. And just as with your brother, I’m worried about your safety.”

“All of us are going to be fine, Dad,” Rishab replied with a smile. “We’ll soon have things sorted and set right in Singoor.”

“MayMahadevgrant our wishes, son. And may peace be restored in the Sands of Singoor.”

Shivay knew how much his father had sacrificed for the land and its people. The sacrifice had cost his father two decades of being apart from the woman he loved and not even knowing about the daughter he had. Shivay’s sweet and brave mother deserved to be happy in every way, and Nandini deserved to know her father was alive.

Shivay’s mind went back to when he found out the truth about his father. It was right after the attack in Africa.

***

San Francisco, CA

“Mr. Thakvar, your prediction was right. The assassin wasn’t a local man. He is of South Asian descent.”

Shivay was standing in the backyard of his family home. The Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline were clearly visible in the distance. The only sounds were of the ocean waves crashing against the cliff on top of which the family home was built.

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