Page 7 of Twisted Alliance

Mihir Thakvar’s face paled. “My God. This rudraksh belongs to Singoor. How did they find out? No one was supposed to know the truth!”

“I’m trying to find out the identity of the man who ordered the attack as well. But I came here when I found out about you.”

Mihir Thakvar looked guilty and worried. “I had to make that tough decision to keep you safe. Even now, it’s safer for you to leave Singoor. If they find out who you are, your life will be in danger. I will arrange for security. Leave right away and go back to San Francisco.”

There was fear and worry evident on Mihir Thakvar’s face.

“I’m not leaving Singoor without you,” Shivay stated calmly. “You are my father, and you belong with your family.”

CHAPTER 2

It was late in the evening, and Shivay was in the guest suite at the Thakvar mansion.

He was giving instructions to his personal assistant over the phone while he looked towards the garden from the suite’s balcony. It was cooler inside the suite with the air conditioning, but he preferred to remain on the balcony and observe outside.

“Have the jet and pilots on standby twenty-four-seven,” he instructed.

Although he didn’t know how long it would take to convince his father to fly to San Francisco, he wanted to ensure the travel was arranged without any glitches.

“And the transportation and security, sir?”

“Have them on standby too, but ensure they are in the city with quick access to the Singoor area.”

Shivay had heard about and witnessed the violence that was prevalent in the Singoor area. But since his father had local security, Shivay didn’t want to bring in outside help that would raise suspicion among the locals. The international security he hired was highly trained in combat as well as technology.

“Yes, sir. I have reserved the hotel rooms and necessary transportation in the city for the security team.”

“Good. Call me if there are any updates.”

“Yes, sir. I will.”

Ending the call, Shivay remained on the balcony as he watched the activities downstairs. The mansion was bustling with people who looked entirely unfamiliar from what he was accustomed to seeing.

Although he had traveled extensively worldwide and had witnessed different cultures, he had never been to his father’s home country.

He recalled his childhood memories when his father often spoke about his native home. His father had an older brother and younger sister who were looking forward to his brother’s family from America visiting the Thakvar mansion. But an untimely accident of Mihir Thakvar put an end to those plans.

Shivay had thought his father’s family was indifferent and hadn’t kept in touch after his father’s supposed death. Only after discovering the truth two months ago, Shivay knew his uncle and aunt had been killed in an accident twenty years ago which led to his father’s decision of faking his death and return to Singoor.

“I had no choice but to return. It was the only way to keep my family safe.”

Although Shivay understood his father’s anguished words and the decision to fake his death in an accident to return to Singoor, Shivay didn’t think the circumstances were the same anymore. Shivay was no longer a child and was capable of protecting himself and his family.

But still, his father didn’t want to take chances. Mihir Thakvar felt money and security would not stop the bloodshed and violence prevalent in the Singoor area.

A soft knock on the door interrupted Shivay’s thoughts.

“Come in,” he instructed. He knew it wasn’t his father. After lunch, his father had excused himself to meet with village heads who had arrived at the mansion. That gave Shivay some time to think and further plan his next steps.

Shivay stepped into the guest suite and went into the living area. The door opened, and a familiar face stepped inside. It was Rai Bahadur, his father’s manager and close confidant.

“Good evening… sir,” the man greeted.

“Good evening.”

The older man’s gaze lingered on Shivay’s face for a moment. “You wanted to talk to me?”

Shivay nodded. “Yes, please sit.”

---