Page 176 of She will Always be Mine

Yet it’s the last feeling running through my veins today.

What was only meant for our eyes only, has now been laid bare for others to see. At least it was until this morning.

I’m not the kind of man who likes being in others’ debt. But that was before I fell in love with someone so deeply that protecting them came first.

When I’d been living in Mumbai, I had met and made friends with the most dangerous and corrupt men who ruled the entire city with their fists. Darian Grover, one of the infamous kings of the valley, was one of them. Heir to a crime family with ties to the mafia, he’s a ruthless and influential man.

I had run into him at a club where celebrities and criminals alike visited. One of his family’s legitimate businesses is a security firm that caters to the wealthy and famous. He and his friends have connections that can make anything happen.

I’d kept his business card with me but never intended to use it until last night. If anyone could make the video disappear, it was him, so I called without a second thought. Owing him is bad but I’ll worry about it when the times comes.

I’d get down on my knees if it meant Nyra would be safe.

I’d burn the world down to keep the light shining in her eyes.

I’d walk through the gates of hell just to spend an eternity with her.

Seeing the devastation on her face over the leaked video had broken me into pieces. I had finally brought back her spark before it was dulled once again. Consoling and taking care of her had become my first priority instead of letting the rage consume me.

Even after I’d gotten her to fall asleep, I laid awake while dealing with the consequences of my delayed actions. I made a terrible mistake waiting instead of going after the person the second she told me the truth.

I just wanted to give her an amazing weekend before I let the darkness shadow us.

Only for the darkness to turn murkier. Treacherous. Tumultuous.

Staring at the screen of my computer, I want to smash it against the wall the longer I watch the same clip. I can’t believe Nyra didn’t tell me that the fucking video was taken at my house. The last place we should’ve worried about.

It makes even more sense that she believed Zain was behind it all.

I would’ve suspected it was him again if it wasn’t for the fact that there are cameras all over my house which my brother is well aware of. It was the both of us who got them installed as a safety precaution when a burglary happened in our neighborhood. He and I are the only two with access to them.

So, there’s no way he would go through the trouble of recording us when he could easily download the tape.

And if it wasn’t him, then only two people remain.My parents. I don’t think my mind can digest the truth if I’m proven right. Neither is capable of committing such a horrible act and not even stopping there but continuing to blackmail Nyra. An ugly emotion unfurls in my gut that I can’t shake away.

The clip is blurry, shaky, and no other voice can be heard except Nyra’s and mine. Whoever made it was smart to stay quiet. This person also haven’t captured the entire time we were together but only a few seconds. The only intention I can make out is that this person wanted to catch us like this.

Unguarded. Oblivious. Risqué.

But for what reason, is still a mystery.

With a calmness I never believed I possessed, I go to the security cameras and search for recordings from that night. As they download, I become restless and sickened by the thought of my parents’ involvement. Whatever I see will change the course of my life forever, and I’m not prepared for that.

How could one be when they suspect a family member is capable of hurting someone you love?

The blue circle completes at the bottom of my screen, indicating the download is complete and I hurry to play the footage. Since it was around midnight when I met Nyra on the balcony before we left, I play the video from ten p.m. onwards.

The hallway and the terrace are both empty and I fast-forward it a bit to when I enter and hide in the shadows until Nyra’s silhouette follows.

The shy smile lighting up her face as I sneak on her, tugs at my heartstrings.

Few minutes pass as we talk in the video and it’s like I’m having the conversation again. Just when I push her against the wall, I catch a shadow lurking in the corner. I realize I had my back to the culprit which is why I never saw the person back then. And by the way I’m crowding Nyra on the video, I could tell she couldn’t have seen this person either.

My body goes rigid as the person steps into the light. They say monsters hide in plain sight.

So did mine.

And I just sent Nyra alone into their den.

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