Manveer

The next day.

She stood in her room, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders, tiny droplets of water soaking into her kurti. She turned toward the mirror, her movements unhurried, natural. Innocent. A towel hung loosely in her hand, and she lifted it to her hair, patting it dry as strands clung to her cheeks and neck.

My breath hitched when she swept her hair forward over one shoulder, exposing the delicate curve of her nape. The faintest sheen of water glistened against her skin, catching the light in a way that seemed almost deliberate, though I knew it wasn't. She wasn't trying to captivate anyone. That made it worse infuriatingly worse.

My fists clenched on the armrests of the chair, knuckles turning white. "Stop this", I told myself. "This isn't right. This isn't you."

But my eyes refused to obey.

She reached for a small tube on the table, her lip balm. My jaw tightened as I watched her twist the cap off, her movements slow and deliberate, utterly unaware of the effect she was having. She dabbed the balm onto her lips, her fingers soft and careful, her head tilting slightly as she inspected her reflection.

The faint sheen of the balm made her lips glisten, the rosy tint deepening as she pressed them together. It was such a simple, innocent act, yet it sent a jolt through me, sharp and hot, like a brand searing my skin.

My breath grew shallow, and throat dry. I yanked at my tie, loosening it roughly, but the sudden rush of cool air did nothing to calm the heat rising within. Then my eyes fell to glass before me, I downed the drink in one go, the burn of liquor was like contrast to the ache spreading through my chest.

My mind screamed to stop this, to erase this moment forever before it becomes something I can never resist.

"I shouldn't be doing this," I muttered. "It's none of my business. It... it happened by mistake."

But my hands betrayed me, curling tightly into fists as if to resist the pull she was having. I leaned forward, but I couldn't leave my sight over her, she moved to tie her hair back, the gentle curve of her neck teasing me again.

"SHIT...NOT THIS! WHY THE FUCK THIS IS HAPPENING, THE HELL??? For God's sake just don't get under my skin. Why her gestures are igniting something raw and primal?"

"The Fuck is wrong with me?"

***

Later that night.

I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose to stave off the growing headache. A knock interrupted my thoughts. My head lifted, eyes narrowing towards the man who slipped into the room. He walked straight to me, bending down to whisper something into my ear.

My expressions darkened, as my fingers drummed once on the desk before standing up. "Stay on it." I said motioning the man with a flick of m hand signalling him to clear the schedule for the rest of the night.

The black Phantom beast cut through the streets of Lucknow like a shadow, silent and commanding. My phone buzzing with updates as I drove to the venue.

"Nothing yet, boss," came a voice through the bluetooth in my ear.

"They'll be there," I replied. "Keep looking. I'll handle it myself."

The car slowed as I approached The Velvet Room, the strip club known for its secrecy and indulgence. It was the kind of place where deals were made in whispers, money exchanged in shadows, and loyalty could be bought for a price.

I stepped out of the car, adjusting my jacket as my men moved discreetly into position. They blended with the crowd, bouncers, patrons, even the dancers, each one keeping an eye on the room.

The club pulsed with music, the bass reverberating through the floor as bodies moved under the dim, sultry glow of red and blue lights. I walked in, scanning the room.

"They are here." I muttered silently enough to reach my voice in bluetooth. My eyes followed to a group of men heading to the VIP section.

I followed them into exclusive area. The air smelled of expensive perfume and cheap whiskey, the sound of laughter and flirtation mingling with the soft music playing in the background.

As soon the men entered, they were already making themselves at home, their hands spreading over the dancing girls who hovered over them.

The men were so caught up in their intoxicated flirtations, they hadn't noticed me slip in. I moved with deliberate calm, letting my presence seep into the atmosphere like a shadow. One of them, practically throwing himself at the girl closest to him, barely felt the pat on his back as I approached.

"Gentlemen," I greeted. The man didn't even acknowledge me at first, too lost in his own world. I turned and took a seat pouring myself a drink.

"Manveer Rajvanshi. Didn't think this was your scene." I said savouring my drink.

But the second I spoke my name; he turned narrowing his eyes. It took him a full minute to process what he'd just heard. His eyes widened, and before he could blink, his hand shot out, pulling a gun from his belt.

"Rajvanshi?" His voice cracked as he stammered, his face paling. He was clearly rattled, but I could see the hesitation. He wasn't sure whether to shoot or to talk.

The girl behind him screamed, her fear snapping through the tension in the air. She bolted out of the room, and her frantic exit drew every eye in the room toward me.

"Quite the scene," I commented dryly, slurping my drink as the men around me slowly started to adjust to my presence. Guns were drawn.

"Manveer," a voice cut through the noise. It was a familiar voice, loud and too confident. I looked up to see him, making his way toward me.

"Didn't expect to see you here," he said, his voice trying to sound casual, but there was a nervous edge.

"That's because you don't expect much, do you, Devraj?" I replied coolly, my eyes never leaving his.

He faltered, momentarily caught off guard. "This doesn't concern you," he spat, clearly annoyed by my presence.

I tilted my head, getting up from the place, taking a step closer to him.

I reached into my jacket and pulled out a small bag of powder and tossed it onto the pile of cash on the table.

"You mean this doesn't concern me?" I asked, my tone dripping with disdain. "Your little operation... your pathetic attempt to carve out a piece of my city... all of it concerns me."

His eyes flickered with anger, but his men were shifting nervously behind him. "You..." he barked, but then stopped, his eyes narrowing as he glared at his men. "Damn stupid."

Without warning, he reached for his gun. But my men who had silently slipped into the room, were quicker. Guns were drawn in an instant, the room erupting into a standoff.

"I'd think very carefully before making a move, Devraj," I warned.

The another cartel leader leaned in, his lips curling into a taunting smile. "What are you offering, Manveer?"

"Control," I replied, my voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. "Protection. And the guarantee that you won't end up like him." I motioned to him and he nodded towards Devraj, whose face had gone pale.

Devraj stared at me for a long moment, his eyes calculating, but his next words came out like a defiant growl. "You think I'm afraid of you?"

He shook his head in mock disbelief. "You think this is your territory?"

I stood tall, unfazed. "Not for long," I said. "Your little operation dies tonight. It's over."

Then he laughed loud and manic, the sound echoing off the walls of the room. It was the kind of laugh that told me just how much of a fool he was.

"What's it like, knowing you can't control everything? The city, the money, the power... none of it means anything without her."

I felt my jaw tighten. He knew. He had hit me where it hurt. Devraj's voice cracked as he spoke, "Don't forget, Manveer, I remember what really breaks you. She didn't die in your arms, did she? No, she died at the hands of someone like me."

Devraj thought he was winning. He thought he could provoke me, humiliate me. But he had underestimated the depth of my rage. I clenched my fists, so hard I could feel my nails biting into my palms. I was standing there, trying to control the storm that was threatening to tear me apart.

He kept going. "You really think you can stop me, Manveer? Go ahead, try. But I'm not scared of you. You can't control everything. I'll be trading in your territory, your city, just like I always wanted. What are you going to do about it?"

I could feel my temper flaring, before I could even process the impulse, I grabbed the nearest glass, my fingers curling tightly around it. Without another thought, I hurled it to the floor with all the force I had in me, the sound of shattering glass ringing in my ears like a bell tolling my frustration.

"Shut the hell up!" I barked, fury boiling over as I broke another glass, then another. I turned on my heel, my fists still clenched at my sides, the weight of my fury making my heart pound in my chest. I stormed toward the door, the anger burning in my veins.

Devraj's voice followed me, taunting me, "What's wrong, Manveer? Can't handle the truth? We'll see who runs this city now."

The door slammed behind me as I left the room. I came to the throbbing dance floor. "You will regret this, Devraj."

No, this wasn't over. Devraj thought he had won. He had no idea what was coming. As I stood there, breathing heavily, the cartel leader followed me, his voice trying to pull me back from the edge. "Mr. Rajvanshi, take it easy. Let's not do anything rash."

He stretched his arm toward a woman standing nearby barely clothed, a vision of seductive grace. Her smile was warm and inviting.

I raised an eyebrow to the man and he smiled at me as if he was doing the most generous thing. Was he? That would have been a good little distraction but as soon as my eyes locked on her, someone from earlier replaced her frame for a second.

Why was my mind thinking about her. It hit me like a jolt of electricity, throwing me off balance.

I shook my head, trying to clear the unwanted image from my mind. It was stupid. This was stupid. I didn't need this, didn't want this.

"That's stupid! NO!" I muttered under my breath, without another word, I turned and walked away. I slipped out of the club and stepped into my car, and I slammed the door shut, shutting out the noise.

The night was far from over, but the faint glow of the rising sun pierced through the clouds, a hint of something new.

Her? What the hell was wrong with me?