Royal with Rebel (Royal #2: Book 2)

10

-• unexpected and aghast •-

Sara Rajawat

Abhay Menon.

My third target.

Dean at Legacy Academy, the middle school for rich in Rajgarh. He has a son who's in his mid twenties, a married daughter in her early thirties and a second wife he married right after his wife commited suicide. He has always had a fucked up family. His father was a man of loose character, an alcoholic mother who couldn't cope with her first son's loss, and a sister who ran away at the age of nineteen. By the age of eighteen, he knew cruelty and embodied it too. Used to bully his classmates. Always had his hands under random girls' skirts, with or without their consent. Was even involved with some local gangs selling drugs for livelihood.

He met Madhav Sehgal during their college phase, lost connection after he went to Canada, returning six years later with his family, reuniting with his old friend only to hit it off instantly with him and his existing friend group. As they say, birds of the same feathers flock together.

I click the end of my pen, leaning back in the chair as I stare at his profile on my computer screen. I've wasted two opportunities at finding out who the fifth man was. I only have two more left. I'm not sure why Madhav would say he didn't know there was a fifth man with them that evening. Because I clearly remember there were five of them. Every time I close my eyes, I see the face of my sister begging and pleading for him to save her. She trusted him the most it seemed. No matter how many times I rack through my memories, I just can't put a face to that body. I wish I could allow myself to think of that night, but unloading all that trauma might just break me. I cannot rely on my memories alone. They're obscured, hazy and faded, like an old, dust settled picture with fringe corners and sticky surfaces.

It's also possible Madhav was too drunk that night to remember it clearly. It's why they had gathered at the farmhouse for. Maybe by the time the fifth man arrived, he was pretty out of it.

I wonder if Shivam knew. I couldn't waste time dragging my revenge out with him as I did with Madhav. I had time limitation. It was a foreign country and he was a foreign citizen. He never knew the real reason he died because of. I regret giving him the easy death, but I really didn't have much of an option to begin with.

My second last chance is Abhay. I can't flunk it this time. I'd hate placing all my bets on the last option.

Two consecutive knocks on the door catch my attention. I turn off the computer, clearing the desk swiftly. "Come in," turning in my chair, I come face to face with Uncle Virat.

"Uhm, the cops are here."

"Are they?" I get up from the chair.

He hums, pulling the door close and retreating back into the hallway. I frown. He has been acting weird from the time I came home yesterday night. Keeps our conversations short, does all the household chores without even asking for my help, cooks for the two of us and spends the rest of his time cooped up in his room instead of the way he usually does in front of the television. I first thought it's because he thinks I need rest, but then why would he avoid me? Weird.

Leaving my bedroom, I meet Arjun and his subordinate in the living room. Shaking hands with the men, I motion them towards the sofas.

"Would you like anything? Tea? Coffee?"

"Tea sounds-"