Dons of Punjab: Fluke of Reality✔️

Chapter 45

Amandeep Singh Aulakh

The store was filled with bright lights and the faint hum of soft music playing over the speakers. Just moments ago, my wife had been happily browsing the racks, her fingers brushing over fabrics, searching for the perfect blazer for me. She had been smiling, her eyes lighting up whenever she found something she thought would suit me.

Now, that peaceful moment was shattered.

A gunshot rang out, cutting through the air like a knife. The sound was deafening, making my ears ring as fear gripped my heart. I turned sharply, my body going rigid, scanning the store with frantic eyes. Shoppers screamed, dropping their bags, running in different directions, some diving behind shelves for cover.

But all I could see was her.

She stood frozen near the fitting rooms, her hands clutching a blazer, her face pale with fear. Our eyes met, and in that instant, I knew she was terrified. My feet moved before I could think, sprinting towards her.

"Stay behind me," I ordered, my voice firm but filled with urgency. I reached for my Glock, the cool metal familiar in my grip. I had carried it for years, but never had I needed it like this. My heart pounded as I positioned myself in front of her, shielding her from whatever danger lurked nearby.

"Aman," she whispered, her voice trembling. "What's happening?"

"I don't know," I admitted, scanning the area. The aisles were chaotic, shoppers scrambling for the exit. A few men in dark clothes moved through the store, their faces masked, their intentions clear.

Robbery? No. This was something else.

Then, before I could react, one of them spotted us. His cold, dark eyes locked onto mine. He nudged another man beside him and whispered something. My gut twisted. They weren't just here for anyone. They were here for her.

Everything happened in a blur.

"Run!" I shouted, but before she could take a step, they were on her. Two men grabbed her arms, yanking her away from me. She screamed, struggling, trying to fight them off.

"Let me go!" she cried, kicking wildly.

I raised my gun, but one of the men pulled her in front of him, using her as a shield. My finger hovered over the trigger, rage and desperation battling inside me.

"Put the gun down, or she gets hurt," the man sneered, pressing a knife against her side.

Her eyes widened, and a shaky breath escaped her lips. "Aman..."

I clenched my jaw, my hands trembling.

"Let her go," I said through gritted teeth, my voice low and dangerous.

They didn't listen. They dragged her backward toward the exit, moving fast. I took a step forward, but another gunshot exploded near me, forcing me to dive behind a counter for cover.

"Aman!" she screamed.

By the time I got back on my feet, they were gone.

I sprinted out of the store, my heart hammering in my chest. Outside, the night was cold, the streets dimly lit. My eyes darted around frantically. Then, I saw them.

A black van was parked at the curb. The back doors were open, and the men were forcing her inside. She fought, thrashing against their hold. One of them yanked her hair, making her cry out in pain.

"Stop fighting, sweetheart," one of them chuckled. "You're coming with us."

"NO!" she screamed, kicking at them, tears streaming down her face.

My blood boiled.

I raised my gun and fired. The bullet hit one of the men in the shoulder, making him stumble back with a pained shout. But the others didn't stop. They shoved her into the van, slamming the doors shut.

The engine roared to life.

"NO!" I yelled, running toward them, my legs burning with the effort.

Tires screeched against the pavement as the van sped off, disappearing into the night.

I stopped in the middle of the street, my chest heaving, my mind racing. She was gone.

I let out a guttural roar, punching the hood of a parked car in frustration. My hands curled into fists, shaking with rage.

I failed her.

But this wasn't over.

I turned, running to my own car, yanking the door open and slamming my foot on the gas. The engine roared as I tore down the road, my eyes locked on the faint taillights disappearing into the distance.

"I'm coming for you," I whispered, gripping the steering wheel with white-knuckled intensity. "And God help anyone who gets in my way."

The city lights blurred past as I sped down the empty streets, my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white. My heart pounded in my chest, a relentless drum of fear and fury. The van was gone, swallowed by the darkness, but I refused to accept defeat.

I slammed my foot on the brake, tires screeching against the pavement as I pulled over to the side of the road. My breaths were ragged, my mind racing. Every second that passed was another moment she was out of my reach. I could still see the terror in her eyes, the way she had fought with everything she had. My beautiful, strong wife—taken by those monsters. I gritted my teeth, feeling an overwhelming surge of rage boil inside me.

I grabbed my phone and dialed a number with shaky fingers. The call barely rang once before it was picked up.

"Aman?" a deep voice answered.

"I need you," I said, my voice low and sharp. "They took her."

A tense silence filled the line before the man on the other end spoke again. "Where?"

"Outside the mall. Black van, no plates. Headed south." My jaw clenched. "Find them. Now."

"I'm on it," the voice replied before the call disconnected.

I tossed the phone onto the passenger seat and slammed my fist against the dashboard. I couldn't just sit here. I had to do something. I had to get her back.

I inhaled sharply, forcing my mind to focus. Think, Aman. Think.

They wouldn't take her without a reason. If this was about money, they would contact me. If it was about power, they would make demands. But if it was personal...

I shook my head, refusing to let my thoughts go down that dark path.

Then, my phone buzzed. A message flashed on the screen.

Warehouse district. Dock 17. Be ready.

That was all I needed.

I shifted the gear and slammed my foot on the accelerator. My car roared to life, shooting forward like a bullet. The streets blurred past me as I weaved through traffic, my sole focus on getting to her. The night air was thick with tension, every second stretching unbearably.

Then, a second message came.

They have her. Five men. Armed.

A muscle in my jaw twitched. Five men. I didn't care if it was fifty. They had taken the one person I loved most in this world, and for that, they would suffer.

I reached under my seat, pulling out my Glock. My fingers curled around the cool metal, a familiar weight, a silent promise.

"I'm coming for you," I muttered under my breath.