Born To Be His Only One

CHAPTER 8

The night had fully claimed the city, shadows wrapping around the docks as Sonam stood on the roof of VASUKI headquarters, eyes fixed on the skyline. Mumbai glittered in the distance, its frenetic pulse a stark contrast to the deadly calm at the waterfront. Sonam's phone buzzed again, Vishakha's voice coming through with steely determination.

"They're here. It's time."

For a moment, Sonam didn’t move, her gaze drifting to the sea. The enormity of what was about to happen settled in the pit of her stomach. The Black Serpents had underestimated her, mistaking her patience for weakness. Now, they would learn that she wasn’t merely defending her empire—she was prepared to dismantle theirs piece by piece.

"All units ready?" Sonam's voice was sharp, but calm.

"Every single one," Vishakha confirmed, her words crackling over the comms. "No one's getting out of this without us knowing."

Sonam glanced down at her wristwatch, counting the seconds. Timing was everything. "Wait for my signal. I don’t want anyone moving until we’re sure of their numbers."

The faintest whisper of a breath escaped her lips as she ended the call, and for a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to acknowledge the weight of the situation. The Black Serpents had been growing bolder in recent months, their influence spreading across Europe and Asia. They were dangerous, cunning, and driven by an insatiable hunger for power—traits Sonam knew all too well.

Her mind flitted back to Aarav. Was this a trap? She had trusted his intel enough to mobilize her forces, but that nagging question lingered. Aarav had given her every reason to be cautious. Their alliance was built on necessity, not trust, and it was only a matter of time before their own power struggle would resume. Yet, deep down, Sonam knew there was something more between them—something neither of them could afford to fully explore.

Her phone buzzed again, interrupting her thoughts. This time, it was a live video feed from the docks. The image flickered, grainy but clear enough to show movement. Black-clad figures emerged from the shadows, slipping through the narrow spaces between shipping containers like snakes in the night.

The Black Serpents.

Their movements were precise, coordinated, as if they'd rehearsed this attack a thousand times. Sonam’s fingers tightened around the phone as she watched the feed. There were more of them than she had anticipated—at least two dozen, heavily armed and moving with deadly intent.

"They’re going for the main warehouse," Vishakha’s voice buzzed through the comms again. "Your orders?"

Sonam’s eyes narrowed. They were coming for her personally.

"Hold your positions," Sonam ordered. "I want them inside before we make our move."

The Serpents crept closer, nearing the main entrance to the warehouse. Sonam’s heart quickened as they breached the outer gates. They thought they had the upper hand, but she’d been planning for this moment, laying traps and preparing her people for weeks.

Finally, the lead figure raised his hand, signaling for the others to spread out and move in. Perfect.

"Now," Sonam whispered into the comms.

An explosion rocked the docks, sending a plume of fire and debris into the air. The night, once calm and serene, erupted into chaos as the Black Serpents scrambled in confusion. The first wave of Serpents had walked straight into a trap, their formation shattered as the blast ripped through their ranks.

"Target neutralized," one of Sonam's lieutenants reported over the comms. "We’ve got them on the run."

Sonam watched the live feed from the cameras positioned throughout the area. Her people moved like shadows, striking with precision and efficiency. The Serpents were caught off guard, their numbers rapidly dwindling as Sonam’s forces closed in.