Ishq hua (Duet 1)

Chapter 22: The Phoenix and butterfly

Arsh:

The study was dimly lit, the only source of illumination coming from the laptop screen in front of me. The leather chair beneath me was cold, unyielding - much like the men staring back at me through the screen.

The circle sat separated in different corners of the world dealing with our own issues, yet power bound us like an invisible thread.

The pillars of a kingdom that thrived in blood, money, and war.

The conference call was already in progress, the conversation clipped, efficient, and laced with the kind of authority that only came with power.

Vyom was standing beside me, typing soemthing on a tablet in his hand, "We have a problem."

Adrian Blackwood leaned back in his chair, swirling the drink in his hand. The man was all sharp lines and sharper instincts, the kind of man who didn't need to raise his voice to command a room. "The Delhi shipment?"

I nodded, pouring myself a glass of whiskey. "The mole gave them details about the shipment route. The cartel was already planning an ambush before we intercepted it."

Lucein leaned forward. "How deep does the leak go?"

Vyom smirked. "Not deep anymore. The rat is taken care of."

Reyansh Rajvansh chuckled, lighting a cigar. "I assume that means he is now six feet under?"

I didn't answer. I didn't need to.

Veer sat with the a level of ease, though I knew that behind those casual smirks, his mind wad just as ruthless as any of us but there was some sort of care in his eyes.

Care that blossomed becuase of the uncalled and sudden friendship between his wife and mine. "And the assassin?"

"She gave up her name so I was able to get everything on her already," Vyom said, voice dripping with amusement. "Didn't take much. Just a little persuasion."

The word persuasion made Reyansh laugh under his breath, shaking his head.

Adhikrit bhai was the only one whose expression remained impassive. "The cartel wouldn't act on just one leak. That means they have more information than we thought." His gaze flickered toward me. "How much do they know?"

My jaw tightened. That was the fucking question, wasn't it?

I took a slow sip of my drink, the burn doing nothing to thaw the ice in my veins. "I want our men to double security on every major port and warehouse. No cargo moves without being checked. If they think they can take from me, they will learn the cost of crossing the circle."

Aiden smirked, raising his glass. "That's gotta be fun."

Rishaan wasn't attending our meeting because he had something important to take care of and the fact that he won't tell me what the important work was is bugging me because if it's related to Tara and if my baby sis is not safe, even under his protection, I am fucking killing him.

Adhikrit bhai nodded. "Already in progress. But Arsh, there is something else."

I raised a brow. "What?"

His expression softened just slightly. "Your wife."

The room went still.

My jaw clenched. "What about her bhai?"

Hr exhaled sharply. "Stop keeping her locked in like a prisoner Arsh. The girl will go mad."

Lorenzo chuckled, shaking his head. "Keeping your wife caged now, Oberoi?"