Detached

CHAPTER 34

*MEERA'S POINT OF VIEW*

The line for the bar was already about thirty people deep by the time we arrived. Dean and Vikas joined behind us, not talking to us so that no one would know we were together. Thankfully, the line moved fairly quickly so we were ushered in within fifteen minutes. As we were let in, we had to show our IDs as proof of age. Riyansh refused to allow me to drink again tonight. Frowning, and not very happy, I folded my arms over my chest.

"Stop pouting. Do you want me to get in trouble for letting you drink?" Riyansh said in my ear, leaning in close so that I could hear him over the band that was already in full swing. Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. Of course I didn't want him in trouble, but it appeared that hanging out with an undercover cop for the next eight months was going to put a dampener on my college experience in Mumbai.

Not answering his question, I looked around. The club was a lot bigger than it looked from the outside. It was across two levels and had strobe lighting coming from the ceiling. A stage off to my right housed a live band that was slightly too loud, and slightly out of key as they jumped around excitedly. There were cheap carpets and cheap tables dotted around the edges. The long and well-stocked bar was five people deep, most of whom sported blue wristbands like mine. A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. I actually quite liked it here. My hand slipped into Riyansh's as I grinned and gave him a tug towards the bar.

Unexpectedly, I was actually having a nice time. It turns out that I didn't even need alcohol to enjoy myself. What did annoy me though was the fact that every now and again, my safety would be put into Dean's hands while Riyansh went to the bathroom, or got stuck at the bar buying another round. Dean was trying to be discreet, I could tell that, but him standing close to me, pretending to look around while ignoring me completely was totally over the top and actually screamed 'bodyguard' - but maybe that was because I knew that was what he was. No one else seemed to bat an eyelid at him. Each time he had to leave my side for something, Riyansh would call or text Dean and ask him to 'watch the jewel' for him for a minute. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the stupid codename they'd obviously come up with for me.

After a couple of hours, a hand closed around my forearm. A little squeal escaped my lips, and my body reacted immediately, making me jump into Riyansh as if a bomb had detonated near me.

"Whoa, sorry! Didn't mean to make you jump," Raj said, laughing hysterically.

My heart started to slow as Riyansh's arm slipped around my waist. "Hey, sorry, you scared me," I admitted, smiling with relief.

"Hey, Riyansh. How you doing?" Raj greeted, smiling warmly.

"Yeah, I'm good," Riyansh replied, rubbing his hand up my arm; he was doing it to calm me down I presumed, and it was certainly working.

"I've been looking out for you two all night. We've got a table. You want to come and sit with us? We're upstairs," Tim offered, nodding towards the back of the bar. Riyansh looked at me as if waiting for me to make the decision.I probably needed to start being more social.

"Sure, okay," I agreed, nodding. Riyansh smiled and we followed Raj, weaving through the sea of people to the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs there was a table that we had to pass to get to the next level. It was full of a group of laughing men. My stomach tightened as one of them turned towards me and raised one eyebrow as we approached. A predatory smile crept onto his face. "Hey, sweetheart, I can show you a better time than that guy," he purred, nodding at Riyansh distastefully.

I scoffed and shook my head. "I doubt that very much, sweetheart," I answered sarcastically, trying to appear confident even though my insides squirmed.