Detached

CHAPTER 73

*MEERA'S POINT OF VIEW*

“Yes, sir,” Riyansh replied.

“Meera, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but honestly we thought that this was in your best interests,” my dad said, sounding like he was asking for my approval.

In all honesty, it probably was the best thing at the start; I wouldn’t have coped very well with that at all. But since Riyansh, I could have been told. Maybe it would have helped me understand why he was always so strict and professional when we went out.

“Now isn’t the time to start arguing over something that’s done. I understand why you didn’t tell me,” I admitted. “I’ll speak to you later, Dad,” I mumbled, not wanting to speak anymore.

“Bye, Meera, Agent Bhut,” he replied as he cut off the phone. I glanced over to the love of my life. He was worried sick, his beautiful face was pale and showed the picture of concern.

His arms encircled me, crushing me against him. When he moved towards me, the weight of his body meant I had nowhere to go but backwards onto the bed. His body covered mine, pressing me down into the mattress. “You don’t need to worry, Princess, I promise. I would die before I let him touch you again,” he growled fiercely.

My heart stopped at his words. I could see the truth in his eyes. He wouldn’t let James take me; he would fight for me to the death. And with that knowledge, my heart broke all over again. I knew what was coming. In my mind’s eye I could already see it, James turning up, Riyansh and him locked in some kind of death battle, Riyansh being hurt or killed. Me, alone again, watching another person that I loved being ripped away from me.

I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t allow him to be hurt. This time I had some control, this time I could prevent it, this time the boy I loved would live. I would never allow James to hurt Riyansh, ever.

Forcing a fake smile, I tried desperately to think of a plan, an escape, something that would ensure that this time it all ended differently. Scenarios flicked through my head, us leaving, going into hiding, changing our names. But each one boiled down to the same thing – James would find us, and he would kill him in the slowest way possible. No, there was only one way I could ensure his safety.

“I’m going to go and have a shower before the new guards all come. I guess you need to go and talk to Dean and Pratik and tell them what’s happened,” I muttered, trying not to let out the waves of emotion that were crashing over me show in my face or in my voice.

He sighed and dipped his head, capturing my lips in a kiss that was so sweet that it shattered my heart. I kissed him back, savouring every last second of it, knowing that it would be the last kiss I would ever have. I memorised the soft feel of his lips, the taste of his tongue, the smell of him, how the heat spread through my body making my heart throb. I memorised every single thing about it while my heart broke silently.

He pulled away and stroked my face softly. “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, watching my face. I nodded, working hard to keep my face natural. I must have done a pretty decent job because he kissed me on the lips again quickly then pushed up off me and left the bedroom, looking like it almost pained him to walk away from me.