Bound by Revenge (The Singham Bloodlines)

by MV Kasi P. G Van

  He bent his head down to pull her nipple into his mouth. He sucked the tight bud, until she screamed.

  He moved to the other bud and repeated, and this time she was begging him to take her hard. And so he did. He thrust hard—hard enough to shake their antique headboard and repeatedly bang it against the wall.

  She screamed his name, and pulled him closer, shouting for him to make her his completely.

  And so, he did. When he came, he shouted, “You are mine!”

  *****

  They fed each other lunch, during which she told him about her parents and Myra.

  “My mother married my stepdad when I was seven, almost a year after I thought I lost my dad in an accident in India.”

  “I see.”

  “No, it’s not like how it sounds. She wasn’t actually looking to marry someone. It just happened, I guess. My stepdad was a colleague who worked at the same hospital as her. He told me he had fallen in love with her the moment he met her, but my mother married my father who swept her off her feet. When my father died, and she went into pieces, my stepdad helped us mourn and move forward.”

  "You are close to them," he said. He stated that rather than asked.

  "Yes. Very close. Even though we sometimes got on each other's nerves, not a day went without speaking to one another."

  He frowned. "Have you spoken to them after coming here?"

  She only hesitated for a couple of seconds. "Yes, a couple of times," she lied. "I told them about the invite and they are excited to visit us."

  He was quiet.

  "My parents are on a cruise until the next month, and Myra… she'll have a college break in a month too. Maybe they can visit us then."

  His face relaxed.

  They got up from the table and went back to the bedroom. He sat with his back against the headboard and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist, until she leaned back against him. They could see the lake from the bedroom window.

  She asked him about how it felt growing up away from his grandmother who was one of the only surviving blood-relative.

  "It was hard," he confessed. "Each time I came home for the holidays, I saw how my grandmother had to deal with so many things by herself. The feud had become even worse. Not only did my grandmother have to try and maintain peace, but she also had to ensure the people in the province had a good source of livelihood."

  Anika's awe with Devasena grew even more. "She must have had an iron will."

  "Yes, she did. Not once, even when I was old enough to help, did she ask me to do so. She told me to finish my studies and even wait until Dev finished his before we returned."

  "Was it hard?" she asked softly. "When you returned under different circumstances?"

  He was quiet.

  "Yes," he replied, after a while. "My grandmother had known for a while that she was dying. But she kept it from us until the last moment. I was quite angry, confused and worried at that time."

  Anika gently squeezed his hands around her waist in reassurance.

  "My grandmother passed away three months after we had returned for good. She had told me several times that she had a lot of confidence in me about being able to run the Singham Estate and to take care of the people within. But I wasn't quite sure."

  Anika's heart went out to him as she thought about how he must have been grieving, but at the same time he had to deal with such huge responsibility.

  "How did people react to you taking over?" she asked.

  "Not good," he replied with a self-depreciating laugh. "I increased the profits of the manufacturing units, planted drought resistant crops, and did everything I could to keep the people from starving. But it took me close to two years to prove that I was capable of leading them effectively. And that was only after I shot down a group of violent Prajapatis who had attacked us."

  She listened as he told her how he had wanted to avoid violence at first, but then when the Prajapatis were repeatedly taking advantage of the fact, he had to ultimately resort to violence.

  "What about Dev? How did he handle the transition and the violence?"

  He scoffed. "Like a duck to the water. He hated the Prajapatis intensely and wanted to wipe them away from the face of the earth. Most of my time went in trying to keep him out of trouble."

  Anika frowned. "But he is friendly towards me."

  "I know. I was surprised too."

  Abhay told her about the construction of new units within the province that would keep Dev busy along with most of the Singham and Prajapati people.

  It began to get dark outside.

  "Do we have to leave?" she asked softly.

  "Yes," he said with regret on his face. "It's not safe here for long. But I promise, we can come back here anytime you want to."

  She smiled. "I'll be taking you up on that offer soon," she said.

  Packing up everything, they headed home.

  CHAPTER 30

  Anika was in the clinic checking some information on the computer when the phone rang. She answered the call with a silly smile on her face.

  “Tonight. I’m taking you out for dinner. Be ready by six.”

  A month or so ago, if Abhay had said those words in that tone, she would have either been terrified or annoyed. But knowing what she did about him, she accepted the fact he wasn’t the sweetly romantic type who whispered poetry or bought her flowers. For some reason, she had always thought she would be more attracted to a sensitive guy who wasn't afraid to show his feelings to the world. Surprisingly, she was more than happy with Abhay's private display of showing he cared.

  “Hello, to you, too, Mr. Singham. Where are you taking me for dinner?”

  “To the city. There is a good restaurant I know you’d enjoy.”

  Her heartbeat sped up. This was the first time after their marriage that she’d be stepping out of the Singham Estate. “Okay. I’ll see what I can wear within my existing wardrobe.”

  “Six sharp, or I’m taking you out in your towel or whatever you are wearing at that time.”

  She laughed. “Okay. Okay. I’ll be ready, Mr. Romantic.”

  There was a moment of silence. “Maybe I’d actually prefer if you were in your towel at six,” he said in a husky tone.

  She laughed again. Ever since she had lost her virginity to him at the lakehouse a few weeks ago, it almost felt like the gates to the dam were opened. He couldn't seem to keep his hands off her whenever he came home.

  She felt the same way. The fact that he was willing to take a break from their marathon and take her out for dinner melted her heart. “I'll be waiting downstairs, Mr. Singham. You'll have to pick me up for a date from the doorstep, not the bedroom.”

  “We'll see—” He broke off in mid-sentence, and she could hear another man speaking to him. She couldn't hear what was being said, but the tone seemed urgent. “Anika, I've got to go. I'll come home soon. Bye.” The call ended abruptly.

  Placing the phone down, she continued with the experiment while excitement about their upcoming date made her work faster.

  Her computer beeped, and her face lit up seeing the computer screen.

  Unknown: All good.

  Unknown: Going off the grid as a precaution.

  Anika let out a deep sigh. Her life was finally turning around.

  *****

  Two hours later, thirty minutes before six o’clock, she was still struggling with what to wear.

  She had never been on a proper date before. Sure, she had been on friendly dates with a close acquaintance or even some of her classmates, but never on a romantic date. She didn't know whether she should dress up to seduce or dress down casually. Abhay hadn't given her enough information of what kind of place he would be taking her to. Apart from 'you will enjoy it' and that the restaurant was in the city, she had nothing.

  Jeans might make her underdressed if they were to go to a fancy place. A cocktail dress might be too much for a simple unassuming place with good food. So taking a wild guess, she picked
a simple calf-length skirt with a top that had ethnic work within. It wasn't too dressy or casual.

  The entire household was excited as she headed down the stairs. Malini let out a low whistle. She smiled at everyone who gave her approving nods and cheerful grins. The only person who was scowling at her was her husband.

  As soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs, he leaned towards her and spoke softly. “I already regret this date. I rather stay up in our suite for the rest of the night.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Mr. Singham, you promised me a date, and I‘m holding you to that promise.”

  He swept his eyes over her body with an intense look. “You look… nice.”

  “Oh, thank you, you don’t look too bad yourself.” She laughed realizing it was his way of giving her a compliment.

  He led her to a sleek sedan sports car.

  “Are you driving us there?” He always took a driver and a bodyguard whenever he had gone out.

  “It’s a date,” he said simply before closing the door and walking to the other side.

  She smiled running her palm over his thigh.

  “I'm barely hanging on by the thread as it is. If you touch me like that, I’m going to pull over and take you right here in the car while my security wonders what we are doing.”

  “Okay, no touching when you are driving. I get it.” She laughed turning to look at the four cars following them.

  “Keep your hands to yourself, Dr. Singham. We’ll pick this up when we get back.”

  “Or we can spend the night wherever we are going?”

  “No, it’s not safe.”

  “I see.”

  He turned towards her for a brief second and saw the disappointed look on her face. “I know you’d rather have this date end the way we both want, Anika, but I can’t take a risk with your security.”

  She sighed. “I understand.” She leaned over to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Are you going to tell me where we are going?”

  “A surprise.”

  She was quiet with a smile on her face.

  When she didn't say anything, he turned to look at her briefly. “Why are you looking at me like that?”.

  “Because I have every right to do so. You are my husband, and I think I find you… cute.”

  “Cute?”

  “Yes, I find you cute sometimes, Mr. Singham.”

  She laughed at his expression.

  Two hours later, he pulled in front of a lavish hotel entrance. He held the door open as she got out of the car. He placed his arm around her waist, pulling her closer as they walked through the massive entryway of the hotel towards the restaurant.

  Just as they were being directed to their table, she heard a man’s voice calling. “Mr. Singham.”

  “Dr. Mani,” Abhay turned to walk to a table to the far right and pulled Anika with him.

  “Good to see you, Mr. Singham. What a pleasant surprise.” The man looked to be in his forties.

  “Anika, this is Dr. Mani. Dr. Mani, this is my wife.” Abhay smiled politely.

  “Oh, Dr. Singham. It is my pleasure to meet you. Mr. Singham and I discussed how to scale your online treatment model. Nice work you have done in a short time.”

  She was surprised Abhay had discussed her approach with someone else and hadn’t dismissed it as nothing. “Thank you! We can use all the help we can get.”

  “Absolutely!” said Dr. Mani.. “I won’t keep you longer. Please continue.”

  “Thank you.” She shook Dr. Mani's hand with a smile and then let Abhay lead her to their table.

  “I’m starving. What's good at this place.” She asked eagerly as she looked at the menu.

  “Let' get drinks first,” he said as he put the drinks menu in front of her.

  “Ohh. Are your trying to get me drunk Mr. Singham?" she asked in a coy tone.

  He smiled. "Maybe."

  She laughed and began checking the menu. When she made up her mind, she looked up from the menu, and realized Abhay was watching her with a tensed look.

  Frowning, she realized he was not watching her, but something behind her. She turned and saw Ravi making some kind of gestures from the entrance.

  “We need to leave, now,” he stated, getting up quickly, and taking her by her arm.

  “Abhay, is everything okay?”

  “No, we need to get out of here.” he led her through the back door and avoided the entrance.

  “Your car?”

  “Just keep walking.” He instructed, making her break into a run in her heels.

  She wasn’t sure of what was happening, but something about Abhay’s tensed look made her follow his instructions.

  They walked through the restaurant kitchen with Ravi following her.

  “Where is he?” Abhay asked in a chilling voice.

  “Right outside the door.”

  “Bring my car around.” He tossed his car key to Ravi, before holding her hand again and pulling her along. He pushed open the double doors and all his men who had followed them in the other cars were standing together.

  “Who threatened my wife?” He demanded softly, walking towards the center of the group. She watched as he led her past his men towards a man who was on his knees tied up and beaten badly.

  “Singham, please.” The man’s voice was barely audible.

  “Who sent you?" Abhay asked again.

  The man shook his head.

  "Last chance. Give me the name."

  The man continued shaking his head.

  "Who?" Abhay kicked the man in his stomach.

  The man screamed and then coughed, but did not speak.

  Ravi handed Abhay a long butcher knife. “Who?”

  There was visible fear in the injured man's face, but he still kept shaking his head. "If I tell you, I'm a dead man anyway."

  “Your death will serve as a reminder for anyone who even thinks about hurting my wife.” he snarled as he slit through the man’s throat.

  Anika gasped at the bloody sight in front of her but did not move.

  She looked at Abhay after he kicked the dying man away from him and turned to look at her. He looked the same as he always did. So far she had seen him kill twice and both the times, he hadn’t shown any reaction on his face. He was like a cold monster, devoid of any soft emotions when he took a life.

  “Let’s go,” he said, wiping away the blood on his hands to a piece of cloth handed over to him.

  The car was bought closer and they got in without another word.

  She looked at him as he drove them back. His jaw was clenched and there was a tense silence in the car.

  Slowly, she loosened her seatbelt and leaned towards him.

  She kissed him softly on his cheek and laid a comforting hand on his lap. She spent rest of the journey leaning her head against his shoulder as he drove in silence.

  There was only one thought that ran through her mind repeatedly that night.

  He maybe a monster, but he was her monster, and she loved him…

  CHAPTER 31

  Over the next few days, Abhay tightened the security further. He gave orders to people living in the estate to watch out for any suspicious happenings. Anika didn't press him for another date in the city, instead, she packed meals for them that they had within the estate premises. Apart from the lakehouse, there were plenty of other beautiful picturesque and peaceful locations where they could spend time alone and speak freely to one another.

  Anika made it a point to read Devasena's journals each evening while waiting for Abhay.

  "As a mother, I was accepting of my son's wishes to go against the traditions and follow his heart. But today, as a woman, I'm proud of my son, for going against the norms and marrying the woman he loved, even after what had transpired."

  Through Devasena's eyes, Anika read about Vijay Singham's and Arundhati's marriage, and then about the violence that had taken place during the wedding. Anika's heart broke along with Arundhati's when Abhimanyu Singham was killed during the wed
ding.

  She also read about how Devasena had made Vijay Singham promise her to take his pregnant wife away from the Singham Estate and also to a different country.

  Devasena had written about how over the next ten years, the Prajapatis continued to harbor a grudge for the slight offered towards Neelambari. They kept instigating violence that led the people from the Singham province to first defend and then actively take part in it by attacking back.

  She had tried to calm the Singhams as much as possible, but still a few of them felt they had to do it for the Singham's honor.

  Devasena's journals ended the day before the temple massacre—that killed Abhay's parents and Anika's father—had happened.

  The last entry said, "Today is the day when my Ajay's long-held wish will come true."

  It was the day when Prajapatis and Singhams were to meet to discuss the wedding proposal between Neelambari Prajapati and Ajay Singham.

  *****

  Anika was upset and felt foolish for feeling that way about something that had happened many years ago. Abhay distracted her in many ways. He made passionate love or sometimes sweet love, but he always ended it by making her feel wanted and cherished. He convinced her in every way that he was not going to let their family's past define their relationship.

  Anika knew he was right, and she was determined to find happiness and work towards the marriage not only because Devasena had wanted it, but because she had fallen in love with Abhay Singham.

  CHAPTER 32

  “Seventy rooms… in the house… and you… pick my clinic…” Anika panted the words. She was on top of Abhay who was lying on the cold sterile clinic floor.

  His fingers dug into her hips as he pushed her harder and deeper on top of him, until they both groaned.

  “Abhay… people might be waiting outside…” she gasped, even as she dug her nails into his chest and grinded.

  He groaned and his movements became frantic. “No one will dare… they saw me come here…”