She couldn't get her tongue to function, so she nodded.
“Take this.” Abhay extended his hand to give her a gun.
She hesitated.
Hemant Senani started to cough and spat out blood. His face was a bloody mess due to his broken nose. “I was having fun with your wife, Singham,” he taunted. “A real hot little piece who likes it rough. Her cunt is still tight even though you must be regularly fucking her. Maybe that’s why she couldn’t get enough of me because I have a bigger cock.”
Anika felt conflicting emotions within her. She did feel violated by the man in front of her who had every intention of raping her and was still taunting her and Abhay, but she couldn't take a life.
She clenched her hands waiting for some kind of instincts to kick in. Natural instincts that will tell her whether or not to take a life.
“Take the gun, Anika,” Abhay repeated with a dead calm tone.
“I-I can’t,” she said. “I can’t kill someone.”
“It’s not just someone, Anika,” he said in a rational tone. “It’s a fucker who dared to touch you and is taunting you again. I’m giving you a chance to take your own revenge.”
When she stood frozen, the man on the floor laughed. “You know why she's hesitating, Singham? Because she loved being fucked by a real man. Give her a choice, and she'll let me go. Right, sweetheart? We had fun didn't we? Loved how you sucked my cock. I'm looking forward to a lifetime of more fun with you.”
“Anika!” Abhay snapped at her.
“Abhay…” she whispered, wanting to badly tell him no again, but something in his eyes stopped her.
Abhay looked at her with a calm look. “This man is yours to do what you want,” he growled. “But remember, whatever you choose, it’ll be your choice for life.”
Tears fell down her eyes as she trembled, staring at the gun. She understood what he was doing. He had found out about her attempt to escape. He was giving her a choice between choosing to pick his way of life or return to her old life.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then opening her eyes, she took the gun carefully from Abhay’s hand and pointed it at the man on the floor.
The man leered. “Ah, is this the part where I’m supposed to be begging for my life?”
Leaning down, she placed the gun to the Senani man’s head, and then taking another deep breath, she pulled the trigger.
CHAPTER 36
She sat quietly next to Abhay as the car headed home. She was too exhausted, and there were too many emotions to process right then. So she didn’t process any of them—she let herself stay numb and embraced the silence. She pulled his shirt closer around her breathing in his beautiful masculinity.
As soon as they reached home, she asked for Ravi’s wife. “She’s with him at the hospital in the city,” Abhay replied gravely.
Her heart jumped with hope. “He’s alive?”
He nodded. “Yes. They are operating on him, and we were told there is a chance he might make it.”
Anika prayed fervently that he did. She felt another wave of guilt consume her.
“Let’s go inside and talk,” he said as he led them towards their suite. He wrapped his arm around her shielding her from curious and concerned glances.
She felt even guiltier seeing the worry on some of those faces.
As soon as they entered, he took her towards the bathroom. “Do you want a quick shower or a bath?” he asked. His voice was matter of fact while his face was devoid of any emotion, almost as though he knew she was hanging by a thread, and he had to be the one to take charge.
“Shower.” She wanted to get the stench of blood and gunpowder away from her body.
Immediately, he began removing her clothes, but his touch was impersonal like that of a doctor. He pushed aside his shirt and then her ripped clothes and turned on the shower. “I’ll be waiting in the other room if you need me,” he said before striding out.
He was almost at the door, when she whispered. “Abhay…”
He stopped. His shoulders became rigid, and his entire body tensed.
“Please, don’t leave. I need you,” she said. When he turned towards her with a face that held no expression, she stretched an arm. “I want you to help me forget that an animal held me. I feel so dirty inside and out.”
Finally, there was an expression on his face.
Rage.
He strode towards her and he held her. “That animal is dead. You killed him, remember? Nothing can ever soil you. You will remain pure inside and out even if hundreds of such animals dared to touch you in any way.”
She felt tears of gratitude well up in her eyes as she heard him. “I wasn’t raped. He was taunting you to think otherwise.”
His body shuddered in relief. Her shaking hands reached up and began to unfasten his clothes. He let her lead him into the shower.
Despite his anger and hurt, he gently began to soap her and held her under the water washing away the blood. She did the same with him, until the floor was clear of all traces of blood.
Turning off the shower, he grabbed a towel and dried them. He wrapped one around her and led her into the room towards the nook where food was placed. “You must be hungry. Eat before you rest,” he advised.
She stopped and held his eyes. “I don’t need food. I need you,” she said.
When he didn't respond, she dropped the towel around her and moved towards him. Then holding his face with a firm grip, she pulled him close and crashed their lips together.
She kissed him with urgency until she heard a growl emitting deep within him as he allowed his instincts to take over. He picked her up and took her to their bed.
Before he could climb on top of her, she placed a hand on his chest and pushed him. He paused, scanning her face, and he slowly lay next to her pulling her on top of him.
She didn’t wait for any preliminaries. She joined them together with a savageness that shocked her. She moved over him with an aggression that began filling her entire body, consuming her, and making her feel alive.
He was similarly affected, but he let her lead. Only when they found their mutual release, did he take over. Not giving her enough time to even catch her breath, he flipped them over and he began to kiss her. He lingered over every bruise and kissed away the horrible moments of that day.
She let herself go as he took her over the edge repeatedly through the rest of the night.
CHAPTER 37
The next morning when she woke up, he wasn't next to her. He was already dressed. He was sitting on a chair facing the bed, watching her with steepled fingers.
“Abhay…” She called out his name, hoping to have him greet her the same way as the last few weeks.
“Why didn’t you tell me everything about your family?” he asked.
She was feeling regret about the same thing. But before she could say anything, he asked her the question she had been dreading.
“Did you really have any intention of asking your parents or sister to visit you here?”
She took a shuddering breath before answering him with truth. “No… I didn’t want them involved in this world.”
He flinched ever so slightly. “I see.”
Even though it wasn't obvious, she saw the hurt look on his face, and went closer to him. “Abhay that was much before. I was worried for their safety and didn’t want to take any chances then.”
He looked at her quietly. “You don’t have to worry about your family anymore. I’ve contacted your aunt this morning and warned her clearly. I told her if I saw a Prajapati anywhere close to your family or friends, it would end badly for them.”
Before she could thank him and feel immense relief, he continued speaking in a monotone that worried her. “I’ve also contacted a few people in San Francisco. They will provide protection to you and your family, until you are all completely at ease.”
Her heart stopped. ”What do you mean protection to me in San Francisco?”
He didn’t r
eply immediately.
“I think it’s best if you go back to your life. You don’t belong here. This violence, and the feud, it might continue for decades and a few more generations together.”
She shook her head. “No! You gave me a choice last night. And I made it already. I want to be here with you.”
She could see a flash of regret passing on his face. “I know. I shouldn’t have made you take a life.”
Panic raced through her body as she went towards him. “I don’t care that I killed that man. He deserved it. I want you to stop trying to push me away.”
“The man you were supposed to meet yesterday is downstairs waiting for you. He will accompany you to the States where the rest of your family is waiting for you.”
“Abhay, stop.”
“Anika, what we had between us was good, but it’s over now. I can’t risk your life anymore. And neither can I cage you to keep you safe. You felt that way, too, yesterday. So please… go. Go back to your family.”
“I love you!” she said frantically and saw him flinch. “I want to be with you, Abhay. Don’t push me away.”
He looked at her calmly. “My life is dedicated to my people. You already know I can’t stop doing what I can to bring peace to this land. Please don’t make this hard for both of us.”
Her lips trembled as she heard his words of rejection. “Please…” she begged collapsing on her knees in front of him.
Taking a deep breath, he held her face gently and then, he let go, and walked out of the room and also her life.
CHAPTER 38
“Anika?”
A man’s voice sliced through her concentration. Anika looked towards the door at Nathan who was watching her with concern on his face.
“It’s almost eight, Anika. You even skipped lunch. You only ate fruit all day. I grabbed a quick dinner for you in case you are too tired to stop somewhere or cook.”
Anika nodded. “Thanks, Nathan.” She mechanically placed the food next to her.
She went back to her work, but Nathan remained standing. “Do you need a ride home tonight? You look really tired. You’ve been working nearly fifteen hours each day the last two weeks.”
Anika threw him a small smile. “No, I’m good. You know I need to get this done tonight.”
“I know,” he said. There was sadness in his voice. “I’ll see you tomorrow then? At your place around noon?”
“Yup.”
“I’ll pick up something for lunch,” he offered.
“No need. I’ll order in for us.”
He nodded and left her office.
Anika continued to work the rest of the night until she could finally wrapped up and called it a day.
As soon as she entered her apartment, her eyes fell on the blinking red light of the phone. She rushed towards it and played the messages.
“Anika, Dad and I are coming at nine. Let me know if you want me to bring something.”
She played the next message.
“Ann, Mom is trying to reach you. As usual, she is harassing me when she isn’t able to get hold of you.” There was laughter in her sister’s voice. “Anyway, Justin and I will come to your place at eleven. We are bringing lunch, so don’t bother cooking or picking up anything.”
There were no other messages since that morning when she had last heard them.
Anika felt a keen disappointment and also anger. She furiously wiped her tears away and went towards her bedroom to change. She had to catch some sleep before she prepared to spend the day with her family and Nathan.
*****
The next morning she woke up at eight and began to get ready for the day. She caught the sight of her reflection while she stood in front of the vanity mirror about to throw on some makeup.
Her face looked pale and gaunt with dark circles around her eyes. She had lost a significant amount of weight over the last two weeks. She barely ate, and what little food she tried to eat, didn’t sit well.
She tried to cover up the dark circles with concealer to avoid the worried fussing from her mom. Just as she was about to put the finishing touches, she heard the doorbell ring.
She straightened her dress that flattered her rather than show how much weight she had lost. Then giving herself one final look, she went towards the door.
Hurriedly, she dragged the door open with a welcoming smile. Her smile froze.
Standing in front of her looking larger than life was Abhay Singham, her husband.
“May I come in?” he asked while his eyes swept over her face taking in each and every detail.
Anger rushed through her when she saw worry written on his face. She stepped aside to let him in and closed the door shut.
“Anika, how are you—”
She swung her arm and slapped him.
His face whipped to the side with the force of it. Slowly he turned towards her again. “Anika—”
She slapped him on his other cheek.
His eyes flared. “Anika listen—”
She raised her hand to slap once again, but this time he held her hand. He pulled the other free hand as well and held her close. She began hissing and struggling.
“Can you stop and listen for a minute!” he demanded.
“You pushed me away!” she shouted. “I begged, but you still threw me out!”
He flinched. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“Screw your sorry and shove it up your ass!” she hissed. She saw the shock on his face at her crude words.
He blanked his expression, before trying once again. “I’m sorry—”
She began struggling once again. “I told you I don’t want your shitty sorry.”
He growled and then picked her up and pushed her against the wall before kissing her hard. She struggled against him letting out angry muffled noises as he continued to kiss her. She bit him, but he still didn’t let go. He kept kissing until her mouth softened, and she began kissing him back.
He finally pulled away when she went completely silent. He wiped away the tears she didn’t realize she had shed during their kiss.
“You sent me away,” she whispered through a blur as more tears welled up in her eyes.
“I know,” he replied softly. This time he didn’t add that he was sorry. “I won’t do it again,” he said instead.
The doorbell rang interrupting their reunion.
Abhay frowned. “Are you expecting someone?” he asked.
“Yes. My parents, Myra, and Nathan.”
“I see.”
She smiled. “No, you don’t,” she said, before moving away from him and wiping away the remnant tears from her face and answering the door.
“Anika! My baby!” Her petite mom pulled her towards her to hug her and held her in a death grip.
“Subadra, you’ll choke our daughter. Let her lose, will you.” Her stepdad laughed in amusement.
“My baby is leaving me, Jignesh Patel!”
Her mom held her hand and strode into the house and abruptly stopped short.
Anika’s parents stared at the tall, elegantly dressed muscular man waiting in their daughter’s living room. Anika’s mom’s eyes kept swinging between the man’s impassive face to her daughter’s. As soon as she saw the tear tracks on Anika’s face along with the now visible dark circles, her eyes narrowed.
“Mom… easy,” said Anika, letting out a laugh.
“So… you are Abhay Singham…” Her mom’s voice drawled.
Anika was both amused and horrified listening to her mom speaking to Abhay in that tone. Back in Singham Estate, he was treated like an undisputable god. He laid down the law, and he was the law, but right here, he had to first deal with an angry wife and then an angry mother-in-law who was ready to scratch his eyes out for daring to make her precious daughter cry.
“Yes, Mrs. Patel. I am Anika’s husband,” he answered politely using his crisp British accent.
Her mom’s expression flickered. Anika stifled another laugh. She knew her mom was a sucker for Briti
sh accents. During her childhood, Myra and she were forced to watch hundreds of romantic movies with British actors. One of the reasons why Yashwant Prajapati was able to sweep her mother away within months of meeting her was due to his British accent acquired during his studies in London.
“But… I was told that you live in a brutal place where there are no laws…” Her mom’s words were hesitant.
Abhay’s handsome face was still impassive. “Yes, Mrs. Patel. What you were told is all true.”
Her mother shook her head slightly and took a deep breath. “Why are you here, Mr. Singham?”
Abhay’s eyes fell on his Anika. “I’m here to take my wife home. That is,, if she’ll have me back.”
Anika's mother frowned and looked confused. “But she—”
“Mom,” Anika interrupted her mother, still keeping her eyes on Abhay.
“Why should I come back?” she asked him. “What's stopping you from sending me away again? Everything is still the same back home.”
Abhay eyes flickered with emotion. “I know, but I can promise you that I'll do everything to keep you safe.”
Anika's face softened. “I don't need you to always protect me, Abhay. I know how to take care of myself.”
“I know that. That's why I want you back, and also because I'm selfish enough to always want you with me.”
“Why?” she asked.
He took a deep breath, and let his face show what he felt. “Because without you… it feels as though I'm not living. I'm simply surviving. I need my life back.”
Tears freely ran down from Anika's eyes as she heard those words from her usually gruff husband.
“Go kiss him, you fool,” her mother's obviously choked-up voice snapped.
Laughing softly, Anika ran to Abhay and crashed into him in a hug. She cried out all her loneliness she had felt during their separation. He held her gently, running his hand down her hair comforting her.
Soon, the rest of the guests arrived, and Anika introduced Abhay to everyone.
Myra mouthed a silent “wow” to her when she saw and spoke with Abhay with awe on her face. Anika laughed and felt happy and excited to show Abhay a part of her life.
Bound by Revenge (The Singham Bloodlines) Page 18