“As of now, we have all the approvals to begin the work starting next week.” A well-dressed man sat opposite to Abhay and Dev in the boardroom of their company headquarters.

“That's good, Tiwari. You can discuss the details with Dev. He will be managing the new units as well.”

Tiwari nodded. “Thanks, Abhay,” he said and then picked up the folder in front of him before leaving the room.

As soon as the door shut with a soft click, Dev groaned. “Three more units? Are you trying to kill me? With what I have now, I barely get to visit home with all this work.”

“These units are critical for our people. They are the primary source of proper employment.”

Dev frowned. “I know that. But what I don't understand is why the fuck we can't have other qualified people take care of these manufacturing units aside from me? You know I want to be home more often and take care of the problems there.”

Abhay didn't respond. He watched Dev as he got up from the chair to go towards the area where some of the drinks were kept.

He knew he was working Dev pretty hard, but he had no other choice. Dev was a hothead, and he was bloodthirsty when it came to dealing with the feud. Whenever he was home and tackled with some of the issues, it always ended in bloody carnage.

It wasn't like Abhay didn't shed blood or kill. But he only did it when he absolutely had to—not for the pleasure of it.

“What are the Senanis up to now?” Dev asked, pouring scotch into two crystal glasses.

“The usual,” Abhay replied, not offering any details.

“Why are we putting up with their crap? It’ll take us one sweeping attack to take them down,” Dev remarked, and Abhay knew there was some truth to it in the short term. The short-term solution was not his goal—he wanted to regain peace to the region so it would last forever.

Dev continued when Abhay did not respond, “You know we have a hundred percent chance of taking them down with Ravi and rest of the men back.” One of Abhay’s key players and bodyguard had parted from the Singham’s when he found out about the alliance with the Prajapatis. They returned after they had heard about what Anika was doing and also after the barn incident.

 “We just need to take one of the Senani brothers. Hemant Senani must go.”

“Dev, don’t forget they are our relatives.”

“Bullshit, they don’t care. Look what they did to the barn,” Dev retorted.

“The man who did it is dead. The day I find out the brothers have also been involved directly in our business, I will deal with them.”

“That’s more I like it.”“Did you attend the Randheep Trust Fund meeting?”

“Yes.” Dev took a shot from one of the glasses. “The profits are up again. If Randheep was alive, he'd be one rich kid.” He poured some more amber liquid into the glass and shot it down again.

It was barely five in the evening.

Abhay saw the shadows in Dev's eyes when he spoke of Randheep. He knew that even though Dev was only seven when it happened, the past still haunted him and affected him very strongly.

“Is everything okay with our other neighbors? Or is the bitch and her goons still wreaking havoc within our lands?” Dev asked with a sneer, twirling his glass in agitation.

“Dev.”

“What? I just wanted to know. I should have killed her when I had the chance. Now, unfortunately you are married to her cousin.”

“We are in peaceful terms with the Prajapatis. I don't want you involved in anything without checking with me first.”

“Okay, fine.” Dev took another shot. “Enough about the devil, let's talk about your angel instead. So tell me big bro, how is married life treating you?”

Abhay sat back in the chair, watching the city view outside their high-rise building. “As expected,” he replied calmly.

Dev laughed. “Really? Is that why you were hurrying the talks this past week? Because you want to get back to your boring predictable marriage?”

Abhay didn't respond, but that didn't deter Dev. “Oh, come on. People at the Singham Estate are waiting with bated breath for several little baby Abhay Singhams to run around the mansion halls. Although personally, I rather have pretty little nieces who look like Anika.”

Abhay didn't comment. Before Dev could say anything, they were interrupted by a knock. “Dev, Miss Tia Mathur is here to see you.”

Dev groaned. He placed the glass on the counter and stood up straight. “Tell her I'll be there in a few minutes.”

As soon as Dev's assistant left, Abhay frowned. “You are drunk tonight. Are you driving?”

“I'm not drunk,” said Dev with a mock offended look. “And besides the lovely Miss Mathur is going to be driving.” He shrugged on an evening jacket that was lying on one of the chairs. “Heard she might win the best actress award tonight. If she does, then we’d be celebrating until late. Don't wait up for me.” He winked and grinned.

A week ago, it had been a tennis star. Before that, a socialite. Each month there was a different woman.

Abhay watched as his brother brushed his hair back with his fingers and popped in a piece of chewing gum.

“I don't care how late you are out, but I expect you to be there at the site tomorrow morning by eight.”

Dev groaned. “Eight! It's a freaking Sunday tomorrow for god's sake.”

“Eight sharp, Dev.” His tone implied no arguments.

“Fine,” Dev grumbled, and left the room.

Getting up from the chair, Abhay poured himself a drink.

He took a big sip and closing his eyes, he let himself feel the searing trail of fire burn from his throat to his stomach. The slow burn within reminded him of his wife—the wife he hadn't even wanted in the first place.

Anika Prajapati was one of his sacrifices. Even though he had hated the very idea of marrying her because of their family’s history, he still went ahead because of a long-held promise.

When he had married her, he was sure he would loathe her. He had even braced himself to a hate-filled marriage that would bind him for an eternity.

However, his wife turned out to be an enigma. She was terrified of him and hated him. Yet, right from the beginning, she spent her days helping his people even though she didn't really have to. At first, he had felt suspicious, but observing her over the past few weeks, he realized she was being genuine.

She wasn't even close to being the woman he had imagined. When Neelambari Prajapati had sent him the proposal of marrying her older niece, he was not surprised. The only thing he knew at that point was that she lived somewhere abroad. Neelambari had spoken to him and told him about how her niece fantasized about marrying someone who was handsome, rich, and influential such as him. He knew it wasn't just his ego that made him believe her. At that point, he had already met a lot of women who had similar aspirations and had wanted to become Mrs. Abhay Singham.

But the only difference with Anika was that she had the Prajapati blood to qualify as his potential bride. The only other woman who had that qualification was Sabitha Prajapati, but he knew that even considering Sabitha as a potential bride would make Dev go on a rampage.

That ultimately led to Anika Prajapati being his bride.

He knew as soon as Anika saw the violence in front of the temple, she must have realized the harsh realities of marrying a man such as him. She had wanted to back away.

At that time, he was barely managing to maintain peace between the Prajapatis and Singhams, and he knew that if she backed out on the marriage, it would end in bloodshed. He had been pissed and angry that she would even try to do so when she gave her word. She had no choice, but to be his wife. They were bound by a promise that would tie them together until death because he did not believe in divorce.

He had tried to give her more time, ignoring her initially, but it only left him frustrated and aching. He did not believe in cheating. And because of that, he recalled how each night he had to jerk off in the shower imagining his wife's face and body before laying next to her on their bed. He hadn't trusted himself not to roll over and take her like he craved whether she was willing or not.

Slowly and steadily, she was getting under his skin. He was becoming obsessed about wanting to see her smile or just watch her as she slept. He even enjoyed their little talks when she spoke about her day and his people. Sometimes she pushed him hard, challenging his authority. Instead of pissing him off, it only made him crave her more.

He recalled how she had looked and felt when he kissed her before leaving for the city. That particular scene ran in his mind over the last four nights, leaving him even more restless. He distinctly recalled how she had arched towards him and wanted his touch. She had looked disappointed when he had told her he was leaving.

She's mine, and she wants me.

With that thought, a fire restarted inside his body, and this time it threatened to turn into an inferno.

He made a call on his phone. “Bhalla, get the car ready. We are going home tonight.”

“But, Abhay. You are supposed to meet the ministers for dinner at nine.”

“Make the necessary calls and cancel it. I want to be home tonight.”

Abhay ended the call as his heart beat faster in anticipation.

He was going to claim his wife tonight.