Page 190 of No Boss
“It’s over.” His forehead rested against hers. “You are safe. You’re with me. Nothing else matters.”
His eyes did not leave hers until her sobs eased and her breathing settled. Only then did his hold loosen. Even that looked reluctant.
His arm stayed around her shoulders as he walked her toward her quarters. Possession sat openly in the gesture now.
Nobody looked away.
At the entrance, he stopped and turned her toward him again.
“You do not leave these rooms alone until the wedding. You go anywhere inside this Haveli with someone beside you. You do not step outside the main gates without me.”
Meera met his eyes. “I won’t disappear again.”
“I know.” The answer came instantly. “I’m still not taking that risk.”
Then his voice lowered, meant only for her. “You are my bottom line, Meera.”
The words struck deep. She had no answer for them.
He bent and pressed a kiss to her forehead in front of everyone. No hesitation remained. No restraint.
Then he placed her hand into Gauri’s and stepped back.
Devendra stood a short distance away, watching in silence.
When Abhinav turned toward him, Devendra folded his hands at his waist. A father acknowledging the man who had crossed through darkness to bring his daughter back.
Abhinav returned the gesture once and walked away.
Nothing more passed between them. Nothing needed to.
Devendra had understood from the first moment he saw Meera with him. Abhinav had left through the front gates. Yet he had returned from underground.
No explanation existed inside ordinary logic.
Devendra did not ask for one.
Old stories lived within these walls. Stories older than memory. Stories of the Kuldevi guarding the Anands and those within these grounds in forms no one could fully understand.
A chill passed through him despite the warm night. His eyes moved once toward the temple. Then his head bowed in silent gratitude.
Some truths were not meant to be questioned.
Chapter 35
Gauri moved into action the instant Meera stepped inside.
Her hands reached for Meera’s face, then her shoulders, then her arms, searching if her daughter was hurt.
“Are you cold? Hungry? Thirsty?” Each question came wrapped in care before Meera could answer even one of them.
A shawl settled around her shoulders. A glass of water was placed into her hands. Warm food appeared beside her immediately.
Meera let it happen.
She did not have the strength to refuse care or pretend she was fine. Her body ached from hours stretched too far. Her throat burned from tears. Even holding the glass felt heavier than it should have.
Naina sat close and took her hand carefully. For five full minutes, she asked nothing.
