Page 111 of The Redemption
This is how power works in the underworld. Not through peace and negotiations, but through terror so absolute that people forget how to breathe in your presence. And right now, every mafia family standing here remembers exactly who I used to be.
This power I hold over these f*cking b*stards here suddenly reminds me of the old times. The Dark Prince never walked into enemy territory unless he was fully prepared to leave it painted in blood. And that reputation still lives on.
Anyone here who so much as reaches for a weapon will be shot dead. But the man I truly want bleeding at my feet tonight isParag Reddy. He can barely remain standing after the bullet I put through his shoulder. Blood soaks through his clothes while his gaze keeps shifting between Siya and me, desperately trying to understand what exactly earned him that bullet tonight.
The answer is simple.
He hurt her back at RK Estate. And I came here to make sure he never forgets the price of that mistake again.
I should kill him for even dreaming of marryingmy woman.But for now,I grab him and shove him hard enough to send him crashing back onto the floor with a groan.
My entire focus then shifts straight to Siya. For a second, the chaos around us fades into the background. All I see is Siya standing in front of me in that maroon bridal lehenga, looking like a vision dangerous enough to bring a man to his knees.F*ck!
My gaze drags over her slowly, almost hungrily, now that she is finally back within my reach. The heavy bridal jewellery glittering against her skin and the deep red dupatta framing her face makes her look even more breathtaking. Stunned disbelief burns in her eyes as she stares at me, like she still cannot process that I’m actually standing in front of here.
She’s too f*cking beautiful.
My fingers flex tightly around the gun again as the urge to pull her against me and kiss her right here crashes through me so hard it almost blurs my thinking.
I want her mouth again.
I want her breath breaking against mine again.
Then my gaze drops to the flower garland still clutched tightly in her hand, the one meant for Parag. Rage crawls up my spine instantly. Because Siya had already placed a garland around my neck once in Shivtara Valley.
That moment meant something to me.And now, she’s standing here dressed as another man’s bride, holding a varmala meant for another man, which further spikes my temper.
Before she can react, I grab the garland, crush the flowers in my grip, and rip it from her hands, flinging it across the lawn with brutal force. Siya jolts at the sudden movement, but before she can utter a word, I grab her wrist tightly and turn towards the mansion exit. Her pulse trembles beneath my grip. She’s still too shocked to even process what’s happening.
And honestly, I can’t blame her. Probably because nothing about this makes sense to her right now. She thought Trisha was taking her away quietly. Instead, I showed up with a full-blown army convoy, exposed my identity to the underworld, shot the groom, and marched into Vardhaan Mansion, nearly destroying half of it.
I don’t give a f*ck! Let them all watch. Let every syndicate present here tonight understand exactly one thing.
Siya is untouchable. She is under my protection now.
Behind us, my men continue locking every perimeter of the estate, while Vardhaan and Reddy’s guards are forced to their knees one after another.
Just as we take a step forward to leave, I hear Samarjeet’s booming voice.
“RAGHAV!”
I turn around, keeping my hold on Siya’s wrist. Samarjeet storms towards us, like a man seconds away from losing whatever little control he has left. Every single one of his guards is on their knees across the lawn, with my guns pressed against their skulls, powerless to help their boss anymore.
For a moment, he just stares at me like he still can’t believe what he’s seeing.
“How the f*ck are you alive?” he demands. “Have you been hiding all this time?”
A humourless smirk tugs at the corner of my mouth.
“Disappointed…” I ask, tilting my head slightly as I watch fear slowly creep into his face. “...or terrified?”
His expression darkens immediately.
“You storm my estate, shoot the groom in the middle of a wedding, and bring an army into my mansion?” he snarls. “What the f*ck do you think you’re doing in Vardhaan territory?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?” I reply, staring straight at him. Then, I deliberately pull Siya closer against my side, my arm locking around her possessively enough for every mafia man standing around us to understand exactly what this is.
A claim.
