Page 21 of The Redemption
Siya exhales, clearly annoyed. “Tell Samarjeet I’m occupied.”
The mention of that name,Samarjeet Vardhaan, her brother and my former rival, sours my expressions. Siya was watching me when she said it. To see if the name provoked a reaction. It did. But just not in the way she expects.
Michael steps further into her path, just enough to block her this time. I don’t like that, and I definitely don’t like the way hespeaks to her.This man will die in my hands if he does that again.
“I think you’re forgetting the condition under which you were sent here,” he says, his tone carrying a note of warning. “If you ignore Boss’s calls and messages, this vacation ends.”
I thought so. Siya Vardhaan is here under watch, bound by her brother’s terms, not entirely free.
Her eyes turn cold, the hint of playfulness in them gone in an instant. “I don’t need a bloody reminder, Michael. Now move out of my way.”
He hesitates for a second before obeying as Siya turns to leave.
“Rogan,” I shout as she walks past him without another glance.
Siya stops and turns around to meet my eyes again. For a brief second, even Michael looks confused, as if he cannot understand why a single word from me was enough to make her pause. I don’t spare him a glance, though and keep my gaze fixed on this Cinderella. She might look like something meant to be protected, but there’s nothing helpless about her. She commands her wolves with confidence and without fear.
“His name is Rogan,” I add.
She simply smirks in response, before turning away again and walking out of the arena.
SIYA
I enter my suite and close the door behind me.
Rogan.
God, I love that name. But it wasn’t the horse that held my gaze. It was the man taming him. I have grown up aroundhorses. So I can understand Rogan was not an easy stallion. Taming a creature like that requires more than just strength. It takes patience, instinct, and an unshakable will.
I hadn’t meant to walk into the restricted section of the estate. I was simply exploring the place. But then I sawhimand forgot everything else. I don’t get impressed by men easily, and I certainly don’t stand there and admire them up close. That is not who I am. Yet, today, I did just that.
“Not him, Siya. Not him,” I mutter under my breath as I reach for my phone which I had forgotten in my cottage. The screen lights up with missed calls from Samarjeet. I let out an annoyed sigh and dial him back.
He answers on the second ring.
“Nine missed calls, Samarjeet?” I say coldly, not even bothering to soften the sarcasm in my voice. “Who is holding a knife to your throat that you suddenly need my help to save you?”
I can already imagine him grinding his teeth.
“And tell Michael to stay within his limits if he wants to keep his jaw intact. I’m tired of that man hovering around me like an overfed guard dog, reporting my every move to you every five minutes.”
Samarjeet exhales harshly on the other end. “Will you shut up and listen for once?”
The urgency in his voice makes me straighten instinctively.
“Is Mom alright?” I ask at once.
“Yes, the old woman is fine. I did not call you about her.”
I close my eyes briefly. “That‘old woman’is your mother too. Stop disrespecting her. You know I don’t like it.”
“And I don’t like it when you forget who runs the Vardhaan syndicate now,” he snaps. “It’sme. Not you. And if I’m tolerating your tone, it’s only because you’re my entry ticket to the Southern mafia in India.”
I roll my eyes, even though he can’t see me. “Spare me the strategy lecture. Just tell me why you called.”
There is a pause, then he delivers it plainly.
“Your wedding date is fixed. Twenty-fifth of next month.”
