Nimisha stood, her spine straight, her expression carefully neutral. "Is there anything else, Mr. Ranawat?"
The formal address made his jaw clench. "No."
She turned to leave.
"Nimisha."
She paused at the door, not looking back. "Yes?"
"Be careful. Please."
The please surprised her. She glanced over her shoulder, but his expression had already shuttered, all walls back in place.
"I'm always careful," she said quietly, and left.
In the hallway, she leaned against the wall and exhaled slowly.
Security detail. Because she might be useful as leverage.
Not because she mattered to him. Never that.
A warm presence beside her made her open her eyes.
Bruno.
"You're supposed to be with your master," she said.
The dog sat, utterly unconcerned with what he was supposed to do.
"He's going to kill me for stealing his dog's affection."
Bruno's expression suggested Samarth could try.
Despite everything, Nimisha smiled. "You're a terrible influence, Boo Berry."
The dog's tail wagged once.
"Come on. Let's go raid the kitchen before anyone notices we're both supposed to be elsewhere."
They walked together through the quiet hallways, a woman and a demon dog, both trapped in a house that didn't quite feel like home.
But at least they had each other.
Evening - Samarth's Private Study
Samarth stood at the window, nursing a whiskey, his mind churning.
"Boss, you wanted to see me?" Abhay entered without knocking.
"The Rajput situation. I want it handled."
"Already on it. We're tracking their movements, identifying weak points."
"I want his head on my desk by Friday."
"Consider it done." Abhay paused. "What about Mrs. Ranawat?"
"What about her?"
