"With all due respect, boss, that's bullshit." Armaan's blunt words made Samarth's eyes narrow dangerously. "Your wife is too beautiful to be walking around unprotected. Every man who sees her wants her. And some of those men are dangerous."
"She knows the rules. She doesn't go anywhere that matters."
"The market matters if someone decides to grab her."
"No one would dare—"
"Rajput would," Abhay interrupted. "If he's planning something, leverage would be valuable. And your wife is the perfect leverage."
Samarth's jaw clenched so hard it ached. "She's not important enough to target."
The words tasted like ash in his mouth.
Both Abhay and Armaan stared at him like he'd lost his mind.
"Boss," Abhay said slowly, "she's yourwife. That makes her important whether you want to admit it or not."
"The marriage is a political arrangement—"
"We've all seen the way you look at her," Armaan cut in. "The way you react when other men notice her. That's not political. That's possessive."
"Watch yourself, Armaan."
"Someone needs to say it." Armaan downed his whiskey. "You can lie to yourself all you want. But don't lie to us. We've known you too long."
Samarth stood abruptly. "This conversation is over. Assign her a security detail. Discreet. She's not to know about it."
"Finally," Abhay muttered.
"And find out who sent that bracelet. I want a name by tomorrow."
"We're working on it."
Samarth left without another word, climbing the stairs back to the legitimate world of Elysium. He spent another hour making appearances, shaking hands, playing the role of successful businessman.
All while his mind churned with thoughts of his wife.
Alone at the market.
Vulnerable.
Beautiful.
Toobeautiful.
By the time he left the club, it was past two in the morning. He should go to his office at the estate, work until dawn like he usually did.
Instead, he found himself driving home, parking in the private garage, and entering through the side entrance that led to the residential wing.
The house was dark and quiet. Everyone asleep.
Except—
Light spilled from beneath the kitchen door.
Samarth approached quietly, pushing the door open.
And stopped.
