Page 52 of The Defiant Wife

VEERAJ

I am beginning to think my family attracts media scandals the same way honey attracts bees.

I sit in one of the conference rooms at the palace, staring at my brothers while Vihaan paces the length of the room like a man moments away from a breakdown.

Honestly, the reaction feels too dramatic."What is with this family and media issues?" Vihaan throws both hands in the air. "Why do you people keep creating work for me?"

I lean back in my chair.Devraj bhai sa presses his lips together, clearly trying not to laugh.I look back at Vihaan.

"You're acting like I committed a crime."

"You practically did."

I sigh.The man is exhausting.

"I didn't know somebody was secretly taking photographs."

"That's not the point."

"Then what is?"

Vihaan stares at me.Then he taps on his tablets screen andslides it across the table toward me. "Look."

I pick it up.

Immediately regretting it.Because there it is.The photograph.The one currently causing everyone to lose their minds.

For a moment I simply stare at it.The image had clearly been taken from a distance.The street lights cast everything in warm gold.Diya stands in front of me wearing the helmet.My hand is gripping the front of it.Pulling her slightly closer.Her face tilted up.Mine tilted down.The angle makes it look far more intimate than it actually was.

Like we're sharing a secret.Like we're moments away from kissing.Like the rest of the world disappeared around us . . . maybe it did but it's not for everyone to know.

I suppress a groan.

"What exactly am I supposed to be looking at?" I ask.

Vihaan makes a sound that can only be described as suffering."Are you blind?"

"No."

"It looks like you're kissing her."

"There is no kissing."

"Your noses are practically touching."

"That's because she got stuck in the helmet."

"Do you hear yourself?"

I rub my forehead.This conversation is lowering my IQ."We were standing close."

"Standing close?" Vihaan repeats. "The grumpiest Shekhawat alive. The man who avoids eye contact with most of society. The same man who barely tolerates people standing within five feet of him. And suddenly he's staring into a woman's eyes in the middle of the night."

I open my mouth.Close it.Then open it again.Nothing comes out.Because unfortunately . . . That sounds worse when he says it out loud.

Vihaan immediately notices. His eyes widen. "Aha."

"There is no aha."