Page 59 of One Hellish Passion

Maya was baffled. Proofs? How?

“Proofs?”

“Yes. And if you don’t believe me, you can ask the security of your apartment to show you the CCTV footage of your father’s entry and exit at sharp 04:00 p.m. on Thursday evening. You will believe that if not me.”

Maya was baffled. She didn’t like this. She remembered Ritu calling her that afternoon and telling her that the medicines were over, so she was going out to get them. Even Pammi aunty had gone to see her friend, which meant her mother was alone for almost an hour that evening. Ranveer could be right. But how did he know?

“You have people keeping an eye on me and my family?”

Ranveer didn’t respond, but his silence spoke volumes. She moved away from him, her back almost glued to the window.

“How dare you, Ranveer Malhotra? You cannot do that. I am not some precious property of yours that you keep guarded. Just ask your men to back off or else—”

Ranveer grabbed her wrist and yanked her forcefully against him, his eyes blazing. Maya found herself trapped against his hard chest. She could feel the heat of his anger radiating from him as he towered over her. His jaw was clenched, his breaths coming harsh and fast. He looked every inch the powerful, dangerous man who controlled half the city - and now, he controlled her too. She felt small and helpless, her slender wrist still imprisoned in his viselike hold. Maya tried to wrench her wrist free, but Ranveer's grip was too strong. She was no match for his strength and fury. Her defiance melted away, replaced by a trickle of fear. She glared up at him defiantly.

“Or else what?” he scowled. “Are you threatening me, Miss. Bajaj?” Maya choked. He stared at her frigidly.

“I don’t like to remind this to you again and again, but without that, you don’t seem to understand. In this deal, I am the one who will dictate what to do and decide what should happen when,” he declared strongly.

Maya felt tears of frustration and rage prick her eyes. But she refused to let them fall, refused to show any more weakness before this man.

“And never talk to me again in that tone,” he added leaving his grip from her wrist.

“Fine,” she snapped, controlling her pitch and tone. “But why have you kept spies on me?”

“That’s because someone is stalking you, and if there is any sort of danger, then my people can protect you.”

Maya hadn’t considered this angle. She never thought he would think so deeply. No wonder he had calculated every bit of the details carefully before playing his turn. Maya pressed her wrist where he had earlier grabbed her. His grip had left marks there. Ranveer's jaw clenched as his eyes fell on the red marks circling Maya's slender wrist. Guilt and remorse churned within him. He had hurt her, lost control. The thought was unbearable. His anger mellowed down, and he tried to touch her wrist again, this time softly, to soothe her. But she shrugged him off, without even looking at him, forget speaking to him.

“Let me see it”, he demanded.

Maya didn’t pay heed to his request. A woman ignoring him was new. And he somehow could not take that, ever.

“I can be very persuasive,” he murmured. “And you definitely don’t want to see that side of mine.” His mouth twitched with a smirk.

What was he doing? Flirting? She looked back at him, straight in his eyes.

“Now who needs a reminder between us?” she asked with authority. “This is a fake alliance. Don’t use your usual flirting tactics on me; none of them would work.”

He smirked. Somehow, he was amazed by her confidence.

“If it's all about reminders then let me prompt you one more thing, Maya. It is nowhere mentioned in the deal that we cannot indulge in each other by our choice if we want to.”

Maya tried to assimilate that information in her mind and looked away from him again.

“I am not going to fall for a womanizer ever. So, you don’t stand a chance.”

Her words once again pricked his ego. But he did not extend that conversation. They were about to reach the racecourse, and he could not wait to see his stepfather and Kunal Malik losing a chunk of money here.

Racecourse

The place was new for Maya, but she was a quick learner. Ranveer introduced her to some of the people there who had put a lot of money on the horses and the race. Ranveer called his chauffeur, who brought the same metallic black suitcase to them. He then handed it to Maya.

“Go and put this money on Horse Number 7,” he commanded.

Maya had no clue why he made her do this work when he could have easily asked anyone else to do it for him. She didn’t question him and took the bag to the counter. She was about to place the bet when someone held her hand and dragged her aside.

“Kunal?” she jerked.

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