Page 37 of A Royal Deception

“This again? I’ve already said sorry, Hukum. There’s nothing more I can do about it.”

“Oh, there’s plenty more you can do, Rani Sa. For starters, you can give me an heir,” he said with a nasty smile, and I realised I was wrong again.

He wasn’t a good man at all. He was a rotten swine.

CHAPTER 15

RANVIJAY

This time, I was sure Shivina was going to swing at me. And at some level, I knew I deserved it. But when she calmed down, I knew she’d recognise it as a brilliant idea.

She was desperate for money. Desperate enough to agree to a vicious deception. And I was desperate for an heir. Desperate enough to agree to marry a harpy like Kavya. Why not help each other out?

I stood still as she marched up to me angrily and swung her arm back. Just before her fist connected with my face, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. That’s when she began to struggle like a demon.

“Let go of me, you monster,” she panted as she tried to punch me with the other hand. I grabbed both her hands and trapped them behind her back. Her back arched as I held her hands tighter, and I tried to ignore the feeling of her full breasts rubbing against my chest with every sobbing breath she took.

“You’re mighty mouthy for a woman who might end up in jail before the night is out,” I said softly.

“I’ll give you mouthy,” she growled, bringing her knee up between us.

She was a menace, I decided as I dodged her knee just in time.

“Stop it, woman. I’m trying to have a business discussion here,” I bit out, dragging her closer, leaving absolutely no space between our bodies. “Just calm down and listen to me.”

She stared at me in disbelief.

“A business discussion? When I’m plastered against your body like a band-aid? Did your mother drop you on your head when you were a baby, Hukum? It would explain a lot,” she said snarkily.

Her beautiful brown eyes shot sparks at me. Sparks of hatred. But as I stared into them mesmerised, I also saw the hatred hiding sparks of desire that I was sure were reflected in my eyes. Something about this woman really set me off. And I had a feeling her sass had as much to do with it as her dangerously curvy body.

“Your sister’s in danger, Rani Sa. Are you sure you want to waste time wrestling with me?”

Her face hardened at the reminder, and Shivina tried to put a bit of distance between us.

When I was sure she wasn’t planning to attack me again, I let go of her hands, and she glared at me as she rubbed her wrists.

“I’m listening,” she said grudgingly.

“It’s a purely business proposition. I need an heir. And you need… money?”

She nodded.

“I’ll do one better. In exchange for an heir, I will provide you with… well, with allthis,” I said, waving a hand around us.

“I don’t want allthis,” she said stubbornly, mimicking my gesture. “All I want is enough money to give my sister a good education and a secure roof over her head.”

“Are you prejudiced against wealth?” I asked carefully.

She shook her head in reply.

“Then maybe you’re the one who was dropped on the head as a baby,” I said dryly. “Who says no to this kind of life?”

“Not everyone aspires to be a Maharani, Your Highness. Especially if we need to trade our bodies for it. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to look elsewhere for a wife.”

“I don’t want a wife,” I snapped.

She looked confused, and I didn’t blame her. I was making a mess of explaining things.

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