Page 43 of Commander

The fact I’d gotten the name during a mission when I’d punched a guy three times my size was something he’d never share, so it made me wonder what story he’d weaved for the nickname. That would be something else I’d have to ask him about after I returned.

I growled at him, “One day I’m going to make you pay.”

“Give it your best shot, shorty.”

I almost told him that I’d knocked him on his ass before and would do it again, but stopped myself.

“You two are like siblings. Sometimes I think you’re more his sister than Jaci.” Veer draped his arm around my shoulder. “Too bad for him, you belong to Sam and me. We knew you first, so we get to claim you.”

“Wrong. I knew her before you.” Ashur came up to my other side. “That means she belongs to me.”

His words triggered the memory of how we’d met. I’d come into Kumar Industries to have lunch with my father. I’d run into Ashur as I rushed out of the elevators on Dad’s floor. He’d helped me up and then carried the bags of food I’d brought to the floor’s break room.

He’d charmed me and had asked me out within five minutes. As an eighteen-year-old, I was totally enchanted by the older twenty-three-year-old. It wasn’t until my father had caught us walking down the hall that I realized I’d agreed to a date with the heir apparent of Kumar industries. It hadn’t mattered to me so we began to see each other. Our relationship had gone from casual dating to falling love and planning a future within months.

If it hadn’t been for Minesh Kumar’s interference, we’d have more than likely still been together. Sometimes I missed the naive girl who hadn’t realized love doesn’t conquer all. The old Tara had been so carefree and full of dreams. The kind I couldn’t imagine today. The ones with a thriving law practice, a husband who was head over heels in love with her, a home in suburbia, and at least four children.

“Care to get your hands off my wife?”

Veer dropped his arm and held his hand up. “Married less than a few hours and you’ve become a Neanderthal. Welcome to the club.”

“That’s what we men do when we find our women. It’s ingrained in our DNA,” Tyler added and then fist bumped both Ashur and Veer.

“I’ve got the Three Stooges here…” I rolled my eyes. “Why are you part of this exchange? You’re not even married yet.”

“Yet is the operative word,” Tyler countered.

“So, no luck convincing the pretty UN ambassador you want more than just in her pants?” Veer asked with a grin.

A dark look passed through Tyler’s eyes. “The second she’s back from her assignment, I’m going to lock her in a room and make it very clear where we stand.”

Okay, we couldn’t go there. Not with Ameera being God knew where.

“How the three of you convinced the voters you were progressive on women’s issues is beyond me.”

“There’s a difference between believing in equal pay, reproductive rights, and opportunities and wanting to keep another man’s fingers off my wife.”

I glowered at Ashur, who only grinned and set a hand on the small of my back, pulling me to his side and kissing the top of my head.

My heart skipped a beat. This man was breathtaking when he smiled. The shadows seemed to be lifting, and the tension Ashur walked onto the plane with appeared to have eased.

That was when I realized how genuinely deep the friendship between Tyler, Veer, and Ashur really was and that the silly banter had been deliberate.

If it wouldn’t have pissed off my caveman husband, I’d throw my arms around Veer and Tyler and give them both big kisses.

Aaron the flight attendant spoke from behind us. “Sir, the captain said we are ready to leave as soon as you are.”

“That’s your cue to get lost.” Ashur gestured toward the door and the service stairs. “Don’t start a war before I come back.”

“That’s your job, so don’t worry.” Veer smirked and left with Tyler right behind him.

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