Page 56 of Born in Ruin

“Exactly!” Ishaan slapped the counter for emphasis. “Also, I don’t want to have sex with random women. Or see these dickhead’s tiny dicks.”

Virat snorted.

“I don’t!” Ishaan insisted. “Not with them! And not with women who are being forced into – “ He looked queasy at the very thought. “Guys, I know this whole infiltrating their group thing was my idea but I don’t want to be ‘initiated’ into their group.” He did the whole air quotes around initiated like a juvenile delinquent.

“Relax.” Virat thumped him on his back. “Your virtue is safe. There is no way they’ll let you in so easily. They’re testing you.”

“Okay.” Ishaan looked at him seriously. “What if I fail?”

“You’re the school topper,” Amay grinned. “How can you fail?”

“I don’t even have my trophy anymore,” Ishaan said mournfully with a pointed, venomous glare at Amay who just grinned wider.

“My team spoke to the girl, Nisha, from the picture,” Virat said thoughtfully, his words dousing their banter like a bucket of ice water on a bonfire. “She’s terrified, won’t say a word to anyone. Almost started crying as she begged them to go away and let her live in peace.”

“Whatever is happening,” Ishaan said grimly. “It’s not consensual.”

“No, it’s not.” Amay agreed, anger darkening his face. “We need to stop it and quickly.”

“They’re probably looking for some sign of loyalty from you,” Virat said thoughtfully, his gaze on Ishaan.

“I’m not having sex with –“

“Of course you’re not, idiot,” Virat sighed. “They probably need you to betray us or something.”

“Okay.” Ishaan looked at the two of them. “How do I do that?”

“So ready to turn on us,” Amay said, grinning.

“We’ll mic you,” Virat said, pulling his phone closer to summon his team.

“No,” Ishaan interrupted. “Let’s not run that risk, not tonight when they’re already looking for a reason to distrust me. We’ll keep that for Alibaug, if I get in there.”

“You have to,” Virat said grimly. “We need the information they’re guarding so closely. Look for their weak link.”

“Parash,” Amay and Ishaan said together. “He always was a weak minded asshole, even at school.”

“I don’t remember him ever doing anything himself,” Virat mused. “He always stood around giggling while the others acted like dicks.”

“His wife wanted to get in my pants,” Ishaan muttered.

“And there’s your weak link,” Amay pointed out. “Get in there, bro.”

“No, thanks bro. Yukhi wouldn’t like it.”

“Yukhi?” Virat and Amay asked together. “Yukhi??”

Ishaan flushed a bright red, his cheeks flaming to make him look like a tomato. “I mean, you know, we are supposedly engaged to be married.”

“Yes, and the DD’s are famed for their fidelity,” Amay said dryly.

“Is this turning real, Ish,” Virat asked, amusement colouring his voice. “Are you, the infamous Ishaan Adajania, falling in love?”

“I don’t love her!” he protested, panic swimming through him. “I hate her.”

“Sure you do.” Amay was grinning like a loon, all thoughts of his precious hospital forgotten.

“I hate you guys too,” Ishaan muttered, feeling like his head would just explode like a volcano.

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