Page 98 of Protect my Heart
But he never reaches it.
A gunshot cracks through the air.
BANG.
I jolt. Kabir freezes.
Gaurav screams in pain, holding his arm, blood leaking through his sleeve.
A small smile forms on my lips. Gosh, for a moment I thought he was never going to come out. I look towards the car where Aarav is standing, a gun in his hand, his eyes dark and jaw clenched.
The driver is now standing beside him, holding a gun. Aarav’s own pistol was still aimed at Gaurav. He’s breathing hard, eyeswild, shoulders tight. “Nobody touches my wife,” Aarav growls, voice lower than I’ve ever heard it.
He stumbles back. The driver cocks his gun. Kabir lets me go instantly, backing away like a rat in daylight. He has always been a scaredy-cat; he just doesn’t use his brain and obeys his big brother, even in his wrongdoings. Growing up with these two was very tiring. They treated me like their maid, always bullying me. They even tried to hit me once, but my so-called father saved me and punished them. I was so smug that day; little did I know what was happening behind my back and how evil my father actually was.
Aarav walks toward me. His steps are slow. Deliberate. The look in his eyes would make even the devil beg for mercy.
He stops beside me, his body tense, but his hands gentle as they brush over my bruised arm. His jaw clenches.
Without a word, he raises the gun again and fires—once,twice. Gaurav drops to the ground, howling, blood pooling near his legs.
I flinch. Not because I’m scared. But because it’sAarav—this version of him, silent and furious.
Is he Mafia? I don’t know. Doesn’t matter. Because right now? I’m watching the man I love protect me like I’m sacred. Like I’m the only thing that matters.
And these men—these monsters—have hurt me all my life.
So no, I don’t feel bad. Aarav walks toward Gaurav, who’s still writhing on the ground, and presses the sole of his shoe to his face. He writhes in pain, trying to get away from Aarav but fails.
“You really thought I’d let you hurt my wife?” His voice is dark. Sharp.
Gaurav groans, “How… how did you know?”
Aarav leans down just a little, his eyes gleaming with something dangerous. “Because I know how to stoop to this level when it comes to protecting what’s mine.”
Then he stands straight again, and his gaze finds me.
His voice softens—but it’s no less powerful. “And Anika isn’t just my family.”
He reaches out and takes my hand, careful with the bruise.
“She’s my life.”
CHAPTER 57
AARAV
Gaurav groans from the ground, still clutching his bleeding arm, but his voice is loud enough to cut through the silence. “Where the hell did you come from?” he spits, eyes darting wildly between me and Anika. “We made sure she was alone.”
I smile. Not the polite, charming one I use with aunties and investors. No—this one’s sharp. Cruel. It comes from somewhere dark and personal. “She will never be alone,” I say, stepping closer, “not as long as I’m alive.”
His brows furrow in confusion.
I tilt my head, amused. “I was in the backseat, Gaurav. The whole time.” I glance at Anika. "I heard you calling me a rat, by the way; you might have to make up for that." She rolls her eyes, but I can see her lips twitching.
When we got the message yesterday, I knew whoever was behind this wouldn't let this wedding happen, and it was my plan to call Aunty to our house because I knew there was only one time span where Anika could remain alone and the bastard would try to get to her, so when I came to see if Anika was okay last night, I told her the plan and asked her to act as if she was shit scared. She was against all that, worried about me, but shedoesn't know her husband can fight anyone, God himself, if he has to for her. Reluctantly, she did agree, and I am glad.
"Your acting was mindblowing, baby." I chuckle as she pretends to bow and winks at me.
