chapter 5

Bound by Fate

Chapter 5: Shadows in the Light

The transformation of the Rathore estate into a united front was slow but steady. Kavi’s natural leadership and sharp instincts earned her the respect of Veer’s closest allies, even those who had initially doubted her. Veer watched this shift with a mixture of admiration and pride, though he kept his feelings carefully guarded.

One evening, as Kavi was reviewing shipment details in Veer’s study, he walked in, his expression serious.

“There’s a problem,” he said, dropping a file onto the desk.

Kavi scanned the contents quickly—a series of intercepted messages between rival gangs suggesting an inside job within their organization. The words “Rathores will fall” were scrawled ominously at the end of one note.

“Another traitor?” she asked, her voice calm but firm.

“Looks that way,” Veer replied, sitting across from her. “But this one’s smart. They’re covering their tracks.”

Kavi leaned back, thinking. “We need to lure them out. Give them an opportunity to slip up.”

Veer raised an eyebrow. “You have a plan?”

Kavi smirked. “Always.”

The Setup

The next day, Kavi orchestrated a fake shipment of goods—one that appeared to be lightly guarded and full of high-value items. The goal was simple: tempt the traitor into revealing themselves.

Veer watched her work with quiet fascination. “You know, you’d make a pretty good mafia boss,” he joked.

Kavi didn’t miss a beat. “And you’d make a decent spice merchant. Maybe.”

Despite the danger, the two couldn’t help but share a rare moment of levity, their partnership becoming more seamless with each passing day.

As night fell, Veer and Kavi waited in an unmarked car near the docks, their eyes fixed on the trap they’d set.

“Do you think it’ll work?” Veer asked, breaking the silence.

“It has to,” Kavi replied, gripping the steering wheel. “We can’t let anyone else get hurt because of us.”

Veer looked at her, his expression softening. “You care more than you let on.”

Kavi glanced at him, her eyes meeting his. “Someone has to.”

The Reveal

Hours passed before movement stirred in the shadows. A group of men approached the shipment, their leader gesturing for them to open the crates. Veer’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the man at the front.

“It’s Sameer,” he muttered.

Sameer had been one of Veer’s most trusted lieutenants—a man he’d known for years. The betrayal stung, but Veer pushed the emotion aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Kavi noticed the flicker of pain in his expression. “Are you ready for this?”

Veer nodded, his jaw set. “Let’s finish it.”

At Veer’s signal, his men closed in, surrounding Sameer and his crew. The traitor’s face twisted in anger and fear as he realized he’d been caught.

“You’re making a mistake, Veer,” Sameer snarled. “You think you’re invincible, but your time is coming.”

Veer stepped forward, his voice cold. “The only mistake I made was trusting you.”

Before Sameer could respond, Kavi intervened. “Why did you do it? Was it money? Power?”

Sameer sneered. “You don’t belong here, lady. This is a man’s world.”

Kavi raised an eyebrow. “Funny, considering I just outsmarted you.”

Veer couldn’t suppress a smirk at her comeback, though his tone remained deadly serious. “Take him away,” he ordered his men.

As Sameer was dragged off, Veer turned to Kavi. “You handled that better than I expected.”

Kavi shrugged. “I’ve had plenty of practice dealing with difficult men.”

Veer laughed—a rare, genuine sound that made Kavi’s heart skip a beat.

A Growing Bond

Back at the estate, Veer and Kavi sat in the living room, the adrenaline of the night still coursing through their veins.

“You didn’t have to come with me tonight,” Veer said after a moment.

Kavi looked at him, her expression unreadable. “And let you take all the credit? Not a chance.”

Veer smiled, but his voice softened. “I mean it. You’ve done more for this family than I ever thought possible. Thank you.”

Kavi’s heart swelled at his words, but she quickly masked her emotions. “Don’t get used to it. I’m still keeping you on your toes.”

Veer chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re impossible.”

“And you love it,” Kavi replied, her tone teasing but with a hint of truth.

Veer’s smile faltered for a moment, his eyes searching hers. “Maybe I do.”

Kavi froze, caught off guard by his honesty. For the first time, she saw the depth of his feelings, and it scared her almost as much as it thrilled her.

The silence between them was heavy, charged with unspoken emotions. Finally, Kavi broke it with a nervous laugh. “Well, don’t expect me to say it back anytime soon.”

Veer grinned. “I’m a patient man.”

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