Page 74 of His Arranged Wife
"Protecting her from what?" Kritika asked, genuinely confused.
Nimisha said nothing, moving back to her seat with Bruno at her heels.
Kabir watched the dog with something like fear in his eyes, but he recovered quickly, flashing his charming smile.
"Dogs can be unpredictable," he said lightly. "No offense, of course. Beautiful animal."
Bruno's expression suggested he found Kabir about as beautiful as a cockroach.
"He's never acted like this before," Tanisha said, frowning. "Bhai, can't you do something about him? He's going to scare Kabir away."
Samarth, who'd been watching the entire exchange from across the room, spoke for the first time. "Bruno goes where he wants."
"But he's being aggressive toward my fiancé!"
"Is he?" Samarth's sharp gaze fixed on Kabir. "Why would my dog be aggressive toward you, Malhotra?"
Kabir shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe he doesn't like my cologne or something."
"Maybe," Samarth said, but his eyes were calculating. "Or maybe Bruno senses something the rest of us don't."
An uncomfortable silence fell.
Saroj rushed to smooth it over. "I'm sure it's nothing. Bruno is just being protective. He'll warm up eventually."
But Bruno showed no signs of warming up. He stayed glued to Nimisha's side, his massive body a barrier between her and Kabir for the rest of the afternoon.
Later - Garden, 7:23 PM
Nimisha had escaped to the garden as soon as she could, needing air, needing space from Kabir's wandering eyes and Tanisha's oblivious happiness.
Bruno followed, of course.
"He makes my skin crawl, Boo," she said quietly, sitting on a bench beneath a tree. "The way he looks at me. The way he touches when no one's watching."
Bruno sat beside her, his intelligent eyes understanding.
"But I can't say anything. They love him. Tanisha's so happy. If I told them he makes me uncomfortable, they'd think I was jealous or causing drama."
Bruno leaned against her leg, his warmth solid and comforting.
I'll protect you,his eyes seemed to say.
"Thank you," she whispered, scratching behind his ears. "You're the only one who believes me without question."
"That's not true."
Nimisha's head snapped up.
Samarth stood at the edge of the garden, shadows hiding half his face.
Her heart stuttered. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough." He moved closer, his gaze intense. "What did Kabir do?"
"Nothing. He just—"
"Don't lie to me, Nimisha."
