Page 29 of The Redemption
Despite the warning, I almost smirk as I think about the man who dragged me out of the forest and then nearly exploded with anger moments later. Although I may not like him, I have to admit the man is intriguing.
“Dangerous men usually make the most useful allies,” I murmur, still lost in the same thought.
“Or the most unpredictable enemies,” she replies immediately, bringing me back to reality.
Mom watches me for several long seconds before speaking again. “I don’t have a good feeling about this, Siya.”
I watch her through the screen. Every word she says about Raghav is technically correct. I’m not naive enough to believe he is harmless. If anything, I should be careful around him.Alert.
But fear is not what I feel. What I feel is something else entirely. My instincts are not telling me to run from the danger, but rather to study it closely. I finally exhale and bring myself back to the conversation.
“Mom,” I say gently, “please don’t worry. If I had any other option, I would never have come here.”
That is the simplest truth of this entire situation. There are many powerful people in this world. But the kind of influence I need right now cannot be borrowed from ordinary allies, as they all lead back to Samarjeet. I need someone outside that network.Someone whose reach extends beyond the predictable lines of the mafia. And whether I like admitting it or not, Raghav is exactly the kind of man I need.
“Raghav is my last resort,” I say quietly, watching Mom’s reaction. She stares at me before speaking again.
“Then what are you waiting for?” she asks. “Why not simply tell him what you want?”
I shake my head immediately, “I don’t trust him yet. I know he saved my life, but that doesn’t mean I can trust him with the reason I came here. I don’t know whether he’ll agree to what I’m going to ask. And until I’m certain that his answer will beyes, I can’t risk revealing why I’m really here.”
The confusion in her eyes turns into concern.
“Siya,” she exhales slowly, “whatever game you are playing is worrying me more by the second. While you wait for him to gain your trust, please do not challenge him. In fact, you should go and apologise to him.”
For a second, I’m sure I must have heard her wrong.
“Apologise?” I repeat slowly. “And me?”
“Yes.”
A small disbelieving laugh escapes me before I can stop it.
“That is not going to happen,” I say, shaking my head.
She opens her mouth to argue, but I lift a hand to stop her.
“Mom,” I say gently, softening my tone, “you need to trust my instincts on this. I know the risks I’m taking. And I know exactly how far I can push this situation. I promise I’ll handle it.”
She doesn’t look convinced. For a moment, neither of us speaks. Then I give her a reassuring smile.
“Now finish your tea before it gets cold.”
She shakes her head again, though I can see the faint trace of a reluctant smile appearing on her face. “Just be careful, Siya.”
“I will.”
I end the video call before she can add another warning.
RAGHAV
Same Night
The pool is silent except for the faint hum of the filtration system. My body is completely submerged, my arms resting loose at my sides as the faint blue lights lining the pool ripple through the water around me.
Everything feels distant down here.Muted.
I draw in a breath… and hold it.
