11.

Please check the new chapters after 5 PM, my girls, because I get late every day, and you all wait from 3 PM. So, please check after 5 PM.

Mira's POV

"I had a tiny crush on your dad" I said looking at him to see his reaction.

For a moment, he just stared at me not moving. Then, suddenly he dropped to the ground like he had fainted.

I couldn't help but chuckle at his dramatic behavior. Smiling I reached out and gently ran my fingers through his soft fur. "This white tiger is not a tiger but a cute cat" I murmured.

Only if I knew how dangerous he actually is.

"Now come here I want to tell you something more" I said softly.

Hearing my words, he quickly got up and sat close to me, his big blue eyes watching me carefully.

"I have never told this to anyone, not even Jiya" I admitted. "Because even I am not sure about it. Your dad and I… our worlds are completely different. I never wanted a complicated life like his. And the biggest reason is…" I took a deep breath. "Your dad hates women."

His ears twitched as he listened to me.

"I have read some news, seen some interviews where he clearly said he would never marry and is not interested in any woman. So, I don't know if we will ever become one or not. And honestly I just had a crush on him. Nothing more" I explained my voice calm but uncertain.

Zar listened to me carefully then suddenly placed one big paw on his head as if he was saying, Mira you’re so dumb!

I laughed at his reaction. "Would you like me as your dad’s life partner?" I asked slowly my heart pounding.

I knew he didn't like any woman around his dad. What if he didn’t like me either?

He looked into my eyes his blue gaze shining under the soft moonlight.

"Tell me" I asked again my voice barely above a whisper. My heart is racing. What if he rejected me?

Then, without breaking eye contact he lifted one of his paws and placed it gently over my heart. After a brief pause he nodded.

My eyes widened. He wants me as his dad’s life partner?

"Oh my god! You’ll accept me?" I asked completely shocked.

He nodded again this time showing his sharp teeth in what looked like a grin.

"Thank you! Thank you so much Zar!" I said throwing my arms around his huge body hugging him tightly.

Then I pulled back and looked at him. "We both are ready for my relationship with your dad… but what about your dad? Would he like me?" I asked my voice filled with uncertainty.

Zar nodded once again. My heartbeat grew faster.

"Are you sure?" I whispered. Again he nodded without hesitation.

I let out a deep breath. "Okay then. I'll try my luck. But you have to promise me you won’t tell this to anyone" I said looking at him seriously. He nodded sealing our little secret.

"Zar" I heard Dev's voice and both Zar and I got up. We walked towards him.

"I hope he didn't bother you" Dev said looking at Zar.

I shook my head. "He is a good boy" I said, grinning at Zar who looked at me with his big blue eyes.

Dev nodded. "Okay then we're leaving. It's already late. Should I drop you guys?" he asked.

I shook my head again. "Our house is just a few minutes away from here. We will manage" I said with a small smile.

Dev nodded and started walking out of the park with Zar by his side. I turned to Jiya and caught her smiling at me.

"What happened? What were you both talking about huh?" I teased her nudging her playfully.

She rolled her eyes and lightly hit me on my arm.

"Ouch!" I yelped rubbing the spot she hit.

"Let's go. It's already dark" she said looking around. "And for your information he wasn’t talking to me. He was just sitting here giving you and Zar privacy."

I blinked in surprise. "Oh…"

Jiya smirked knowingly and I just shook my head. Without saying anything else we walked towards our house.

In the evening when we returned home after work my mood was really bad. Jiya noticed it immediately and took me out.

Sitting in the park, she made me understand something that I had been avoiding. She said if Abhiraj's ignorance was affecting me this much then maybe… I had feelings for him.

I refused to believe it. "I can't have feelings for a dangerous man like him" I told her.

But like a wise mother, she explained "Love can happen with anyone, Mira. Love doesn’t see who the person is. It is a connection of the heart"

And she was right. Not everything in life goes according to our plans.

I know I always wanted a simple marriage with a decent man but that doesn’t mean I can’t fall for someone different. And yes Abhiraj is dangerous and cruel but around him, I never feel like he is someone bigger than me in society. He never makes me feel small or unimportant.

Isn’t that what I want in my man? Someone who respects me? Someone who never makes me feel insecure about being an orphan?

And the truth is....Abhiraj has never done anything to make me feel less than anyone.

So… what is the harm in loving a man like him?

But the biggest problem now is...will he ever choose me as his partner?

I won’t tell anyone about my feelings not yet. If he rejects me or chooses someone else I will be heartbroken.

I will tell Jiya only when I am sure about my feelings. I don’t want to stress her out because of me.

Jiya's POV

I lay on my bed staring out of the window. The night is quiet but my mind is anything but. Mira is already asleep beside me, breathing softly lost in her dreams. But sleep refuses to come to me. My mind is stuck on Dev’s words the ones he told me in the park.

"Abhiraj loves Mira"

That’s what he said. Not just love...he wants her as his life partner. Forever. And he wants me to help bring them together.

A small smile tugs at my lips. The thought of Mira being loved and protected by someone like Abhiraj warms my heart.

I know what kind of man he is fierce, powerful and capable of keeping her safe from this cruel world. Because in this world only a villain can truly protect his woman.

But then my smile fades. The biggest problem is… Mira doesn’t want the kind of life Abhiraj lives. And I can’t force her. She has her own choices, her own dreams. But the truth is she won’t find a better man than Abhiraj. He might be dangerous but he will never let a single tear fall from her eyes.

I sigh, feeling stuck. What should I do? How do I convince Mira? And at the same time how do I say no to Dev? I know Abhiraj is the right man for Mira but I can’t make this decision for her.

I bite my lip thinking hard. There’s only one way to solve this...talk to Mira. A healthy conversation can clear all problems. I’ll make her understand why Abhiraj is the best choice for her. But if she refuses then I’ll tell Dev that she doesn’t like him.

But… Dev told me not to tell anyone about this.

I sit up slowly determination settling in my chest. I’ll talk to Mira but indirectly. I won’t mention Dev or what he asked me to do. I’ll just make her think about Abhiraj on her own. This way, I won’t break my promise to Dev and I’ll also know what Mira truly feels.

Yes this is the best way.

I glance at Mira, her peaceful face glowing under the dim light. She has no idea about the storm brewing around her. But soon she will have to make a choice.

And I just hope she chooses the right one.

Abhiraj's POV

"I'm not coming to the office today. I have an urgent mission" I tell Rahul while walking down the stairs.

"Cancel the meeting with them" I end the call after giving my order and step into the dining area.

Zar is jumping all around, behaving nothing like the fierce mafia tiger he is. Instead he looks like an overexcited house cat.

"You’re way too happy today" I say narrowing my eyes at him.

He nods confirming it, then suddenly jumps onto his chair sitting like he owns the place. Which he actually owns.

Just then Dev enters and takes his seat. My gaze shifts to him.

"Why did you both come so late last night?" I ask.

Dev and Zar exchange looks before Dev finally answers "We were just walking around and lost track of time"

His excuse doesn't convince me but I don't push further. I simply nod.

"You have a mission today?" Dev asks while taking a bite of his breakfast.

"Yeah" I reply.

"Should I come with you?" he offers.

"No it's a small job. Just some troublemakers I need to handle. I’ll be back by night" I say sipping my coffee.

He nods not questioning me further.

We finish breakfast and I get ready for the mission. Zar follows me as I grab my essentials. Before stepping out I unlock my phone and open the live CCTV feed of my queen’s desk.

She’s working, completely focused but there’s a slight crease on her forehead. She looks stressed.

A sigh escapes me. Don’t worry, my queen. Once you become mine I’ll make sure you never have to stress about anything again. You’ve worked hard enough. I’ll give you a life where all you have to do is rest and smile.

I grip my phone tighter. When will that day come when you willingly accept me?

I can wait. I have no problem waiting until she gives her heart to me. But my enemies... they’re the real problem.

I know I can protect her. I would never let anything happen to her. But trusting anyone else with her safety? That’s impossible.

I wish she liked mafias. I wish she wanted to spend her life with one. But she dreams of a simple man, someone far from the world I live in.

That’s not going to happen. Because she’s mine.

And if she doesn’t love me yet then I’ll make her fall. I just need one small crack in her heart, one tiny feeling for me And once that happens… I’ll make a place in her heart that no one can ever take.

Mira's POV

"Finally!" I sigh leaning back in my chair.

"I'm so tired" Jiya groans beside me.

We were working on an important file that we had to submit tomorrow but we didn’t want to keep it pending. So we finished it today itself. Now tomorrow we can just submit it without any stress.

"Let’s go home now. I’ll make my signature Maggi today and we’ll eat it while chilling" Jiya says standing up.

Just the mention of her signature Maggi makes my mouth water. No one makes Maggi like her.

"Let’s go fast! I can’t wait to eat it" I say excitedly quickly packing my bag.

We head towards the lift, come down and exit the company. The cool evening air brushes against my face as we step onto the road.

An auto stops in front of us. "Where do you want to go, ma’am?" the driver asks. We tell him our address and get inside.

Jiya leans back and suddenly asks "Why didn’t Abhiraj sir come today?"

I glance at her a bit confused. To be honest, I was wondering the same thing.

"Why are you asking me? I don’t know why he didn’t come" I reply. She gives me a mischievous grin.

"Maybe in the future you’ll know everything about him...where he goes, what he does, what he likes, what he hates, what he wears… and much more" she teases nonstop.

I shake my head but for some reason, my stomach does a weird flip.

"Look I ordered this today. How is it?" Jiya suddenly shows me a picture of a beautiful saree on her phone.

I start looking at it with her completely unaware that we are not heading towards our house. The auto is taking us somewhere else.

After a while the auto suddenly stops. Both of us lift our heads from the phone.

"Where are we?" I ask feeling uneasy. The driver turns around and smirks at us.

"This is not our address. Take us to our home!" Jiya says her voice turning cold.

But instead of listening, he starts laughing and steps out of the auto.

"Come out baby. This is where we’re spending the night tonight" he says in a disgusting tone.

My heart stops.

Jiya and I quickly get out of the auto ready to yell at him but before I can say anything someone grabs me from behind.

I gasp my whole body freezing. I turn my head slightly and see a boy holding me tightly. His grip is strong, unmovable.

A chill runs down my spine. My soul is shivering at the thought of what might happen next.

We are in an old, abandoned area. Broken walls empty streets. Not a single soul except us.

"Leave us!" Jiya shouts her voice filled with anger and fear.

The men only laugh. There are six of them. Two are holding us tightly while the other four stand nearby, smirking at our helplessness.

"I didn’t bring you here to let you go, baby girls" the man who brought us here sneers. "You’re here to make our night unforgettable"

I force myself to hold back my tears. I might not show it but I’m scared....terrified.

My eyes dart to Jiya. She is stronger than me and right now, I need her strength. She looks at me silently telling me that we’ll get out of this. But the way things are going… I don’t know if that’s possible.

"Let’s take them inside. That’s where the fun begins" one of them says his voice dripping with filth.

My heart pounds. Tears threaten to spill from my eyes but Jiya signals me with a small movement. I understand what she’s trying to tell me.

"Sir! Please save us!" she suddenly cries out looking towards a corner.

The men instantly turn their heads distracted.

That’s our chance!

The grip of the men holding us loosens for a second and Jiya quickly throws the chili powder we had with us straight into their eyes.

"Aahhh! Ahhh!" They scream rubbing their eyes in pain.

Without wasting a second Jiya grabs my hand and we run. We run like our lives depend on it...because they do.

But the two men who were holding us aren’t as affected and they are chasing us.

"YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE? WE’LL KILL YOU! COME BACK HERE!" one of them roars.

Our legs move faster. We don’t know where we are going. All we see around us is darkness....abandoned factories and thick jungle.

Suddenly, before we can react they appear in front of us coming from the side. They’ve trapped us.

"Where will you run now?" one of them grins stepping closer.

Jiya quickly grabs the chili powder again and throws it at them but this time one of them is faster. Before she can react, he swings a metal rod straight at her head.

"JIYAAA!" I scream as she stumbles her body swaying dangerously.

Rage explodes inside me.

I grab a large stone from the ground and hurl it at the man’s face with all my strength. It smashes into his nose and he falls back, clutching his bleeding face.

The other man still rubbing his burning eyes, stands frozen. Without thinking I kick him hard...right where it hurts the most. He lets out a strangled cry and crumples to the ground.

I spin around my heart racing. Jiya is barely standing. Her eyes are closing her body weak from the hit she took.

"We have to run Jiya! Be strong!" I plead shaking her slightly. She nods trying to keep her eyes open.

We start running again but I can hear the shouts of the other men getting closer. My heart is hammering.

Jiya won’t be able to run much longer. I have to call the police. Up ahead I see a corner with large machines stacked together.

"Let’s hide there! I’ll call the police!" I say gripping Jiya tightly.

She nods weakly her body swaying. But before we can take another step, she suddenly collapses.

"Jiya!" I gasp kneeling beside her. I tap her cheeks panic tightening my chest.

"Jiya… Jiya please open your eyes!" I whisper, shaking her lightly. But she doesn’t respond. She has fainted.

In the distance I hear their voices getting closer.

I struggle to lift Jiya with trembling hands, dragging her to a corner. My arms feel weak but I don’t stop. I sit her against the wall and quickly cover her with the dirty cloth lying nearby. Then I grab another one and wrap it around myself trying to blend into the shadows.

My whole body is shaking.

With trembling fingers I pull out my phone from my bag. Please please let there be a signal…

A sigh of relief escapes my lips when I see the network bars. My hands shake as I dial the police. The phone rings and after two rings, someone picks up.

"He…help us… they’ll ki…kill us" I whisper my voice weak breaking with fear.

But the voice I hear next shocks me.

"Mira?! Where are you?! Just wait there.....I’m coming!"

Abhiraj.

How… how did he pick up instead of the police?!

"I’m coming don’t worry!" His voice is filled with panic, urgency.

I can hear the boys getting closer. Their footsteps. Their cruel laughter.

"I...I’m in some abandoned factory… I don’t know where… please help me…" My voice cracks.

"Please Abhiraj… save me…" My whisper is barely audible my throat tight with terror. The boys’ voices get louder.

"WHERE ARE YOU? COME OUT!"

My phone slips from my trembling fingers. My heart feels like it will burst out of my chest.

I curl into myself covering my face with my palms. Tears pour down my cheeks, soaking into the dirty cloth wrapped around me.

"Please, God… help us… Send Abhiraj here… fast… Please help us…" The sound of footsteps stops right in front of me.

No…

"Here you are" one of them sneers. The cloth is ripped away.

Laughter fills the air as they look at us their eyes filled with cruelty.

I instinctively crawl back towards Jiya shielding her as much as I can. But there’s nowhere to go.

"Where will you run now huh?" One of them grabs me roughly by my arms and pulls me up.

"Please… leave us!" I cry out. A sharp slap lands across my face. Pain explodes in my cheek as I fall to the ground, my vision blurring for a second.

"You think you’re clever huh?" another one sneers. "Now just wait and see what we’ll do to you."

He removes his belt slowly unbuttoning his shirt, smirking.

"N…no… please… n...no…" I stammer crawling backward.

"Let us enjoy your body first… then we’ll taste your friend" another one laughs darkly.

"No! Please!" My voice breaks as I scream but it only makes them laugh harder.

One of them grabs my arm and with one swift pull

RIIIP!

He tears the sleeve of my dress.

"Please… leave us!" I scream at the top of my lungs.

But they don’t care. They just laugh.

One of them hovers over me his face inches from mine. The stench of alcohol and sweat makes me gag.

I push him away with all my strength, but before I can move, others grab my hands and legs pinning me down.

I struggle. I kick. I fight. But they are stronger. I shut my eyes, refusing to see what’s about to happen.

A rough hand reaches for my chest And then…

Abhiraj’s POV

"Good job my boy" I say patting Zar as we drive back from the mission.

He killed two men who tried to attack me. My fearless tiger. He wags his tail, looking pleased with himself, and I give him a small smile.

But that uneasy feeling doesn’t leave me.

I look out of the car window. My chest feels heavy, my heart beating faster than usual. Why do I feel like something bad is happening?

This feeling is new. It’s twisting inside me making me restless. I hate it. I don’t understand what’s wrong, but my gut is screaming at me. Something is wrong.

Then my phone rings. I glance at the caller ID.

Mira.

She is calling the police.

I instantly straighten up. Whenever she dials the police, the call gets redirected to me. I had arranged it that way because I know the police never arrive on time.

I answer immediately. The moment I hear her voice my blood runs cold.

She is crying. Begging.

Terror. Desperation.

"Please save us they'll kill us" she said crying badly.

"Mira?! Don’t worry...I’m coming!" I say my voice sharp with urgency.

The driver sensing the tension steps on the accelerator without needing another word.

"Please Abhiraj… help me…" Her broken whisper shatters something inside me.

I grip the phone tightly, my jaw clenching.

"I’M COMING! I’M COMING, MIRA!" I yell but then...

Thud. Her phone falls. I hear the sound of rough voices. Men shouting. Mira’s pained hiss.

"DRIVE FASTER!" I roar at the driver.

I snatch my iPad and track her location. An abandoned factory area. Fifteen minutes away. Too long.

I can’t let anything happen to her. I grab my other phone and dial Dev. My voice is deadly.

"Come to the abandoned factory near the highway. Now"

"Abhiraj what happened?" he asks alarmed.

"They have Mira." Silence. Then "I’m on my way."

My heart slams against my ribs my body burning with rage. I look ahead then make a decision.

"STOP THE CAR!" I bark.

The driver instantly presses the brakes. Without a second thought, I throw open the door and switch to the driver’s seat.

Zar lets out a deep, low growl beside me. His ears flattened, eyes filled with confusion and...fear.

He senses my rage. My desperation. I grip the steering wheel. I don’t blink. I don’t breathe. The only thought in my mind... If they touch her, I will tear them apart. I slam my foot on the accelerator.

I start the car at full speed my hands gripping the wheel tightly. My guards follow behind.

Mira is in danger.

I glance at Zar. "Your mumma is in danger" I tell him and his muscles tighten his sharp eyes locked on the road ahead.

I break every signal ignoring the honking ignoring everything. My only focus is reaching Mira.

"Please, God, protect her."

I don’t know why I say it. I have never pleaded before never asked for anything. But now for the first time, I find myself begging.

My body trembles not with fear of a fight not with rage but with something worse. What if I reach too late? What if something happens to her?

I shake my head pushing away the thought. No. I won’t let that happen.

Within five minutes I am there. I don’t wait for the car to stop completely before jumping out.

Dev arrives at the same time his gun already drawn. My guards are behind me, alert waiting for my command.

"Please leave us!" Mira’s scream.Her voice is breaking.

I run following the sound. My heart is pounding against my ribs my fingers itching to pull the trigger.

I enter the cabin And my blood boils.

Two men are holding her down. One is on top of her his filthy hands reaching for her chest.

BANG!

I shoot without hesitation. The man above her collapses, his body hitting the ground with a loud thud.

The others freeze. My guards move instantly grabbing each of them before they can escape.

I don’t look at them. I only see her.

"Abhiraj…" she whispers her voice weak her eyes filled with tears.

She sits up her body trembling. I run to her.

She doesn’t wait. She throws herself into my arms burying her face in my chest. I hold her tightly, my arms wrapped protectively around her. Her body is shaking.

My jaw clenches. My hands tighten around her.

"Abhiraj… they th....they..." she stammers, unable to finish, her voice breaking. I want to kill myself for not getting here sooner.

"Jiya" she suddenly whispers.

I look behind her and see Dev kneeling in front of Jiya tapping her cheeks gently trying to wake her up.

"She’s fine" I say stroking Mira’s hair trying to calm her down. "She’s fine Mira."

But before I can say more her body suddenly goes limp in my arms.

"Mira!" I tap her cheek. She doesn’t respond. She has fainted.

Without wasting a second I lift her into my arms and run out of the cabin.

I reach my car and gently place her in the back seat. Dev carries Jiya to his car. I close the car door and turn around.

Those jerks.

They are standing there their bodies held tightly by my guards, their faces pale with fear.

My eyes burn with rage. My fists tighten. I want to rip them apart right now. But no.

They don’t deserve an easy death. I take a deep breath, my voice like steel.

"Not a single bruise on them until i order" My guards nod understanding.

"Then I will show them whose woman they dared to touch."

I see the terror in their eyes. They know. They know what’s coming for them. I don’t waste another second.

I get into the car and drive away my entire body still shaking with rage and fear.

"Please be safe Mira Or I will die."

I whisper this over and over again as I race toward the mansion.

Zar sits in the back, his eyes locked on his mother his silent tears falling.

There are many girls like Mira and Jiya....angels who have faced this nightmare in real life. But there is one heartbreaking difference between them and Mira and Jiya.

They don’t have an Abhiraj.

Our angels don’t have someone who will fight for them, protect them and make them feel safe again. They don’t have someone who will hold them close and whisper “It’s not your fault”

Instead, they are left alone...to fight their own battles, to bear the weight of society’s cruel words, to hear whispers that blame them instead of the monsters who hurt them.

Mira and Jiya had Abhiraj and Dev but so many of our angels out there…they have no one.