Chapter 16 - Lady Viper

The evening air was buzzing with anticipation as everyone decided we should go out. The boys suggested a club, and though I'd only vaguely heard about such places, their excitement was contagious. They requested-no, begged-until I finally relented.

Now, standing in front of the mirror, I adjusted my outfit and sighed. Clubs weren't exactly my thing, but I couldn't deny the thrill of stepping into something new. A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.

When I opened it, there stood Vikrant, leaning casually against the doorframe, his dark eyes scanning me from head to toe. He looked effortlessly handsome, his tailored black shirt accentuating his broad shoulders.

"You look beautiful," he said, his voice low and smooth.

I smiled, feeling a faint blush creep up my cheeks. "Thank you," I replied softly.

He extended his hand toward me, his expression teasing. "Shall we?"

I tilted my head, deciding to play along. "I don't remember saying yes to you," I teased, crossing my arms.

His eyes narrowed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh, really?" He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming as he leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You can say no, but I won't let you."

The proximity made my heart race, but I refused to back down. "And if I don't?"

His smirk widened, and he leaned even closer, his breath warm against my ear. "Then you'll miss out on an unforgettable night, kitten."

I laughed, shaking my head, and finally placed my hand in his. "Fine, but don't get used to it."

"Too late," he said, his tone dripping with mischief as we headed to the underground garage.

Vikrant's penthouse was nothing short of a palace-luxurious, sprawling, and almost too perfect. The underground garage was no different, with rows of sleek, high-end cars gleaming under the lights.

The boys were already there, waiting. As soon as they saw me, they broke into wide grins.

"Looking stunning!" Aryan said with a whistle.

Karan stepped forward, took my hand, and kissed my knuckles. "Absolutely breathtaking."

Vikrant's jaw tightened, and his glare could have melted steel. Without a word, he stepped forward, took my hand, and rubbed the spot Karan had kissed. Then, to everyone's surprise, he kissed it himself, his lips lingering just a second longer than necessary.

"Mine," he said under his breath, loud enough for Karan to hear.

I blushed furiously as the boys erupted into laughter. "Possessive much?" Aryan teased, clapping Vikrant on the back.

Despite the teasing, I couldn't help but feel at ease. Being the only girl in the group never felt uncomfortable. In fact, I felt protected, cared for. But as we piled into the cars, a pang of longing hit me. I missed Tanu. She would have been thrilled to know I'd finally accepted my feelings.

The club was loud and vibrant, with flashing lights and a pulsing beat that seemed to shake the very walls. The boys headed straight to the bar, ordering drinks and laughing as they challenged each other to a race on the private track behind the club.

"Are you joining for dance ?" Vikrant asked, leaning close so I could hear him over the music.

I shook my head. "Not really my scene."

He smiled, his eyes softening. "What do you want to do, kitten?"

I hesitated, then grinned. "Let's race."

The boys froze, their drinks halfway to their mouths. "What?" Aryan asked, disbelief clear on his face.

"You heard me," I said, crossing my arms.

Vikrant's eyes gleamed with amusement and something else-pride. "If I win," he said, stepping closer, "you'll have to kiss me."

"And if I lose?"

"You'll cook for all of us," he said, his smirk widening.

"Deal," I said without hesitation.

Vikrant handed me the keys to one of his cars, a sleek black beast that purred to life under my touch. He took another car, equally impressive, while the rest of the boys chose theirs.

The track was private, hidden behind the club, its twists and turns illuminated by dim lights. As the engines roared to life, adrenaline surged through me.

The race began with a screech of tires, and I focused, my hands steady on the wheel. The boys were competitive, but I was determined. The car responded to my every command, and I couldn't help but smile as I overtook Karan and Aryan.

Just as I was about to pass Vikrant, chaos erupted. A group of armed men appeared out of nowhere, blocking the track.

"Keep going!" Vikrant shouted over the comms. "We'll handle this."

But I wasn't one to back down. I slammed on the brakes, stepped out of the car, and pulled the concealed weapon from under the seat-something Vikrant had insisted on.

The fight was swift and brutal. Shots rang out as I moved with precision, taking down one attacker after another. The boys were holding their own, but they couldn't hide their surprise as I cleared a path with ease.

When the dust settled, they stared at me, wide-eyed.

"Who are you?" Aryan asked, half in awe.

I shrugged, brushing off the dirt. "Just someone who doesn't like being interrupted."

Vikrant stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "That was... impressive."

"Who were they?" I asked, looking at the unconscious attackers.

The boys exchanged nervous glances before Vikrant spoke. "Rivals."

"Rivals in what?"

There was a pause before Karan blurted out, "The Mafia."

I raised an eyebrow. "And you?"

Vikrant sighed. "I'm the Black Viper."

I blinked, then laughed. "Well, that explains a lot."

"You're not... angry?" he asked, his voice cautious.

"Why would I be?" I said, smiling. "It's a lot better than my era."

Relief washed over their faces, and Vikrant's lips curled into a rare, genuine smile. "You're something else, kitten."

The boys cheered, dubbing me "The lady Viper," much to my embarrassment. Though I denied it, I couldn't stop smiling.

Vikrant leaned close, his voice low. "You're mine, kitten. Whether you admit it or not."

And for the first time, I didn't argue.