chapter 35
The hall was empty. My heart thudded louder. I turned, sprinting toward his private study room, the one he never liked me barging into when he was with his men.
But the moment my eyes landed on him, standing tall in that black shirt, sleeves rolled up, cold fire in his eyes as he instructed his men.
“RUDRA!!!”
The name tore out of my throat.
Before I knew it, my feet carried me across the room. I ran, not caring about his men’s shocked faces, not caring about his ruthless, commanding aura. I just ran straight into him.
I crashed into his chest, clutching his shirt desperately, tears streaming again. “You… you idiot! You were gone! I thought you left me!” I sobbed, burying my face in him.
For a second, the room was frozen. His men glanced at each other wide-eyed. Their boss, the man they feared, the ruthless lion… was being clung to by his wife like she owned him.
And the shocking part?
He didn’t shove her away. He didn’t roar. He didn’t curse.
Instead, Rudra’s hands slowly came around me, wrapping me in his arms like I was something fragile, something untouchable. He bent down, his lips brushing my hair. His voice, cold a second ago, melted into warmth only reserved for me.
“jaan…” he whispered softly. “I was just in my study. I didn’t go anywhere.”
I hit his chest weakly, still crying. “Don’t you dare… don’t you dare leave without me, Rudra. I’ll die. Do you understand? I’ll die without you.”
The men froze again because the sight before them was unreal.
Their boss, the terror of the underworld, was holding her tighter, kissing her hair, murmuring, “Shhh.....Never Never bring this word in your mouth for yourself again, Ishni.”
Then his head snapped up, his eyes turning sharp, murderous as he glared at his men. “OUT.”
No one argued. They vanished.
And just like that, his ruthless mask slipped away again. He tilted my chin up gently, his thumb brushing away the fresh tears. “You really think I’d leave you, Ishni? Without my heart? Without my oxygen? Never jaan” He smirked faintly.
His thumb brushed my tears away, his eyes blazing with a storm only I could calm.
“Samjhi aap? If death even thinks of touching you… I’ll burn the world to ashes before it gets close.
You’re mine. My jaan. My heartbeat. Don’t you dare talk about leaving me.
Ever.”
My tears fell harder, not from fear but from the weight of his love.
I clutched his shirt tighter, my lips trembling. “Rudra…”
I let out a watery laugh, still crying, still in his arms. “You scared me, Rudra…”
He smirked faintly, brushing his knuckles against my cheek. “Good. Next time, maybe you’ll stop running around barefoot and giving me a heart attack.”
Even in the chaos of my sobs, I couldn’t help but laugh, smacking his chest lightly.
Author POV
“Jaan… how can you be so careless, seriously ah?” Rudra’s voice was sharp, that mafia edge in it, but his hands were anything but ruthless when they caught hold of her,Without waiting for her excuse, he scooped her up effortlessly and sat her down on the edge of his heavy mahogany desk, papers scattering around.
Ishni, however, only smiled her eyes following his every movement like he was the only person in the world.
“Don’t smile.” His tone came , though his gaze softened immediately when he saw her lips curve wider. He narrowed his eyes and muttered, “I’m not gonna melt with that, Ishni…”
But he already had.
Bending down, the man who ruled empires and spilled blood for loyalty now did the simplest, purest act he carefully wiped the dust from her bare feet with his own handkerchief. The sight was enough to make Ishni’s throat tighten.
She opened her mouth to speak, but he silenced her with a look before slipping her slippers onto her feet gently, almost reverently, like she was the most fragile treasure in his world.
Straightening up, his hand lingered on her ankle for a second before he finally met her eyes. “You think I fight the whole damn world, only to let you walk around barefoot and hurt yourself?” he asked, his voice dropping into that husky mix of anger and love only she ever heard.
Ishni smiled again this time softer, warmer and whispered, “My dramatic husband…”
Rudra exhaled sharply, pulling her into his arms at last, his lips pressing against her hair. “Haan… dramatic hi sahi. But only for you.”
After sometime
Ishni sat cross-legged on the bed, hugging a pillow to her chest, her eyes glued to Rudra. He was on the couch, sleeves rolled up, his laptop open, discussing something in that cold, commanding voice she had come to know well his mafia voice.
Suddenly, his phone rang. Without glancing at her, he picked it up.
“Yes,” his tone clipped.
“Boss, the jet is ready for Italy,” Vipul’s voice echoed on the other side.
For a heartbeat, the world around Ishni stilled.
Rudra’s sharp eyes lifted from the screen and landed on her. The tension between them was unspoken, stretching like a wire about to snap. His jaw tightened, but he didn’t look away.
“Okay. I’ll be there,” he said firmly before ending the call.
He placed the phone aside, but his gaze was still fixed on her. Ishni’s fingers clenched tighter around the pillow, her throat dry. She already knew this wasn’t just work. It was danger. And he was about to walk into it.
“Jaan… come here,” Rudra’s voice softened, completely different from the ruthless man who had just been on call a second ago.
Ishni stood up slowly, her heart heavy, and walked toward him. The moment she reached, he pulled her down into his lap, wrapping his strong arms around her as if she were the most fragile thing in the world.
“I know…” he murmured, cupping her face gently, his thumb wiping the tears brimming in her eyes, “you don’t want me to go. But jaan… this is important. And I promise I’ll be back in the fraction of a second, mm?”
Her lips trembled, her eyes spilling over despite her best efforts. She buried her face in his chest, clutching onto his shirt like a child refusing to let go.
“I know…” she whispered, voice breaking, “but you better come fast… or else I won’t talk to you.”
Rudra chuckled softly at her threat, tightening his arms around her. “Acha? If my biwi won’t talk to me, then how will I breathe? How will I survive?” he teased dramatically, but his voice cracked slightly, betraying his own emotions.
He kissed the top of her head and held her close, as if committing the warmth of her body to memory before he had to step into the fire.
Rudra POV
God… the way she was looking at me, those teary eyes, that fragile smile I swear I wanted to lock her away in my arms forever. But this fucking work… it drags me every time.
I stepped into the hall, and there she was my whole damn world standing with Phoenix at her side, like he was her silent shadow. My heart clenched just seeing her.
“Jaan…” my voice softened, breaking through the cold steel I usually carried.
The moment her eyes met mine, she came running and hugged me so tight as if letting me go would tear her apart. I held her back just as fiercely, kissing the top of her head. “I promise… I’ll get back soon,” I murmured, though the guilt in my chest burned like fire.
She just nodded, lips pressed together, her silence heavier than a thousand words.
I turned my eyes to Phoenix, that damn jaguar glaring at me as usual, protective as hell. I narrowed my eyes right back at him. “Don’t get too close to my wife,” I muttered, half warning, half jealous growl. “And take care of her in my absence.”
Phoenix gave me that slow, deliberate blink, then nuzzled Ishni’s arm like saying, ‘She’s mine to protect, don’t worry.’
“Yeah, yeah… don’t act smart with me,” I muttered, rolling my jaw.
But inside, I was relieved at least my jaan had someone fierce enough to guard her until I came back.
I walked towards the door where my men were present and I instructed them,
“Double the security of the whole mansion. At least one guard should be with her whenever she steps out. And make sure she doesn’t see any of you.
If there’s even the slightest problem, contact Vipul immediately.
”
They all nodded and left silently.
I turned back only to find her still standing there, her arms wrapped around herself, eyes glassy with unshed tears. God… my jaan.
She held my shirt tightly, her soft fingers trembling as she whispered in that baby voice, “Mat jao…”
My heart squeezed painfully. I cupped her cheeks gently and kissed her forehead, my voice barely above a whisper, “Awww… mera baccha… agar aap aisa karoge toh mai kaise jaunga?”
Her teary eyes lifted to mine, lips quivering, and in that moment I swear I could throw away the whole world just to keep her smile safe.
Phoenix padded over, brushing his big head gently against her arm as if consoling her. His deep eyes seemed to say, “Don’t worry, I’m here. I’ll protect her.”
Ishni immediately bent down, hugging Phoenix tightly while her tears finally slipped. I placed my hand over both of them my jaan and my shadow my voice low and steady, “Dekha… aap akeli nahi ho. Phoenix hai… Jab tak mai wapas nahi aata, woh aapki dhadkan ban kar tumhare saath rahega.”
Her fingers still clutched my shirt while Phoenix growled softly, almost in promise.
I kissed the crown of her head again. “Aur phir… aapki yeh muskaan hi toh meri jeet hai. Main lautkar aata hoon sirf usi ke liye.”
After hugging her one last time, I forced myself to let go.
Every step away from her felt heavier than the last. I walked toward the car, my men already waiting.
The moment I sat inside, I turned my head there she was, standing with Phoenix beside her, her small hands still gripping the edge of her dupatta as if holding herself from running to me again.
I rolled down the window, my eyes searching hers. I smiled, though my chest was burning, and lifted my hand slightly silently telling her “smile for me, baccha.”
Through the shimmer of her tears, she tried. That tiny, fragile smile… it broke me and healed me all at once.
The engine roared to life, and the car began to move. My eyes stayed fixed on her until her figure blurred, then slowly disappeared in the distance.
Inside, I clenched my fists, whispering to myself, “Bas kaam khatam karna hai, aur wapas lautna hai… aapni jaan ke paas.”
Ishni’s POV
The moment he left, an ache spread in my heart, so sharp it almost stole my breath.
The silence in the mansion suddenly felt heavier, emptier…
as if every corner was missing him. But I knew it was important.
It was his world, his responsibility. My Rudra never chose this life, but now he carried it like a crown of thorns.
I wiped my tears quickly, not wanting Phoenix to see me weak. I bent down, cupping his face.
“Now we have to take care of ourselves till your daddy returns,” I whispered, forcing a smile.
Phoenix blinked his golden eyes at me, then leaned his head into my palm as if saying ‘don’t worry, I’m here.’ He let out a soft sound half-growl, half-purr that felt like a promise.
I chuckled faintly, hugging him. “Haan… ab tum aur main, ek team.”
Phoenix wagged his tail, almost like he was smiling, and in that small moment, the loneliness in my chest eased just a little.
Hours passed, but the ache inside me didn’t fade.
I tried distracting myself I opened my sketchbook, tried to draw, but every line somehow turned into his face.
I picked up a book, but all the words blurred together.
Even the coffee tasted bitter without him sitting across the table, watching me with that annoying smirk of his.
Phoenix padded into the room and jumped onto the couch beside me. I looked at him, pouting.
“See, Phoenix… how cruel your daddy is. He didn’t even call me once.”
Phoenix tilted his head, blinking at me as if confused. I sighed dramatically, leaning closer.
“Do you know how much I miss him? Bohot zyada… and he just left like that—uff, mafia log bhi na. Cruel, heartless.” I poked Phoenix’s nose. “Aur tum… tum bhi uske jaise ho, na? Rudra ka beta.”
Phoenix let out a soft huff, laying his head on my lap as if to comfort me. My fingers automatically slid into his fur.
“Dekha? At least you understand me,” I whispered with a small smile. “But when he comes back… main usse khub daantungi. Bohot daantungi.”
I plopped down on the carpet and looked at Phoenix, who was just lazily sitting there like a king.
“Phoenix… now I’m getting bored. How about we dance? Haan? We’ll record a video and send it to your daddy so that he comes fast.”
Phoenix immediately lifted his head and gave me the look the exact same look Rudra gives me when I say something completely insane. His golden eyes narrowed, like: Are you seriously going to make me dance? I’m a deadly animal, not your Bollywood hero.
I gasped dramatically. “Oh ho, don’t give me that mafia-look, mister. Just because you’re Rudra Singh Rajput’s jaguar doesn’t mean you can’t dance for me. Chal uth, nacho!” I pulled his big paw into my hand and stood up, pretending we were partners.
Phoenix groaned low in his throat, his tail thumping against the floor, clearly protesting. I twirled around anyway, dragging his paw a little.
“Dekha? Wah wah! Full superstar vibes. Rudra will faint when he sees this.”
“Okay since, you agreed to dance… but how about I make you wear a pink bow… and some cute pink socks too? Oh and maybe a little makeup,” I said with a mischievous grin, already imagining it.
Phoenix froze. Absolutely froze. His deadly golden eyes blinked at me as if I had just insulted his entire bloodline. He tilted his head slowly, giving me the most disabled expression ever, like ‘woman… have you lost your mind?’
“Phoenix… no excuses. If you don’t listen to me, I’ll call Rudra and tell him you’re being lazy,” I said crossing my arms.
Phoenix let out the loudest groan like a sulking teenager, but still sat down. Smirking, I pulled out a bright pink bow I had hidden (because yes, I knew one day this would be useful).
The moment I tied it around his head, Phoenix looked at me with the most murderous glare like he was questioning his entire existence.
“Wait wait, socks bhi baaki hai!” I squealed, sliding tiny pink socks on his giant paws. Phoenix froze like a statue, refusing to even move a muscle. His face screamed ‘kill me now, woman.’
I clapped my hands, “Perfect!! Now dance with me, come on.”
Phoenix reluctantly got up. I played music on my phone and started twirling around him. Poor Phoenix shuffled awkwardly, trying to move his giant body while wearing ridiculous pink socks.
“Look at you!! So cuuuuteee!” I laughed so hard I fell on the floor. Phoenix stomped his paw like ‘delete this woman immediately.’
Finally, after our ‘performance’, I sent the video to Rudra with the caption:
“See how much we miss you. Your deadly beast is now a pink princess.”
Italy
The room was already tense deadly men in black suits, their whispers filling the air like static. But the moment the heavy double doors opened, silence fell.
Thud… Thud… Thud…
Rudra’s footsteps echoed against the marble floor, sharp, deliberate, and commanding. The atmosphere thickened, the very air seemed to shift as if acknowledging the storm that just walked in.
Every single man straightened in his chair, hearts pounding. No one dared to breathe too loudly. His presence wasn’t just intimidating it was suffocating, a reminder that this man didn’t rule with words, but with fear carved into blood and loyalty.
Rudra’s sharp eyes scanned the room, cold and unreadable. Even the most ruthless criminals lowered their gazes, afraid to meet them. His aura was enough to make the strongest soul crumble.
He walked to the head of the table, sat down slowly, and the silence grew heavier. A dangerous smirk tugged at his lips.
“Looks like Italy forgot who owns this city,” he said, his voice low but laced with venom.
The entire room froze.
The silence stretched like a knife’s edge as Rudra leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lazily on the table. Every sound the faint ticking of the clock, the shallow breaths of men who thought themselves fearless echoed too loud in the charged room.
“Tell me,” Rudra’s deep voice cut through the silence, calm yet lethal, “whose brilliant idea was it to challenge my empire in Italy?”
No one moved. A single drop of sweat rolled down one man’s temple.
Vipul stepped forward, placing a file on the table. “Boss, it’s Marco and his men. They’ve been cutting deals with our rivals.”
Rudra’s eyes shifted toward Marco, who sat at the far end, trying to mask his nervousness. The corner of Rudra’s lips curved into a cold smile.
“Marco,” he drawled, his tone mocking yet dangerously soft, “you think I wouldn’t notice rats chewing on my table while I was away?”
“Boss… I–I was just—” Marco stammered, but Rudra raised a single finger, silencing him instantly.
“Don’t insult me with lies.” His voice dropped lower, darker. “Loyalty is everything in my world. Betrayal…” he paused, his gaze sharp enough to slice through bone, “…is death.”
Two of Rudra’s men immediately grabbed Marco by the arms, dragging him from his seat. The rest of the room stayed frozen, watching, terrified.
Marco screamed, “Please, Rudra! Mercy—”
Rudra stood, towering, his aura pressing down like a storm. He walked toward Marco, leaned in close, and whispered in his ear, voice deadly calm:
“Mercy is for the weak. You knew what you were signing when you betrayed me.”
With a flick of his hand, his men dragged Marco away, his screams fading into the night. The others understood the message well Rudra didn’t need to shout, didn’t need to raise his gun. His silence was punishment enough.
He returned to his seat, adjusting his cufflinks as if nothing happened. “Now,” he said smoothly, his tone back to business, “Italy runs under my rules again. Anyone disagree?”
The whole room lowered their heads. No one dared.
Just then—
Ding!
His phone buzzed on the table. All eyes flicked toward it. Who in their right mind dared to disturb Rudra Singh Rajput in the middle of this?
Rudra glanced down. One look at the screen and for the first time, his expression shifted.
The ruthless don… froze. Then, to everyone’s horror, his lips twitched.
On the screen was a video Ishni had just sent: Phoenix the terrifying beast every man in that room feared by name was wearing a pink bow on his head, tiny pink socks on his paws, with smudges of blush on his fur.
And if that wasn’t enough, Ishni’s laugh filled the background as Phoenix awkwardly danced, looking like he wanted the earth to swallow him whole.
Rudra’s stone-cold mask cracked into something dangerously close to a smile. His men in the room exchanged terrified glances they had seen him smirk while killing, but never this.
One man whispered under his breath, “Boss… smiling?”
Rudra lifted his gaze, instantly turning sharp again. Everyone looked away at once, pretending they hadn’t noticed.
He picked up the phone, typed something quickly, and his deadly aura softened just a fraction. The contrast was almost terrifying one second a demon, the next, a man utterly undone by a video from his wife.
He slipped the phone back into his pocket, and with a voice calm and commanding, said,
“Where were we?”
The men, still shaken, immediately bent forward to continue, but none of them would ever forget that glimpse that the only person who could tame the devil himself was a woman thousands of miles away… and a jaguar in pink socks.
The meeting was still going on, voices droning about shipments, territories, betrayals. But Rudra’s mind? Gone.
That damn video Ishni sent was still playing in his head. Phoenix… in pink socks and bow, dancing like a disgraced warrior. And her laugh sweet, mischievous, the kind that twisted his heart and made his lips betray him with a smile.
He clenched his jaw, stood up without a word, and walked out of the hall. The men inside stiffened, terrified, whispering “Whose death is he planning now?”
But Rudra didn’t go to kill. He pulled out his phone, leaned against the wall in the dim corridor, and pressed record.His cold mask dropped the moment her face filled his thoughts.
“Jaan,” his voice was soft, low, only for her. “Aapko bilkul sharam nahi hai… mere sherni ko entertain karne ke liye mere sher ko bhi clown bana diya?” A pause, his lips curving. “Aur upar se mujhe bhej diya video. You really want me to lose my mind here, hmm?”
He tilted the phone, his eyes dark but his smile helpless.
“Bas… ab aur kaam karne ka mann nahi hai. Aap dono ke bina yeh Italy bhi zeher lag raha hai. Ishni rudra singh Rajput, agar aap aise hi videos bhejte rahe na, toh yaad rakhna… mai saare kaam chhod ke wapas aa jaunga. Samjhi aap?”
And then, softer, more raw.
“I miss you. I miss my jaan. Smile for me when I call tonight, hmm? Warna aapke Rudra ka dil kaise chain paayega?”
He ended the recording, exhaled deeply, slipped the mask back on, and walked into the room again every trace of softness buried. The mafia don returned to his throne.