Bonus Chapter
DAD:I’m sorry about the ambush at dinner.
Mina stared at the text from her father for a long moment before she put her phone face down on the conference room table. She rubbed at the lines between her brows, hoping that would ease the tension headache that was in its beginning stages.
It had been over a week since that dinner, and he was sending her an apology now? It was too little, too late.
A part of her wondered if she’d been wasting her time all these years trying to keep a relationship alive with her father when he was so caught up in her uncles’ business.
But if she accepted the fact that he was siding with Sanjeev in Nakul, then she’d have to also accept that she had no family left.
She was alone with no family to her name, and that was incredibly lonely to admit.
There was a loud knock on the door, and Mina jumped in her seat, her heart pounding at the intrusion.
An older Indian man with greying hair at the temple stepped inside the conference room. He wore jeans, Keds and a sweatshirt which immediately placed him on the tech team.
“Hi, Mina?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Sri, the head of our cybersecurity team.” He crossed to her and extended a hand. “I’m usually located in the California office, but I’m on the East coast for a few days to handle some meetings.”
Mina acknowledged his firm grip and shook before she resumed her seat. “How can I help you, Sri? Are you kicking me out?”
She turned to face the windows, and dusk had settled over the city.
Glittering building lights stretched to the horizon.
It was already eight and most of the office had emptied save for a few stragglers.
Hem said he had a late meeting with his firm, so she wasn’t going to see him before she left for the night.
Sri also glanced at the windows before he smiled down at her. “No, if I did then I’d be a hypocrite,” he said ruefully. “My team has the worst hours unfortunately.”
“Most people in tech I know do,” Mina said. “Is there something else you needed?”
Sri nodded. “Since you’re accessing files on your personal device, I have to install some software on your computer. Do you have a few minutes now to do it?”
“Oh.” Mina frowned. “Most of the files I’m reviewing aren’t classified. I have minimal access to your local server…”
“We’re really sensitive about security breaches here,” Sri said motioning to her laptop. “This should’ve probably been done when you were cleared, but things have been a bit hectic, so I haven’t been able to get around to it.”
“Get around to what?”
Mina glanced around Sri to see Hem leaning against the doorframe. Just the sight of him had her entire body lifting and sighing with pleasure. When his eyes locked on hers, the corner of his mouth curved.
“Sir, I’d like to put some software on Ms. Kohli’s computer for data protection,” Sri said.
Hem glanced at the other man, his gaze sharpening. “Did Ajay ask you to do it?”
“No, but it’s protocol?—”
“She’s not reviewing any classified documents,” Hem said. “I think it’s okay that we avoid putting our screening and detection tools on Ms. Kohli’s private device for now.”
Sri cleared his throat. “Ah, Sir, I really must insist?—”
“You can talk to Ajay and Zail about it,” Hem said. “I’m sure they’ll agree with me, Sri.” Hem clapped the other man on the shoulder. “You’re free to go. One less ticket for you to worry about tonight.”
Sri looked like he wanted to argue but Hem was already leading him to the exit and ushering him out. With a casual wave goodbye, he closed the door.
“Alone at last,” Hem said.
“I thought you had a team meeting?” Mina replied.
Hem crossed to her and tugged her to her feet before taking her chair. He sat down and urged her onto his lap.
“Hem! Anyone could see?—”
“The floor is empty. You’re the last man standing. Or woman.”
She relaxed a fraction, but only because he felt warm and solid under her. She ran her fingers over his bearded cheek. “Is this you being professional?”
“This is me being fucking restrained,” he said, amused. “I love this little skirt suit number in blue you’re wearing.” His hand coasted over her thigh and teased under her hem.
“It’s sadly not as comfortable as sweats and fuzzy socks but what kind of office femme fatale would I be if I showed up in that kind of wardrobe?” She glanced over her shoulder through the conference room walls and back at Hem before she climbed off his lap. “Are you here for more meetings?”
“I’m here for you,” he said, amused. “I wanted to take you out to dinner.”
“Oh, I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Our weekends are one thing, but?—”
He leaned down and dropped a casual kiss against her lips. One she freely gave. “Please? After a long day of meetings, I just want to spend some time with you.”
Mina sighed. She’d never felt giddy before about a man. She’d never felt the urgent need to check her phone incessantly for text messages, or spend extra time on her appearance, or demand girl brunch to rehash every date.
But with Hem…
Damnit, why did it have to be now, she thought. Why couldn’t she have noticed him years ago when the stakes were so much lower?
“Please?” Hem said again, and the ring of sincerity in his tone was her undoing.
Mina could do this. She could juggle her responsibility to her mother, and her aching need to explore what it meant to be with this man.
She just had to continue to be careful, keep things casual until the Bharat case was over, and then she wouldn’t have to worry about repercussions. About loyalties and secrets. “Okay.”
“Okay?” he repeated.
“Yes. Okay.”