CHAPTER 10
The Ranawat family had gathered to celebrate Tanisha's engagement to Kabir Malhotra. The formal announcement would be made at a party next week, but today was family only—champagne, sweets, and excitement about the upcoming union.
Nimisha sat in her usual corner, a book in her lap that she wasn't reading. Her new security detail waited outside—two men who followed her everywhere now, discreet but present.
Samarth hadn't been exaggerating. She wasn't allowed to go anywhere alone.
Strangely, she didn't mind as much as she thought she would.
"Nimisha, you're so quiet," Tanisha said, her face glowing with happiness. "Aren't you excited?"
"Of course. Congratulations."
"Kabir is wonderful, isn't he?" Tanisha gushed, looking at her fiancé with stars in her eyes. "So successful, so charming, so perfect."
Kabir smiled modestly, but Nimisha caught the way his eyes slid to her—a look that made her skin crawl.
It happened quickly. He was standing near the refreshment table, talking to Raghbir about business. Nimisha went to refill her tea.
As she reached for the pot, Kabir shifted closer than necessary.
"Allow me," he said smoothly, taking the pot from her hands.
His fingers brushed hers deliberately.
Then, as he poured her tea, his other hand grazed her lower back—high enough to seem accidental, low enough to be possessive.
Nimisha flinched, stepping away quickly.
A low, menacing growl rumbled through the room.
Bruno.
The massive dog had appeared from nowhere, positioning himself between Nimisha and Kabir, his eyes fixed on the other man with unmistakable threat.
"Bruno, hey boy," Kabir said with a nervous laugh, backing up. "Easy there."
Bruno's growl deepened.
"Why is that dog always near her?" Tanisha asked, annoyance creeping into her voice. "He's supposed to be bhai's dog, not hers."
"Maybe he senses she needs protecting," Saroj said, though her tone suggested she found the whole thing odd.
"Protecting her from what?" Kritika asked, genuinely confused.
Nimisha said nothing, moving back to her seat with Bruno at her heels.
Kabir watched the dog with something like fear in his eyes, but he recovered quickly, flashing his charming smile.
"Dogs can be unpredictable," he said lightly. "No offense, of course. Beautiful animal."
Bruno's expression suggested he found Kabir about as beautiful as a cockroach.
"He's never acted like this before," Tanisha said, frowning. "Bhai, can't you do something about him? He's going to scare Kabir away."
Samarth, who'd been watching the entire exchange from across the room, spoke for the first time. "Bruno goes where he wants."
"But he's being aggressive toward my fiancé!"
"Is he?" Samarth's sharp gaze fixed on Kabir. "Why would my dog be aggressive toward you, Malhotra?"
Kabir shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe he doesn't like my cologne or something."
"Maybe," Samarth said, but his eyes were calculating. "Or maybe Bruno senses something the rest of us don't."
An uncomfortable silence fell.
Saroj rushed to smooth it over. "I'm sure it's nothing. Bruno is just being protective. He'll warm up eventually."
But Bruno showed no signs of warming up. He stayed glued to Nimisha's side, his massive body a barrier between her and Kabir for the rest of the afternoon.
Later - Garden, 7:23 PM
Nimisha had escaped to the garden as soon as she could, needing air, needing space from Kabir's wandering eyes and Tanisha's oblivious happiness.
Bruno followed, of course.
"He makes my skin crawl, Boo," she said quietly, sitting on a bench beneath a tree. "The way he looks at me. The way he touches when no one's watching."
Bruno sat beside her, his intelligent eyes understanding.
"But I can't say anything. They love him. Tanisha's so happy. If I told them he makes me uncomfortable, they'd think I was jealous or causing drama."
Bruno leaned against her leg, his warmth solid and comforting.
I'll protect you, his eyes seemed to say.
"Thank you," she whispered, scratching behind his ears. "You're the only one who believes me without question."
"That's not true."
Nimisha's head snapped up.
Samarth stood at the edge of the garden, shadows hiding half his face.
Her heart stuttered. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough." He moved closer, his gaze intense. "What did Kabir do?"
"Nothing. He just—"
"Don't lie to me, Nimisha."
She bit her lip, torn between protecting Tanisha's happiness and protecting herself.
"He looks at me," she said finally. "And sometimes he... touches. Nothing obvious. Just brushing against me, standing too close. Things he can pass off as accidental."
Samarth's jaw clenched so hard she heard his teeth grind. "How long?"
"Since the first dinner he came to."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"Would you have believed me? Your family adores him. He's perfect for Tanisha, successful and charming and—"
"I would have believed you." His voice was fierce. "Always. When it comes to your safety, I will always believe you."
She stared at him, shocked.
"From now on," he continued, "you stay away from him. If he comes near you, Bruno's there. If Bruno's not there, your security is. Understood?"
"Samarth, you're being paranoid—"
"Am I?" He pulled out his phone, showing her security footage from the party. Kabir's hand on her back, his eyes tracking her across the room. "This is paranoid?"
She felt sick. "You're having me watched?"
"I'm protecting what's mine." He stepped closer, tilting her chin up to meet his eyes. "Someone's sending you packages. Someone's making you uncomfortable in your own home. I'm not taking chances."
"He's marrying your sister."
"Then my sister is making a mistake." His thumb brushed her cheek. "But that's not your problem to fix. Your problem is staying safe. Let me handle the rest."
"What are you going to do?"
"What I should have done weeks ago." His eyes were cold, calculating. "Find out exactly who Kabir Malhotra is beneath the charming facade."
He turned to leave.
"Samarth?"
He paused.
"Thank you. For believing me."
"Always," he said quietly.
Then he was gone, leaving her alone with Bruno and the unsettling realization that her husband was far more observant than she'd given him credit for.
And far more dangerous than Kabir could imagine.
That Night - Samarth's Study, 10:45 PM
Tanisha barged in without knocking, her face flushed with anger.
"We need to talk about your dog."
Samarth didn't look up from his laptop. "No, we don't."
"He ruined my engagement celebration! He scared Kabir half to death, growling and acting aggressive for no reason—"
"Bruno doesn't act aggressive for no reason."
"Then what reason could he possibly have?" Tanisha demanded. "Kabir is wonderful. He's been nothing but kind to this family. But your demon dog treats him like a threat."
"Maybe because he is one."
Tanisha's mouth fell open. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me." Samarth closed his laptop and gave his sister his full attention. "Bruno is trained to sense danger. He doesn't make mistakes."
"So you're saying my fiancé is dangerous? Based on a dog's instinct?"
"Based on a dog who's never been wrong." Samarth leaned back in his chair. "When was the last time Bruno showed aggression toward a guest?"
Tanisha faltered. "I... I don't remember."
"Exactly. Because it's never happened. Bruno tolerates everyone who comes through this house—even people he doesn't like. But with Kabir, he's actively protective. Especially around Nimisha."
"Nimisha?" Tanisha's eyes narrowed. "What does she have to do with this?"
"Nothing. Everything." Samarth stood. "Just know this, Tanisha—I'm looking into Kabir's background. Thoroughly. If I find anything that suggests he's not who he claims to be, this engagement is off."
"You can't do that!"
"Watch me."
"I love him!"
"You barely know him." Samarth's voice softened slightly. "You've been dating for what, six months? And most of that time, you've kept him away from the family. Why?"
"I wanted to be sure before introducing him—"
"Or you knew we'd look too closely." He moved around the desk. "I'm not trying to hurt you, Tanisha. I'm trying to protect you."
"From what? A successful businessman who loves me?"
"From a man my dog doesn't trust." Samarth's voice was final. "And I trust Bruno's instincts more than I trust anyone's words."
Tanisha's eyes filled with tears. "You're going to ruin this for me. Just like you ruin everything."
She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Samarth returned to his desk, pulling up the preliminary background check on Kabir Malhotra.
Clean on the surface. Too clean.
Which meant there was something underneath.
And he was going to find it.