Chapter 8
"Are you really going to let her go, boss?" Matteo asked, standing beside me as we stared at her from the mezzanine.
Arabella moved effortlessly around my kitchen, back turned, completely at ease. She whisked eggs, her posture relaxed, like she belonged here. Like this was her home.
I clenched my fists.
"Yes, I am."
Matteo exhaled, clearly unconvinced. "Shouldn't we at least do a background check? Find out who she really is—"
"You will do no such thing, Matt." My voice was steel, low enough for only him to hear. "The less we know, the easier it is to forget her. So don't."
He hesitated, but I was already moving, descending the stairs. Matteo followed, a silent shadow at my back.
Arabella didn't turn when I entered the kitchen, but she knew I was there. I could tell from the way her shoulders stiffened for just a second before she went back to scrambling eggs.
"Don't mind me," she said, finally turning, an infuriating smirk curling at her lips. "Just having my last breakfast here. Think of it as charity, sir."
I leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching her with cold amusement. "You think I care about a few eggs and toast, Ara?" My voice was measured, smooth. This would be the last time we'd have this little game. The last time I'd let her test me.
She scoffed, twirling a knife between her fingers as she stepped into my space, eyes locked on mine. A challenge.
"You've actually got me thinking," she mused, voice soft yet sharp. "We aren't close enough for you to call me that. And you don't strike me as the type to care about anything."Matteo shifted beside me, but I silenced him with a look.
I stepped forward, closing the space between us. "You don't know me."
She tilted her head, studying me as if I were some puzzle, she was determined to solve.
I'd piece her together if she ’d let me.
"And you don't know me either, old man."
I didn't react. I couldn't. Because the way she said it, the way her voice dipped slightly, made it sound less like an insult and more like something else. Something dangerous.
I was about to make a retort and—
The roar of an engine cut through the air, shattering whatever this moment was.
Arabella pulled off the apron, grip tightening on the fabric before she tossed it onto the counter.
She didn't look back at me.
"Fuck you."
The apron hit the floor as the doors slammed shut behind her.
And just like that, she was gone.
I let out a breath.
Matteo cleared his throat beside me. "What now, boss?"
I glanced at the crumpled apron on the floor.
"Prepare to return to Homebase."
Matteo hesitated. "And the men in the dungeon? Zach and the others?"
My jaw tightened. "Break their legs. Do more damage if you want. I said I'd let them go, I never said they'd be whole when they left."
Matteo smirked. "Got it."
As he walked off, I exhaled slowly.
I didn't come here to play hero.
It was a mere coincidence that I was on the road that night. And now that my business here was done, I had no real reason to stay.
I should forget her.
But something told me it wouldn't be that easy.
ARABELLA
I slammed the door shut, my hand brushing against it in a final act of recognition. I heaved a sigh, leaning against the door, straining to hear any footsteps.
"My shaylaaaaa!"
I raised my head just in time to see Asvika running toward me.
My eyes trailed down to her red bottoms, and I winced as she stomped her way over.
Poor shoes.
"Hey, Asvi." I smiled weakly. My energy was running on reserve, and if I didn't sit down soon, I might faint.
She escorted me to her car, eyes scanning me with growing concern. "What did they do to you? Oh, my days." She scoffed, starting the engine. "You look like you crawled out of a grave."
Dramatic.
She tapped on the GPS, punching in an address. I frowned.
"Your family house?"
She didn't answer, focusing on manoeuvring out of the long driveway.
"You told your parents?" I asked, a sinking feeling settling in my stomach.
She sighed. "Of course I did. You were missing for days, Aratrika. My mum nearly lost her mind. And you still don't look okay." She side-eyed me. "Mum says you'll stay with us until you look like yourself again."
I leaned back into the seat, exhaustion pulling at my limbs.
"I'm taking a nap," I murmured, letting the gentle hum of the car lull me into sleep.
I woke up to the steady hum of the engine, the soft vibration beneath me pulling me from sleep.
My body ached, a dull reminder of the last few days, of everything I didn’t want to think about.
The air smelt different here, less like blood and smoke. It was all jasmine and expensive leather.
I blinked against the sunlight streaming through the windshield, adjusting to the sight before me.
Tall iron gates. Marble pillars. A driveway long enough to make a person question their life choices before reaching the entrance. The Khan Compound.
I swore under my breath. Of all places, Asvika.
"Finally awake?" she chirped, flicking the turn signal as we rolled through the gates.
I rubbed my temples. "Tell me you didn't."
"Oh, I did." She grinned, completely unbothered. "You look like hell, Bella. You're staying here."
Asvika's Home.
Well, my found home too.
My eyes flickered to the figures standing at the entrance.
There were several housekeepers watching as the car approached. They helped me out, and Asvi and I walked toward the entrance.
As the doors opened, the figures inside came into focus.
Mrs. Khan stood with her arms crossed, eyes sharp as she watched the doors open.
Beside her, Mr. Khan stood in his usual poised stance, unreadable as ever. Yet the gentlest soul.
But it was the man next to them that made my stomach drop.
Dark eyes.
Sharp jaw.
An expression I couldn't place.
Aahil Dimitri Khan.
The Khan family's golden son.
And the last person I wanted to see right now.