Page 11 of Empowered
I saw the same traits in Amelia. She was a hard worker who was unafraid of struggle. She was unfazed by my wealth and power. Most women threw themselves at me because of the things I could buy them. However, she was reluctant to accept any of the perks that Sethi Tech or I gave her. She even seemed awkward at the office because it was so lavish. I admired her humility.
Soon, we would travel to Jaipur undercover and set up headquarters there while we searched for Amelia. I had a family acquaintance who owned a hotel and was willing to check us in under pseudonyms to avoid suspicion. We would leave at nightfall so as not to risk being seen in broad day light. I wanted to be in the city if she were found so I could get to her as quickly as possible.
A cool breeze blew in, carrying droplets of rain with it. They splashed on my face, dripping down my neck and wetting my shirt. I should have turned back to the house to dry up, but I stayed. I let the rain wash over me. Water was used for cleansing in our culture, to prepare one to receive blessings. I wasn’t particularly religious, but this rain felt like a preparation for my blessing from the gods—getting my love back.
Chapter XI
Amelia
Salena hadn’t spoken to me since Tarun left. She was upset and I could feel the tension radiating off her from my cell. I felt bad that she’d had to find out about my relationship with Shyam so suddenly. She probably already had major trust issues from being held captive and I had ruined any sort of trust we had built by not being upfront.
I threaded my arms through the bars of my cell, grabbing the cold metal with my hands. Pressing my face closely, I spoke in a low voice. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
“Tell me what? That you were fucking my ex?” Angry eyes flashed in my direction. She looked like she would have strangled me if there hadn’t been bars between us.
“It’s not like that. I wanted to tell you, but I knew it would be awkward and I couldn’t find the right words to explain it.”
“I’m not angry that you’re his girlfriend. I didn’t expect him to stay celibate after we ended things, but I’m hurt that you weren’t honest with me.”
“I know. I’m really sorry.” I dropped my head in shame. “For what it’s worth, I’m not his girlfriend.”
She looked at me, her forehead creased from confusion. “But I heard Tarun. You were sleeping with him, yes?” She seemed genuinely confused.
“Um—yeah. But we weren’t officially together.”
“Because of his commitment issues?” she asked, as if all of this was familiar to her.
“He said he wouldn’t settle down because he respected marriage too much to bring a wife into all of this,” I said, waving my arms around.
“He took the death of his mother pretty hard and even broke off our engagement after his father passed.”
“Please, Salena. Don’t let this get in the way of us getting out of here,” I pled. “I need your help. You know this city better than me.” I needed her help if I had any chance of breaking out of here.
She considered my plea for a moment, then yelled, “Guard!”
This was it. She was going to take her revenge on me for sleeping with her ex-fiancé and rat me out. Tarun would surely kill me for attempting to escape.
A guard approached her cell, glaring at her for disturbing him. I held my breath before Salena continued.
“I would like to go to the temple tomorrow to pray for my mother before my wedding. Please ask Tarun for permission.” Her voice was the steadiest I had ever heard it. Like she really was the soon-to-be wife of a kingpin. Something told me this was more like the real Salena, the one that had been engaged to Shyam. Confident and authoritative.
The guard grunted in acknowledgment and stomped away.
I stared at Salena, uncertain of what had just transpired. None of it made sense.
She walked to the bench in her cell. Sliding her hand under it, she pulled out a long, thick rope that had been hidden away.
She marched back to the bars of her cell and threw it to me. I caught it through the bars and held it close to my face to examine it.
Her face was unreadable. “Don’t screw this up.”
•••
Fortunately, Tarun had granted Salena permission to go to the temple. Apparently, she had been allowed to go once before her engagement ceremony too. Her mother had died years ago, and it was customary to honor deceased relatives before participating in life events like marriages.
“Will your father be attending the wedding?” I asked. I knew her father was an evil man who would sell his daughter in exchange for a penny if it would benefit him.
“I’m sure he’ll be there. He’s supposed to give me away, according to tradition.” She still seemed hostile toward me for keeping the truth of my relationship with Shyam from her but at least she was speaking to me again.
