Page 18 of Empowered
“Parantha,”he answered.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had this before. It’s so good.”
“I’m glad you like it. It’s from a stand not too far from here. I bought two in case you wanted another.” He held out the bag.
I could have eaten another, but I knew I would be sick if I tried to scarf it down since I hadn’t eaten much while in captivity. My stomach wasn’t used to having anything this rich. “No, thanks. Did you eat?”
He smiled, seemingly touched that I was concerned about him in return. “Yes.” He went back to checking his guns for ammunition before strapping more to his body.
It seemed like a lot for just hiding out in the safe space. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Tarun’s wedding,” he said without looking up at me as he secured his tailored vest to his chest to cover his weapons.
I jumped up to stand, excited to be included. I flinched because although my feet were covered in bandages, they still felt raw when I stood on them. I had changed out of theshalwarthat Tarun had given me because it was too filthy to wear any longer. I’d opted to just wear Noor’s black garb without the face covering, since it was the cleaner option. I didn’t have any other clothes to change into, but I was sure it didn’t matter. We weren’t technically guests at the wedding.
“I’m ready,” I said excitedly.
“No.” He shook his head, buttoning his suit jacket. “I’m going. You are to stay here.”
Anger flowed through my veins, radiating to my extremities. “The hell I am,” I shouted.
“Not my rules,” he said, unamused by my tantrum. “Boss’s order.” He went back to packing his bag with various things he’d need for the raid.
“Fuck your boss,” I spat with my hands on my hips. It was rude, but I was fed up. I wasn’t a child. These past few weeks had proven that I could take care of myself, and if these macho men couldn’t see that, then they were idiots.
Zayn left his bag and stood up right. A sly smirk spread across his lips.
“Don’t laugh at me! I’m tired of being treated like a kid.”
“I didn’t mean to make it seem like I was laughing at you. It’s just that I’m not used to anyone talking about Shyam that way—well, maybe except for Jai.”
“Look, I just want to be involved. Before I came here, Shyam told me that I was a part of the team and I just want to be treated like one.”
Zayn considered what I said but didn’t respond.
“I know the house better than any of you,” I continued. “I know where he keeps Salena in the dungeons. I can be more useful than you all give me credit for.”
“Shyam gave me explicit orders to keep you here. He wants you safe.”
“I understand his reasons, but your raid will be more successful with me there. I’m not dumb. I was able to outsmart Tarun to tip you all off about my escape,” I argued.
“No one is doubting your intelligence and strength, Amelia. It’s just too dangerous. There’s no guarantee that I’ll even come back alive,” he said, his face turning serious.
“Please,” I begged. “I promise I won’t do anything risky. I promised Salena I’d come back for her and I don’t want to disappoint her.”
He sighed in resignation. I had worn him down. “Okay. You can come. But you stay in the car. You can fill me in on the layout of the house while we drive over there.”
Being in the car was better than being left here in the safe space. “Thank you!” I smiled, eager to be on our way.
He shook his head, grabbing his bag off the floor. “Shyam is going to kill me.”
“I’ll be sure to plan the most extravagant funeral for you, then.” I smirked.
He smiled at me, his expression turning light and jovial. “You really are something. Now I see why he loves you.”
I stilled at his words. I had heard something similar from his brother a long time ago. I tried to ignore them to avoid any disappointment. They carried no weight unless they came from Shyam himself. But would they ever come straight from him?
Chapter XV
