Vihan's gaze sharpened, cutting through the dimly lit room like a blade as he turned slowly toward Rehan. The air thickened with an unspoken challenge, the kind that lingered just beneath calm words.
"So," Vihan began, voice low and deliberate, "what about the trip tonight? Are you coming with me… or running away now?"
Rehan's eyes flickered with a mix of defiance and uncertainty. He could feel the weight behind Vihan's words—not just an invitation, but a test of courage, of trust, perhaps even of surrender.
He took a steadying breath, steadying the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind. "Run away? No. Not my style," Rehan said, voice steady but with a hint of nervous energy. "But why the trip? What exactly are you planning that needs me there?"
Vihan's lips curved into a slow, dangerous smile. "You really want to know? Or are you just pretending to play safe?"
Rehan narrowed his eyes, sensing the game but unwilling to back down. "I don't do games with people like you."
"Good," Vihan said, stepping closer, the space between them charged electric. "Because tonight, it's not about games. It's about stakes. Yours. Mine. And what happens when worlds collide."
Rehan's pulse quickened as Vihan's voice dropped an octave, thick with promise and threat. "I want you there. Not because I need you, but because I want to see how far you're willing to go."
The silence stretched taut before Rehan finally responded, "I'm not just going to follow blindly. If I'm coming, I'm coming on my terms."
Vihan's eyes glinted with admiration mixed with warning. "Bold. Exactly what I expected. But remember—once you're in, there's no stepping back."
Rehan met his gaze steadily. "Then let's see where this night takes us."
Vihan's smile deepened, eyes darkening with that signature edge of danger. "Good. Because tonight… everything changes."
As the evening shadows lengthened outside the window, the unspoken promise of what was to come wrapped around them both—binding fate, danger, and desire in a dangerous dance neither dared to stop.
The roar of the BMW Z4 sliced clean through the city's fading hum, its open roof inviting in the chilly evening breeze. Rehan tilted his head up, letting the wind rush through his hair as the silver beast glided down the highway. The twilight sky was splashed with streaks of purple and fading gold—like the world itself was softening for this moment.
Rehan glanced sideways, eyes widening with a boyish grin. "This car…" he said, practically breathless. "BMW Z4… roof open model. What does this even cost? Sixty-five thousand pounds? Nearly a crore in India!"
Vihaan chuckled softly, fingers steady on the wheel, one hand resting lazily with effortless control. "You googled it already?"
"I don't need to," Rehan replied, still in awe, "any car guy knows this beast." He ran a hand along the dashboard, the leather seats, every inch screaming of luxury. "You really went all in just to pick me up?"
Vihaan glanced sideways, a small smirk on his lips. "What makes you think I brought the car for you?"
Rehan turned, mock-glaring. "Because you could've brought any car. But this? This screams 'look at me' energy."
Vihaan shrugged playfully. "Maybe I just wanted the sky to be your roof tonight."
That shut Rehan up—briefly. The words sat somewhere deep, like a secret being offered.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. It was the kind that pulsed with something more—charged, unspoken. For nearly two hours, they drove under the night sky, past rolling fields and empty roads lit only by moonlight and streetlamps. Rehan eventually broke the silence.
"Hey… where are we going?" he asked, glancing at the time. "You planning to circle the Earth or something?"
Vihaan chuckled again, his voice rough and teasing. "You seemed to enjoy the ride, so I didn't want to interrupt." Then, after a pause, "I like watching you like this… carefree. Unburdened. It suits you."
That made Rehan glance at him—eyes softening, curious.
After a while, the car began winding its way up a steep road lined with pine trees and cold air. Rehan's curiosity peaked just as the car pulled into a cobblestone driveway lit with golden vintage lights.
He stepped out and stared, stunned.
Perched atop the hill was an architectural marvel—a five-star retreat nestled in glass and steel, overlooking the glowing stretch of the city below. The view was breathtaking. Stars above, the city twinkling below, and in between it all… this place of absolute serenity.
Rehan turned slowly toward Vihaan. "Wait… this is your hotel?"
Vihaan only nodded, suddenly a bit less smug. "One of them. Here in England."
"You own this?"
Vihaan rubbed the back of his neck, his usual confidence slipping just a little. "I don't usually bring people here," he admitted. "It's not… my usual move."
Rehan blinked, touched by the sudden honesty. "Then why me?"
Vihaan met his eyes, quiet now. "Maybe I just wanted to know what it feels like… to share something."
And that did something to Rehan's chest—stirring a strange ache, a dangerous warmth.
Inside the hotel, they were greeted like royalty. The staff—trained, discreet, and clearly aware of who Vihaan Roy was—stood aside respectfully. But Vihaan waved them off and took Rehan's hand lightly, guiding him up a private elevator.
The penthouse suite was a dream. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls, a fireplace already glowing, and a hot chocolate tray waiting near the window-facing couch.
Rehan laughed as he dropped onto the couch. "Okay, this is too much. I feel like a prince."
Vihaan sat beside him, handing him the mug. "You deserve it."
That silence again. Gentle. Intimate.
Rehan glanced at Vihaan as he sipped his drink. "You really never did this before?"
Vihaan looked away, a shadow of something unreadable crossing his face. "No. I've had nights, but not evenings like this."
Rehan smiled, small but sincere. "It's strange. You're supposed to be dangerous, ruthless… untouchable. But right now…"
Vihaan turned toward him. "Right now?"
"You feel real," Rehan said, his voice softer than a whisper.
Vihaan leaned back, looking at him as if trying to memorize the moment. "Stay real with me tonight, Rehan."
And Rehan did.
That night, they didn't need shadows or fire. Just warmth, slow laughter, and silent stares exchanged between two souls meeting somewhere in the middle of the chaos.
The cool night breeze brushed over the balcony, carrying with it the scent of pine, fresh air, and something quietly intoxicating. The city below shimmered like a thousand tiny stars, but Rehaan's eyes weren't on the view anymore—they were on Vihaan. The man stood quietly beside him, resting one hand against the glass rail, the other holding his phone which had just buzzed on the balcony table.
Rehaan leaned slightly. "Who is it?"
Vihaan glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening just slightly. "Reyaan."
The name hit the air like a blade being drawn.
Rehaan's curiosity flared instantly. "Put it on speaker."
Vihaan arched a brow. "Why?"
"I want to hear him. The one who tore Kiaan down... twice. The one who's still haunting him like a shadow. I need to hear the voice that makes even KIAAN tremble."
Vihaan hesitated. For a second, something unreadable flickered across his face. Then, with a resigned sigh, he tapped the speaker icon and brought the phone between them.
A pause. Then a voice.
> "Vihaan. Where are those previous deal files? The ones from Geneva and Berlin? Don't make me ask twice."
The voice was harsh, razor-edged, commanding. A tone that didn't ask—it ordered. Gravel and steel molded into one.
Vihaan chuckled lowly, as if trying to soften the sharpness. "Relax, Reyaan. They're in your encrypted drive. Check folder X-57."
> "I did check. They're missing."
"Because I moved them last night," Vihaan replied, tone casual. "Didn't want any leaks. You're welcome."
But then, Reyaan's voice changed. From business to personal in a beat.
> "Are you spending time with that agent again?"
Vihaan tensed slightly. Rehaan's heart skipped.
> "You've really fallen for him, haven't you?" Reyaan scoffed darkly. "And here I thought you were just playing around with boys. Looks like you're getting soft."
Vihaan's smile faded slightly. "You call it soft. I call it choosing peace for once."
> "Peace?" Reyaan's laugh was short and cold. "You and I both know peace doesn't last in our world."
Rehaan stood still, listening, every syllable making his blood run colder. There was a reason Reyaan Malhotra's name spread like a ghost story in dark alleyways. His voice alone was enough to make a man flinch.
> "Anyway," Reyaan continued, tone flattening into something possessive, deadly calm, "I want you to keep an eye on Kiaan."
Vihaan frowned. "Still keeping tabs on him, huh?"
> "He's too stubborn," Reyaan hissed. "And you know I hate that. If I break him again, he won't endure it—and I don't want that to happen."
Vihaan stepped forward, voice lowered but still audible. "Then maybe stop trying to break him."
> "No one touches what's mine, Vihaan. Not even his thoughts. Not even his f***ing warmth." The venom in Reyaan's voice dripped with obsessive fire. "So, it's better if Kiaan understands that before I set his world on fire. And trust me—I will."
Rehaan could barely breathe. Every word Reyaan uttered wasn't just a threat—it was a promise stitched with madness and possession. He wasn't just obsessed. He burned for Kiaan.
Vihaan exhaled. "You've always gone too far when you fall too hard. But Reyaan… just don't destroy him beyond repair. Not this one."
A beat.
> "Goodnight, Vihaan."
The call ended with a click, and all that remained was silence and the distant howl of wind over the hills.
Rehaan finally turned to Vihaan, voice quiet. "He's not just dangerous. He's... obsessed."
Vihaan nodded slowly. "Reyaan doesn't love. He consumes. And Kiaan is the first person he's ever marked as his own."
Rehaan whispered, "Is Kiaan safe?"
Vihaan looked out at the night, his face unreadable.
"Depends… on what you mean by safe. Because with Reyaan Malhotra—no one is ever safe. Not even the ones he claims to protect."
And in that moment, Rehaan understood—Kiaan wasn't just marked.
He was claimed by the devil himself.
The stars had begun to scatter like diamonds over velvet, casting their shimmering glow across the balcony of Vihaan's luxurious hilltop hotel. The air was crisp and laced with the scent of pine, earth, and something unspoken between the two men standing there—words unsaid, feelings unconfirmed, tension unbearable.
Rehaan leaned slightly on the rail, eyes absorbing the horizon, lost in thought, when suddenly—he felt it.
Strong arms wrapped gently, yet possessively, around him from behind. A quiet breath brushed against his neck, and then came that voice—low, husky, and deadly calm.
> "You didn't answer me yet."
Rehaan stiffened.
> "That night… at my penthouse. During dinner. I asked you a question, Agent."
Vihaan's voice dipped lower, curling like smoke into Rehaan's ear. "And you smiled… but never answered."
Rehaan turned slowly, his chest brushing against Vihaan's as he faced him. But Vihaan didn't back away—no, instead, he placed both hands on either side of Rehaan, pinning him softly against the railing, his frame caging him in without force, only presence.
Their faces were dangerously close now.
Vihaan's eyes—usually ice cold—held something different tonight. A storm, yes, but laced with warmth. Desire. Maybe even… hope.
> "So?" Vihaan whispered. "What's your answer, Agent Rehaan?"
Rehaan's throat tightened. "You're used to taking what you want without asking, Vihaan."
Vihaan tilted his head. "Maybe. But with you… I asked. That should mean something."
A pause. The wind howled softly around them.
Rehaan looked at him, really looked—at the mafia-born empire king who had shown him chaos and charm, destruction and devotion all in one. The man who could order a city burned by morning, yet still remembered how he liked his coffee without sugar. The man who hadn't just entered his life—he'd rewritten it.
> "You scare me," Rehaan confessed, voice raw.
Vihaan's smirk faded.
> "Good," he replied softly. "Because I scare myself when it comes to you."
Rehaan's breath caught.
> "I've killed for business," Vihaan continued. "But for you… I'd destroy nations."
The sky seemed to still.
> "So I need an answer," Vihaan said, his voice just above a whisper, nose brushing against Rehaan's. "Because I don't chase people. But I'm standing here… chasing you."
Rehaan stared at him, then lowered his gaze to Vihaan's lips for a moment too long before whispering—
> "Yes."
Vihaan blinked.
> "What?"
> "Yes," Rehaan repeated, firmer this time, a fire lighting behind his eyes. "Yes, Vihaan. The answer is yes."
Vihaan didn't speak—he crashed forward, kissing Rehaan like a man starved for eternity. One hand tangled in Rehaan's hair, the other gripping his waist as if anchoring himself to the only thing that mattered in this world. Rehaan melted into him, fingers clawing at Vihaan's back, heart racing like a drum of war.
And above them, the stars burned brighter—perhaps because two dangerous worlds had just collided not in battle… but in surrender.