"How is that possible?" Avery's voice shook. "He tried to kill your mother!"
"His family has the best lawyers money can buy. And apparently, they argued there wasn't enough evidence to hold him." Rohan started pacing like a caged animal. "He's out, but with restrictions. Ankle monitor. Can't leave the city. Can't come within 500 feet of us."
"You really think a restraining order will stop him?"
"No. That's why we're not taking any chances."
Within an hour, the penthouse was swarming with security. Cameras everywhere. Guards at every entrance. Marcus briefing his team in the living room.
Avery felt like she was in a fortress. Or a prison.
She escaped to the kitchen and did the only thing that calmed her nerves—she started baking. Rohan's kitchen was massive and fully stocked. She found flour, sugar, butter, and started making croissants from muscle memory.
Twenty minutes later, Rohan found her elbow-deep in dough.
"What are you doing?"
"Baking. It helps me think."
He leaned against the counter, watching her work. "You're really good at that."
"My grandmother taught me. She said baking is like meditation. You can't rush it. You have to trust the process." Avery shaped the dough carefully. "She also said the best things in life take time. Like good bread. Like real relationships."
"Is that what we have? A real relationship?"
Avery's hands stilled. She looked up at him. "I don't know what we have, Rohan. This started as a business deal. But somewhere between Vegas and now, it became... complicated."
"Complicated," Rohan repeated, moving closer. "That's one word for it."
"What word would you use?"
He was standing right in front of her now, close enough that she could see the gold flecks in his dark eyes.
"Dangerous," he said softly. "What I'm starting to feel for you is dangerous. Because if something happens to you—"
His phone buzzed. A text message.
Rohan's face went pale as he read it.
"What? What is it?"
Wordlessly, he showed her the screen.
It was a photo. Of Avery. Taken today. In this kitchen. Through the window.
The message below it read: "Nice croissants. I prefer mine with jam. - A"
Avery's blood turned to ice. "He's watching us. Right now."
Rohan immediately pulled the curtains closed and called Marcus. "Sweep the perimeter. Someone's outside with a camera. Find them!"
But Avery knew they wouldn't find anyone. Arjun was too smart for that.
Another text came through. This time to Avery's phone.
Unknown: Enjoying your new life, Mrs. Rathore? Don't get too comfortable. Everything you love turns to ash. Just like your bakery. Just like you will. Soon.