"That's it," Rohan announced an hour later, after security had swept the entire building and found nothing. "We're leaving Seattle."
"What? No!" Avery protested. "We can't just run away."
"It's not running. It's strategic retreat. I have a private island. Completely secure. We go there until the board meeting."
"When is the board meeting?"
"Five days."
"Five days hiding on an island while Arjun does God knows what? Absolutely not."
Rohan's eyes flashed with frustration. "Avery, he's escalating. The texts, the surveillance—he's planning something. I can feel it."
"Then we fight back! We don't hide!"
"I am NOT risking your life!"
"It's MY life to risk!"
They stood glaring at each other, both breathing hard.
Rohan's mother, Meera, chose that moment to walk in with tea. "Are you two fighting or flirting? Sometimes it's hard to tell."
"Mom—" Rohan started.
"Quiet, beta. Let me talk to your wife." Meera set down the tea and turned to Avery. "What's your plan, dear?"
"I don't have one yet," Avery admitted. "But running away isn't it."
"I agree." Meera ignored Rohan's protest. "Arjun is a bully. Bullies don't stop when you run. They chase harder."
"Exactly!" Avery said.
"So what do we do?" Rohan asked tiredly.
Meera smiled. "We set a trap."
Both Rohan and Avery turned to stare at her.
"You want to use yourself as bait?" Rohan asked his mother incredulously.
"Not me. You two." Meera sipped her tea calmly. "Arjun wants you both dead. He's obsessed. Desperate. That makes him sloppy. We use that."
"How?" Avery asked, intrigued.
"The charity gala. Tomorrow night. It was scheduled before all this drama. Arjun will be there—he's still on the board. Half of Seattle's elite will be there. Witnesses everywhere."
"You want us to confront him publicly?" Rohan asked.
"I want you to make him lose control publicly. Get him to confess. On camera. With witnesses."
Avery's mind was racing. "That could actually work."
"That could get you both killed," Rohan countered.
"Not if we plan it right," Meera said firmly. "We'll have security everywhere. Police on standby. Everything recorded. Arjun won't be able to hurt anyone without getting caught."
Rohan looked between his mother and his wife. Two of the strongest, most stubborn women he'd ever met.
"This is insane," he muttered.
"Most good plans are," Meera replied cheerfully. "So, are we doing this?"
Avery looked at Rohan. "Together?"
He sighed heavily, but there was a small smile on his face. "Together."