Page 111 of Born in Sin

“Kabs?” she said softly, aware of her friend hanging back near the door, not saying a word.

“Fuck you, Car,” he said raggedly. “You had no fucking right to get shot.”

“I agree.”

“You gave me gray hair,” he shot back accusingly. “I’ll have to fucking colour it now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I can’t do stress like this, Car. I don’t do stress. It’s going to give me wrinkles. I can’t afford wrinkles. I’m the biggest star this country has ever seen.”

“No,” she said. “That’s me.”

For one long moment, he just stared at her and then he burst into noisy tears. She held out her arms to him, “Could I have a hug please?”

He sat down on the side of her bed and bent to embrace her, wrapping his arms around her gingerly.

“Are you wiping your nose on my hospital gown?” she mumbled when she felt his head move against her shoulder.

Kabir drew back to smile at her. “I have more class than you, you philistine.” He looked over at Virat who was watching them with an indulgent smile. “If you don’t fucking take care of her this time around, Jha, I’ll kill you myself.”

Cara snorted inelegantly. “He could take you with his little finger.”

“You little traitor.” Kabir glared at her. “Keep talking and I’ll shoot you myself.”

Virat laughed. “I’d probably need my forefinger.” He extended a hand to Kabir who shook it in a firm clasp. “Thank you, my friend,” Virat said, his voice low with emotion. “We couldn’t have done this without you.”

“I’m just glad I didn’t have to have sex with some poor, unsuspecting woman,” Kabir said feelingly, shuddering. “I’d rather stay celibate for the rest of my life.”

“About that,” Virat said carefully. “There is something I need to tell you.”

Kabir looked up at him, wariness creeping into his gaze. “What do you mean by about that? What the fuck did you do man?”

“So, when I thought you were actually dating Celi, I looked into you.”

Cara groaned, her hand going to cover her eyes. “Oh no!”

“What?” Kabir asked alarmed. “What does that mean? What does he mean he looked into me and why are you groaning like a pregnant hippo?”

“When he says he looked into you, he means he now knows the colour of your arsehole,” Cara said glumly, knowing what was coming.

“I found him.” Virat said quietly.

Kabir froze. His gaze darted to Cara, and she nodded.

“Where?” he asked, hoarsely. “Where is he?”

“In a small town in France. I can send you the file with all the details.” Virat’s eyes were sympathetic, understanding the other man’s anguish completely.

“No.” Kabir shook his head. “He left me. He wanted nothing to do with me. After everything I’ve done to ruin his life, the least I can do now is respect his wishes.”

Cara reached for Kabir’s hand, squeezing gently. “We all deserve second chances.”

“Our lavender marriage was supposed to be our second chance,” Kabir told her. “So, this is really your third chance, Car. Don’t strike out again, will you.”

She didn’t let him deflect the issue. “If you ever change your mind, you know we’ll have your back.”

“I know,” he answered, meeting her gaze. “But I won’t change my mind.”