Page 133 of Carnal Games

“I didn’t get a chance.” After a beat, I quietly utter, “Harshita?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you… want me to continue looking?”

Her sigh makes my spine snap straight. “How badly were you hurt?”

“Black eye and broken ribs.”

“Why didn’t you call me right away, Iris?”

“I wasn’t alone. I’m staying with a friend,” I lie.

“I understand you must be shaken and scared. I am sorry you got harmed. However, the attack on you confirms our suspicion that something nefarious is going on at Kinetic Securities and that it’s more fatal than we initially thought,” she says softly. “With cases like this and going undercover, there’s always a possibility of situations going awry, people getting hurt in the fight for good. It’s totally up to you whether or not you want to investigate further. If you decide to pull yourself off the case, I’m afraid the job offer no longer stands.”

Her callousness takes me aback. She’s essentially blackmailing me by dangling the bait of the job offer. Where’s the empathy?

It hits me that I’m just a stepping stone to advance her career. I realize I’ve been too naïve in jumping up and biting the bait. She’s taking advantage of who I’m engaged to and my zeal to make a name for myself.

Ever since I decided to become a journalist, I’ve researched and read articles about well-known reporters who cared about exposing the truth and solving crimes. One quality that they all had in common? Standing their ground and following their gut instincts.

Mine says that if I don’t help those lost girls, who have no loved ones fighting to find and save them, then nobody else will. I’m not going to be silenced. Now that I’m aware of how cunning they are, I’ll be smarter.

Harshita isn’t going to protect me. I have to do it myself.

“I’m not scared of going against bad people. I know what the stakes are. However, I deserve full transparency and to know what policies are in place for me as the undercover agent. I’m not risking my life without proper resources and backing fromSahara Times, Harshita. I also want the job offer in writing from the editor in chief.”

I grow confident with each term I state. I should’ve negotiated these before.

Better late than never.

“Where was this boldness last time, Iris?” Harshita replies, sounding impressed. “I’ll get you the signed offer. As for the rest, now that you have a solid lead, we can discuss it later today or you can come to the office to talk in person. I’ll admit it was a mistake on my part that I sent you unprotected. It will not happen again. All precautions will be taken. If we can bring justice, you’ll have carved out a name for yourself even before you graduate. Hope you believe it’s worth the risk.”

It will be. It’s what I’ve hoped for my entire life.

“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to pick up your call tonight or even come tomorrow. Can I let you know when I’ll be able to visit?”

“Sure. Make sure to lay low at the firm. Once we have a foolproof plan and set you up with hidden cameras and a recorder, along with an escape plan, you can start collecting information. Everyone is a suspect, including your boss, Kian Singhania.”

My heart thuds. I bite my tongue to stop myself from defending him.

She’ll ask for proof, and my gut feeling won’t cut it for her, which is all I’ll be able to share.

I open my mouth to reply, when a clanking noise startles me.

Is Kian home?

True to his words, there’s a bodyguard perched outside the front door. I don’t dare to think how Kian has one handy or hired one on such short notice. However, the bulky man isn’tsupposed to come inside unless there’s an emergency or I need him.

“Harshita, I have to go. I’ll text you the day I can come to meet you.”

“Take care.”

I hang up and get out of my bedroom. It’s ten in the morning. Kian left around eight. I don’t think he’ll be back so soon. If it’s not him, who else could it be?

Fear creeps in. I didn’t buzz anyone up.

Sweat gathers on my brow as I wonder if the person who threatened me changed his mind and came to silence me for good.