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She was right. I didn’t, and I didn’t even care because Sunaina needed to learn to stay out of my business.

“It doesn’t matter because I don’t have the time for influencers who think taking a few music lessons qualifies them to play with the big boys,” I snapped.

As soon as I said that, I knew I had made a mistake. I mean, I knew it had to be said, but I shouldn’t have put it quite so bluntly. Sufi let out a low whistle and backed away slowly, while Sunaina went still for a minute or so before she straightened her spine and gave me a glacial look that almost froze my balls off.

“Fine,” she said softly.

It was just a word, so why did it sound like a declaration of war?

CHAPTER 19

SUNAINA

Of all the ruthless, arrogant, pompous asses in the world, I happened to be married to the worst one, I fumed silently as I heard his bullshit excuse for why he didn’t want to consider the singer I was suggesting.

I knew his real problem. He thought I was trying to capitalise on the fact that I had lured him into my bed, and now was trying to take over his fucking company. Honestly! And they called women dramatic.

All I was doing was trying to help because Tarana wasn’t just anyone. She was the mother lode.

Viren didn’t know it, but she was exactly what The Bandra Boys were looking for. She had trained all her life under Bhargav Pandit Ji of all people. She had inherited his musical genius if that video was an accurate reflection of her skills. And she wasn’t in the least intimidated by the rigid rules of her gharana because, in the video that I just saw, she was flouting them merrily.

I would have explained all this to my idiot husband if he’d given me a chance to talk. Instead, he had taken mansplaining and condescension to new heights, and it was time to show this big boy what little girls could do if you pissed them off.

I turned on my heel and walked away without saying a word, and I heard Viren swear under his breath. Sufi came running after me.

“He didn’t mean it, Sue,” he exclaimed. “He’s just stressed because he doesn’t want to lose that band.”

He grabbed me by the elbow and dragged me to a halt.

“Talk to me, woman. You have that scary psychopath blank face going on, and I don’t know what you’re plotting, but I’m worried you’ll accidentally destroy the world!”

I smirked at him in reply.

“If you don’t want to go down with the rest of the world, you’ll have to help me, Sufi,” I said coldly.

“Oh God! You’re going to get me fired,” he groaned. “Listen, Sue, I can’t afford to get fired. I’m still paying off the EMIs for my flat in Nerul! And if Viren Chaudhry throws me off on my ass, nobody else will ever hire me.”

“Eh, he’s not going to fire you because I’ll take the fall for this one. Don’t you trust me?”

“I trust you…not at all,” said the big drama queen.

“That’s fine. All I need is for you to connect me to Tanvir.”

“From The Bandra Boys? Oh no! What are you planning, Sue?” he yelped.

“I think it’s time to show Mr Chaudhry the power of a wannabe influencer,” I replied sweetly.

“Fuuuuucccck,” whined Sufi.

But my bestie had never let me down until now, and he didn’t let me down this time either.

“I know I’ll regret this, but I’ll tell Tanvir a friend of mine wants to connect with him. But that’s all I can do. And Sue, if youvalue your head, don’t tell him you’re Sunaina Chaudhry. If your husband thinks you’ve pulled rank with one of his artists, he’ll go full nuclear on you. Mr C doesn’t take kindly to anyone messing with an artist who’s under his protection.”

“What exactly do you think I’m going to do to your Tanvir?” I asked irritably.

“I don’t know! You didn’t tell me what you’re planning, remember?”

“Sufi Singh, this is highly classified info. Strictly need-to-know basis. And you don’t need to know anything about it because that gives you plausible deniability,” I said with a crooked smile.