Page 59 of Born in Sin (Phoenix #3)

Chapter Thirty

CARA

She drew lazy circles on Virat’s chest, her fingers tangling in the curly mat of hair that covered it. The peace that blanketed her was one she’d spent a lifetime chasing. It might be short lived but for now it was hers and she’d cherish it.

A phone chimed in the silence of the room. Cara groaned, burying her face in his chest, refusing to accept the fact that the real world was knocking on their little cocoon. Virat chuckled, ruffling her hair and reaching for his phone.

“It’s not me,” he rumbled, after a moment, the vibration of his voice reverberating through her cheek.

Cara burrowed further, shaking her head. “Uh huh. No. I don’t care. I don’t want to talk to anyone.”

She felt Virat still beneath her and exhaled.

Of course. “It’s the burner,” she said resignedly, sitting up, all semblance of peace fleeing in the face of reality.

She reached over to the side table and pulled it over.

Behind her, Virat sat up, the sheet falling to his waist, his bare chest against her back.

He dropped a reassuring kiss on her shoulder but it did nothing to calm her down.

Instead, it sent a sizzle of sensation through her.

You’re in danger, Celina. Please let me help you.

She knew Virat was reading the text over her shoulder, his fury a third party in their little, hotel room.

“That fucker never gives up, does he?” he murmured.

“And I always find it hard to disbelieve him.” Cara sighed. “What does that say about me?”

“That you’re a fool with not enough brains to comprehend what’s going on,” Virat said deadpan.

Cara turned to look at him, her hand slipping under the sheet to grip him, her fingers closing around his hardening length in a soft yet tight hold. “Say that again?” she said sweetly.

Virat laughed, the sound shockingly loud and free. And everything Cara held close, every last fear, hurt, and grudge melted at the sound, leaving only love behind. She cupped his face, bringing his lips to hers for a sweet, sweet kiss, one that healed every lingering past wound.

“I love you, Virat Jha,” she whispered.

“I never stopped loving you, Celi.” He kissed her back, his heart in every stroke and caress of his lips.

Virat rested his forehead on hers, breathing deeply, his face, for the first time ever, relaxed, unlined, and at peace.

And then his phone started to make the strangest beeping noise. Cara drew back, staring at it. “What in the world is that horrifying ringtone?”

Virat smiled wryly. “It’s either Amay or Virat. I have set it to that so I don’t ignore it even when I’m occupied with something important.”

She caught him by the back of his neck when he moved to pick up the phone. “So what happens if you’re busy with something or someone mega important?”

The phone stopped ringing.

He laughed, his breath ghosting over her face. “Well then I guess…”

That infernal noise started up again and even Cara had to accept defeat. “Go,” she whispered. “Take the call.”

Virat swiped the phone to accept the call, one arm still wrapped around her waist to keep her close.

“Ish,” he said. “What’s up?”

His face tightened at whatever he heard, all traces of the relaxed, laughing Virat of moments before disappearing like it had never existed. His hand dropped away from her waist, as he swiped it through his hair, his breath escaping him in a hard exhale.

“You’re sure?”

Cara got out of the bed, walking over to the attached washroom to wash up and ready.

She met her eyes in the mirror that hung above the basin.

Who was this woman? The one who’d just spent the night in Virat Jha’s arms. She’d never dreamt she’d have the chance to know her.

But now that she had gotten that chance, she wouldn’t give it up for anything. Not even for vengeance.

Virat appeared, behind her, his face grave. He watched her pale face in the mirror, concern darkening his eyes.

“You okay?” he asked quietly.

Cara nodded. “You?”

He didn’t answer her directly. Instead, saying, “I have news.”

Of course, he had news. Virat always had news. He opened his mouth to speak but before he could say anything, she shook her head.

“I want to say something first.”

He nodded, watching her carefully.

“We’ve paid so heavily, Vir.” Her voice cracked. “We’ve paid for their vicious sins, for our blissful ignorance, for their criminal stupidity, and our over developed moral compass. We’ve paid with everything we have, our love, our health, our sanity, our chance at happiness…everything.”

He moved to hug her but she stepped away, biting her lip and shaking her head. She needed to finish. She needed to say this.

“No more, Vir,” she said shakily. “They don’t take any more from us.”

“They won’t.” It was a vow, passionate and sworn with the blood pumped from every beat of his heart. “We end this now, Celi-“

“At what cost?”

Virat fell silent for a moment and then he asked her, “What are you saying?”

“You said this time round would be my choices.” She strode forward, allowing her body to line up with him. “I’m holding you to that.”

Virat’s face tightened. “I thought you said what started with you should end with you. You were willing to put your life on the line to end this, to end them.”

“I was. I still am.”

Confused, he ran a hand through his hair and stepped back, a single step. “Then what-“

“I’ll stake everything I have to take them down, Vir.”

He stilled, his gaze searching hers.

“But I won’t stake you.”

“Celi-“ His mouth firmed as her words started to make sense.

“You’ve given enough for me. No more.” She reached forward and wrapped her palm around the back of his neck, pulling him close. “You’re mine. They can’t have you.”

“We said we’d end this whatever the cost.” Virat closed his eyes, his head dropping to her shoulder.

“Not at the cost of you. They. Cannot. Have. You.”

“I have to do this, Celina. I have to end it.” The words were a brand against her skin. “We’ll never be rid of them, if we don’t shut them down. We’ll live our lives looking over our shoulder, waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

“They can have it all, Virat. My peace, my sanity, my identity. But they can’t have you. You’re mine.” She repeated the words, hoping to brand it into his consciousness. “End it only if you then come back to me. That’s my choice.”

“I will always come back to you.” He took her mouth in a searing kiss, a promise, a vow she knew he’d never break.

She kissed him back with a desperation born from a love that was steeped in her every cell and a fear that lived in her heart.

A fear that told her their time was running out.

Someone had turned the hourglass over and the sand was dripping through, a grain at a time.

“What’s the news?” she asked, closing her eyes to stem the tears gathering there.

“Someone from my team checked on Mohan.”

The sand flowed faster, taking Cara’s nascent happiness with it.

“He’s dead, Celi.”

Ice encased her heart and mind but when she spoke, her words were laced with fire. “Well, that’s unfortunate. I was hoping to kill him myself.”