Page 117 of Illicit Games

“Yes, I am. But my judgment isn’t clouded. Kian doesn’t have anything to do with the girls going missing. He’s been privately investigating his company for more than a year. After he had shut down the hiring program, everything went back to normal. It wasn’t until I got attacked that he realized it’s more serious and that the person is an employee of his.”

“So, he’s actively investigating by himself?”

“Yes. It’s personal to him since I’m a target myself. You need to give him the benefit of the doubt and tell the same to the detective you’re working with.”

She studies me inquisitively, while I hope I’m at least making her rethink.

“As much as I’d like to do that, I’m afraid things aren’t looking good for him,” she finally says.

“What?” I frown.

Reaching for a file on the side, she slides it to me. As I flip it open, she drops the bomb. “Two more female employees went missing.”

My vision tunnels as I gape at Rhea’s and Yukta’s pictures staring back at me. No. How did this happen? When I didn’tsee Yukta at the office today, I thought she was on leave or something.

Oh Lord! Is this my fault? She came to me asking for help, but I never talked to Kian. With everything happening then, it slipped my mind entirely. I was too caught up in my personal drama to give a second thought to helping the women at the office.

Now my friend has been taken by a criminal organization.

“Did you know them?”

I jerk my gaze to Harshita. “One of them is my childhood friend. We recently reconnected. When were they taken?”

“Last week. Both were out and never made it home.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” I utter. “They didn’t work in IT. Yukta was in the marketing department while Rhea was a receptionist.”

“It seems there are more than two people involved.”

A single person has higher chances of getting caught. “You wanted proof that Kian’s innocent? I’ve been by his side for the last three months, whether at the office or home. He hasn’t interacted with either of these women. No way he’s had a hand in kidnapping them. Honestly, what would he gain by doing something so heinous? He has all the money and power in the world. His company is his baby. He will never put it at risk.”

“If you’re with him all the time, then you know the kind of people he associates with. The men who frequent his club.”

“That’s business.”

She sighs, like I’m being naïve, when she’s the one being prejudiced. Why is it that everyone assumes the worst in Kian when he’s done nothing to earn it? This whole case feels like a witch hunt against him. Nobody gives a fuck about the poor women. Only about ruining Kian’s reputation.

“What will it take to clear his name?” I demand.

“Finding the actual kidnapper,” she replies, a sharklike glint in her eye. “Is he sharing the progress of his investigation with you?”

“Why?”

“Look, I am not taking you off the case, but I will remind you that if you reveal anything to Kian before the investigation is over,Sahara Timeswill sue you for breach of contract and your career will be over before it starts.”

“I am aware,” I bite out.

“Then find out who Kian’s suspects are and bring them to me. I want to know all the information he has so far.”

My stomach knots at betraying his trust this way.

Harshita senses my dilemma, saying, “This is exactly why you keep your feelings locked down.”

“I’m sorry, but I won’t break his trust.” Shock splashes across her strict face. “I do want to help catch the person responsible. I’ll work alongside Kian and if he identifies the man first, I will share it with you.”

It was the plan anyways.

I’ve already put my relationship on the line by lying to Kian every day. The sooner the case is solved, the sooner I can confess everything to him. I also need to do it before Nathan beats me to it. Why he hasn’t yet is beyond me. Perhaps he’s regained his conscience.