Page 128 of Illicit Games

“Yeah.”

Blue gaze turning warm, she smiles. “If it’s what you want, then I’m happy for you. You both deserve a second chance, my love.”

“You’re my lucky charm, Iris. I have a life worth living because of you.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

Iris

Déjà vu hits me as I walk down the hallway of the police station a second time. Only this instance, I’m venturing deeper into the building, past the bars where I was locked inside the last time. I had hoped to never step foot in here again.

The walls are dirty, as if no budget was spared for repainting them. Don’t even get me started on the smell.

Keeping a straight and impassive face is a hardship while my insides are crawling with nerves, like worms trying to eat my organs. The budding anxiety is not because I have to talk to the police about the two assaults on me to help get a clue about the disappearance of the women, but because of the lawyer walking behind Kian and me.

I knew that with Kian involving the local authorities, I was bound to give a statement at some point. Even Harshita assured me it’ll be fine as long as I don’t give away that I’m working undercover after I informed her. What I never expected was that Kian would hire a top-notch lawyer while the police questioned me.

I tried to talk him out of hiring one because it was a simple talk, but his protective streak isn’t one I could win against. It deepened the guilt I was already feeling. I reminded myself that it was going to be over soon.

My body jolts when I feel fingers lock around my elbow just before we’re about to enter the interrogation room. I blink and stare up at an intense Kian.

“If you’re nervous, we can come another time,” he offers in a low voice.

“No, I want to get it over with.”

Interlocking his hands with mine, he murmurs, “Okay, Rainbow. If you wish to leave at any point, let me know.”

I nod gratefully.

A little more time, and then I’ll be able to tell him everything.

Our lawyer, Sohail Paul, takes the lead and enters the room first. We follow him inside. The room is depressing as hell with a table in the center surrounded by four rickety chairs. The detectives are yet to arrive. So, the three of us take a seat with me in the middle. I keep my hand on Kian’s thigh, which he covers with his and strokes soothingly.

“Stay calm and answer whatever you can,” Sohail says. “Let me handle it if any question makes you uncomfortable.”

“Yeah. Thank you.”

He smiles. “It’s what I’m here for.”

The door creaks open, startling me. I peer up as two detectives wearing sharp expressions enter. Both appear to be my father’s age. They don’t smile as one of them takes the only empty seat available. While the other one stands behind him.

“Mr. Singhania,” the one sitting across from us greets. “Miss Mannan. I’m Detective Shankar, and this is my partner, Rishi. We’re from the CBI and we’d like to ask you a couple of questions.”

“Sure.”

He pulls out a notebook and a pen, before asking the first question, “When did you begin working for Kinetic Securities?”

“Four months ago.” My heart beats so damn fast that I’m afraid it’ll beat out of my chest and land on their feet.

“You work as Mr. Singhania’s executive assistant?”

“One of his assistants, yes.”

“When did the first attack occur? Please go through your entire day. As many details as possible.”

I visibly tense, digging my nails into Kian’s leg as I recall the evening. Taking a deep breath, I tell them about my lackluster day and how it was around six-thirty in the evening when I rode the elevator downstairs to go to the printing room. I can imagine the scene playing like a movie until the very moment everything went black.

“So, you never saw the person?”