Page 35 of Lawfully Yours

“Tell her you’re ready to meet. But under our conditions.”

Anant and Arundhati both listened intently.

“First, you won’t meet her in private. Not at her home, not in some secluded place where she can spin another story tomorrow. You’ll meet her in a public location—somewhere neutral. A club, a restaurant, somewhere where there are witnesses.”

Anant nodded slowly.

“Second,” Kushal continued, “you’re not going alone. Both your lawyers, me and Arundhati, will be there. She can bring her lawyer too. That way, if she tries anything ridiculous—” his gaze flickered toward Arundhati for half a second before returning to Anant “—we’ll be there to handle it immediately.”

Arundhati inhaled deeply, finally seeing the logic in his plan.

“I agree,” she said reluctantly. “This is the best way to make sure she doesn’t manipulate the situation.”

Anant sighed, rubbing his temples.

“Yeah, this is fair. I’ll message her and let her know.”

But then, a thought struck him.

“What if she refuses? What if she insists on meeting alone?”

Kushal smirked.

“Then you deny. If she’s that desperate to meet you, she’ll agree to your terms.”

Anant stared at him for a long second before nodding.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll let you both know when and where.”

Arundhati watched as Kushal leaned back in his chair. Why did he always have to be right?

***************

Exclusive Lounge, Midnight Club – New Delhi

Kushal shook hands with Anant, who had taken every precaution to hide his identity. A hoodie, a cap pulled low over his forehead, dark shades despite the dim lighting, all carefully planned by Kushal himself, to keep the media hounds from sniffing him out the moment he stepped inside.

“Smart move,” Anant muttered, shifting slightly as he rubbed his hands together. “Last thing I need is to make tomorrow’s headlines.”

Kushal smirked, hands casually tucked into his pockets. “You can thank me later. Let’s just get through this meeting first.”

He glanced at his watch before scanning the entrance.

“I’ll check where Arundhati is—”

“Already did,” Anant cut him off. “She’s on her way. Should be here any moment now.”

And as if the universe had heard them, a cab rolled up to the curb.

The back door swung open, and she stepped out.

Kushal’s breath hitched as he saw her. Arundhati paid the driver, adjusted the strap of her fitted emerald-green dress, and turned toward them. And just like that, he felt the temperature around him shift.

She wasn’t wearing anything particularly revealing. The dress had thin straps grazing her shoulders, a modest V-neckline that hinted just enough without giving away too much. But the way the silky fabric hugged her body, the way it flowed over her curves, down to the slit that ran dangerously high along her toned legs, increased his heartbeat.

His throat dried as his gaze dropped to her legs.

Long, toned, smooth, and unfairly mesmerizing.