Chapter 54

Author,s POV

Marie replied, "Sir brought you here early this morning. He had to leave for Italy for two days for business."

Pihu's frown deepened, her worry morphing into frustration and hurt. "Why didn't he tell me?" she asked, more to herself than to Marie. Marie's silence hung heavily in the room, offering no comfort.

Suddenly, Pihu's phone beeped, indicating a new message. With a mix of apprehension and hope, she picked it up and read the text from Rudra: "Pearl, I had to urgently leave for a meeting. So, I didn't tell you in advance. Please take care of yourself, make sure to have your meals and medicine on time. And don't leave the mansion, not even to go to the garden."

Sighing, Pihu felt a swirl of emotions—a growing curiosity about the situation, frustration at being kept in the dark, and little bit concern for him too. She knew she needed more information. With Marie's help, she moved to get freshened up, her thoughts already on Claire. If anyone could shed light on what was happening, it would be her.

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As Marie pushed Pihu's wheelchair towards the breakfast table, where Claire was already seated and eating her breakfast, Pihu's unease grew. The sight of a dozen bodyguards stationed inside the mansion only heightened her sense of foreboding. The guards were scattered strategically, their expressions stern and vigilant, which made Pihu's anxiety spike. She couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

As they approached the table, Claire looked up, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "Good morning, Pihu," she greeted cheerfully, her tone a stark contrast to the tension filling the mansion.

"Good morning, Claire," Pihu replied, trying to keep her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "What's going on? Why is there so much security inside the mansion?"

Claire's smile faltered for a brief moment before she composed herself. She took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Pihu's with a mix of concern and reassurance. "I told you that it's just a precaution, Pihu. With Laurent and Rudra both being away, they wanted to ensure our safety. There's no need to worry."

Pihu nodded, but her unease didn't dissipate. "But why so many guards? It feels like we're preparing for something... serious."

Claire sighed softly, placing her fork down and leaning closer to Pihu. "There are always risks in our world, Pihu. Rudra and Laurent just want to make sure we're safe while they're handling some important matters. It's better to be over-prepared than underprepared."

Pihu appreciated Claire's attempt to reassure her, but the gnawing feeling in her gut persisted. She couldn't help but worry about Rudra and what he might be facing in Italy. The cryptic message he had left her and the sudden increase in security were not sitting well with her.

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In the car, Rudra sat alongside Veer and Laurent, the atmosphere thick with anticipation. Seven cars followed closely behind, and Seven more led the way, each filled with vigilant bodyguards. The convoy moved with a calculated precision, a testament to the gravity of their mission.

Rudra's expression was stern as he turned to Laurent, his voice cutting through the tension. "Is everything ready?" he asked.

Laurent nodded confidently. "Yes, you don't have to worry. Our men have everything set and we are ready."

Satisfied, Rudra gave a brief nod and reached for his mobile phone. With a few taps, he accessed the CCTV footage of Laurent's mansion. The screen displayed a live feed of the interior, and his eyes immediately sought out Pihu. She was seated at the breakfast table, engaged in conversation with Claire. Despite the distance and the layers of security, Rudra's concern for her was palpable.

He watched her for a moment, her expression a mix of curiosity and unease. Claire's reassuring presence beside her seemed to provide some comfort, but Rudra knew Pihu well enough to sense her underlying anxiety. The sight of her brought a fleeting softness to his eyes like always, a stark contrast to his cold demeanor.

"Just a few more hours, Pearl," he thought to himself, a resolve strengthening within him. "Then I have my whole life to mend according to your will."

As he put the phone away, his focus sharpened once more on the task at hand. It was time to end the vengeance and strike a final blow.

They reached their scheduled destination in Italy, an expansive estate owned by the mafia organization where crime lords from every corner of the world gathered. It was a fortress of power and secrecy, where the most dangerous men on the planet convened to discuss business, set rules, determine territories, crown mafia king, and enforce brutal punishments for those who broke treaties.

As Rudra arrived, the estate buzzed with a palpable sense of anticipation and dread. According to the ironclad rules of this dark world, every country's mafia representatives were required to arrive before their king. Rudra, cloaked in an aura of lethal authority, stepped out of the car, his presence alone sending shivers down spines. The air grew heavy with tension. Men who commanded fear in their own territories now bowed before him, their eyes reflecting a mix of respect and trepidation. He was the devil, the ultimate enforcer of their sinister code, a figure whose gaze alone could instill terror.

Rudra's eyes scanned the opulent hall, taking in the sea of faces, but the ones he sought—Matteo Ricci and Yashvardhan—were conspicuously absent. If he wanted, he could make Matteo pay for his insolence then and there, but Rudra preferred a more strategic approach, a calculated play that would ensure Matteo's complete and utter destruction. With a deep breath, he composed himself, ready for the grand confrontation.

As everyone moved towards the grand hall, Rudra's eyes finally landed on Matteo, who sat with a self-satisfied smirk plastered on his face. The atmosphere grew heavier, the tension nearly palpable. The assembled mafia kings and their entourages settled into their places, the room humming with a sense of foreboding.

Matteo began the meeting with a thinly veiled attempt to defame Rudra. "We must discuss the recent disruptions in our business operations," he said, his voice carrying an edge. "It has come to my attention that shipments have been attacked, and the evidence points towards certain parties among us."

Rudra remained silent, his face a mask of impassivity as he allowed Matteo to continue his charade. The other mafia leaders exchanged glances, the room buzzing with barely concealed whispers.

"Rudra," Matteo said, his tone dripping with feigned concern, "what do you have to say about the accusations against your men?"

With a calm, deliberate movement, Rudra stood. His presence commanded immediate silence. He pulled out a folder and began to distribute photographs to the gathered leaders. "These images," he said, his voice cold and authoritative, "show Matteo's men attacking shipments belonging to various mafia families present here."

Murmurs filled the room as everyone examined the photos. The evidence was irrefutable. Faces of Matteo's men were clearly captured in the act, leaving no room for doubt.

Matteo's smirk faltered, but he quickly recovered, standing to counter. "These could be doctored. We all know the lengths to which Rudra would go to maintain his power."

Before Rudra could respond, a sudden, sharp movement caught his eye. Matteo's man, hidden in the shadows, aimed a gun directly at Rudra. With lightning-fast reflexes, Rudra dodged the bullet, which whizzed past him, grazing his arm. Chaos erupted instantly.

The grand hall turned into a battleground as gunfire and shouts filled the air. Sides were taken as mafia leaders began shouting, some aligning with Rudra, others standing by Matteo. Rudra's men, previously standing by in strategic positions, sprang into action, returning fire with lethal precision.

Veer and Laurent moved to cover Rudra, their guns blazing as they fought off Matteo's men. Rudra, with a murderous glint in his eyes, zeroed in on Matteo. "You think you can take me down this easily?" he snarled, his voice dripping with fury.

Matteo's smirk returned, even as he ducked behind cover. "Don't be so confident, Rudra. You're not invincible."

Rudra's response was a cold, humorless laugh. "We will see, Matteo."

With calculated movements, Rudra and his men pushed forward, their bullets finding their marks with deadly accuracy. The hall was a cacophony of violence, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder and blood. Rudra's focus was razor-sharp, his every action a testament to his lethal skill.

Suddenly, Matteo's voice cut through the noise. "Don't you think you're forgetting something precious, Rudra?" he sneered. The implication was clear, and Rudra's mind raced. Pihu and Claire. If Yashvardhan wasn't with Matteo, it meant Matteo had planned to attack Rudra's mansion, targeting the most vulnerable—Pihu and Claire.

Realization dawned on Rudra, his expression darkening but hide his concern and said. "You underestimate me, Matteo," he said, his voice low and menacing. "But you've made one crucial mistake. You forgot who you're dealing with."

In an instant, Rudra's men intensified their assault. The grand hall exploded into even more violence, bodies falling as the fierce battle raged on. Rudra, with Veer and Laurent by his side, fought with relentless precision, pushing through the chaos towards Matteo.

With a quick, calculated shot, Rudra hit Matteo in the leg, sending him sprawling to the ground. Rudra stalked towards him, gun raised, ready to deliver the final blow. "This ends now," Rudra growled, his voice echoing with lethal intent.

But Matteo, despite the pain, laughed humorlessly. "You think you've won, Rudra? Think again." He pressed a button on a small device hidden in his hand. The sound of multiple explosions echoed through the estate, coming from the direction of the mansion.

"Shit!" Rudra cursed, shooting Matteo in the head and ending his life instantly. Veer and Laurent quickly joined Rudra. "We have to leave immediately," Veer said urgently. "This bastard has blasted the front of the mansion. We need to find a way out now."

The explosions caused chaos among the gathered mafias. Debris and smoke filled the air as people scrambled for cover. The carefully orchestrated meeting had descended into utter pandemonium.

As they navigated the chaos, Rudra's thoughts were consumed with Pihu, his heart racing like a bullet train. His grip on his gun tightened. "You will pay, Yashvardhan. If you touch even a hair on Pihu, you'll experience hell on earth," he vowed, his primary concern now ensuring Pihu and Claire's safety. He needed to get back to the mansion immediately.

"Veer! Laurent!" Rudra shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We need to get back. Now! They are in danger." Informing Veer and Laurent.

They fought their way through the chaos, the urgency of their mission lending them strength. Rudra's mind raced with fear for Pihu and Claire, the realization that he might have miscalculated gnawing at him.

As they made their escape, Rudra's thoughts were consumed with a singular purpose: to save the women he loved and destroy anyone who dared threaten her.

Laurent and Veer were in similar states of distress. Laurent's thoughts were filled with concern for his unborn child and Claire, as well as for Pihu, whom he treated like a little sister. Veer was growing restless, imagining the worst as he repeatedly dialed the phone at the mansion with no one answering. As they finally got into the car and the engine roared to life, Veer called for there helicopter, which was waiting at the other end of estate's helipad.

The car sped towards the helipad, urgency propelling them forward. Once they boarded the helicopter, the blades spun into action, lifting them into the air. Rudra's eyes were hard, his resolve steely. He would not rest until Pihu and Claire were safe and Yashvardhan paid for his audacity.

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Meanwhile, after Rudra left the mansion, Pihu and Claire sat in Claire's room, engaging in light conversation. But Pihu's mind kept drifting back to Rudra, Veer, and Laurent, hoping they were safe. She couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at her, so she decided to distract herself by cooking something sweet, fulfilling Claire's craving.

Wheeling herself down the hall, Pihu felt the mansion's opulence do little to ease her apprehension. As she approached the kitchen, she noticed Gabriel, Laurent's second-in-command, speaking in hushed tones on his phone. His demeanor was tense, and there was a dangerous glint in his eye that Pihu hadn't noticed before.

Curiosity piqued, Pihu stopped just outside the kitchen, straining to hear the conversation. Gabriel's words were clipped and urgent. "Yes, everything is in place. Yashvardhan. The attack will happen as planned. But don't forget your promise."

A cold chill ran down Pihu's spine as the realization hit her—Gabriel was a traitor. Panic surged through her, but she knew she had to stay calm. She needed to warn Claire and find a way to alert Rudra. Carefully, she wheeled herself back towards Claire's room, her mind racing with the implications of what she had overheard.

Before she could reach Claire, the mansion shook with the force of an explosion. The sound was deafening, and the walls seemed to vibrate with the impact. Pihu's heart pounded in her chest as chaos erupted around her. Screams and gunfire filled the air, and the once serene mansion was now a battlefield.

Marie came running down the hall, her face pale with fear. Claire was just behind her, a gun in hand, having already heard the explosion and understanding they were under attack. Claire's face was set in a cold, determined mask. "Come with me," she said sharply, leading the way while Marie pushed Pihu's wheelchair.

As they moved quickly down the corridor, the urgency in their steps mirrored the chaos around them. The sound of gunfire grew louder, and Pihu's anxiety spiked. Despite the desperate situation, they maintained some distance from Claire, with Marie struggling to push the wheelchair faster.

They reached the safe room at the end of the corridor on the ground floor. Just as they approached the door, a gunshot rang out. Marie collapsed to the floor, blood pooling beneath her. Pihu gasped, her heart racing even faster. Claire turned around, her gun raised, but Gabriel shouted, "Stop, or I will shoot!"

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TBC