Chapter 13: The Reckoning

Ekansh’s POV

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the secluded property. My men surrounded the perimeter, their weapons gleaming under the faint light. This was the most promising lead we’d had in weeks, and I wasn’t about to let it slip through my fingers.

"Everyone in position?" I asked, my voice low but firm.

Arjun nodded, his expression mirroring the determination I felt. "Yes, boss. We’ve got snipers covering the exits, and the rest are ready to breach on your command."

I adjusted the bulletproof vest under my jacket, my gaze fixed on the looming structure ahead. Every fiber of my being screamed for action, but I forced myself to remain calm. Rushing in blind could cost Dia her life, and I couldn’t afford that. Not now. Not ever.

"Move," I ordered, and my men sprang into action. The gates were silently dismantled, the guards subdued without a sound. As we advanced, my heart pounded with a mixture of fear and fury. She was here—I could feel it.

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Dia’s POV

I was drifting in and out of consciousness, my body too battered to fight anymore. The room was suffocatingly silent, the faint sound of footsteps in the distance the only thing grounding me. I didn’t know if I was imagining it or if it was real.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and I flinched, expecting the worst. But instead of Ajay’s cruel smirk, I saw a face I hadn’t dared to hope for—Ekansh.

He was here. He had come for me.

Tears blurred my vision as he rushed toward me, his hands gentle despite the urgency in his movements. "Dia," he murmured, his voice cracking. "I’m here. I’ve got you."

I wanted to respond, to tell him how much I’d prayed for this moment, but all I could manage was a weak nod. His arms wrapped around me, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe.

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Ekansh’s POV

The sight of her broke something inside me. She was barely recognizable—her once vibrant eyes dull, her fragile body covered in bruises. I cradled her in my arms, rage simmering just beneath the surface.

"Dia, I’ve got you," I whispered, my voice trembling. "You’re safe now. No one will ever hurt you again."

She didn’t say anything, but the way her fingers weakly gripped my shirt spoke volumes. I turned to Arjun, who stood in the doorway, his gun still drawn. "Clear the rest of the building," I ordered coldly. "And bring Ajay to me. Alive."

As Arjun and the others moved out, I focused on Dia. I couldn’t imagine the horrors she had endured, but I swore to myself that I would make Ajay pay for every single one of them.

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Dia’s POV

For the first time in a month, I felt a glimmer of hope. Ekansh’s presence was like a shield, blocking out the pain and fear that had consumed me. His touch was gentle, his words soothing, and for a moment, I allowed myself to believe that everything would be okay.

I clung to him as he carried me out of that hellhole, my body too weak to protest. The cool night air hit my skin, a stark contrast to the suffocating darkness I had been trapped in.

The sound of gunfire erupted in the distance, but Ekansh didn’t falter. He held me close, his grip steady and protective. I didn’t know where we were going, but as long as I was with him, I didn’t care.

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Ekansh’s POV

As I carried Dia toward the convoy, my mind was already racing. She needed medical attention, but more than that, she needed to feel safe. I couldn’t undo the damage that had been done, but I could make sure that those responsible paid for it.

"Get the car ready," I barked at one of my men, who immediately sprang into action.

Dia’s breathing was shallow, her head resting against my chest. "You’re going to be okay," I promised her, my voice steady despite the chaos around us. "I’ll make sure of it."

But as I placed her gently in the car and climbed in beside her, I knew one thing for certain—this wasn’t over. Ajay Patel had made the biggest mistake of his life, and I wouldn’t stop until he paid for every ounce of suffering he had caused.

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Ekansh’s POV

The car sped through the dark, winding roads, the silence between us broken only by Dia’s shallow breaths. I kept glancing at her, every bruise and cut on her fragile body fueling the storm inside me. I had seen horrors in my line of work, but this? This was personal.

She stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open for a moment before closing again. “Dia,” I murmured, leaning closer. “We’re almost there. Hold on, okay?”

Her lips moved, but no words came out. I reached out to gently brush a strand of hair from her face, my hand lingering for a moment. I couldn’t lose her. Not now. Not after everything.

The mansion came into view, its towering gates opening swiftly as the car approached. “Get the doctor,” I ordered sharply, my men scrambling to comply. I scooped Dia into my arms as the car came to a halt, carrying her inside with purpose.

As I laid her on the bed, the doctor rushed in, his bag already open. “Do whatever it takes,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. Then, I stepped back, watching helplessly as the doctor began to assess her injuries.

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Dia’s POV

The voices around me were muffled, like I was underwater. I could feel hands on my skin, examining, prodding, but I was too weak to react. Every inch of me hurt, but the warmth of Ekansh’s arms still lingered, grounding me in the chaos.

The soft glow of the room was a stark contrast to the darkness I had been trapped in. It felt strange—alien. I blinked slowly, trying to make sense of my surroundings. Then, I saw him, standing at the edge of the room, his eyes never leaving me.

“Ekansh…” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He was by my side in an instant, his hand enveloping mine. “I’m here,” he said softly, his usual commanding tone replaced with something gentler. “You’re safe now.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, the overwhelming relief clashing with the pain of everything I had endured. For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself believe his words. Maybe, just maybe, I was safe.

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Ekansh’s POV

As the doctor worked, I stayed by her side, refusing to leave for even a moment. The thought of her alone in that place, enduring unspeakable horrors, made my blood boil. But I couldn’t let my anger consume me—not now.

Her fragile voice calling my name had been like a dagger to my chest. I had always thought of myself as unshakable, but seeing her like this? It had broken something in me.

“Boss,” Arjun’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see him standing at the doorway. “We’ve got Ajay’s location. He’s holed up in a warehouse on the outskirts.”

My jaw tightened, the fury I had been holding back surging to the surface. “Prepare the men,” I said, my voice cold and deadly. “We leave in ten minutes.”

I glanced back at Dia, her eyes closed once more. “I’ll make this right,” I promised her silently, my resolve hardening. “No one will ever hurt you again.”

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Dia’s POV

Even in my haze of pain and exhaustion, I could sense the shift in Ekansh. There was something raw in his eyes, a mix of guilt, anger, and something I couldn’t quite place.

I wanted to tell him everything—to share the nightmares that still clung to me, to let him know how much I had prayed for him to find me. But the words wouldn’t come.

Instead, I squeezed his hand weakly, hoping he would understand. His grip tightened in response, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a sense of peace.

As he stood to leave, I felt a pang of fear. “Don’t go,” I managed to say, my voice trembling.

He paused, his expression softening. “I’ll be back,” he said firmly. “And when I return, you’ll never have to be afraid again. I promise.”

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Ekansh’s POV

Walking away from her was the hardest thing I’d ever done, but I had no choice. Justice—or revenge—was calling, and I couldn’t ignore it.

Arjun handed me a gun as I joined the men outside. The tension in the air was palpable, every one of us ready for the fight ahead. “This ends tonight,” I said, my voice a low growl.

As the convoy roared to life, I cast one last glance at the mansion. Dia was inside, safe for now, but my heart was heavy with the knowledge of what she had endured.

Ajay Patel had made a mistake—a grave, irreversible mistake. And tonight, he would pay for it in blood.