The aroma of strong, freshly brewed coffee filled the cramped little tea shop, mingling with the quiet hum of casual chatter and the occasional clinking of cups. Outside, the city moved at its relentless pace, but inside this small refuge, Kiaan Verma allowed himself a rare moment of calm. His sharp eyes casually scanned the relaxed figures of Dev, Tara, and Rehaan laughing softly over some private joke. Their tension had eased, at least for now.Kiaan stood and made his way toward Zid, who was sitting near the window, seemingly absorbed in the street outside. The afternoon sunlight caught the faint lines of exhaustion on Zid's face, but his posture was alert, always watching.Kiaan slid into the seat opposite him, his gaze steady and direct. "You're sent by him, right?" Kiaan's voice cut through the easy atmosphere like a blade. "To watch me."Zid looked up, an unreadable expression crossing his face. Slowly, he reached out and grabbed Kiaan's wrist, his fingers tightening slightly. The tattoo on Kiaan's skin—a name inked with permanence—caught the light: Reyaan Malhotra. The air between them thickened with unspoken weight."That mark," Zid said low, "it isn't just ink. It's a chain, a brand of power. You're not just marked, Kiaan. You're owned. And Rex… he's scared. Scared that you might slip from under that mark and come after him again."Kiaan's eyes narrowed. "Did you ever see Rex's face?" he asked quietly, the curiosity cutting through his calm. "I've never laid eyes on him. Not even when I was blindfolded and… marked. No photos, no records. It's like he's a ghost."
Zid's grip loosened, and he leaned back, voice dropping into a gravelly whisper. "That's exactly why he's dangerous. No one knows who he really is. Rex controls everything from the shadows. The tattoo… it's his signature, his warning. You carry a piece of him inside you, whether you want it or not."Kiaan clenched his jaw, the memory of that cold, numbing sting on his skin burning fresh. "I won't let him take me again. This time, I decide what happens."Zid's eyes flickered with something like respect, maybe even a warning. "Be careful. You're walking a razor's edge. Rex isn't just a man — he's a storm waiting to break."
Kiaan smiled, cold and sharp. "Then let the storm come. I'm ready."