Chapter 14–Shadows In Plain Sight

Natasha’s POV

The restaurant was quieter than I expected, or maybe I just couldn’t hear past the noise in my head.

I didn’t think I’d have the energy to show up, but staying home or going to the office felt worse.

Ananya’s face lit up the moment she spotted me. She slipped between the tables and pulled me into a tight hug. “Hey, love. What’s up?” she squealed, squeezing me like she hadn’t seen me in years.

“I’m okay,” I said. My voice sounded distant, even to myself.

Ananya pulled away first, her eyes searching my face. “You don’t sound okay. What’s wrong? Talk to me.”

I exhaled softly and looked out the window. “I don’t know where to start.”

“Just say something, will you?” she pressed, her voice softer, but still serious as she sat across from me.

I finally faced her. “Well, the marriage with Tristan is happening. There’s nothing I can do.” My throat felt tight. “It’s for my family.”

“Natasha—”

“No, Ananya, before you say anything, I know how that sounds.” I cut her off. “But sadly, this is just how things are. My father already decided my fate, and I agreed to it.” I tried to keep my voice steady.

Silence settled between us briefly.

Ananya took my hands into hers and gave them a light squeeze. “I’m so sorry, Tasha. I really am.”

“But this can’t just be about a failing company,” she said, her face scrunching up slightly. “I mean, there are banks, investors and whatnot for situations like this.”

I let out a dry, bitter laugh. “I wish this was only about a failing company. You don’t know half of it.”

Ananya straightened up. “Okay… humor me then.”

I took a breath. “My father promised investors high returns on their investments, but couldn’t deliver. They started pulling out, and the stock is dropping drastically. As if that wasn’t bad enough…” I paused, trying to hold my emotions in check. “…he took loans from underground syndicates— like really dangerous people.”

Ananya’s expression softened. “Oh, Tasha, that’s a lot. But what I don’t seem to understand is how Tristan fits into all of this. It’s your father’s mess.”

I leaned back into my seat and waved at the waitress. “Trust me when I say it’s complicated.”

The waitress approached our table with a smile on her face. “What would you like to order?”

“One iced latte, extra shot for me,” I said. She turned to Ananya.

“Just coffee is fine.”

“Alright, one iced latte and coffee coming right up,” the waitress said cheerfully before walking away.

“As I was saying,” I continued. “Tristan fits into all of this because according to my father, he has the resources to clear off the debts. But he didn’t even tell Tristan the whole truth.”

Ananya’s eyes stayed on me. “What truth?”

“He didn’t tell Tristan he owed the syndicates,” I said quietly. “We—”

The words died in my throat as a figure caught my attention. He was standing across the street, half-hidden near the corner. He wasn’t there a moment before.

My stomach tightened.

Ananya followed my gaze, her brows furrowed, “What’s wrong?”

“And that, my friend,” I said quietly, “is the reason my father wants me to marry Tristan.”

I glanced at the waitress, gesturing for her to come closer. Then I turned to Ananya. “Did you drive here?”

She looked at me, clearly confused. “Wait… your father wants you to marry Tristan because of that man standing across the street? What are you even saying? And no, I didn’t drive here. I took a ride. Why?

“We’re leaving.”

The waitress returned. “What else would you like to order?”

I turned to her. “No, sweetheart. We’re not ordering anything else. We need our order to-go.”

“Okay ma’am. On it,” she said, walking away.

“Can you please tell me what’s going on?” Ananya demanded, her voice tightening. “You’re scaring me.”

I leaned in carefully. “My father didn’t just trade me to save his company,” I said softly. “He owed the syndicates lots of money. And when he couldn’t pay… they put a bounty on my family.”

Ananya’s face drained of color, her mouth falling open. “What the actual fuck!”

Silence lingered for a brief moment.

Ananya broke the silence first. “Now it all makes sense.”

I looked at her, trying to understand what she had just said. “What makes sense?”

“Well,” she said, forcing a bit of steadiness into her voice, “the fact that your father wants you to marry Tristan. He’s equally as dangerous as the syndicates. From what I’ve heard.”

My gaze stayed on her, unwavering. “And what are the things you’ve heard?”

Ananya leaned in slowly. “People refer to him as the devil, and I can’t for the life of me figure out why,” she said, her voice dropping into a whisper.

“It could be the fact that he killed his own parents,” I muttered. “You know that. The whole of Miami knows that.”

“And maybe the idea of you two getting married is the best,” she said, her expression shifted to something warm. “Hear me out. I was worried about you getting married to him, but if what you’re saying about your family being in danger is true, you need to feel secure. No one would dare touch even a strand of your hair.”

I took a deep breath.

The waitress came to our table with our orders. “Here you go, ladies. Would that be all?”

“Yes,” I said, offering a small smile. “Could you bring the bill as well?”

“Of course,” she replied before walking away.

I looked outside the window to see if the man was still outside. He had gone. There was no one there.

For a second, relief surged into my chest—but it vanished. My eyes settled on a man sitting at the far end of the restaurant. It was the same man from earlier.

I looked at Ananya now. “Don’t look back. I think the man is inside the restaurant,” I whispered.

Her hand paused midway to the paper bag on the table. “What if he isn’t here for you?” she asked, letting it rest there. “I understand why you’re worried, but it could be anyone, Natasha.”

I reached for my bag on the table. “Yeah, it could be anyone except last week while I was out for a run, I was being followed.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” she said, a hint of worry slipping into her voice.

“No, it doesn’t. Which is why we’re leaving.”

The waitress returned with the bill. I reached for my card without hesitation. “Thank you,” I muttered.

She nodded once. “Very well then, enjoy the rest of your day.” she said, darting through the tables.

I rose up slowly, trying to act normal like I was casually heading toward the restaurant front door. I pushed it open. Ananya followed closely behind me.

In no time, we were in my car. I locked the doors immediately and started the engine, my eyes scanning the rearview mirror.

Ananya turned to me, tense. “Be careful, Natasha.”

I pulled out of the parking spot, gripping the wheel tighter than necessary.

I kept checking the mirrors as I drove, forcing my face to stay calm even though my mind was racing.