chapter 4: The Devil's Bargain

Pain.

A dull, throbbing ache settled in Aarohi’s skull as she drifted between consciousness and darkness. The last thing she remembered was the alley, the masked attacker—and Rudra’s voice.

Now, she was lying on something soft. The faint scent of sandalwood and whiskey lingered in the air.

Her eyes fluttered open.

She wasn’t in a hospital.

She wasn’t in a police station.

She was in Rudra Rathore’s home.

---

THE CAGE WITHOUT BARS

The room was vast, luxurious, and hauntingly elegant—deep mahogany walls, golden chandeliers, and bookshelves filled with old classics. The bed she lay on was too comfortable, the silk sheets too soft.

Everything screamed power.

Her body tensed as she sat up. Where the hell am I?

Just then, the door creaked open.

Rudra.

He stepped inside, hands in his pockets, his dark eyes unreadable. The sight of him sent a surge of fury through Aarohi’s veins.

"Finally awake," he murmured, tilting his head. "I was beginning to think you’d never open those sharp little eyes again."

Aarohi swung her legs over the bed, ignoring the way her head spun. "Where am I?"

"My estate."

Her fists clenched. "Did you kidnap me?"

His lips twitched. "You make it sound so… criminal."

"It is criminal, Rathore!" she snapped, standing up. "You—"

The dizziness hit harder this time, making her stumble.

Before she could hit the floor, strong hands caught her.

For a moment, she was pressed against him.

Heat. Strength. The faint scent of musk and danger.

She shoved him away. "Don’t touch me."

Rudra didn’t react. "You’re in no condition to throw punches, detective."

Aarohi steadied herself, breathing hard. "Why am I here?"

Rudra walked to the bar near the window, pouring himself a drink. "Because I saved your life."

She laughed bitterly. "Saved me? You set me up!"

He took a slow sip of his whiskey, watching her over the rim of his glass. "If I wanted you dead, Aarohi, you wouldn’t have woken up at all."

Her stomach twisted. He’s right.

If he really had wanted to kill her, she wouldn’t be standing here.

So why was she here?

Rudra set his glass down. "You were attacked. Someone inside your own department tipped them off."

Aarohi’s blood ran cold. A traitor in the force.

She crossed her arms. "You expect me to believe you?"

"You don’t have to," he said lazily. "But ask yourself this—how did those officers at the club know you’d be there? Who else knew your plan?"

Her heart pounded. Saanvi. Vikram.

Two of the people she trusted most.

Was one of them working against her?

Rudra took a step closer. "You’re chasing ghosts in the dark, detective. And sooner or later, those ghosts will hunt you back."

Aarohi swallowed hard, forcing her voice to stay strong. "Why do you care?"

A slow, knowing smirk curled on his lips. "Because, Aarohi, I don’t like when people try to play games in my city. And right now, someone is using you as a pawn."

Silence stretched between them.

Rudra Rathore—the man she had spent years trying to put behind bars—was offering her a warning.

But why?

---

THE DEVIL’S OFFER

Aarohi took a shaky breath. "So, what now? You let me go, and we pretend this never happened?"

Rudra’s smirk deepened. "Not quite."

Her gut twisted. "What do you want?"

He picked up his drink, taking another slow sip before answering.

"A deal."

Aarohi narrowed her eyes. "What kind of deal?"

"You stop chasing me, and in return…" He set his glass down, walking towards her, his gaze locked onto hers. "I’ll help you find the real enemy."

Aarohi’s heartbeat thundered. "You’re asking me to become your ally?"

"Ally?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "No, detective. I’m asking you to survive."

Her fingers curled into fists. "I don’t make deals with criminals."

Rudra stepped even closer, close enough that she could feel his heat, the tension thrumming between them. "Then tell me, Aarohi… how exactly do you plan to fight an enemy you can’t even see?"

Her breath hitched. He’s right.

Whoever was behind this attack was powerful. She had no leads, no idea who to trust.

But making a deal with Mumbai’s devil?

She hated him. She had spent years trying to put him behind bars.

And yet…

For the first time in her life, she felt like she was standing on the losing side.

She swallowed hard. "If I agree… what’s stopping you from betraying me?"

Rudra’s gaze darkened. "Betrayal is a dangerous game, detective." His voice dropped to a whisper. "And I never play a game I don’t intend to win."

Aarohi’s pulse pounded.

This was it. The moment that would change everything.

Say no, and she’d walk away—alone, vulnerable, and blind to the real enemy.

Say yes… and she’d be stepping into the devil’s den willingly.