"Lina is threatening me that she would expose my secrets to the media." He said as Sona could see his Adam's apple bobbing up and down his throat. He was really trying..... she moved close to him and placed her hand on his chest.

"What does she demand in return? Is it money?" she asked, fearing his answer.

"No..."

"Then?"

"She wants me to marry her!"

----------------------------

Arjun was tensed as he paced up and down the stairs. He looked at Dev's reports and waited anxiously outside the higher official's office. Dev was in deep shit and Arjun had no idea how to solve it. Ever since he stepped in London, he was overloaded with work. He didn't even get to message Jaanvi.

"Sir, Jordon sir wants to see you." His personal assistant called him inside.

Arjun braced himself and walked inside. Wonder what was stored in for him.

"Good morning Arjun. Congrats on finishing your new work. Finally, you guys are back after so long. Heard that everything went well.... Where's your friend?" Jordon spoke as he received the file from Arjun's hands.

"Thank you, sir. Dev is stuck in a meeting today morning..... He's been having a hard time to avoid the photographers, so he will be a little late." Arjun covered up smartly.

"Well, talking about paparazis...." Jordon paused and stood up from his place. "I have been hearing lots of things Arjun. Whatever happening in Dev's life, isn't my problem! But if he's hell bent on making the headlines everyday, then I don't think he would be fit to continue with handling the cases from now on" Jordon spoke in a strict tone.

His voice brought fear in Arjun's mind. He had always expected this outcome from him one day or another. It wasn't surprising that Dev was being drilled by Jordon again. Dev had always fucked up his projects, either by killing the criminal or taking hasty decisions. He always changed his plans according to the situations. But Jordan had always closed one eye when it came to Dev.

He couldn't fire or suspend him for those mistakes. Because so far, Dev had been the best among the entire cohort.

Dev's intelligence and quick thinking was really an advantage to their team. He always came up with the best plans and finished his job neatly. Dev was someone who could lead an entire army against his shoulder without getting nervous. He could easily gauge what a person was thinking just by scanning their face. Dev's talent was really praiseworthy. And because of those skills, he always manages to convince the higher-ups.

"Sir.....It's not like that. I am sure all this news are fake. You know how these media people are... they never speak the full truth. Half of what's written is all lies." Arjun tried convincing.

"Okay... so now, getting back to work. He married Sonakshi Agarwal because of work reasons..... has he given her the divorce yet?" Jordon drilled his eyes at Dev. Arjun mentally cursed Dev for not attending the meeting on time. Now he had to answer these absurd questions behalf of him.

"No sir, he's really planning to get married to her officially in another few months" Arjun gulped as he looked straight at his senior officer.

"That criminal's daughter?"

"She doesn't have anything to do with Sanjay's crimes. Plus, it's Dev's personal life and I don't think we have any rights to intrude in it!" Arjun gritted.

Jordon smirked and nodded at Arjun. He was indeed surprised by the answers Arjun gave. he

"Well, okay then. Just inform your best friend that Lina had called our office twice, asking for Dev." Jordon said as Arjun froze at his spot. He couldn't believe that Lina had started doing these crazy things again.

"Jordon-"

"Look Arjun, I respect people's privacy too. But when it mixes with profession, it becomes dangerous. I don't know whether Lina knows about Dev's job or not. But if she does, then she's a threat to our team. She was already shot once...... I agreed to let go of her case only because Dev insisted. But if she continues creating problems, then...." he glared at Arjun, "I will have to take some drastic decisions."

"I am sure Dev has a better-"

"Explanation?" Jordon smirked. "Well Arjun, I know about his playboy image and I have warned him about it as well. This can jeopardize his work and I hope you would tell him what to do. If that Lina comes around again, he's finished." Jordon spoke in the language which only Arjun understood. If Lina's chapter wasn't going to end, Dev's life was in risk!

Jesus Christ!

Arjun immediately walked out only to be faced by another shock of his life.

Lina and Dev were fighting in the lobby. The adrenalin flew over his veins like a carp through the river, but he couldn't move a single muscle, not even to scream. He didn't remember being that scared in his life. And this, was just the beginning. What if Jordon sees them here? That idea only made his fears worsen if that was even possible.

"Dev..... what the hell is she doing here?" Arjun stormed off with an angry look. Lina looked unfazed as she just smirked at him in a victorious way.

"I was asking her the same thing. But you know what? She's already prepared or her death. Looks like I have to shoot her on her forehead instead of her stomach to make her disappear!" Dev vented as he glared at her.

"Oh well, you know why I am here Dev.... I offered you a proposal. You better accept it, or let me do my job." Lina said with an evil glint.

Dev immediately held her by the throat, startling Arjun. His grip was so strong that it forced Lina's tongue out of her mouth. The red veins in her eyes were visible as she looked at Dev with fear while he choked her.

"Proposal? Look, I know how to chase you away. I don't need any fucking proposal. Previously, I used to pity you for the mistakes you made. I thought you would change and that's the only reason I spared you alive. But not anymore... Listen carefully, I am married, and I have a beautiful wife at home. A wife who doesn't cheat and one who is capable of giving me the life I want! I love her and only her. If you know what's good, you would leave my path before I really kill you Lina Carter!" Dev's tone turned evil and scary. It was the kind of tone he would use to the criminal in the jail.

"Dev leave her! What are you doing man?" Arjun yelled as he gripped Dev's arms and pulled him back with full force. Lina coughed and massaged her neck, which now had nasty fingerprints etched on them.

"Love? Marry? Woah.... Did I just hear you right?" Lina threw back her head and laughed like it was the funniest thing she's ever heard. Arjun rolled his eyes, knowing that this was her trick to get back with Dev.

"Look Dev, I understand if you don't want to marry me. But seriously, I can't believe you can just throw me away and move on like that. Come on, we had a beautiful life.... We were so happy. I know I did some mistakes. But I will never repeat them" she said in the most convincing tone ever.

"You know what Lina. Fuck off!" Dev gritted his teeth.

"Come on Dev..... look, I am already carrying your virtual baby infront of the world. Before I make this rumour real and sue you, make your decisions real quick." She sneered.

"I can't believe I dated such a cheap woman! I can go right now and reveal all your lies to the world. After that, none of the species on earth will respect you! Is that what you want?" Dev threw murderous glares at her. Arjun nervously looked around for the cameras. He knew that Dev was already in trouble.

"Oh no! you wouldn't do that. You wouldn't want the world to know about your intelligence and undercover job, do you?" she smirked.

"You-"

"Wait... Let's just come to terms Dev. And trust me..... I will not tell anyone about this. Let's compromise and get married. I still love you and I will always do. Announce our marriage as fast as possible. I want you, that's all. No matter what you do, you will always be my first." She emphasised on the word strongly, making Dev cringe backwards.

"Lina, whatever it is, leave right now. We don't want you here anymore! GO." Arjun shouted in an annoyed tone. He was so done with Lina's fake words.

"Oh my, why Arjun? Scared that your senior officers will see me?" she chuckled dryly and faced Dev again.

"You know what? Worse things will happen if you ignore me, Dev. I will keep coming here and no one can stop me this time." Lina said. Arjun was about to speak something, but Dev quickly stopped him.

"And what if he hurts you right now?" Arjun interrupted.

"Aww, Arjun.... come on, I am not that stupid. I have informed a friend of mine to post all our photos and your secrets in social media if something happens to me" she said, making Dev's pupils dilate in shock.

"Fine." Dev inhaled a deep breath, "You know what? Give me some time and I will think about it. Until then, you will not speak to the media about anything. Okay?" he spoke as Lina's eyes narrowed. She shook her head in disbelief.

"Do you really expect me to buy that? Come on Dev, I know about you more than that. You can't deceive me by buying time." she spoke with venom in her tone.

"What else do you want?" Dev's voice was soft but stern.

"I want you to make our relationship public. That too.....by tonight! Use the media, press or any fucking social media..... I don't care. But it must be public!" she smiled and Arjun's eyes widened in dismay.

"WHAT? ARE YOU CRAZY?" Arjun screamed, but Dev held him back, signalling him to keep calm. Arjun glanced over at Dev's face, which was still smouldering underneath his stony expression.

"I need to convince my wife. I need more time than that." Dev spoke.

"Wow, that's not my problem darling. Divorce her and end your relationship right now." She demanded as Dev clenched his fists and glared at her.

"You know......... I need at least a day time. If you don't trust me, you may come over and stay at my place. But, tonight is.....impossible." Dev said as Arjun's head snapped towards him. He looked at Dev like he had gone crazy. Arjun knew that Dev's tone wasn't normal when he spoke, but what was he planning?

He just hoped that he wasn't planning on murdering Lina for real.

"Don't think I am a fool Dev. Stay at your house? I don't trust you one bit.... The last time you shot me, I escaped. But this time if you try anything funny, I will kill your family and make sure your job is jeopardized! Make our relationship public and I will come over to your place!" she glared and walked away.

Before she could go away, she spun back and stared at him, "See you tomorrow morning at your mansion, Mr Dev Sharma!"

Arjun gawked at her. Has she lost her brains when she was shot? She was challenging Dev? Like seriously? And she thought she could win? It didn't make sense. Not even a bit. Eight months of relationship together wasn't enough for her to understand how deadly Dev was. Maybe because he hadn't shown that side of his to anyone. But Lina....a person who was shot by him is ought to know the best, right?

(Flashback)

"Oh my god.... What are you doing here, Dev?" Lina exclaimed as she walked through the dark lanes.

"Lina?" he looked at her with shock. "What the fuck are you doing here?" he straightened his posture and came out from his hide-out position.

"Well, after our break-up, I am roaming here all the time. Did you come here to find me?" she giggled as she approached him. She stumbled through her steps as she walked forward to touch him.

Dev's eyes widened in realisation.

"Stop right there Lina. Wait..........h-have you been taking drugs again?" he asked with bated breath.

He was already there to capture the drug gang and Lina standing there, distracted him. A strange fear engulfed his chest. Although he broke up with her, he still cared for the girl standing infront of him. Was he the reason she started drugs again? He didn't know.

Whatever it was, it made his chest grip with guilt.

He looked around and heard some footsteps.

"Lina go away from here. Now!" he commanded angrily.

"No!" she frowned as smiled wickedly at him. "I am going to get more of those heavenly medicines, Dev! It makes me happy" she chuckled.

"No Lina, I am warning you..." he raised his voice and Lina stopped in her position. Her eyes suddenly blinked in confusion before turning into a raging glare.

"Oh..... you here to capture those guys....right?" her eyes widened. Dev's heart stopped. He cursed his timing. Before he could stop her, she was already running towards the dark road. Turning inside a random lane, she started screaming throughout the quiet alley.

"POLICEEEEEEE" she screamed, making Dev break out into cold sweats.

Dev was startled. Did she just let his identity out like that? He knew that she wasn't in her senses, but still, how could she? His heart pounded heavily as he ran behind Lina as fast as his legs could carry him. When Dev spotted Lina, his breathing hitched. Lina got near the culprit's house, but Dev was still far behind her. He knew that no matter how fast he ran, Lina would still make it there first. He had no other choice.

Taking his gun in his hand, he aimed it towards her. He had to do this..... He could have killed her, because it was part of his mission. He had a proper reason to kill Lina. But he wouldn't.... Because he wasn't that heartless. He pointed it at her legs and pulled the trigger.

A loud sound was heard.

Lina fell on the floor, blood gushing out of her legs. Her screams tore his heart apart. He knew that she still could speak, so immediately he pulled another trigger slightly below her chest. Shooting her down, he closed his eyes in pain. He heard no more screams.

But the pain in his heart, never left.

(Flashback ends)

"Are you mad Dev?" Arjun asked as he furiously drove the car home.

"I know this is crazy, but trust me Arjun-"

"No! Listen Dev, Jordon is already mad at you regarding Lina's case. He already warned me in the morning. Now you! Do you really think this will work? How are you going to make your relationship public? You know that you can't change your announcements like your whatsapp status. Once an official statement is out, they will bug you for life!!!! Plus this time..... your house isn't just you and your mum. Sona is there too... if Lina come's there, Sona will be heartbroken." Arjun said as Dev massaged his neck.

"Don't you think I know all this?" Dev snapped.

"Then why the hell? What's your plan?"

"What else can we do? Kill Lina?"

"Yes! Shoot Lina and stay in peace. We can give the superiors the report they want and-"

"And I can peacefully die in jail? Is that what you want?" Dev raised his eyebrows questioningly.

"Dev...." Arjun sighed and focused on the road.

"Look Arjun, I know you are worried but let me tell you one thing. You can't kill a girl because she is obsessed with you. I can't misuse my position for her. It's called murder and I wouldn't do that. I don't want karma to bite me at my back... Lina is crazy. Yes, but I believe that she would change one day. Somehow, there's my fault in this too. She found out about my job in the past. It was my fault that I wasn't careful.... I know I have to do something now, but I will definitely not kill her." Dev spoke tiredly.

Arjun nodded at his friend. He was amused that Dev's thoughts were much matured than his. At the back of his mind, he knew that whatever Dev did, will end up on a smooth note. But the anxiety just killed him.

Sona was cooking in the kitchen. Although Asha had initially denied her to work much, Sona wanted to distract her mind after a long day. She had gone to her university to talk about her re-admission. The new semester was going to start in a weeks' time. So, she still had some time to prepare herself.

While she was driven on her own thoughts, she felt a pair of hands enveloping her in a tight hug. She smiled as she already knew who it was. She didn't have to turn around to know the owner of those teasing fingers.

"What's cooking?" Dev spoke in a whisper, creating a ticklish sensation in her neck.

"Something you would like. Your dinner is almost ready" she smiled and lowered the flame in the stove.

"We shall all have dinner together then." He kissed her neck softly.

"No Dev, I already had mine. I was hungry.... I skipped lunch because I was snacking a lot. So, I ate my dinner early" she pouted as she faced him with a sulking face. Dev quickly kissed her pout and tightened his grip on her waist.

"Fine. Since you had your dinner..... I want mine now" he said, in a mischievous tone.

"Well yea....the food is ready and you can-"

"I am not talking about the food." She stopped by pressing her hardly against the counter. His one hand groped her bosom while the other smacked her butt.

Sona gasped as she craned her neck up to look at him.

"Did you just spank me?" she glared at him.

"Don't lie that you don't like it?" he winked as she tried to give her failed angry look.

"Dev....leave" she moaned.

"Okay... so since you know what I want for dinner now, I hope you would give it to me tonight. I want YOU" he spelled out, making her face blush a hue red.

"I think that's enough. Move back before someone walks in!" she cautioned, and he raised his hands in surrender.

"Okay fine. As long as I get my dinner on time." He smirked again. Just as he stepped a few steps behind, Asha walked in with a frown.

"Dev, you are back? I saw Arjun outside and was looking for you for so long..... what are you doing here?" she asked looking at him.

"I am admiring my wife in the kitchen..." he shrugged casually, making Asha shake her head.

"Enough of admiring. You've lots of time for that later. And Sona, is my dinner ready beta?" she asked Sonakshi who just smiled at her.

"Yes maa. Done."

"And for me?" Arjun barged in with his plate.

"Yea, for you too."

"And mine?" Dev asked as Sona's grip on the ladle tightened.

He wasn't going to leave her, was he?

"Yea.......yours too" Sona had to force those words out of her mouth.

---------------------------

Everyone sat in the rectangular table while Sona served them the dishes. Tarun joined the dinner too after his football match. Taking his seat next to Dev, he started talking some random people whom he met that day.

"Sona, sit with us too. I know you had your dinner but just have something light...." Asha requested and Sona agreed.

Pulling a chair next to Arjun, she sat there facing Dev.

"Must be my lucky day, Sona sat next to me!" Arjun lifted his collar up proudly, earning a glare from Dev.

After the playful fight between Dev and Arjun, Dev engrossed himself in the conversation with his mother while Sona talked to Arjun. Soon everyone started engaging in random conversation when Sona felt a ticklish feeling on her feet. It was tiny toes which were wriggling naughtily up her heels.

Suddenly the feeling rose up to her thighs and back down to her feet. First her right, then her left leg. Sona felt uneasy as she tried to calm her racing hearts down. But when the toes pinched her calves, she jerked up.

She let a silent gasp, looking opposite at Dev's innocent face. He was still in conversation with his mother, smartly hiding whatever he was doing underneath the table. She tried to brush his legs off, but the more force she applied, the faster his foot caressed her thighs. She looked around to see whether anyone noticed her odd behaviour. But thankfully, none of them did.

Wriggling her legs clumsily, she tried to push his legs away. But that damn leg didn't budge. Minutes ticked and she started feeling annoyed with Dev. She couldn't concentrate on anything when the legs raised towards her inner thighs.

"Devv" she let a startled gasp, making everyone's head snap towards her side.

Her face was flushed as she gave Dev the deadliest glare ever. He furrowed his eyes and mouthed a 'what' to her. She gave him her pleading eyes to which she felt the legs below the table drawing back from her skin. Sighing in relief, she smiled at him.

Dev still gave her a confused look and resumed back to his food.

"May I know what that silent conversation was about?" Arjun whispered to Sona.

"It's secret" she chuckled to which he rolled his eyes.

After their dinner, everyone resumed to their rooms while Asha helped Sona to clean up. When she was done, Sona walked to her room and saw Dev standing in the mid of the stairs. He was typing something furiously on the phone without even blinking an eye. He was so absorbed in the phone that he didn't even notice Sonakshi's presence infront of him.

"Hello Mr husband." She said as his shoulders jolted back in surprise.

"Woah.... You scared me" he huffed, making her laugh.

"Okay, enough of your phone and work. Now.........you have some serious explanation to do!" she folded her arms across her chest and playfully glared at him.

"What?" Dev quirked his eyebrows.

"So.... What about the stunt you pulled under the table? Don't you think it was quite unnecessary? I know that your legs are too itchy. But remember, the next time you do something like that, I am going to kick you down there. I mean.... So many people are sitting and yet, you-"

"Woah woah.....wait Sona. Give me a break. First tell me what are you talking about? I am so lost." He shook his head as Sona scowled at him.

"Dev don't act oblivious. You were playing footsie under the table during dinner, weren't you?" she asked with a pout.

Dev just blinked repeatedly in confusion. He had literally no idea about what she was saying. Looking at her adorable expressions, he just smiled at her.

"Sona, I have no idea about what you are talking about. I was talking to my mother the whole time. No footsies happened. You sure you didn't feel the poles under the table?" Dev chuckled as blood drained from Sona's face.

"Dev don't joke. I am serious...." Her hands dropped to her sides as she stood aghast.

"Aww baby" he held her shoulders soothingly, "Why do you think I am joking? I am serious darling.... I didn't do anything" he said.

"But Dev, I was sure I felt something tracing....up my calves" she gulped.

"God... why are you sooo cute? I am sure it must have been someone's leg hitting you accidentally. Try asking Arjun. Maybe he was playing his stupid pranks with you!" Dev smiled.

"But Dev-" before she could express her fear, a call interrupted him.

"Damn, give me a minute sweetheart. This is important." He said and picked up the call.

Moving away from her, he started conversing with the person on the other side, leaving Sona devastated. She knew that she felt the toes..... She was pretty sure it wasn't some cockroach or spiders crawling up her leg. It was a huge freaking leg! She wasn't imagining anything..... She felt the feet tracing up her leg for fifteen god-damn minutes!

She gritted her teeth hard. Arjun couldn't have done that as he was sitting right next to her. His leg would never bend to such an angle. Even a professional gymnast wouldn't be able to do that!

Her eyes suddenly widened as she realised that only Tarun was sitting next to Dev. Was he the one?

She felt chills rise up her spine. The thought of him made her sick from the ends of her hair till the nails on her toes. The disgusted feeling crawled up her body, making her feel nauseas. She couldn't even imagine someone else caressing her legs like that..... Moreover, thinking that Tarun would do that, made her puke.

Tears filled her eyes as she held on the railings to support the feeling of giddiness in her head. She felt guilty and dirty. God, how stupid of her. She should have looked under the table to confirm that it was Dev.... How did she not recognise Dev's touch? How?

She felt hurt. She looked around and felt suffocated. Dev was still on the call. Was she ready to tell him? Was her doubt true in the first place? Was it really Tarun or her imagination?

She didn't know

-------------------------

Sona laid on Dev's arms, drowned in deep thoughts. Dev was lost in his own thoughts too while Sona drew patterns on his bare chest.

"Dev.." she snuggled closely to him, jerking him out of his thoughts.

"What's up jaan?" he caressed her waist.

"I feel like someone touched me during dinner....... I ......... I don't know.....whether it's my imagination or not, but I feel weird" she spoke as he looked at her seriously.

"Baby, what are you talking about?"

"Dev, please........... let's not talk about that. I want to remove the touch from my legs.... Help me" she gulped and kissed his chest. Dev felt her heartbeat fastening. He thought that she was just joking, but now it looked way too serious.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked as she looped her hands around his neck and pulled him closer.

"Sona-"

"I want you to make love to me" she said quickly, making his movements halt abruptly. Her eyes had a kind of pain which he got to witness. It was as if she was trying to hide something from him. She was really trying to forget something. Did someone really touch her?

"Sona who do you think it is?" he asked grimly.

"T...Ta...Tarun" she stammered as she looked down. Tears filled her eyes as she dreaded the look on Dev's face.

"What?" he asked unbelievably.

"He was the only one sitting opposite me Dev... If you didn't do that, then he could be the only one!" she tried reasoning, but Dev's eyes stated that he didn't believe her at all. Not even a bit. She was agitated. She knew this would eventually happen. She bit her lips hard and tried to turn away, but Dev stopped her.

"If this is true............... I would talk to him tomorrow morning. Okay?" he asked after a long pause. Sona's eyes enlarged as she couldn't really believe that he trusted her.

"Dev..." before she could start speaking, Dev pulled her on top if his body.

Crashing her lips with his, he kissed her passionately for what, felt like a lifetime. Sona sucked in a deep breath as she saw the beast being unleashed in his body. Caging her legs with his, he slowly pulled up her skirt, leaving her legs bare to him. He cupped her mounds and grinded himself against her. The friction between them was so palpable.

His eyes drank her soul and caged her heart in his. Gripping her waist tightly, he felt her shudder in his hold. He felt her fingers tracing his hard lines on his chest, slowly leading down to his v-line.

"Now tell me................ Where were you exactly touched" his eyes darkened as his hands ran down her ass, gripping the back of her inner thighs.

"I guess.....you have to find out." She spoke, equally matching his heated gaze.

And just like that, he made her forget how another man's touch would ever feel on her leg.

******************

Do you really think it was Tarun? How many problems does Dev has in his sleeve? Would he really be able to handle everything?

Precap : Dev's social tweet.... Lina in Dev's house.