"..." Mrunal caught hold of his wrist who fake angered at her, softly told her to leave his hands.

"..." Rajeev then felt her hold becoming even tighter and again he softly commanded her.

"...No!!..." Mrunal sternly scolded him to which he looked back and asked

"...I will get angry..." he warned her again softly.

She deliberately twisted his broad hands in her petite hands to just tickle him. Her mischievous eyes were inviting him to do the obvious, which he did.

He pinched her nose slightly to get a low scream from her, who strongly hit the Mafia Capo's arm who just snickered.

"...tell me the story of how you knew that Rakesh is Akash?!!..." Mrunal sat on her knees while glancing over Rajeev who sipped the cold water and zoned out to that particular part of the story.

He slept in the middle of the bed and gestured her to snuggle in his chest. Mrunal smiled and waited for him to recite that particular chapter. 

"...well?...do you remember when we went to identify Akash's body in the mortuary?!!..." as Rajeev asked her, she quietly nodded pulling him closer.

"...I saw some stitches mark behind his ears...making me think of a possible surgery...so, I called up my agents who send his body for investigation and found that he had done face surgery to look different so that we don't suspect him..." Rajeev still remembers the moment when he realised the real Papi.

Both snuggled in each other's breath as they were happy to know that they were past that phase of their life.

"...Buji?...how did you escape from being transported to Dubai?...I mean the truck awaiting for you...near the border was assigned by Komal...then how did?..." as Rajeev was able to understand that the truck driver was frustrated at not getting the load for the ship, as per the instructions from Komal.

Mrunal brushed her hairs on his chest and answered "...as I drove through the lone road, the only thought was to get out of that place...but then...suddenly the van stopped...maybe, it went out of gas...or...I don't know...so I got down along with the girls..."

Mrunal got up from his warm embrace and sat with the tears remembering.

"...we don't know...how long we walked...but as the sun went down...we reached a village...the people were kind...they helped us...and that's how we were able to escape..."

"...in Pune?...me and Dino had reached your place of refuge on our quest to find your perpetuator...and ...um...asked those girls whom you helped...they *chuckle* gave out your valiant tale of rescuing them from the Devil's clutches...so yeah..." Rajeev completed her sentence who looked back at him with a surprise to get a smile from him, further asking her.

"...and?..."

Mrunal chuckled sadly and shrugged her shoulders replying "...and as my bruises were healed...I saw how the rescued girls were able to mingle with the villagers, who took them as their own...I was happy for them...but then I thought to hand over myself to the authorities and asked them for the route...one of the ladies handed me some food and enough cash to travel...the sarpanch told me to catch the highway and maybe take the road to west...and I did..."

Rajeev held her hand as she continued.

"...I called mom on her phone and tell her my decision to surrender...but she then told me to visit you and take your shrine...as Akash's men may try to trace me and even kill me...so, you are the only one who could protect me, hide me from them...I don't know why she told me that...as I was ready for...

...but then I remembered about Appa's almost accident post my wedding, in the marketplace by Akash's men to threaten me for not informing my parents about his torture...it made me think that maybe...*exhales deeply*...I had to come to you...coz, I didn't want my family to.... *sniffs*...I am sorry for dragging you like this...but...*sniffs*...she was in contact with me during my stay with Akash...I used to *gulps*...cr... cry...*breathing heavily*...everyday...not able to tell anything...that...I used to ...*sniffs*...but she somehow sensed...about my...*sniff*..."

Rajeev immediately took her in his embrace, rubbing her back. Mrunal rested her head on his shoulders continuing.

"...she told me numerous time...to call you...ask for your help to protect me...not worrying about their own...but how could I?...when I...*sniffs*..." Mrunal burst into audible tears as she cursed herself for not able to get the timely help from her saviour and neither help her parents.

Rajeev kissed her shoulders replying "...but look how far you have come?...you did the unthinkable...you gave the apt justice to your sinner...didn't you, hm?" feeling her nod.

"...and we were always guarding the Kumar residence 24/7...and you?...you didn't need my help...you helped yourself...to emerge as my Queen... mon cœur"

"...I am sorry at not being able to be there for you...when you needed me the most...I am sorry, my love...I am sorry..." at his words, Mrunal raised her upper body and cupped his face to give him the love with her soft kiss.

"...you did give me the courage...through your unfazed words...your love...and your memories...which helped me to come out of the danger...with only one intention...to make you proud...my love..." Rajeev cuddle her more closer to his heart, finally get his love the way he had always dreamt of.

"...I love you so much!!...." Mrunal spoke through her tears hugging him tighter. Rajeev smiled at his reigning wife who had fought her battle with no support from him, making him so proud of her.

Rajeev took her in his lap, cradling her like a baby. She needed the pamper from him to please her bleeding heart.

She knew that he was her friend, her guide, her soulmate, her everything.

She will never let go of him – ever.

The next few days, saw the family engrossed in the register marriage of Niti and Vineeth as they didn't want uninvited intrusion like the last time. Also, the authorities had told them to keep it low for few months till the Lord case is closed once and for all.

And moreover, Vinay told the family that they had some important decision to make which would entail with an overall makeover of the families involved in the feline clan.

At the HQ

"..."

Prisha was fiddling with the pen in her shivering hands as she was reciting the last agenda of the final meeting of the feline group.

Vinay thought it was appropriate for her to lead the most pivotal meeting of their lives.

As Sanal handed her the coffee, she gave her frightened smile thanking him.

"...Relax Amelia!!...it's not the first time you are going to lead the meeting?!!...then why the worry?..." Vineeth asked his elder who was sweating badly and replied

"...this meeting is different from others.... this will be the...*exhales deeply*...."

"...she is right...*locks his gaze with her*...it is going to be different..." saying so the Tigris walked inside the room to deliver his final ending notes.

Vinay and Pradeep occupied their seats with their serious glances and looked over Prisha to start the meeting. 

"...good evening everyone,... the Tigris and Panthera have been the pinnacle of this clan...from the time of its inception...and even now. I have been an associate for both the dignified group and had tried my level best to use my knowledge and skill for its betterment. I managed to succeed in most of my attempt...*glances at Rajeev*...and in most failed as well...

It has been my privilege and honour to work with one of the most brilliant brains in the business...."

Vinay and Pradeep smiled as she acknowledged their support to her.

"...so, in line with the activities that were flashed in the previous few months...has revealed to us...some very important and toe-curling events which would actually help us to understand...the real reason behind the misfortunes which were faced by our family and friends...."

Vineeth nodded in moving the presentation to the first incident – Sonia Nair.

"...Sonia Nair. The daughter of Mr. Sandip Menon, daughter-in-law of Mr. Vasudevan Nair, wife of Mr. Vinay Nair. Has been the first victim who fell in the hands of the notorious Papi and his then executive – Mr. Ronak Das aka Ronny..."

Vinay went through the flashback of his life with his Sonia when the incident not only traumatised her but also bought them together with their undying love and care for each other. The thought itself bought a satisfied smile in his wrinkled lips.

"...with the death of Ronny in the hands of Mr. Menon, it was evident that the Papi wanted the woman clan of the arising Mafia group to avenge their long-lost war with the feline group – flesh trading..."

The members wondered on how the events where slowly being untangled by the expertise of the Mafia advisors – Amelia, String-Breaker and Gamer.

Rajeev creased his brow to listen to the next phase which was carefully deciphered by Prisha along with Sanal.

"...the next being the kidnapping attempt on Mrs. Prisha Menon. The daughter of Mr. Pradeep Varma, daughter-in-law of Mr. Sameer Menon and wife of Mr. Sanal Menon...the said victim was misled in believing the lies which were spread to her husband via the master mind execution by Mrs. Jyothi Rangaswamy aka the wife of the then Papi – Rangaswamy and mother of Rupal and Raghu Rangaswamy, the descendant of the Papi...

Pradeep and Sanal gave their full-fledged attention to the screen which disclosed some unknown facts about the Rangaswamy's attempt to yet again kidnap the woman group of their family.

"...but when the Sydney police gave their undistributed proof on the death of the final heir of Rangaswamy, was the feline group able to conclude the end of the disturbance...but it was not over..."

"...in the year 20XX, when the Feline group family had gone to visit their ancestral temple in XXX village, there was another attempt...but this time, it was not on the woman clan...but their offspring..."

Rajeev nodded to Prisha to continue on her talks, noticing her slight hesitation.

"...I think we can take a break for some refreshments...hm?" Sanal interrupted the meeting on receiving the message of the maid and servant with the food trolley inside the room.

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