Too fragile for the beast

Chapter 34

The paper trembled in his hand as fury surged through him. His jaw clenched, and a storm of dark emotions flickered in his ocean-blue eyes.

He crumpled the note in his fist, the sound sharp in the silent warehouse.

Aryan stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Arsh's shoulder. "Don't worry, Arsh. We'll never let anything happen to her. We've got your back."

Arsh's chest heaved with barely contained fury. His eyes, dark with rage, glinted like a storm about to break.

"Find him—immediately!" he yelled, his voice echoing through the warehouse.

The team stiffened, understanding the urgency in his command. Every second mattered. Aryan tightened his grip on Arsh's shoulder for a brief moment, giving a nod of reassurance before stepping back, ready to act.

Arsh didn't wait for another word. He strode to the large table in the center of the warehouse where maps, screens, and surveillance feeds were already set up. His fingers traced the streets, alleys, and hideouts they had identified earlier.

"Ibrahim, cross-check every safe house and abandoned location within a 50-mile radius. Move fast—no delays," Arsh ordered, his voice sharp.

Ibrahim nodded, already pulling up data on his tablet. "Understood, sir. Teams are ready. We can move out in minutes."

Afzal tightened the straps on his tactical bag. "We'll sweep the city systematically. Nothing will escape us this time."

Arsh's gaze softened just for a moment at the thought of Shafiyya, then hardened again. "She's untouchable. If Simon even thinks about stepping near her... I swear, no place on this earth will hide him."

Aryan exchanged a quick glance with him. "We'll cover all angles. You focus on strategy, Arsh. We'll handle the field."

A hush of tension filled the warehouse as the team sprang into action. Maps were studied, vehicles prepped, and comms checked. The urgency in the air was palpable—the hunt had begun, and Arsh's fury fueled every move.

Outside, the sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the city. Somewhere, Simon was planning his next move. But he had no idea that Arsh Akthar's wrath had already been unleashed.

Shafiyya sat quietly at home, the house now calm after Inaya Aunty had left for her place, having prepared dinner. The clock showed almost eight, and Arsh still hadn't returned. Her mind kept replaying the strange phone call she had received earlier, the unfamiliar voice lingering in her thoughts like a shadow she couldn't shake.

After performing her Isha prayer, she prayed silently for everyone's safety. Her hands folded tightly in front of her chest, she found herself whispering a prayer for Arsh. She didn't understand why she did it, especially after everything he had done to her, but deep down, a gnawing fear had settled in her heart—an unspoken worry that something might happen to him.

Despite her anger, resentment, and confusion, she couldn't deny it: she cared. And that frightened her more than anything else.

Shafiyya waited in the hall, flipping through newspapers to pass the time. Two hours had passed, and still, Arsh hadn't returned. Her eyelids grew heavy, and before she realized it, sleep quietly consumed her.

Meanwhile, Arsh was on his way home, accompanied by Aryan. Today, he wasn't driving; Aryan had taken the wheel. Noticing Arsh's tense expression, Aryan tried to ease him.

"Don't worry," Aryan said. "We'll definitely find him soon. Nothing will happen to her."

Arsh's gaze drifted to Aryan briefly before returning to his phone, where the live feed from the hall camera showed Shafiyya sleeping peacefully. He kept staring at her for a long moment, the quiet vulnerability in her form stirring something deep within him. Finally, his voice broke the silence.