Chapter 8 — No Turning Back

Poornima looked straight into his eyes without fear.

“I won’t pretend anything,” she said firmly. “And I know exactly what I’m asking for.”

Veeresh remained silent, his expression unreadable.

She sighed dramatically and stepped back. “How long are you going to keep asking questions? Just tell me you can’t.”

Then she turned as if ready to leave.

That was Veeresh’s breaking point.

In one swift movement, he caught her wrist and pulled her back against him. Poornima collided with his chest, her breath hitching slightly as his arm wrapped around her waist possessively.

“Okay,” he said quietly.

Her eyes lifted to his instantly.

Veeresh leaned closer, his gaze dark and intense enough to make her heartbeat stutter.

“But be ready, Poornima.”

The softness from earlier was gone.

This was Salvatore now.

Dangerous. Possessive. Unforgiving.

“Because tonight,” he murmured near her ear, “you’ll understand exactly why people fear me.”

A shiver ran through her spine.

Veeresh’s fingers tilted her chin upward slowly, forcing her to look only at him.

“And before this night ends,” he said with dangerous calmness, “you’ll be the one saying my name like it belongs to you.”