Lila stood frozen in place, watching as Sameer exited the café. The chill in his final words sent a shiver down her spine. He hadn't explicitly threatened her, but the menace in his tone was undeniable.
Ethan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, grounding her in the present. "He's trying to scare you. Don't let him get to you."
"I know," Lila said, exhaling slowly. "But it felt like a promise. He's not going to stop."
Ethan's jaw tightened. "We'll figure this out, I promise. But we need to be smart about it. If he's behind this, we can use that against him."
They left the café, heading back to Ethan's car. The streets of Mumbai bustled with the usual chaotic energy, a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling inside Lila's mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that Sameer was planning something far more sinister than she had anticipated.
"Do you think we should go to the police again?" Lila asked as they drove through the crowded streets.
"They already know about the package and the threats, but without solid proof, they won't act," Ethan replied, frustration evident in his voice. "We need something more concrete."
Lila stared out the window, the buildings passing by in a blur. "How are we supposed to get that? Sameer's too smart to leave evidence behind."
Ethan glanced at her, his eyes hardening with determination. "We'll figure it out. Maybe there's someone from his past who knows what he's capable of—someone who can help us."
Lila thought for a moment. Sameer had always been careful about his personal life, never allowing anyone too close. But there had been one person—his cousin, Dev. They had been close growing up, but something had caused a rift between them years ago.
"Dev," she said suddenly. "Sameer's cousin. They used to be close, but they had a falling out. I don't know the details, but Dev might know something."
Ethan's interest piqued. "Do you think Dev would be willing to talk to us?"
"I'm not sure," Lila admitted. "But it's worth a try."
"Let's track him down," Ethan said, nodding. "We need all the information we can get if we're going to stop Sameer."
Lila felt a flicker of hope. Dev might hold the key to understanding Sameer's motives. If anyone knew his darkest secrets, it would be him.
---
The next day, Ethan managed to get in touch with Dev through one of his contacts. They arranged to meet at a quiet café in Colaba, far from Sameer's usual haunts. Lila felt nervous as they waited for Dev to arrive, her mind racing with possibilities.
When Dev walked in, Lila barely recognized him. He looked older than she remembered, his features more hardened and his once-carefree demeanor replaced by something far more guarded.
"Lila," Dev greeted her, his voice cautious as he sat down. "It's been a long time."
"Too long," Lila replied, trying to gauge his mood. "I'm sorry for reaching out like this, but we need your help."
Dev raised an eyebrow. "Help with what, exactly?"
"Sameer," Ethan cut in, his voice firm. "We believe he's been threatening Lila, stalking her. We need to know if you've seen anything or if you know what he's capable of."
Dev's expression darkened at the mention of Sameer's name. He sat back in his chair, crossing his arms. "So, he's back to his old tricks, huh?"
Lila leaned forward. "You knew? What happened between you two, Dev? Why did you cut him off?"
Dev sighed, glancing around as if making sure they weren't being watched. "Sameer… he's always had control issues. Growing up, he had to have things his way, or he'd make life hell for anyone who got in his path. That's why we stopped talking. He tried to manipulate me into doing something I didn't want to do—something illegal."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Illegal? What did he want?"
Dev hesitated, his gaze flicking between them. "Money laundering. He wanted me to move some funds through my business and keep it off the radar. I refused, and after that, we went our separate ways."
Lila's stomach churned. This was worse than she had imagined. "Do you think he's capable of what he's doing to me now?"
Dev's face hardened. "If he feels like you've wronged him or taken something from him, he'll stop at nothing to get back at you. He's obsessed with power, with control. If he thinks you're happy without him, that's enough to set him off."
Lila's heart sank. "So he is behind this."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Dev said grimly. "But he won't do anything that can be traced back to him. He's too careful for that."
Ethan leaned forward, his voice low. "Do you know where he might be keeping any evidence? Anything that could tie him to these threats?"
Dev considered this for a moment. "He used to keep important documents at his father's old house in Juhu. That place has been abandoned for years, but Sameer still owns it. If there's anything that could incriminate him, it might be there."
Lila's pulse quickened. Sameer's father's house—she had almost forgotten about it. "Do you think we could get in?"
Dev frowned. "It won't be easy. Sameer still checks in on the place occasionally, and he's got security systems in place. But if you're serious about stopping him, that's where I'd look."
Ethan exchanged a glance with Lila. "We have to try."
Dev nodded, though his expression remained cautious. "Be careful, Lila. Sameer's not the type to let things go. If he finds out you're poking around in his business, he'll come after you harder than ever."
Lila felt a knot tighten in her stomach, but she knew Dev was right. They were walking a dangerous line, but they had no choice. Sameer had already made it clear that he wouldn't stop until he had what he wanted.
"Thank you, Dev," Lila said quietly, appreciating his honesty. "I'm sorry for dragging you into this."
Dev waved her off. "I should've warned you about him earlier. Just stay safe."
As they left the café, Lila felt a mixture of fear and determination settle over her. Sameer was dangerous, but they were finally getting closer to uncovering the truth. If they could find something at his father's house, they might have the leverage they needed to end this once and for all.
---
That evening, Ethan and Lila sat in his apartment, strategizing. The abandoned house in Juhu was remote, but breaking into it wouldn't be easy. They needed a plan.
"We'll go at night," Ethan suggested, pulling up a map of the area. "Less chance of anyone seeing us, and we can avoid the security cameras."
Lila nodded, though the thought of sneaking into Sameer's property made her anxious. "What if he catches us?"
Ethan's expression softened. "We'll be careful. But we can't back down now. We need something that ties him to this, or he'll just keep coming after you."
Lila took a deep breath. She knew Ethan was right, but it didn't make the situation any less terrifying. Sameer had already proven how far he was willing to go. Breaking into his family's property felt like poking a sleeping tiger.
"I'll be with you every step of the way," Ethan reassured her. "We'll find what we need, and then we'll take him down."
Lila met his gaze, drawing strength from his conviction. Together, they would face whatever came next. It was time to put an end to Sameer's reign of fear.
---