Chapter 2: The Golden Cage (Gangster's Queen - A Novel)

Summary: In a world of luxury that feels more like a cage, Maya is drawn deeper into Arjun’s dangerous world. She witnesses violence up close—raw and unforgiving—and finds herself standing at the edge of something darker than she ever imagined. As she struggles to understand the man behind the power, she begins to question her own choices. Betrayal, control, and a chilling silence shape their world. But with every step, Maya is pulled further in, caught between fear, desire, and a strange, growing need to care for the man who holds her captive. This is just the beginning.

Section 1: Velvet Walls, Iron Chains

The apartment Arjun had given Maya had everything she once wanted—glass walls, designer clothes, an endless city view. But now, the luxury felt empty. Every gift, every comfort came with hidden conditions.

She stood in front of the mirror, wearing the midnight blue dress Arjun had sent that morning. The dress was low-cut and elegant but not her style. The price tag was still attached. A note from Arjun simply said: "Wear this tonight."

There was no greeting or question—only a clear command.

This was her new routine. Arjun chose her clothes. Her daily schedules were set without her input. Meals appeared without her request. Initially, it seemed thoughtful, but now it felt like living someone else’s life.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Arjun: “Driver will be downstairs at 8. Don’t be late.”

Another order. Another evening of standing quietly by Arjun's side as he negotiated deals and made powerful connections.

She tossed the phone aside in irritation. This small act of rebellion made her feel better, but only for a moment.

She remembered the first time Arjun took her shopping. He brought her to an exclusive showroom. Designer outfits filled the racks. A stylist stood nearby and waited silently. Arjun sat back and watched each dress she tried. He showed no reaction when she wore something simple. But when she stepped out in a bold dress, he nodded. He said, "That is the one. That is you."

She hadn't argued with Arjun that day. But even then, she didn't really agree with his choice.

At parties, Maya felt like she didn’t matter. She stood next to Arjun like she was part of the setting. She smiled, nodded, and laughed when expected. But none of it was real. The power she seemed to have was not hers. It all came from Arjun.

Her old friends had stopped calling. Neither Arjun nor Maya asked them to. But they pulled away on their own. Arjun's name carried too much fear. His presence made them uncomfortable. They chose distance without being told. And each time Maya accepted it as the price of being with Arjun, her world shrank a little more.

She walked to the window with her arms folded and looked out at the city. Below, people lived chaotic and uncertain lives, but at least they were free.

She turned to the mirror again. The dress fit her body like it was made for her. But it didn’t feel like freedom. It felt like a trap. A perfect trap she had chosen.

For a moment, she imagined ignoring the car waiting downstairs and simply running away. But she had nowhere else to go.

A knock sounded at the door. The driver, punctual as always.

She didn’t move.

Her body tensed. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t anger. It was something else. A pressure building inside her. A need to move. A need to break free.

She picked up the dress’s tag and tore it off with one sharp pull. Maya wasn’t just putting on a dress. She was stepping into the life that came with it.

Then she turned toward the door.

Section 2: Behind the Curtain

The car entered a narrow alley Maya had never seen before. The streetlights were weak. The walls were broken. The air smelled of dirty water. There were no guards or fancy cars. There were only rusted shutters and barking dogs. This part of the city was rough. Maya had never seen it this way before.

Arjun stayed silent. He got out of the car. He told Maya to follow him with a simple gesture. They entered a building. The lights were weak. Smoke hung in the air. Men sat on chairs with weapons next to them. The place felt cold and rough. There was nothing fancy or fake about it.

“This is where business happens,” he said, walking ahead.

Maya followed, her heels clicking on the concrete. With each step, her pulse quickened, and she felt uneasy. It wasn't quite fear, but it certainly wasn't comfort.

They reached the end of the corridor. A door stood half open. Maya heard angry voices from inside. The sound made her stop. Something serious was happening behind that door.

Arjun pushed the door fully open. Maya stepped inside and froze, shocked by what she saw.

A man knelt on the floor. His hands were tied. Blood ran down his face. Two of Arjun’s men stood next to him without saying a word. A metal rod rested on a table nearby. Arjun picked it up like it was nothing.

“You stole from me,” he said.

“No, Malik bhai,” the man begged desperately. “I swear someone framed me—”

Arjun raised the metal rod and slammed it down on the man’s back. The crack of metal on bone echoed in the room. The man’s scream died halfway through his sentence. He dropped to the floor with a thud. Blood spilled from his mouth as he gasped for air.

Maya jerked back as the metal rod slammed into the man's body. The sound was sharp and sickening. Arjun didn’t stop. He hit the man again. Then again. The man screamed and cried for mercy. Blood poured. Bones cracked. Maya froze in place. Her breath caught in her throat. Her hands shook. She had never seen violence like this. Not this close. Not this real. Arjun’s face stayed still. His eyes cold. His grip steady. 

It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t passion. It was precision.

Maya couldn’t breathe right. Her hands shook hard. Her legs felt weak. She had never seen real violence before. Not even in movies. This was raw. This was real. Blood. Screams. Pain. A part of her wanted to close her eyes. But she stood frozen. She could not look away. The rod came down again.

Finally, Arjun stepped back. “Get rid of him,” he told his men.

The man on the floor gasped once. His chest heaved. Blood spilled from his mouth. Then he went still. One of the guards grabbed his limp body and dragged it away. Maya watched the life leave him. It was the first time she saw someone die.

Arjun turned to Maya. His voice was calm. “You okay?”

The question hit her like a slap. A man had just died in front of her. Blood was still on the floor. Her hands were still shaking. And he asked if she was okay. Like they had just come from dinner. The absurdity of it made her stomach turn.

She said nothing. Her throat had gone dry.

He stepped closer, cigarette in hand. "This is how it works," he said. "If you're loyal, you survive. If you betray, you die."

She nodded faintly, eyes still fixed on the blood on the floor.

Arjun exhaled a stream of smoke. Then he looked at Maya. "This is what the result of betrayal looks like." he said. He turned slightly so his men could hear. "Let this be the last time I have to make this point."

On the ride back, neither of them spoke. Maya stared out the window, her heart still beating fast. Arjun sat relaxed, one leg over the other, calmly scrolling through his phone.

That’s when she realized something had changed. The comfort, the style, the control—it was all fake.

What lay beneath wasn’t just power.

It was violence.

And for the first time, she didn’t feel like a guest in his world.

She felt like a captive.

Section 3: The Test Begins

The next few days were tense. Arjun didn’t mention killing the man in the warehouse. Maya didn’t bring it up either. But it hung in the air between them like a shadow that wouldn’t leave. stayed silent. But something in his eyes had changed. He watched her with caution. He didn’t ask questions. He was judging her without words.

She noticed it in small ways. He paused before speaking. His eyes stayed on her when she looked unsure. He didn’t ask questions. He was waiting for her to reveal something.

One evening, without saying anything, he gave her a sealed envelope.

"Take this envelope to Sadiq," he said. "Don't give it to anyone else. Hand it to him yourself."

Maya knew who Sadiq was. He was one of Arjun’s most trusted men. She had seen him with Arjun many times. She recognized his face and knew his name. That was enough for her to accept the task without asking anything.

Her fingers tightened as she took it. Arjun had never let her near his real business. This was not a favor. This was him watching. This was him deciding what she was made of.

She forced a casual tone. “Something I should know?”

“Just deliver it.”

That was all.

The car ride felt slow. Maya kept looking at the envelope in her lap, hoping it would somehow reveal what was inside. The driver stayed quiet. Outside, the city was noisy. But inside the car, it was silent.

The location sat behind an unfinished construction site. Sadiq was already there. He stood still. He said nothing. He looked at Maya, his face giving nothing away. Then he took the envelope and walked off without a word.

That was it. No exchange. No words. No confirmation.

On the way back, Maya felt uneasy. She didn’t understand what she had just done. That confusion bothered her more than the task itself.

Later that night, Arjun poured her a drink and sat beside her on the balcony.

“Sadiq said you didn’t ask questions.”

“I didn’t know if I should ask,” she mumbled. “Or if I wasn’t supposed to. So I stayed quiet.”

He nodded slowly. “Most people would’ve asked anyway.”

Maya glanced at him, unsure whether it was a compliment or a warning.

“Curiosity gets people killed,” he said quietly.

She turned her head, feeling her heartbeat speed up.

She wanted to believe she was in control. She wanted to believe she had chosen this life. But moments like this made her doubt it. She was getting pulled into something deeper and darker.

Arjun moved closer. He placed his hand on her shoulder, then slowly wrapped his arm around her waist. He didn’t speak. The gesture was simple but clear—he was the one in control.

Maya leaned into him. She didn’t know why. It could have been fear. It could have been comfort. Maybe it was the only thing that made sense in that moment. She didn’t try to explain it. She just gave in.

But she didn’t pull away.

And that silence said more than either of them ever would.

Section 4: Scars Beneath Silk

The night was quiet. There were no calls. There were no meetings. There were no distractions. Only the two of them stood on the balcony. The city lights stretched below them. Maya sat on the couch. She stayed silent. A shawl covered her shoulders. Arjun leaned on the railing. He smoked a cigarette. He kept his eyes on the skyline.

For a long time, he said nothing.

Then, without turning, his voice cut through the silence.

“We had one fan. One bulb. Four people. That was home.”

Maya glanced at him. He rarely spoke about his past.

“My father drank. Came home angry. Hit first, talked later.”

She didn’t move. She waited for him to speak.

“My mother used to cover us with her body. Took every blow. Night after night.”

He took a drag. “One night, he didn’t stop.”

Maya’s stomach felt tight. She didn’t know why, but something about his words unsettled her.

“She died in front of me. I was fifteen.”

He turned to her now. “That’s when I left. Gangs were the only thing that made sense. You either got hit or you hit back.”

There was no bitterness in his tone. Just flat, quiet truth.

Arjun sat beside her, cigarette burning in the ashtray now. “People think I wanted this life. I didn’t. I just didn’t want to be helpless again.”

Maya looked at him. He was the same man everyone feared. The same man who ran empires. But now, he looked younger. He didn’t look softer. He looked raw. Like the mask had dropped. Like the armor was off for just a moment.

She didn’t speak. Didn’t try to comfort him. Just listened.

“You don’t need to explain,” she said eventually.

“I’m not explaining,” he replied. “I just want you to see clearly.”

She did understand him. And that’s what scared her.

Maya didn’t fully let her guard down. But something inside her began to shift. She still remembered the violence, the fear, and the control. But now she also saw his pain. She saw what was hidden behind his tough side.

She hesitated, then reached out, resting her hand on his. He didn’t move.

They both sat still. No one spoke. The city noise continued below them.

When he leaned in, it didn’t feel like control or desire. It felt open and unsure. His lips touched hers softly, as if he wasn’t sure if she would accept it.

She kissed him back—just as unsure.

Later, she lay next to him with her head on his chest. She listened to his heartbeat and wondered how she had ended up here. It was the first time she felt the weight of being this close to him—not just physically, but emotionally.

And for the first time, she wasn’t sure if she felt closer to him or deeper in something she couldn’t walk out of.

Not love. Not yet.

But something dangerous.

And growing.

Chapter 1: Queen in the Shadows (Gangster's Queen - A Novel)

Summary: She came to be seen. She left with him. Maya Sharma is a struggling model and starlet in Mumbai’s ruthless showbiz world. Her rent is unpaid. Her career is sinking. Her dignity is on the line. At a glittering party, she meets Arjun Malik, a feared underworld don. He does not offer love. He offers power. Maya knows the cost is high. But for the first time, someone sees her worth. And she is ready to risk everything.

Section 1: A World Just Out of Reach

The music was loud. It thudded under Maya Sharma’s heels. She stood at the entrance of the ballroom. She tried to look confident. A waiter passed by with a tray of drinks. She picked up a glass. She did not want to drink. She just wanted to blend in. The room was filled with laughter. People wore designer clothes. Faces were full of flashy smiles. Models were there. Film producers were there. Politicians and shady businessmen were also present. Everyone important in Mumbai’s dark circles was in that room.

But Maya was here on borrowed time.

She had not paid her rent for three weeks. Her landlord had stopped shouting and started staring at her in a bad way. Her last modeling job paid so little that it did not even cover the makeup artist’s cost. Yesterday, her agent offered her a 'private dinner party job.' Maya knew what that really meant. It was not a normal dinner job. It was a coded offer to work as a call girl—something many girls were pushed into when money ran out. It was not just dinner—it was something worse. She had never been that desperate. Not yet.

Tonight had to change her life. She had to make something happen. She could not keep living like this anymore.

She stepped forward slowly. She tried to look confident even though she was nervous inside. She had taken hours to get ready. She borrowed a dress from a friend. She stuck on fake eyelashes. She skipped lunch so her figure would look better. Her only hope was her appearance. If people did not notice her tonight, she would become just another girl lost in the crowd of this city.

She did not look around. She did not look nervous. She kept her head high. She walked through the room like she belonged there. Her heels made soft sounds on the marble floor. She took each step with care. She stopped near the bar. She stood straight and looked ahead. She wanted people to notice her.

And they did.

Someone moved at the far end of the room. A group of men noticed and went quiet for a moment. Maya did not need to look. She could feel it. The mood in the room changed. The air felt heavy, like something powerful and dangerous had entered.

Arjun Malik had entered. He was one of the main players in Mumbai's underworld.

She turned a little and saw him. He was just standing there, talking to an older man. But somehow, the whole room felt different around him. He had a strong presence. It was the kind of presence that comes from experience and power—something you cannot ignore.

He wore a simple suit. His shirt was open at the collar. He had a watch on his wrist. It was not just for style. There was a small scar near his temple. You could only see it if you looked closely. Maya had heard stories about him—gun deals, murders, illegal businesses. People said his money was soaked in blood. But tonight, Arjun Malik looked so dangerously dashing, women would’ve lined up to be ruined by him.

Her eyes met his, only for a second. Cool, unblinking.

She turned away first. Deliberate. Controlled.

But her fingers had tightened around the stem of her glass.

She had come tonight hoping to be noticed. Now she wasn’t sure what being noticed might cost.

Section 2: The First Glance

Maya knew he was watching her. She didn’t need to check. She could feel it, like heat touching her skin. When she finally turned, her eyes met his across the room. It was Arjun Malik. He stood without moving, more still than anyone else around him. That kind of stillness came only from men who were confident and had nothing to prove.

He didn’t smile. Just studied her like he already knew how the conversation would end.

She turned back to the bar, picked up her drink with slow precision. But her fingers weren’t steady.

Moments later, he was beside her.

"Nice dress," he said in a calm voice. "You look out of place here, like you belong somewhere better.."

Maya did not show any fear. "You don't belong here either. You're different from everyone else."

He smiled slightly. “Difference is—I own the room.”

She looked at him once, slowly. "That’s just what you think about yourself."

Arjun laughed softly. "You speak boldly for a model."

“You don’t know what I am.”

“I know desperation when I see it.”

Maya’s jaw tightened. The line stung not because it was cruel—but because it was true.

She met his gaze head-on. “If you’re trying to impress me, you’ll have to do better than that.”

“I’m not trying,” he said simply.

That was the problem. He didn’t need to try. His presence was enough. Every movement controlled, every word measured.

He came a little closer. Maya did not step back. She could smell his strong perfume—smoky, leathery, and intense. She felt his body heat even though he did not touch her.

“You know who I am?” he asked.

“I’ve heard whispers,” she said coolly.

“And you’re still here.”

"I've heard about you. You're powerful, dangerous, but that doesn't impress me—it only makes me curious."

His eyes flicked over her face, then lingered on her lips. “You’ll learn the difference soon enough.”

Something in her tensed. She hated how calm he was. Hated more how her pulse reacted.

“Maybe I don’t want to learn,” she said.

He leaned slightly closer, his voice calm and inviting. "Maybe you're not interested. But there’s a lot more to me than what you've heard. If you're curious enough, you might like what you discover."

Maya didn’t move.

For a second, neither spoke. The noise of the party faded. Her breath caught without reason.

She should have turned and walked off. But her feet stayed planted.

Arjun took a step back and smiled. "I knew you wouldn’t walk away."

Maya raised her glass, masking the tremble in her hand. “You’re used to people following your script.”

"No," he said, his eyes turning cold. "I’m used to people understanding that I always decide how everything finishes. I make the final move. Always."

He walked away without waiting for a response.

Maya stood still. The air felt heavier now. Arjun’s words echoed in her mind, chilling her more than the room ever could.

And deep inside, she felt something begin. A feeling she could not fight or ignore. Something that would pull her into a new life.

Section 3: The Price of Being Seen

Maya moved away from the crowd. She was still feeling nervous after meeting Arjun Malik, the Don. The music was louder now. The lights were dim. The air smelled strong of perfume and smoke. She needed a few quiet minutes to calm down and think clearly.

Just as she reached a quiet corner of the lounge, someone grabbed her wrist.

She turned sharply.

The man was older and heavier. His tight suit stretched over his big belly. He looked at Maya like she was an item for sale. He held her wrist tightly. His fingers pressed hard into her skin.

"You don’t seem the shy type," he said with a wink. "Looking to catch the right kind of attention, maybe?" said in a proud tone. "Girls like you should be with rich men like me who can spend money on you."

Maya tried pulling away. "Let me go."

But he did not let go. He held her wrist even tighter. His thumb rubbed her skin in a way that made her feel sick.

"Come on," he said softly. "Don’t act like you’re different from other girls."

Maya’s heart started beating fast. She looked around the room. No one was watching them. It was that late hour in the party when people stopped caring about rules and started showing their true faces.

"I said let me go," she shouted, louder this time.

He leaned in. “Or what?”

Before she could move, his hand was gone.

The man fell back and hit a table. Arjun Malik stood in front of him. His body looked calm, but his eyes were cold and dangerous.

Arjun did not shout. He spoke calmly. "Leave now. It’s over for you."

The man stood up straight. He tried to act brave again. "She doesn’t belong to you," he said.

Arjun slowly stepped closer to Maya. His body brushed just close enough for her to feel his heat. Her heart started beating faster. She held her breath without realizing it. Then he looked straight into the other man’s eyes and said firmly, "Now she is."

The room went silent for a moment. The older man’s fake confidence broke under Arjun’s cold stare. He gave up, grumbled angrily, and walked away into the crowd, still muttering bad words.

Maya stood still. Her heart was racing fast. She was shaken, but she couldn’t move.

Arjun turned slowly. “You okay?”

She nodded slowly. Her breathing was still heavy. "I didn’t need help. I could have handled him myself."

“Of course,” he said, almost amused. “But now you don’t have to.”

She looked at him—his face unreadable, calm as if nothing had happened.

“I don’t owe you anything,” she said clearly. “You helped me, but that doesn’t mean you own me.”

Arjun stepped closer, his voice dropping low. “You do. You just don’t know it yet.”

There was no threat in his tone—just certainty. Like the outcome was already written.

Maya’s eyes narrowed. “You think that earns you something?”

“No,” he said, eyes on hers. “It just starts something.”

She said nothing. She couldn’t speak. Her mind was confused, and her body was still stiff with tension.

He turned to leave, then paused. “You’ll understand soon enough.”

And just like that, he walked away. His words stayed in her mind. He had done her a favor she didn’t ask for, but now she owed him something—whether she liked it or not.

Section 4: Smoke and Silence

Maya stood by the railing on the terrace. Below, the city lights looked bright and inviting, but she felt trapped. Her glass was cold in her hand, and she hadn't taken a sip. Inside, the party was loud and lively. People were laughing and enjoying themselves, forgetting their worries. But outside on the terrace, everything was quiet and calm.

She wasn’t thinking about the man who’d grabbed her. She was thinking about the one who had stopped him.

She did not want to owe Arjun anything. But the way he helped her quickly and quietly made her uncomfortable. He did not help her because he cared about her. He helped her to show his power. It was not kindness. It was his way of controlling the situation.

She heard him before she saw him.

“Quiet out here,” he said, stepping beside her.

She did not look at him. "It's better than watching people pretend to be important."

Arjun chuckled softly. “You say that like you’re not one of them.”

She glanced at him now. “I’m not.”

"No," he said. "You're not like them. You're looking for something real, something that actually matters."

She didn’t answer. But he wasn’t wrong.

He took out a cigarette and lit it quickly. The flame briefly lit up his face.

“Why did you bother?” she asked.

“Because I could,” he said. “And because I don’t like being ignored.”

There it was again—the casual dominance, the quiet assertion that nothing around him happened without his approval.

"Do you think I'll come running to you just because you chased away one creep?"

“I think you’re smart enough to know what it meant.”

He offered her the cigarette. She hesitated, then took it, the tip glowing as she drew in. The burn steadied her nerves more than she liked to admit.

“Everything with you feels like a transaction,” she said.

“It is,” he replied, watching her. “But some deals are better than others.”

She flicked ash over the edge of the terrace. “And what exactly are you offering?”

He did not answer immediately. Instead, he stepped aside and pointed toward the glass doors. Inside, his men were laughing with ministers and film producers. He was powerful, and people respected him.

"You could be part of that world," he said. "Not just someone pretty to look at. You could have real power and importance."

Maya’s fingers tightened on the cigarette.

“I don’t belong to anyone,” she said again.

“I didn’t say you would,” Arjun replied. “But you’d stop being invisible.”

She turned toward him fully now, face unreadable. “And what do you get?”

He smiled. “A queen needs a king.”

Then, like it was already decided, he started walking back inside. Didn’t look back. Didn’t wait.

Maya stood still for a moment, cigarette burning between her fingers.

Then she dropped it over the edge—and followed.

Section 5: Her First Step into the Fire

Maya stepped back inside. People stopped talking and looked at her. They noticed she was no longer alone. She was with Arjun Malik.

Arjun walked slowly beside her. He was calm and confident. He did not touch her. He did not have to. Everyone around them understood clearly that she was now with him.

The thought sent a sharp thrill through her. It wasn’t possession she felt. It was power.

For many years, Maya had tried hard to be noticed. She wanted to be more than just another girl chasing a dream. Tonight, everything changed. She was no longer just a nobody. She was important. She mattered.

A waiter passed, offering drinks. Arjun ignored him. He looked directly at her instead.

“Come,” he said.

One word. A command, not a request.

Maya hesitated, just for a second. Enough to remind herself she was choosing this. Then she followed.

Outside, the city was noisy and busy. Car horns honked loudly. Neon signs were bright and humming. The air was filled with the smells of burnt rubber and street food. Behind them, guests from the party whispered and stared. They watched and judged.

She felt this was the moment her life changed forever.

The car waiting at the curb was sleek, black, understated in the way only true wealth could be. A man in a suit opened the back door without a word.

Maya turned to Arjun. "Is this the life you're offering me?"

He held her gaze, unreadable. “This is the beginning.”

It was a warning—and also a promise. A life of power, but one with no return.

She knew she should be afraid. She knew she should think carefully about the risks. But she did not feel fear. Instead, she raised her chin bravely, ready to face whatever came next.

“No one owns me,” she said, steady and sharp. “I walk my own path. That won’t change.”

Arjun gave her a challenging look. "Then don't get in the car."

A challenge. A door left open—but only for a second.

Maya looked back at the bright ballroom. She saw fake smiles, empty talks, and men who only saw her as decoration. She remembered the years she had spent trying to break into the modeling and film world. The rejections, the insults, the jobs that barely paid her bills. Her rent was overdue. Her landlord had stopped being angry and started getting suggestive. Her agent had offered her a 'private dinner job'—a clear hint at something worse. She had felt herself slipping closer to a life she never wanted. A life where she was owned.

Then she looked at Arjun. He was dangerous and powerful. He was no savior, but he wasn’t pretending either. He offered something no one else had—power, protection, and a way out. Maybe even a future. Maya didn’t trust him. But for the first time, someone wasn’t trying to use her. He was offering her a seat at the table.

She had spent years trying to survive on scraps, dreaming of a break that never came. No one had ever offered her a way out. No one had ever looked at her and seen something worth backing. Until now. And that meant more than anything else ever had.

Arjun was not offering safety or love. He was offering control—a chance for her to finally have power over her own life.

She got into the car.

The door shut behind her with a quiet finality.

Arjun got into the car and sat beside her. He was close but did not touch her. The driver started the car and drove away. The city lights flashed by quickly.

Maya exhaled slowly, hands resting in her lap.

Arjun studied her closely. His voice was firm and confident.

"This path only moves forward. Once you're in, you're in for good."

Maya stared straight into his eyes. Her voice was steady and clear.

"I know."

Outside, Mumbai flew past rapidly, but Maya didn't notice it anymore.

She had made her choice and stepped into a new life.

For the first time ever, she had no intention of turning back.