Clearing my throat, I pick up where I left off. “As you know, her intention was always to bring me home.” I pause, taking a breath to cover up my internal urge to cringe at the word home. Meeting my uncle’s eyes, I smile.
“She asked me on her deathbed to take over for her. To do what I was always destined to do. She even had the papers drawn up, not that it’s necessary. I am a Sun-ye. It is my right by birth. I am bound by blood to this life. So there you have it, gentlemen, I am here to claim my rightful place as heir to the Min Sun-ye throne.” I no sooner finish speaking when an ear-splitting wail rents the room.
Inna’s fists pound on the table. “How dare you!” she screams.
“How dare I what?” I ask incredulously.
“You think you can march in here and take control of Min’s estate, assuming control of her business like it’s nothing?” Her chest heaves with exertion.
Staring at her with fierce determination, my tone is laden with steel when I reply, “I can, and I most certainly will.”
“No, you will not. Control was given to Sang-Hyun. He is now sole heir to her estate, her businesses, everything, therefore making him a necessity and you nothing.” A smug grin crosses her face as she perches herself into her chair as if she’s won the battle.
Sang-Hyun relaxes, a contemptuous smirk affixed on his smug face as Inna comes to his defense. They think they’ve won. Their arrogance will be their downfall. If they believe this is anything more than an open invitation for me to take what I want, then they have lost their fucking minds. A fluttery feeling races through my chest, building higher as each muscle contracts in readiness. The fingers in my right hand inch their way down my thigh, finding the intended target.
Leaning aggressively forward, I meet my aunt’s smug smile with one of my own. Using the cover of the table, I slip the 9mm out of my garter and casually come to a stand. The chair rolls backward a few inches, giving me room to widen my stance. Staring at Inna with a satisfied gleam, I place the 9mm to Sang-Hyun’s temple. Inna’s pupils dilate in shock, while Sang-Hyun’s body becomes inexorable as I press the 9mm firmly against his temporal lobe.
“What are you doing?” she hisses.
Arching a perfect eyebrow at her, I reply, “What does it look like I’m doing?”
“Are you going to sit there and let her do this?”
She looks first to my grandfather then to my uncles, who all chose to ignore her outraged cries and train their gazes solely on me instead.
“Looks like you’re on your own here, Auntie.” I chuckle, digging the pistol painfully into Sang-Hyun’s temple. He hisses as it scrapes against his skin. A sinister smile tugs at the corners of my mouth.
“Ah, what’s wrong? Did you get a little scratch? Hmm? How are you going to run my business if you can’t handle a little scratch? I had a blade shoved in my abdomen, and I didn’t even bitch that much.” Rearing back, I hit him with the butt of the pistol. He growls angrily, shifting like a hungry tiger.
“Unh unh. Stay where you are,” I tsk, placing the barrel of the 9mm to his temple once more.
“You’re fucking crazy!” my aunt snarls.
A deep, dark laugh purges from my belly as I stare at her with wild eyes. “No, sweetheart, I’m just a product of my mother’s making.”
“You will not head up Min’s syndicate. Do you hear me? Sang-Hyun will take over. Mark my words.” She glowers at me with hatred.
“Just so you know, there is one in the chamber and the safety is off.” My finger hovers over the trigger, everything in me telling me now is the time to end it. Take it while you can.
“You wouldn’t,” she taunts.
Pulling the 9mm away from his head, I fire it at the chair in the corner of the room. Feathers go flying as the bullet tears through the plush fabric. Inna’s eyes widen in fear. Replacing the 9mm just next to Sang-Hyun’s temple, I meet her fearful gaze. The door bursts open as several guards enter with guns drawn, aimed in my direction.
“Stand down,” my grandfather orders.
Never taking my eyes off of Inna, my tone is dangerously low and menacing when I say, “I will either assume the role as head of my family division or I make an example, right here right now, using his gray matter to redecorate this mildly attractive space. Your choice.” Cocking my head to the side, I wait patiently for her answer.
Sang-Hyun squirms. “Inna,” he whispers.
“Fine. But this is not over,” she huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.
Backing the 9mm away from Sang-Hyun’s temple, I give him a placating smile, patting his shoulder.
“No hard feelings.”
With a scowl, he stands and stomps from the room with Inna trailing behind.
Shrugging, I turn to my grandfather and say, “Guess he didn’t take kindly to the whole 9mm to the head thing.”
Rising from his chair, his eyes fill with mirth as he laughingly responds, “No, it would seem he did not, but it doesn’t matter. He is of no importance. You did what was necessary. I’m proud of you. You’re a true Sun-ye. You proved that tonight.”
“Is that why you didn’t say anything?” I ask curiously.
“Hmm, it is. I needed to see how you would react—if you had it in you. And I am pleased to see that you do.” He grins, showing me one of his all too rare smiles, and bends down, placing a kiss on my temple.
Turning abruptly, he snaps his fingers, marching from the room with my uncles in tow. Turbulent emotions start to wreak havoc on my mental state, the unremarkable warmth searing my blood, overheating me as the adrenaline finally begins to fade. Inhaling a calming breath, I place the 9mm in my clutch. My gaze clouds over, going distant as I stare at a spot on the floor. The body’s natural response to emotional overload kicks in, autopilot engaging as my brain clears just enough of my mental haze for me to function. Exhaling, I harshly expel the breath I’d been holding.
With my eyes still trained on the floor, I make my way to the door. In my haste to depart, I don’t even look where I’m going until it’s too late. Making it just a few steps outside the door, I jolt, stammering back a few paces as I run straight into a solid wall of muscle.
“And here I thought you were supposed to be waiting for me naked,” Alex drawls angrily, steadying me on my feet.
Snapping out of my dazed stupor, I look up from the floor to find Alex’s furious eyes boring into mine. Taking a step closer, he erases some of the distance that had fallen between us.
“Now, see, here I was thinking we had an understanding. You know, the one where you said you wouldn’t be going anywhere this evening. Yeah, that one. Or, was there something I missed in that conversation?” His tone deepens, growing darker with his displeasure. Averting my gaze, I shift uncomfortably.
“Look at me, Kylee,” he commands.
Without hesitation, my eyes are drawn back to his.
“Could you not wait just a few hours? Hmm?”
Unwilling to provide him with the answer I know he won’t like, I remain silent.
“Answer me!” he barks.
“No, I couldn’t,” I fire back.
The muscles around Alex’s eyes twitch. Backing up a pace, he straightens his tie. “Do you realize what you could have done tonight?” he asks in a tightly controlled voice.
“What are you talking about?” I snap, ready to be finished with this argument and leave this place.
Narrowing his gaze, he focuses on me intently. “I was ready to blow the doors off this son of a bitch. Killing every motherfucker inside until I found you. Just to make sure you were safe.”
Tipping my head to the side, I study his face. “How did you even know I was here?” I question.
His lips quirk up in response. “I am a man of many talents, Ms. Parker.” His violet eyes illuminate with mischief.
“I don’t believe you,” I reply dismissively, turning my nose up in the air playfully.
Within the blink of an eye, Alex advances, grasping me by the waist, spinning me ar
ound and shoving me face first against the wall. Gasping, my lips part with force, all of the air rushing from my diaphragm. Struggling, I press against the wall with my hands, pushing back against Alex to free myself from his hard body and the punishing wall. Angling my head to the side, I catch a glimpse of his intensely rich eyes.
“Alex! What are you doing?” I hiss, my voice barely above a whisper.
Dipping his head low, his tongue traces a path across my earlobe before sucking it into his mouth and biting down.
“Ahh!” A small yelp is torn from my chest. Pleasure and pain come as one when he soothes the sting with gentle sucks, caressing my lobe with his tongue and the warmth of his hot mouth. Groaning, I arch my back into him.
The sensual rumble of his tone awakens my inner goddess as my skin becomes receptive to his every touch.
“You’ve made it perfectly clear, Ms. Parker, that I need to remind you that I am a man of many talents.” Shuddering, my body aches with longing at the carnal threat in his tone.
Cupping my breasts, Alex’s hands gradually travel down my torso, pausing every so often to explore a new area above my clothes. By the time he reaches the hem of my skirt, I’m a writhing mess—willing, wanton, and wet. The throbbing ache between my legs needs to be sated before I spontaneously combust. Pinching the hem of my skirt, he slowly begins lifting, brushing my skin with the tips of his fingers along the way. Cold air pelts my backside at the same time Alex grunts in appreciation.
Smoothing his hands over my hips, he squeezes, applying delicious pressure before slithering around the front of my body. Each breath comes quicker in my fight for air, his expert fingers driving me wild as they glide across my lower abdomen. He lingers there a moment before trailing his fingers lower, skimming over the fabric and caressing my labia.
“Mmmm.” An involuntary moan slips out before I realize I’ve even opened my mouth.
Chuckling, Alex pulls back my thong, snapping it against my already swollen pussy. The sound reverberates through the hall, bringing me back to my senses. Sucking in a sharp breath, I angle my head enough to catch his gaze.
“Alex, seriously, what are you doing?” I hiss.
Alex grins, cocking his eyebrow in challenge. Shoving my thong aside, he thrusts two fingers knuckle-deep into my throbbing pussy.
Flexing my fingers against the wall, I force myself to focus just enough to stammer, “W-What i-if someone hears us?”
Dipping his head low, Alex suckles the skin beneath my earlobe. Gasping, I writhe uncontrollably in his arms, each pull blasting my libido with sensual heat. Smiling, he retreats, licking a searing path up to my ear. His hot, sensual breath tumbles smoothly from his mouth to my overheated skin.
With a hum, Alex’s voice grows dark and fills with carnal desire. “Then I guess you’d better make sure you’re quiet.”
Spreading my legs a little wider, I open myself to him, pushing back against his hand. A loud crack reaches my ears a moment before the blazing pain registers.
“Ahhh!” I yelp, the sting from his palm burning my ass.
“Such a gorgeous color,” he croons, rotating his fingers in a wide arc. Alex adds a third finger and brings his free hand around to strum my clit in wicked circles. Within seconds, I’m undulating, meeting each and every pump with one of my own. My body tenses, small spasms rocketing through my core as my peak quickly approaches. As my body grows taut, on the verge of explosion, Alex pulls back, withdrawing his fingers from my body.
“No!” I cry, exasperated.
Laughing at my exacerbation, he seizes my waist, whirling me around and shoving me against the wall with so much force my head falls back with an audible thud. Panting, I stare at Alex as he eyes me hungrily. Placing his hands on my ass, he hoists me in the air, and my legs automatically wrap around his waist. The hiss of Alex’s zipper fills the air before he reaches between us, ripping my thong from my body. Using his powerful legs, he drives upward with an incredible amount of force that sends my head falling back once again.
Panting, I desperately try to suck in air as he surges into me again and again.
“Yes, Alex. Please.”
“God, Kylee. You feel so fucking good. I can’t get enough of you,” he groans.
“Ugh. Me, too, Alex. Me, too,” I say between gasps.
Unable to speak any longer, I press down, grinding my hips, meeting Alex’s every thrust.
“Fuck,” he curses.
Sparks of pleasure take root in my core, branching out and spreading like wildfire. Moving closer, I breathe in his scent, shuddering violently as his hand slips between us, circling my clit with vicious precision. Digging my nails into his shoulders, I strain against him, desperate for that release only Alex can give me.
Tightening my vaginal muscles, I constrict, working his cock deeper with every upward thrust.
“Ahhh,” he groans.
“Harder, Alex.”
Moving his hand back to my hip, he flexes his fingers, tightening his hold. Alex’s grip on my hip becomes crushing, no doubt leaving an imprint of his fingers for all to see.
“Harder, Alex, harder.”
Erasing the remaining distance, I lean in, licking the side of his neck. His taste explodes on my tongue, leaving an impressionable flavor swirling in my mouth. Clenching around his cock, he surges deeper, hitting my cervix as I bite the cord of his neck. Alex grunts loudly, his powerful legs continuously driving upward, stroking me from the inside out.
“Yes, that’s it,” I cry into his shoulder.
Sinking my teeth into his shoulder, I bite down, covering up my cries of ecstasy. My muscles seize in pleasure, my inner walls tightening around his shaft as he punches deeper with every upward lunge. Spurred on by my body’s reaction, Alex thrusts savagely, surging into me repeatedly. His strokes become entirely for his own pleasure as he holds me still, shuddering violently. A roar of pleasure bursts from his lips as he explodes, coating my insides with his hot fluids. Trembling, he places me on my feet, tucking his cock back into his pants before righting my skirt.
Retrieving my bag, he hands it to me. Without meeting my gaze, his tone is succinct and to the point. “The next time, try telling the truth. You’d be surprised what my answer might be.”
Without so much as another word, Alex storms off, leaving me standing in the hall wondering what in the hell just happened. Folding my arms over my stomach, I close my eyes, willing away the unwanted tears that are threatening to spill down my cheeks. A noise echoes in the corridor, startling my eyes open. Turning toward the sound, I can feel the blood drain from my face as my Uncle Taejo stalks toward me. His knowing gaze finds mine, and his eyes fill with sympathy.
Trembling, I circle my arms around myself tighter. Taejo’s pace quickens as I hide my face in shame. Reaching me, he gathers me close, enveloping me in a comforting embrace. Tears scald my cheeks as they fall unbidden onto his suit.
“Shhh, 1gongjunim, do not be ashamed. I saw nothing, no one did. I saw him arrive and cleared the area of guards. I turned off the surveillance personally. You had privacy for those few moments.” His hands rub a soothing pattern up and down the length of my back.
Drawing in a breath, my uncle’s scent surrounds me. Cinnamon and bergamot fill my nostrils, his spicy citrus smell helping to calm my racing heart. Pulling back farther, he looks me in the eye. Nodding once, he steps back, giving me a moment to collect myself. Why is he being so nice to me? He cleared the guards and turned off the surveillance . . . Why?
Pushing my thoughts aside, I focus my attention on Taejo. Following his movements, I watch as he inclines his head in the direction Alex went.
“He loves you, you know.” His words are genuine, but his expression is full of pain as he stares off into the distance.
“I know,” I say hesitantly.
“Do you?” he questions, his gaze boring intently into me.
Lost in the depth of his pain, I’m unable to formulate words, so I simply nod.
Without missing
a beat, he responds, “Good. Then do not let him get away.”
Placing a gentle kiss on my forehead, he does an about-face, striding away, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. Glancing down the long corridor, I blow out a watery breath. Shaking my head, I can’t help but wonder how much crazier my life is about to get.
* * *
1 means princess in Korean
THE VOICE OF RAGE BECKONS me, calls to me like a siren in the unstable seas. Closing my eyes, I allow the thick night air to stroke my mottled flesh. Her lies woke the beast I’ve managed to keep sequestered for so long. Now having sampled freedom, he thrashes, railing against the bars of his cage, relentlessly trying to secure his release from the confines of my mind, one troubling thought after another enters, piling onto the beast’s cage, adding fuel to the already blazing fire. With slow, deep pulls, I drag air into my lungs. Vengeance, it’s all because of vengeance, I think, expelling a breath with such force my chest begins to ache. I can see it so clearly, it’s as if she were standing in front of me. It’s a look I’ve seen before on men I’ve served with in the field.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to see that look shining back at me from the love of my life. But it was there in her eyes, the desire for vengeance. It’s what drives her. What I witnessed was a transformation, a change in her personality so darkly profound, I don’t think even I can bring her back. Her mother won because she’s letting her and it kills me. She left a smudge of darkness on her soul that continues to spread like the plague. Staining her from the inside out, blinding her to what she’s really doing. I have no doubt in my mind she would have put a bullet in his head. And while it would have solved a lot of our problems, it also would have made her something she’s not . . . Her mother. I just need her to see past the grief and hurt, to recognize that she isn’t the only one in pain. The only one who’s lost people.
To not only see but also believe that none of this is her fault. Opening my eyes, I crack my neck and straighten my tie. How do you help someone that refuses to step out of the dark? A person who embraces their grief and sadness? Who uses them in an attempt to seek vengeance all in the name of helping others? Biting my lip, I can feel the skin split as blood trickles into my mouth.
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