Page 110

“You’re not scaring me off that easily, Jin-tae,” I answer, smirking slightly. “You’re stuck with me.”

I lean in close and press my mouth to his. Our kiss is soft and slow, a gesture of devotion that Jin readily returns. He frames my face in his hands and parts my lips with his own. He’s firm and attentive in how he kisses me like he’s savoring every second of it.

“I told you I loved you and I meant it,” I murmur against his lips. “I’ve made my decision. The only future I want is with you.”

Jin closes his eyes and releases a slow breath as if I’ve told him the greatest, most relieving news in the world.

“There’s still a lot to sort out,” he says. “The Baekho Pa will need to nominate a new leader. The Bulgeomhoe are still our fierce rivals.”

“And neither of us have a real home anymore,” I point out with a soft laugh.

“That too. The world thinks you’re dead.”

“Sort of forgot about that after all the other craziness going on.”

“We’ll take it by the day, Tokki-ya,” he vows, linking our fingers together.

I settle beside him, my body curling to fit against his. We’re both staring out the window, admiring how silver and ethereal the half moon looks tonight.

It’s how we both drift off to sleep, our thoughts finally slowing down.

Jin was right that there’s a lot to figure out, but there’s one thing I know for certain as my eyelids grow impossibly heavy and I slip off to sleep.

This summer has changed the course of my entire life in the most unexpected way. And it all started with a bad blind date and stumbling into a dark alley. I didn’t know it then, but I know it now, from the other side—it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

27.Monroe

A Year Later…

“Look at that fine man!”Mom exclaims joyfully. “I knew my baby would bring home a catch.”

My cheeks flush warm. “Mom! Will you ever stop?”

We’re peering out the window of my apartment at the street down below. A silver Genesis G80 Sport has pulled up outside, and a tall, tattooed man with messy dark hair has gotten out. We watch nosily as he walks up the front path to my building, then disappears inside.

Mom pulls away from the window and nudges me toward the door. “Well? He’ll be up any minute! Go answer, Moni.”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re bossy?”

“Where do you think you get it from, baby girl?” she snickers. “Your father used to say you barked orders just like your mama.”

I roll my eyes at her teasing and cross the compact space of my apartment. I’m dressed in a loose-fitting sundress that falls down to my ankles, but that’s perfect for the July heat in South Korea. My curls halo my face, a braided headband perched up top.

It’s the last night Mom’s in the country and I wanted tonight’s dinner to be special.

As there’s a soft knock at the door and I draw it open to find Jin holding some gifts, it’s clear I wasn’t the only one.

He’s more dressed up than usual, ditching his leather jacket for a simple black button-up shirt. The sleeves are rolled up, revealing the many tattoos on his forearms. He’s done his best to tame his usually unruly, windswept hair, pushing it back from his brow. Though a few strands still threaten to slip into his eyes.

In one hand he holds a fresh bouquet of flowers—pale pink and cream blooms wrapped in wax paper—and in the other, a dark, polished box with a mirror finish.

An excited little squeal sounds from my throat. I step into him, rising on my sandaled toes to kiss him hello. His lips are warm and familiar, his taste of mint.

“You didn’t have to bring anything,” I murmur. “I told you I was handling tonight’s dinner.”

Behind me, Mom lets out a snort of disagreement. “Now wait a minute, baby girl! If the man wants to spoil us with gifts, we’re gonna go ahead and let him!”

Jin chuckles and steps the rest of the way into the apartment. He gives a slight bow as he presents the flowers and box to my mom. “For you, Daisha.”