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Jin presses his lips to my cheek. “The pistol makes you uncomfortable.”

“A… a little. I had a cousin in Philly lose his life to gun violence.”

“An unfortunate tragedy,” he says in his usual candid manner. “But if you must, Tokki-ya, use it to defend yourself, alright?”

Jin leaves shortly after.

I try to make myself comfortable, though it’s an adjustment. Jin’s family home is a traditional Korean hanok, which means it had very little furniture even at the time it was occupied. Sleeping on the bedding mats was fine, especially nestled close with Jin, but reading with my legs folded on the floor isn’t as comfortable.

Still, I focus on the book I’m reading and urge myself to ignore the clock. Jin’s left me with a burner phone—again, under the trusting guise that I won’t use it to call anyone I’m not supposed to—but I can’t help checking the hour.

After the first three he’s gone, I clap shut the book and stand up to stretch my legs.

Today isn’t as gloomy and overcast as yesterday. I step toward the back door and breathe in the fresh sea air.

The area really is so peaceful.

The narrow strip of land stretches out toward the sea. Sand has been swept smooth by the tide, littered by the occasional piece of broken driftwood or dark, sea-glossed stones. The waves roll in slower and gentler than before. Farther out, a line of jagged rock juts from the water like broken teeth, where seagulls gather and squawk into the wind.

I meant it when I told Jin this would be a nice, calming, secluded location to raise a family.

Staring at the sandy coastline, I can envision small children giggling and splashing into the water before running back to safety. I can see myself laughing with them as I supervise, then Jin walking out to put his arm around me.

On one hand, it feels so silly to imagine these things. Jin and I have only known each other for a few weeks. We’ve only connected in the way we have for even shorter. He’s a stoic and withdrawn man who probably doesn’t want marriage, much less afamily.

But… I can’t help the longing in my heart. I can’t stop my imagination from showing me what I desire.

A gentle sigh soughs out of me. What would Mom think?

She wanted me to move on from Eli. I’m not sure if she had Korean gangster in mind. More like Korean schoolteacher, Korean banker, a safe and mild-mannered man of any background really.

Anything but a man like Jin, who lives a violent, dangerous life. But she would want me to be happy too. And, in the most unexpected way, being with Jindoesmake me happy.

There’s a thrill that being with him brings me. Unpredictability and excitement, but also intensity and passion. He can be so soft and caring, so perceptive where I’m concerned.Then there’s the other side of him, which is brutal and dominant. Terrifying.

Jin is gone for almost five hours.

The entire time he is, I’m alert and watchful. I’m thinking about him and our relationship.

When he finally returns, he’s dressed in different clothes than when he left. A dark crewneck shirt and pants with a leather jacket similar to the one that burned down in his apartment. He carries a duffel bag with him.

I don’t wait for him to reach the front door. I spring forward and launch myself at him, tossing my arms around his neck.

“You’re back!” I kiss his jaw, then go for a peck on the lips.

He squeezes me back before he sets me down on my feet. His hand scoops mine up and he leads me into the house.

“What’s the duffel bag for?” I ask nosily.

“For you.”

“More clothes?”

“Something like that,” he answers mysteriously. He sets it down on the low table and then turns to face me. “I’ve found a way to get you out.”

My brows knit. “Get me out of where?”

“The country.”