Page 80 of Lust & Lies

It was supposed to be a quick kiss on his lips. But he placed his hand on the back of my head and held me there, deepening the kiss. I melted against him, missing this, missing him.

“You two are too handsy for me,” Gertrude mumbled, gathering up her stuff to leave. “Kissing is fine,” she called out on her way out. “But nothing more than that. If Noe pulls her stitching, I will separate you two. Oh, and when Seo-Jin stops by, I’ll fill him in on the plan.”

The door closed behind her with a soft click.

Aiden pulled back to stare down at me. “She acts like she’s the boss of us,” he grumbled.

“We must respect our elders,” I reminded him.

“She’s not that old. You should’ve seen the way she cocked that gun and threatened to shoot motherfuckers the night the rogue Watchdogs attacked.”

“She’s old, but she still got it,” I bragged. “Speaking of rogue Watchdogs, the actual number of rogues needs to be figured out and taken care of.”

“I know. There’s always been Watchdogs who've gone rogue throughout the years. But since my grandfather has been in charge, that number seems to have grown.”

“Before I lost my memory, Seo-Jin and I did a mission-audit. We looked through hundreds of previous missions and more recent ones. Before your grandfather took control of the Watchdogs, the organization had more missions that helped struggling communities protect themselves and their properties from illegal bank seizures and real estate investors who wanted to buy their land at a cheap rate, using illegal means to get them to sell.”

“Makes sense. That’s what the Watchdogs were created for.

They weren’t created solely to protect the Park family.

The Park family’s just the top of the tree.

But the roots? They stretch through every neighborhood, every community that’s ever been stepped on, ignored, or threatened.

You remember the story of how my family came to Mississippi, right? ”

“Yes, how could I forget? I mean, I did forget at one point. Anyway. You all were the Bak family back in Korea. You came here during the Korean War, and to make things easier on your descendants, you all changed your last name to Park. Your family settled in Biloxi. But you faced racism, threats, and violence, like other Korean immigrants who came here, fleeing the war. And so did the Black families who took them in, gave them shelter.”

“Right. I often marveled at how a group of people who were already being suppressed was actually willing to take in and help others. The Watchdogs started right here, in Mississippi. Not as assassins, but as protectors. They guarded civil rights leaders, protected immigrant businesses from being burned down, and stood between cops and kids who couldn’t even walk down their street safely.

When my dad told me about how the Watchdogs started, it made me want to be one.

But he told me I wasn’t able to because my grandfather had made a rule that Parks weren’t allowed to be Watchdogs. ”

“But before him, Parks were some of the strongest Watchdogs. When your grandfather became the head of the organization, a lot of things changed. During the audit, we learned that since Mr. Park took over, there have been more Park-Family related missions than ever before. Missions that were aimed at people and companies who either wronged your family, or were in the way of something your family was after.”

“So, grandfather has been using the Watchdogs as his own personal minions.”

“Yes. And the number of assassins that have died on missions increased after your grandfather took over.”

“Damn it.”

“I have the data on my computer. I was planning to show it to Tristan after my contract was over. But I’ll let you show it to him now.”

“I will. That’ll convince him that it’s time to make grandfather step down. The next question is, who will replace him as overseer of the organization?”

“I know someone who could take charge until we figure out who should take on that role.”

“Who?”

“Gertrude. Sam too. They can run it together until you all figure out the next step. They understand the organization better than we do. It’s been their only job their entire lives.

They worked for your grandfather and your great-grandfather before him.

They have integrity and we know we can trust them. Plus...”

“You don’t have to convince me, love. They are the only ones I’d trust for the job.”

“Really?” I beamed.

“Other than you. And I guess, Seo-Jin, as long as he doesn’t look at you while you work together.”

“Really, Aiden?” I rolled my eyes.

“Really, Noe. But that’s only if you want that position.”

Did I want to be over the Watchdogs? I could see myself in that role. I wouldn’t do it alone. I’d want Seo-Jin’s help. I felt like it would take two people and other delegates to handle an organization like this.

And of course, Aiden and his brothers would have to play a part in audits so they knew what was being done. There shouldn’t be only one person holding onto all of that power unchecked, or we could end up with another Mr. Park situation.

“I don’t think I want that role right now. Right now, I want to take care of Mr. Park and Viper. Then, I want to go on a vacation and take some time to enjoy life with you while Gertrude and Sam handle the Watchdogs.”

“That sounds like a plan. Where do you want to go?” he asked.

“Guess,” I told him.

“Seoul,” he guessed.

“You know me so well.”

“I’ll make that happen for you, love. First, I’ll have to get you a new passport.”

Passport. Oh, right.

“You already killed off my slightly legal name, Noa. That was the last identity I had left,” I said, pouting.

“I don’t want you to go as Noa. I want you to go as Noelani.”

My eyes widened. “But... how?” I breathed, a nervous hopefulness blooming within me.

“Tristan and I have been talking about this. Tristan has someone who owes him a favor that can quietly reopen your death record, have it legally reversed, and all traces of the fake death erased or sealed. I think he planned it to be a surprise for you. But I’ve ruined the surprise.”

Awww... Tristan. Under all of that arrogant, narcissistic cockiness was a heart of gold. Just for this, I wouldn’t beat him up the next time I saw him. Instead, I’d give him a big hug.

“I’ll act shocked when he tells me about it,” I told Aiden, feeling so damn excited and thankful.

“I’ll ask him about the progress on it today.”

“Thank you, baby,” I whispered, smiling up at the man I loved.

“Anything for you, baby. And don’t smile at me like that or I’ll end up disobeying Gertrude’s no sex rule.”

I laughed as he pulled me close. Lying in bed together, we snuggled as we went over the plan again, creating plan B and C just in case there was a screw up in the original plan. Once we had it all mapped out, Aiden called his brothers and told them everything.

After hearing what we found in our audit, Tristan got on board with what I had planned. As for our Ethan, he was just happy to be included in the plot. Everything was in motion now. In two weeks, I would finally get my revenge on Mr. Park.

In two weeks, I would show him what a real family and what real power looked like. He was going to be furious when he learned that the woman he’d wanted dead and her honorary aunt and uncle would one day rule over his Watchdogs.

I hope you’re watching over me, Mom, Dad, and Layla. This revenge is for you, too!