Page 81 of Lust & Lies

NOELANI

FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS, I spent most of my time in bed.

But I did get up to walk around. Even convinced Gertrude to let me get on the treadmill after the first week passed.

While I focused on getting better, Seo-Jin and Fuse worked on their part of my plan, while Aiden and his brothers worked on theirs.

Every night, Aiden made it his mission to bathe me, claiming I was too weak to wash myself. I didn’t feel all that weak, but who was I to say no to having a sexy man’s hands all over me every night?

I mean, I was still recovering and all. If he left me alone, I could fall in the shower, bump my head, and lose my memory all over again. We were trying to keep that from happening.

Late at night, when the house was quiet and we were sure everyone else was asleep, he always tried to sneak a feel. Like the good girl I was, I reminded him of Gertrude’s no-sex order. But according to my savage, no one could tell him not to put his tongue in his woman’s pussy.

And who was I to tell a sexy man not to put his tongue on me? I mean, I could fall out of bed, bump my head, and get amnesia again. His tongue was like an anchor that kept me in bed at night.

My days were filled with me working out, and my nights were filled with Aiden’s tongue working my pussy out. Once my two weeks were up, I was feeling stronger and satisfied as hell.

My side was still a little tender, but it didn’t hurt as much. Other than that, all was well. I was ready to turn myself over to Mr. Park as planned. On D-Day, Seo-Jin, Fuse, and Viper pulled up to the country estate right on time.

I was standing with Aiden on the front porch when the SUV came to a stop. Fuse, also known as Darnell Washington and Black Hulk Smash, emerged first, standing tall, the sunlight glistening on his bald head.

His gaze met mine, and he gave me a slight nod to let me know everything was ready. Then came Seo-Jin, calm as ever, expression void of emotion. Viper, aka Sun-Ari, closed the door behind her and moved to lean against it, arms crossed, expression murderous.

She’d never looked at me like that before. This woman truly hated me. Oh, well. I’d be the last bitch she ever hated. I’d take that as an honor.

“It’s time to go, Mist,” Seo-Jin announced.

“I’m going with her,” Aiden insisted as planned.

Seo-Jin shook his head. “That’s not an option. Mr. Park said she has to come alone.”

Aiden’s jaw clenched. His hand tightened around my waist before pulling me against him. His lips brushed my forehead, lingering there for a moment. I knew he hated this part of the plan, the part where we had to separate.

But it was necessary for the plan to work, necessary for Mr. Park to let his guard down. The old man was depending on Seo-Jin and Fuse to obey him. He was depending on his grandsons to stay away as he ordered and for his guards to ensure they didn’t enter the mansion while I was there.

“If anything goes wrong, do whatever you have to do to get away from them,” Aiden whispered in my ear. “And if something goes wrong when you’re in front of my grandfather, I won’t blame you for doing what you have to do. I need you more than I need a cruel relative.”

“That’s enough,” Viper called out.

Bitch! Don’t you see my man whispering sweet things in my ear?

“Yes, sir,” I whispered to Aiden, slowly releasing him and stepping away.

Seo-Jin moved closer and grabbed my wrist. I didn’t miss the look Aiden cast his way.

“I’ll keep her safe,” Seo-Jin whispered to Aiden.

“You better,” Aiden muttered under his breath.

As Seo-Jin led me toward the SUV, Viper pushed away from the vehicle and moved to intercept us.

“Mr. Park said she needs to be cuffed and patted down before getting in,” Viper told the Leader.

This bitch!

My gaze met hers. “You’re treating me like I’m the enemy. I’ve been told I’m a Watchdog just like you are.”

Viper rolled her eyes and tossed her long black hair over her shoulder. “You’re nothing like me. You killed two Watchdogs, one of whom was your team member. You may have lost your memory, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be held accountable for what you’ve done.”

I didn’t bother arguing. I stared straight ahead and held my hands out.

“Do what you have to do,” I muttered, tone bored.

“Hands behind your back,” she ordered.

I obeyed. Smirking, she approached me. Her hands were a little rougher than necessary as she patted me down, taking her time like she was hoping to find something she could use against me. Once done, she cuffed me. I winced as the cuffs tightened around my wrists.

“Is that really necessary?” Fuse asked.

“If it’s an order, it must be necessary.” Viper glared at Fuse. “She’s no longer a member of our team. You don’t have to feel sorry for her.” She shoved me toward him. “Put her in the car.”

This bitch! I gritted my teeth to keep my cool. I looked toward the porch and saw Aiden starting my way. If looks could kill. My savage was ready to stomp someone’s head in. Seo-Jin stopped him.

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I knew Aiden was going to ruin the plan if I didn’t do something. I gave my man a smile and a wink to let him know I was good. He didn’t have to worry about Viper. I’d take care of her soon.

Aiden still looked furious, but he stopped trying to get to me. Instead, he shoved Seo-Jin away from him and took a step back, toward the porch. Poor Seo-Jin. I’d have to give him a good gift for his birthday or something. Shaking his head, Fuse approached me.

“Sorry,” he murmured. “I’ve got to put you in the car.”

Hearing his apology, Viper rolled her eyes again. As Fuse walked me to the SUV, his hand brushed mine. I kept my eyes on Viper to make sure she wasn’t watching us. I opened my hand and he pressed a pin against my palm.

I kept my expression stoic as I closed my hand around it. Fuse opened the back door and helped me in, then walked around to the other side and climbed in beside me. Up front, Viper took the passenger seat next to Seo-Jin.

That used to be my seat when we went on group missions. She thought it belonged to her now. How cute? Delusional, but cute. I leaned back against the cushion, cuffs biting into my wrists as I stared at the back of Viper’s head.

I was oh so tempted to put a bullet in her skull. This bitch really thought she’d won. When Seo-Jin started the car, my gaze drifted back to the estate, where Aiden was still standing on the porch.

My savage had his fists clenched at his sides. I know it was taking every ounce of strength in him to stand there and watch me be taken away. But it was part of the plan. I was fine. I kept my eyes on Aiden as we drove off, watching him until he was no longer in view.

Only then did I face forward. Not even five minutes into the ride, a trail of cars appeared in the rearview mirror. The Watchdogs were pulling out. Perfect. As per protocol, each unit should return to its own base and meet up with its captain for a debriefing.

Once all units had cleared out, our people could leave without drawing suspicion and follow us to the Park estate. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the cars trailing us began going in their own direction.

One car remained behind us, and they would follow us until we made it to the Park Estate. So far, the plan was unfolding exactly how I’d expected it to. The ride to the estate was a quiet one.

No radio. No talking. No distractions.

I stared out the window most of the way, watching the scenery pass. When we pulled up to the estate, I took note of the guards stationed outside. There should be no problem for my people to get in.

According to Aiden, Tristan had already replaced most of those guards with his own men. Seo-Jin parked in front of the main house. He got out, then came around to my side and opened the door.

I slid out, still holding the pin Fuse had given me. I stared around the estate. It was good to be home. Seo-Jin guided me up the steps of the fortress I’d grown up in. Who would’ve thought I’d one day be entering this home in handcuffs?

We moved through the hallways I used to run up and down as a kid, either chasing or being chased by the Park brothers. Now I walked them like a criminal, flanked by Fuse and Viper. I could feel Viper’s glare on me.

When I turned my head in her direction, she didn’t bother looking away. She threw me a lethal side-eye, full of hate and jealousy. It had to be exhausting to have that much hatred in you for someone who’d never done a damn thing to you.

For someone who didn’t give one single fuck about you. It killed me how some women could get so vicious over men who didn’t even want them. I stared straight ahead, ignoring her. But in the back of my mind, I was already planning how I was going to kill that bitch.

We stopped at a familiar door. One I’d entered and exited countless times. Mr. Park’s office. I took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. This was it. There was no backing out now. It was time for me to face Aiden’s grandfather.

Fuse opened the door and stepped aside. Seo-Jin entered the room first, then Viper. Fuse stood there, waiting for me to go in. Staring straight ahead, I entered the lion’s den. Fuse entered behind me, closing the door with a soft click.

Everyone was in position. Seo-Jin stood to one side of Mr. Park’s desk, arms folded over his chest, eyes on me. Viper mirrored his stance at the other side of Mr. Park’s desk, her glare on me.

Fuse stood by the door, preventing me from escaping. As if I wanted to escape. I was right where I wanted to be. And there he was, the man of the hour. Mr. Park sat behind the desk, dressed in an all-black suit, clutching his cane.

His eyes were on me, taking in my appearance. My hair was pulled back into a ponytail that was wrapped around itself and pinned down. There would be no hair-grabbing today.

Like him, I was dressed in all black. Black fitted tee, black jeans, and black boots. Signature Mist attire. If I got blood on me, it wouldn’t show.