Page 109 of Ruthless Touch

Gun recognizes this as he slowly untangles us from each other and then we quietly finish undressing. We head into the bathroom where we turn on the shower and wash off the night’s blood.

Every step along the way Gun is there, providing the comfort and support I didn’t know I needed but am grateful to receive.

The hours feel never ending lying wide awake. Three a.m. hits and I’m no more asleep than I was two hours ago. I stare at the ceiling, body rigid with tension despite how exhausted I feel.

Beside me, Gun’s knocked out, his breathing deep and rhythmic. I’m grateful he’s getting some rest.

Less enthused by the way my brain won’t shut off. My mind spins, turning over everything that’s happened.

KD dying so brutally, his blood splattering on my face. The haze we’d fought through in order to escape. Rhee Tae-hwan’s long, unblinking stare down as he had the chance to kill me and then didn’t. Priscilla’s heartbroken cries as we broke the tragic news.

I think about Dad, the man I barely remember but have spent my entire adult life trying to avenge. My heart aches just thinking about how his life was cut so abruptly short.

Just like KD. Here one second. Gone the next.

Tae-hwan and the Cheongryong are ruthless and violent and they’re never going to stop. They’ve ruined so many lives and can’t get away with it anymore.

But then I glance over at Gun and think about what an impossible position I’ve put him in. His devotion to me requires that he’ll have to betray his own father; it forces him to turn his back on the syndicate he made an oath to.

The Cheongryong isn’t the only one that’s ruined lives.

…so have I. And I can’t bring myself to do it again.

Clarity comes with the heavy shadows cloaking the room. There’s only one conclusion to draw: I can’t carry on the way I have. I refuse to have any more blood on my hands, and I won’t ruin Gun too.

I’ve made a mess of everything, and now it’s time to face the music.

If I’m going to do this, seeking the answers I need and getting the revenge I have to, then I’m going to do italone.

At least if I die in the process, it’s only my life.

I’m careful slipping out of bed without disturbing Gun. I slink across the room, moving toward the wardrobe so I can get dressed and grab what gear I need.

It only takes me seconds. I finish tying my boots and then rise to secure the weapons and equipment I’m bringing.

My reflection in the dark mirror looks like a stranger—cold, determined, already half-dead inside.

I leave Gun sleeping in the bedroom on my way out the apartment. He’ll wake up in a couple hours and realize I’m gone.

But I’ve left him a note to explain what I’m doing. Something short and to the point that he’ll instantly understand.

Then I’m off, disappearing into the night.

TWENTY-THREE

GUN

I waketo find an empty bed. I sit up and scratch my scalp, groggy and confused. It’s barely a few minutes after eight.

Elise must be in the kitchen making coffee or in the living room poring over the next phase of our plans. She’ll want to hit the ground running after yesterday.

But as I move to get out of bed, I spot the torn piece of paper folded on her pillow. She’s left me a note.

I reach for it, dread thickening inside me. The message scrawled inside the paper is short and simple. It’s fitting of Elise.

I’m sorry but I have to. Just me.

I reread the note several times as if expecting more of an explanation. None arrives.