Page 123 of Ruthless Touch

Morning light spillsinto the beachside suite like liquid gold, painting the room in warm hues that contrast the sheer white curtains. They flutter in the breeze, offering sneak peeks of the beach and waves beyond.

It’s early enough that nobody’s out on the sands yet. The only visitors are the occasional seagulls that touch down and then take flight again.

I sit shirtless on my side of the bed, the cool air blowing across my skin. I’ve got my phone pressed to my ear as I listen to Joon-gi’s latest update.

Two weeks have passed since the airport ordeal and our discovery about Elise’s Uncle Jerald. We’ve spent them hiding out on Jeju island, a getaway destination known for its natural beauty.

It’s one of the places in South Korea that the Cheongryong’s reach runs thin.

We’ve more than earned the break.

“How’s paradise treating you?” Joon-gi asks from his end of the line. His voice carries a note of humor in it.

“Better than Seoul. I haven’t been shot at in several days. That’s immediately an improvement,” I answer, glancing over at Elise’s sleeping form tangled in the bedsheets. “What’s the situation back home?”

“Your father’s death is still being handled. The syndicate is throwing money at the police to keep things quiet—the airport situation and all the other incidents—but you know there’s always a few good cops that want to hold on,” he explains. “Oh, and… uh, the Cheongryong-je wants to hear from you. He’s asking questions about your loyalty, your whereabouts, your side of the story. Stuff like that.”

I run a hand through my sleep-rumpled hair, the familiar weight of obligation settling back over my shoulders. “And what’ve you been telling him?”

“That you’re grieving. That you need time to process everything. Told you I’ve got your back, my friend. You owe me one American cutie. I take payment in all colors. So if Elise has a sister or cousin?—”

“Joon-gi,” I interrupt. “Focus. Stay on topic. What did the Cheongryong-je say in response?”

He laughs lightly. “Oh, right… right! He hasn’t said anything. He’s nodded and accepted the excuse. But you can’t stay away forever, Gun-woo. You know the others are planting bugs in his ear.”

“Let them,” I say with a half shrug and an air of indifference. “We’re not coming back until I say so.”

“I’m not surprised to hear you say that! I’d stay gone too if I were you. Speaking of ‘we’—you have room for one more at that beach suite? I could use a vacation too. The city’s getting claustrophobic.”

I half grin to myself, imagining Joon trying to insert himself into the intimate getaway Elise have been enjoying. “Three’s a crowd, brother.”

We hang up once we’re done catching each other up. I set my phone down and let the morning silence wash over me.

The truth is, I’ve grown to appreciate the slow pace of Jeju and the time Elise and I have been having together. I could easily stay another few weeks.

I glance back at Elise, still curled under the sheets with her thick braids wrapped up in a scarf. Her breathing is deep and even, peaceful in a way I’ve rarely seen since we’ve known each other.

My feline looks like she’s truly been set free.

I slip out of the room without making a sound, leaving Elise to sleep while I pad barefoot into the suite’s compact kitchenette.

I start brewing some coffee and get some rice going in the rice cooker included with the beachfront suite.

The omelets I’m making sizzle in the pan in no time. They’re traditional Korean rolled omelets known as Gyeran-mari. Since I’m limited on ingredients, I don’t bother with the usual veggies or meat, simply sprinkling some sea salt for added flavor.

It’s slow and domestic, the kind of thing I never did before. I was almost never up early enough for breakfast after late nights working for the Cheongryong or partying at clubs.

But it’s become part of mine and Elise’s wake-up ritual.

I’m pouring the coffee into two mugs when I sense her presence. She’s wandered from the bedroom, likely woken up by the trickling coffee pot.

“Just what every girl loves to see,” Elise yawns. “Her man in the kitchen.”

I glance over my shoulder at her, a cocky grin twisting onto my lips. “I’ll cook you breakfast every morning, Goyangi, so long as you do that thing with your tongue every night.”

Her cheeks glow with warmth, the flush spreading to her face. If she were my complexion, she’d be bright red right now.

I love teasing her like this.