Page 32 of Ruthless Touch

My suspicion was correct. Her real name is Elise Quinn and her occupation is listed as model.

A broad grin crosses my face. “Hello Goyangi-ne. Are you ready to be reunited soon?”

Once we have her address, the rest is easy. No less than a few hours later, Joon and I dig up any and everything we can find on the elusive Elise Quinn.

Her family is from Illinois but she was born in an American military hospital in the U.K. She graduated toward the top of her class in high school, then went on to enlist in the military herself, where she served four years.

And then… that’s where her history gets interesting.

The company that’s listed as her employer is afake.

But with a little more work, Joon and I are able to track down an address in Seoul. The next night, Elise has a shadow she’s not even aware of.

I lurk at a safe distance as she leaves her apartment and heads to the subway. She’s dressed in all black again, except this time the clothes are obviously intended for movability and discretion. Both the top and pants are distractingly form-fitting.

We ride the subway together until she gets off at a stop in the Seocho District. I follow her off the train, unsure what I intend to do tonight.

Whether it’s just reconnaissance or if I’m going to be quick about it—if I’m going to end the feline that’s been the object of my fixation for several days now.

But I never get the chance to decide.

As she comes up the stairs leading to the streets, she’s greeted by a brawny man who’s waiting for her. He’s in all black attire too, his shirt nondescript and plain and his pants cargo with many pockets.

The second he sees her, he pulls her toward him in a crushing hug.

I stop midstep, my head slanting to the side. An instant current of jealousy streaks through me.

“Who the fuck is this?”

NINE

ELISE

KD’s armsclamp around me like a vice, nearly squeezing the air out of my lungs. I stiffen out of instinct. Public affection’s never been my thing—and KD knows that—but he’s always been a softie when we’re about to head out on another mission.

“Fuck, Onyx,” I groan as my ribs scream in protest. I’m still tender from my fight with Gun the other night. “Are you trying to hug me or put me in the hospital?”

“Just checking if anything’s broken,” he teases, releasing me. “And maybe reminding you you’re not made of steel. Even if you act like it.”

“Or maybe you act like you’re made of cotton candy. Toughen up.” I smack my palm to his abdomen, my version of revenge for his viselike bear hug.

He pounds his own fist against his stomach. “Oh please, me? You feel these abs. I’ve got a six pack and you know it, Silk. I’m rock hard and ready to go.”

“That… sounds a lot more perverted than you probably realized,” I say with a smirk. “But we do have to get a move on. We’re already two minutes behind target.”

“Whose fault is that? I’ve been waiting for over half an hour.”

I can’t argue with KD’s point—Iwasrunning late tonight. I took longer than usual because I couldn’t shake the feeling I was being watched.

And followed.

I didn’t take my usual route to our meet up point. I wanted to shake off whoever might be following me until I began to wonder if anyone even was.

For the past week I’ve spent every waking moment paranoid the Cheongryong had already discovered my identity. Thoughts aboutRhee Gun-woospecifically filled my head.

He’s become a ghost I can’t escape as instinct tells me we’ll meet again soon.

Even as I stand on the busy street corner with KD, I glance around us, searching the faces of strangers as if I expect to see him.