Page 5 of Ruthless Touch

But I never expected my coworker and my roommate to…hook uplike they have.

It’s made it so that whenever I’m at work, I’m dealing with KD, and whenever I escape to home, there he is, chilling on our couch with a bag of seaweed crisps.

It wouldn’t be so awkward if KD and I were just coworkers andnotexes.

So I’ve quickly found myself in possibly the most awkward situation of my life.

All my own doing but all by accident.

KD, otherwise known as Kangdae Han, is Korean American and one of Vanguard’s best. The director sent us together for this job for a reason.

We were the ones that made the most sense.

We briefly dated a few years back before we realized we worked much better as friends.

Still a little weird to wander into the kitchen and hear sex noises coming from the other room, knowing Priscilla’s getting her back blown out by my ex.

As I emerge from my bedroom, she and KD meet halfway for a kiss. As if they haven’t just seen each other five minutes ago.

“What was that about?” she asks in her soft voice.

I grab my leather jacket from the hook on the wall and shrug it on. “Nothing. Just your boyfriend being a worrywart.”

“Isn’t he so cute?” Priscilla giggles, then stands on tiptoe to plant another kiss on his cheek.

Ialmostgag.

KD beams, damn near puffing his chest out. “Tell her, baby. Tell her she shouldn’t be going out alone.”

A bemused frown comes to Priscilla’s round face. “Is this more work stuff? It’s after ten.”

“Which means don’t wait up,” I say from over my shoulder. I wave my hand in the air as my final goodbye and then see myself out.

If I’d stayed any longer, KD probably would’ve insisted Priscilla throw on some clothes so they could come with.

But the truth is, I work better alone. I’m in my element when it’s just me, myself, and I, and I don’t have to worry about relying on anyone else.

In a matter of seconds, I’m on the ground floor. The elevator doors glide open, and I cross the lobby with a quick glance at my phone.

Twenty after ten.

Perfect.

I’ll get there right on time. Then tonight canreallybegin.

The pulse-pounding music fills the neon-lit club as I sit at the bar counter and sip on my drink—a black plum tonic without a drop of alcohol.

Unlike the writhing bodies on the dance floor, I can enjoy myself sober.

Ineedto be sober if I’m going to pull off what I have to do.

My hand drifts up to my throat, fingers tracing the metal ring that dangles from my chain like a pendant. The smooth band is made from tungsten with meteorite inlay and once belonged to my father.

Now I wear it around my neck as a reminder why I’m doing what I’m doing.

Dad never saw justice twenty years ago. But I’ll make sure to get vengeance on his behalf.

Only then will he be able to rest easy, and I’ll be able to finally move on from what’s become my life’s mission.