Page 57 of Ruthless Touch

“Not everyone is as sharp as you, Goyangi.”

“Apparently I’m not very sharp at all… or I wouldn’t have been caught by the Cheongryong.”

Gun cocks a brow at me. “Were you? That’s new to me.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I know I’m my own person. I’ve told you before.”

I roll my eyes, arms folded in my lap. “Rhee, we both know where your loyalties lie. You have the dragon tattoo.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t have a mind of my own, feline.” He’s turned his attention away from the movie, his dark gaze falling on me. “I make the decisions I want to make—it’s one of the many things my father hates about me.”

“Cool story,” I retort. “It still doesn’t explain why I’m still here.”

“I’ve told you. You were in no shape to?—”

“I am now,” I interrupt sharply. “What’s the next excuse, Rhee? The fact of the matter is, you’ve kept me because you don’t knowwhatto do. You’re aware of what you’re supposed to do. Which is turn me into your overlords. But you seem to think if you keep me here like this, I’ll magically drop my mission against you and your family. You think… you think…”

“I think what, feline? Don’t stumble on your words now.”

Drawing a deep, agitated breath, I go for the jugular. “You think we’re in some fucking movie… or some K-Drama… and we’re about to end up together. If you just keep me long enough—if you can make your captive woman fall in love with you?—”

“Ha!” he laughs, his shoulders quaking. His grin spreads quicker than I’ve ever seen it onto his face. “You think I want to be with you, Goyangi-ne? I knew you thought much of yourself, but this is a new one.”

“Am I wrong? Rescuing me. Patching me up. Taking care of me. Giving me your bed. Feeding me. Walking around in your towel. These little… little mini dates around the apartment—dimmed lights and shared snacks?” I rattle off heatedly, rising from the couch. “I know exactly what you’re trying to do.”

He whistles, laughing all over again. “Wow, lady. You are something else.”

“More like I’m not one of the stupid women you bring back to this love nest to fuck! I don’t fall for your manipulative gestures, and I see right through you!”

“Yeah?” he challenges, standing up opposite me. “And what do you see? What’ve you learned?”

“I’ve learned you’re more dangerous with your fake knight-in-shining-armor act. That your fake care is worse than your fists. And I won’t be tricked into forgetting what you are—orwhere your real loyalties lie.”

He steps toward me, the expression on his face one of cold amusement. “Is that so, Goyangi-ne? Is this the part where you try to kill me again? Go ahead. Take your best shot. But be warned, I won’t take it easy on you this time.”

Something coiled tight inside me finally snaps.

I sweep my leg up in a swift forward kick aimed at his arrogant smirk, but Gun moves like liquid mercury, leaning back just far enough that my foot passes through empty air where his face had been a heartbeat before.

I don’t give him time to gloat, immediately following up with a sharp strike to his chest. He grunts as the impact drives him back half a step. His hand shoots out to catch my next punch and twist my arm behind my back in one fluid motion of raw strength.

Suddenly, I’ve found myself pressed up against his chest with nowhere to go.

His breath is hot against my ear as he leans in close, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper that makes my skin prickle. “Trust me, Goyangi, you’ll never beat me in a fight. Give up now.”

White-hot rage explodes from within like gasoline meeting flame. I drive my elbow backward into his ribs with enough force to make him release his hold on me.

The second I’m free, I spin out of his grasp and sweep my leg under his feet, sending him crashing to the floor.

He barely touches the ground before he rolls backward and springs to his feet like the fall was nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

I’m hardly deterred. I charge at him with everything I’ve got. He sidesteps my assault and grabs hold of my shoulders to pin me back against the wall.

I break his hold by slamming my elbows down on his forearms. Then I’m flipping the script. I slip out of his hold and reverse our positions, shoving him against the same wall with my arm barred across his throat.

He actually grins at me like he’s amused by how I’ve tried to restrain him.