Page 63 of Ruthless Touch

I know what I felt—the way she responded to my touch, the sounds she made, the way her body fit against mine like we were made for each other.

That wasn’t by chance. That couldn’t have been a mistake.

That was real, raw, undeniable. It was a pure chemical explosion between two opposing forces that come together so satisfyingly.

The connection between us isn’t something I imagined, no matter how much she wants to pretend otherwise.

Before I can find the words to make her understand, she’s already half dressed. She slides into her leggings and yanks her top over her head with jerky, agitated movements. Signs she’s more pissed with herself than she is with me.

“You need to turn me into the Cheongryong,” she says without looking at me. “Tomorrow, first thing.”

My brows furrow in disbelief. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m very serious.”

“You’d rather I turn you into the syndicate than stay here? Are you crazy?”

She glares at me from over her shoulder. “I’d rather face whatever wrath is coming my way from your mafia family than have to betray everything I’ve fought for! I want nothing to do with you, Rhee. You seem unable to understand that I despise you. That I want you and your entire syndicate destroyed. That if it’s a choice between a life involved with you or death taking out your family, then I’ll choose death every single fucking time!”

Anger floods my system like molten metal. I surge out of bed without caring that I’m completely naked. “You and your stupid vendetta make no sense! What are you mad at me for, huh, Goyangi? What have you blamed on me? Did the Cheongryong hurt your feelings some day and now you won’t move on? What’s got you so hateful and vengeful? Learn to be a grown-up and use your words! Tell me!”

She scoffs. “You’re one to talk. Aren’t you the one whose own father thinks of you as a child? As some disappointment? You’ve said it yourself! I don’t need lectures from you of all people on how to handle shit!”

Her insults and accusations hurtle toward me like the daggers she’s thrown in my direction. I step toward her, slipping into my calm state that really signifies my anger.

“You can insult me all you want. But it doesn’t change your reality. I see a beautiful woman. A strong and intelligent woman,” I explain. “But I also see a woman who is so fucking consumed by her hate that she can’t see straight. You want to go, feline? Then fucking go! Leave and deal with the consequences.”

“You and your syndicate should look in the mirror. You’re about to get what’s coming to you.”

With that, she storms out of the room like a hurricane given human form. I don’t bother trying to stop her. The set of keys to unlock the door are on the end table in the living room.

But if she wants to go, then I’m done stopping her. I’m done doing what I’ve been doing, both subconsciously and now consciously as my attraction for her grew.

I’m no longer going to hold back. I’m no longer going to protect her.

If we she wants to be mortal enemies, then so fucking be it.

The front door slams shut and nearly rattles the windows. She’s fled from this temporary custody arrangement, choosing to resume her vendetta over what could’ve been something else.

We’ve could’ve found a way?—

It’s too fucking late. That possibility has officially closed.

I wince as a sharp pain lances through my skull, and I remember what Dr. Song said. Anger and other intense emotions don’t help my condition. They hamper it.

I snatch my pain meds from the nightstand drawer and pop the lid to take a few. I’ve got to be back on my A game if me and the syndicate are going to crush the cat and whoever she’s working for.

And I’ll do it myself. I’ll be the one to ruin her.

The next morning arrives bright and cool, Seoul’s autumn light filtering through the blinds and landing in streaks across the room.

I wake up alone in the bed where Elise slept as recently as twenty-four hours ago. The fucking sheets smell like her; something tells me they always will no matter how many times I have the gajeongbu come by to scrub the place clean.

The truth is, I’ll probably need to give up this apartment altogether. Find a new love nest somewhere else in the city where I won’t have any memories of the past week.

This place has been permanently tainted by the feline I’ve become fixated with.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand. Joon-gi’s text lights up the screen like he’s aware I’ve woken up seconds ago.