Page 68 of Ruthless Touch

“A tough girl like you?” he says. “Since when are you afraid of what your missions require? Baby girl, you’re as fearless as Jamie was. Don’t ever forget that.”

“But what am I supposed to do now? Hart’s removed me from the contract. When I read her email, I scoffed,” I explain into the camera. “My immediate reaction was that she wasn’t going to be able to tell me what to do or how to get my revenge?—”

“And that’s the truth, ain’t it?” he asks, finally setting the plastic cup full of sunflower seeds aside. “It’s not the director’s place to tell you how to move forward. You know why you came to Seoul. You know why you started up with Vanguard in the first place. Never forget how proud your father would be if he could see you now.”

A bittersweet smile crosses my face, the closest to showing raw emotion I ever get. “He never did because they took him from me.”

“Fromus, baby girl,” uncle says solemnly. “The Cheongryong are a cancer and must be taken out. Jamie will never get justice otherwise.”

Any doubt I’ve had fades as I slowly nod. “You’re right, Unc. I’m here now, and it’s time to make it happen. Even if Vanguard wants nothing to do with me.”

“Just stay safe, Elise. Be smart about it. You got this.”

We end our call with Uncle Jerald mentioning he’ll be leaving Thailand soon and returning to South Korea. He signs off by letting me know he hopes we can celebrate when I see him.

“If you get the job done by then, we’ll have plenty to cheers to.”

I power off my MacBook deciding that he’s right. I haven’t toiled away for years preparing for this big moment only to let it slip through my fingers.

I’m avenging Dad and our family and I’m willing to do anything to make sure it happens.

Noir Norae is a trendy and ritzy karaoke lounge in the Cheongdam-dong ward of Gangnam, where the rich, corrupt, and powerful go to disappear behind velvet curtains and drink like fishes.

The higher-ranking members in the Cheongryong visit regularly, partly for the atmosphere and attractive lounge girls, and partly for the chance to humiliate the grunts beneath them.

Our intel revealed it gives them the chance to get ridiculously drunk while they berate the lower-ranked men as they sing off-key into microphones.

It’s a tradition in the syndicate that’s seen as both hazing and harmless.

And I’m just one of the many girls working at the lounge the next time they turn up.

I spent three days planning tonight’s mission all on my own. After finally touching base with Director Hart, I was placed on unpaid administrative leave. The agency bought me a one-way ticket out of South Korea that I never took them up on.

I’ve decided tonight’s the night—I’m going to end the life of Rhee Tae-hwan, Four Horn Lieutenant and Dad’s former best friend.

The man who ended up betraying him. The man who I’ve fantasized about taking out.

The Cheongryong would be in sheer and utter disarray if Lieutenant Rhee was ever killed.

The mere thought makes my pulse thrum as I stand on the lounge floor in the sleek uniform.

A tight, pressed, white button-up shirt, bow tie, platform heels and charcoal-gray skirt that feels both revealing and proper at the same time.

But I’m strapped and armed in all the right places. I’m ready for what I have to do.

Lieutenant Rhee Tae-hwan and the other men in the syndicate arrive to much fanfare.

They sweep through the entrance like heroes returning from war, Lieutenant Rhee at the head of the formation, along with the other two lieutenants in attendance.

The entire posse has an arrogant air about them—shoulders back, voices loud, flashy designer clothes that cost more than most people have in their savings account.

The staff at Noir Norae treat them exactly like A-List celebrities, bowing and showering them with praise and adoration.

You’d think they were some big names in a K-Pop group or starred in some popular K-Drama.

But it dawns on me there’s no other choice. The Cheongryong rule with an iron fist, and anybody that doesn’t get with the program will be made to.

The hostess leads them through the main floor toward the private rooms reserved just for them.