Page 8 of Ruthless Touch

She’s here on a mission. Which makes two of us.

I knew as soon as our eyes met that she was the best kind of trouble. Good thing I’ve always had a habit of making bad decisions.

Joon went over only to strike out in thirty seconds. Now it’s my turn to show him how it’s done.

I pop the lid of my medication bottle and toss back yet another pill for good measure. The throbbing in my skull has gone nowhere and the booming music damn sure hasn’t helped.

But if I’m going to go on the hunt and domesticate this beautiful and mysterious feline, then I need to be on my A game.

She’s all claws and defiance now, but every wild thing softens eventually—with the right touch.

I set off in their direction, my stride casual but confident. I walk like I own this fucking club, and as a Yongsa, I might as well.

Club Eclipse, like many establishments in Itaewon, is under Cheongryong control.

We give them protection and help them turn massive profits, so in turn, we’re treated like kings. We have privileges most can only dream of, from VIP suites to bottle service.

Several club goers take notice of me. The regulars anyway; the tourists are too tipsy and clueless to know the real goings on at a club like this.

My path is cleared as I come up from behind on Joon and the beautiful stranger.

I clamp a hand onto his shoulder and cut him off midsentence. Joon’s been so hopeful and locked in on the feline that he didn’t even hear me coming.

He glances over in surprise while she looks right at me a second time—this time with a subtle flicker of curiosity.

I play it cool, a grin tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Joon, why don’t you leave the beautiful lady to her drink? I’m not sure she wants to be bothered.”

Joon lets out a brash laugh, scratching the back of his neck. “You’re right. I think my chakras talk put her off. But you know where to find me, cutie.”

He gives her one last wink with his signature finger gun—a gesture I’ve told him a hundred times to stop doing since most women find it cheesy—and then he’s off to find his next victim. He chooses the redhead he’d noticed earlier.

But Joon’s no concern of mine.

I came over here with one purpose and one purpose only.

Tame the gorgeous, mysterious feline who has caught my eye tonight.

“Your first time here?” I ask.

Her long lashes flutter, the blink she gives demure. “How did you know?”

“I know everything that happens in this club—andin Seoul. Which makes me wonder how you thought you’d get by.”

She blinks again, those long lashes framing her deep, dark eyes.

Interesting. A tell perhaps?

Then she adds on a polite smile. “Get by with what?”

“Get by without telling me who you really are,” I say, easing closer. The neon-lit club is a chaotic blend of loud throbbing music and people gyrating around us. Yet as I step into her personal space and hold her gaze, it’s like we’ve carved out a private corner for ourselves. My grin vanishes as I lean toward her and ask, “Did you really think I wouldn’t know?”

Her reaction is so subtle, most people would miss it.

Her lashes flutter in yet another blink, she stirs the melting drink she’s been nursing, and her right brow tics up half an inch.

All small things most wouldn’t notice.

I’m not most people. I’ve always been good at reading others. But something tells me so is she.