Vicious Minds (Children of Vice #4)(49)

“Aren’t assassins stalkers by trade?”

I snickered, rolling to my side. “True, but I’m not killing you. So there is no logical reason for this stalking.”

“Normal people would call it missing someone.”

“Dear God.” I grimaced. “I’ve come too far to be acting like a normal person now.”

He laughed gently. “Stalking isn’t normal, so you are still within the scope of insanity.”

“Thank you, that’s very sweet.” I grinned and rolled over once more. I was getting pretty fucking tired of trying to get comfortable and failing because of this stomach.

“How did you know we’d be in Seoul?” he questioned. “Do I have a mole?”

“You have stupid in-laws.” I replied rolling again. Apparently, I was a rolling pin now. “I’m sure your cousin Nari wanted to keep this wedding a small and private family gathering, however her new husband likes free café wi-fi and doesn’t log out of his fucking email.”

He exhaled like he even couldn’t believe the stupidity of that man. I could almost see his shoulders drop and his eyes narrowing at him.

“Off with his head?” I asked.

“They just got married tonight, I can’t…besides, she’s pregnant.”

“My condolences,” I muttered and sat up, seeing the pager light up beside me. Reaching for it, I grinned. “Are you looking for me?”

“Whose room did you steal?”

“Borrowed. It’s not my fault, your damn family bought out the whole fucking hotel for the night. I can’t effectively stalk if I can’t get in.”

“Are they still alive?”

“Yes, I haven’t lost my whole entire mind. They are your guest, and under your protection. When the sun comes up, they will wake up feeling like they have had the best sleep of their lives.”

“Good. Now open the damn door before we miss the new year.”

How did he know which room? I glanced down at my hands only to remember the pager. Damn it.

I got off the bed and walked out of the bedroom. “I’m surprised you don’t have a key—”

There he was standing in the living room in a black tuxedo, a black bowtie over his black dress shirt, a single red rose on the velvet lapel. His green eyes stared and wandered down to my stomach and before I could say anything, he rushed towards me, pulled me into his arms and kissed my lips.

I was so stunned for a second, I couldn’t move. But when his arms wrapped around me, I hugged him back, kissing him fiercely. I opened my mouth for him, moaning against lips.

BANG.

We pulled apart and he rested his forehead on mine. “Happy New Year, la mia anima.”

“Your family is going to be looking for you.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m with my family,” he whispered. Pulling back, I glanced up at him. His soft side was coming out again. He must have really been tired of his family. I reached up and placed my hand on his cheek.

“Don’t let them get to you. Just think of them as children. They make mistakes. They don’t see the big picture like we do. It’s a burden but it’s better than being ignorant.”

“Thank you, sensei,” he said with a smirk.

“Technically its Sa Bum Nim, sensei is mostly Japanese.”

He rolled his eyes, let go of me, and gave me a hotel key card. “Change rooms and wait for me. I’ll be back, we have work to go over.”

“Work?” My eyebrow raised as I took the card from him.

“Among other things,” he replied, kissing the side of my head one more time and stepping back. He pointed to the floor. “Do you need help moving her or will that mess up your plans?”

I glanced down at Nari’s husband’s cousin. Her body was still where I left her, drool pouring out of her mouth as she snored, her cheeks bright red. It would look like she passed out from too much to drink.

“I think she looks she looks pretty comfortable here, no?” I answered and met his gaze.

He shook his head but the look on his face said he knew I was going to say that.

“Twenty minutes. That’s how long before the gap in security and you head to room 2177.”

“Yes, boss,” I nodded, and he walked to the door. “Don’t forget to bring me dinner.”

He paused and looked back at me. “No special request?”

I shrugged. “I want to be surprised.”

“This is a trap for me somehow.” He shook his head before walking out.

He was right.

“Ah…” I placed my hand on my stomach and looked down. “Did you just kick me?”

Daddy’s girl already.

ETHAN – AGE 24

Seoul, South Korea

Tuesday, Jan 1st





The food was a trap because it forced me to think about what the hell I was going to get her while I stood amongst my family. They all spoke and went on, but I was trapped by thoughts of her. She was pregnant and outside of loving fried pastries I wasn’t sure what she actually wanted to eat. So I was forced to think of everything I had her seen her eat when we were together. Forced to figure out how to leave, which also let me set up another reason to send my men away. I sent a few of them to escort the new shipments into the city. It wasn’t necessary that it be done tonight, but I just wanted no more questions. I got spicy beef and fried noodles before returning to the room by myself.