“So,” I murmur eventually, voice hoarse from my cries, “is this what I have to look forward to as Mrs. Seo?”
His chest rumbles against me with a laugh. “Every night, if you’ll let me.”
“Hmm.” I pretend to consider it, pausing for a second. “I suppose I can suffer through.”
He bites my shoulder in retaliation, and I yelp then dissolve into more giggles as he rolls me onto my back and pins me under him, his dark almond-shaped eyes bright with love and mischief.
“Suffer through?” he repeats, mock-offended. “I’ll show you suffer through.”
Then his mouth is on mine again, our next round starting up that easily.
But honestly? I can’t think of a better way to spend my wedding night.
30.Jin
Two Weeks Later…
The underground chamberin the Claw Lounge is silent as I stand in the center. I’ve called another meeting to address recent developments in the Baekho Pa. One of those is a failure of a hubae I had tasked with a very important job.
No one dares speak as Choi Woo-sik is called before the syndicate. He steps to the center of the chamber and his knees hit the floor before me.
The gathered lieutenants and captains collectively hold their breath, faces devoid of any real expression despite their apprehension. They remember all too well what happened to Nam Joo-wan only a few weeks ago. Likely still smell the stench of his burning flesh.
From the way Woo-sik trembles on his knees, he expects the same.
“Baekho-je,” he starts nervously, “I can explain?—”
“Two billion won,” I interrupt, my tone grave. “Park Soo-han owed us two billion won in gambling debts, and you weretasked with collecting. A simple assignment for a man of your position.”
Woo-sik’s head bows lower, his forehead nearly touching the floor. “He ran, Baekho-je. He fled the country before I could?—”
“I’m aware of what happened.” I regard Woo-sik sternly, giving no indication how I’ll handle the matter. No clue as to what punishment he can expect.
Several men in the chamber exchange quick glances, the tension rising in the large circular room. More seconds crawl by as I allow the uncertainty to spread.
I’ve already made up my mind, but I’m in no rush to end the suspense. Choi Woo-sik needs this moment to grasp the gravity of his failure.
When I look him in the eye and see regret shining in his gaze, I decide it’s time.
“What I want to know is what you intend to do about it.”
His brows furrow as he stares up at me as though questioning what he’s heard. I step closer, standing over him with my arms folded behind my back.
“The white tiger our brotherhood honors does not abandon his prey simply because it flees,” I say sagely. “He tracks it across mountains and rivers. Through forests and fields. However far and however long it takes. He knows that persistence and patience will always triumph over panic and haste.”
More confusion flickers across Woo-sik’s face. I can practically see the words turning over inside his head, the shock growing as he realizes what I’m saying.
“Park Soo-han has left South Korea. That does not mean he has escaped. It means the hunt has simply expanded beyond our borders.” I hold his gaze, ensuring he understands his new tasking. How I’m entrusting him unlike he expected. “You will find him. You will track him to whatever cornerof the world he’s fled to, and you will bring back what he owes us—every last won. In doing so, you will bring great pride to the Baekho Pa.”
It’s almost comical how his eyes widen and his mouth gapes open. He was prepared to beg for his life, and instead I’m giving him a second chance.
“Do you believe you’re capable of that, Woo-sik?” I ask.
He nods so vigorously he’d snap his own neck if it was any harder. “Yes, yes. Of course, Baekho-je. I swear to you—I will bring honor and triumph to the Baekho Pa. I will not fail you again. I will make you proud.”
“Then go. Don’t return until the debt is collected.”
Woo-sik scrambles to his feet and bows deeply before backing out of the room and then breaking out into a run.
