Royal Blood

by Victoria Renteria

  Alex’s palm caresses my cheek, and I lean into him, soaking in his warmth. Her voice returns, urging me to secure my place within the family. Ignoring the sounds bouncing around my head, I meet his inquiring gaze.

  “I’m not sure it’s a truth you can handle, Alex,” I cautiously advise him.

  “Baby, you can’t really believe that.” His eyes crease with worry.

  Remaining silent, I just stare into the depths of his violet eyes, wondering what life would have been like if we had met under different circumstances. My mother’s shrill voice echoes inside my head. Ttal, you were always meant to be alone. Embrace your destiny and lead this family to greatness. I feel as if I’m being torn in half. One foot in two worlds, two completely different women. On one hand, I am the Kylee Alex fell in love with, the woman who would drop everything and run away with this man at a moments notice. Yet, on the other, I’m also the woman my mother raised me to be. And she did raise me in the bowels of a torture chamber as she slid her blade into my abdomen. She created the monster I have become. The monster I feel taking over my identity.

  Alex releases a hesitant breath; his violet eyes are rocky with emotion. “Kylee, I’m going to keep telling you this until it finally sinks in. It’s you and me, baby, until the end. Nothing will ever change that. Do you hear me? Nothing.”

  Grasping my neck, he pulls me forward until our foreheads touch. Breathing in his rich sandalwood scent, I decide I may as well put him out of his misery. What’s the worst that happens? He leaves? A sharp tug rips through my chest at the thought.

  Taking another calming pull of his alluring scent, I whisper, “I find solace in the darkness. It comforts me to know that in the darkness I am not alone. The silence and dark will always be there welcoming me with open arms.”

  Alex’s sharp intake of breath is loud in the quiet of our sitting room. Pulling me to the floor, he crushes me to his chest, wrapping me in his warm embrace.

  “God, Kylee. For fuck’s sake, baby. You are never alone. Don’t you get that? I’m right here. I’m always right here.” Alex presses me into his chest, holding me tighter as his arms begin to tremble.

  I sit quietly in my thoughts as he holds me, wondering how long his words will hold true. How long will he really be able to remain by my side? Because deep down if I’m honest with myself, I know I can never be the woman he needs me to be. She is forever changed, gone like the younger version of myself shattered in the mirror. A loud knock reverberates off the walls, bringing me out of my thoughts.

  Pushing off the floor, Alex comes to a stand, lifting me into his arms. Gently, he eases me down onto the sofa and brushes his lips against my forehead. Releasing me, he blows out a hesitant breath. With one last worried look, he turns, making a beeline for the door. The hushed whispers of Alex and one of the guard’s reaches me as I peer distantly into space, lost in my own thoughts of what I know is about to come.

  It’s inevitable, really. Alex’s hulking form reappears a moment later. Lines of strain are etched in his face as he searches my features. Staring intently into my eyes, he surveys me for several beats. Sighing heavily, he squats in front of me, pulling his slacks back in a comfortable position.

  “Kylee,” he starts and stops in the same breath.

  “Yes?”

  “One of the guards came by with a message.” He pauses, his expression pinching around the corners of his eyes.

  “Oh?” I ask with a little too much nonchalance.

  Narrowing his eyes suspiciously, he nods. “Yes, he came to inform us that Madame Lin’s body was found behind a dumpster early this morning.”

  “Is that so?” I ask with fake curiosity.

  “Hmm. Yes, apparently she was mugged.” He finger quotes the word mugged.

  A smile tugs at the edges of my mouth, forcing me to bite my cheek to keep from laughing out loud.

  “Kylee?”

  Alex’s tentative tone has the smile slipping from my lips. The icy cold fingers of dread slip around my heart until it becomes sluggish and heavy. Releasing a hesitant breath, I sit a little taller, not willing to back down from what I know is coming.

  “Yes?”

  “Kylee, you wouldn’t have had anything to do with her death, would you?” His eyes watch me, scrutinizing every detail.

  Shrugging my shoulders, I give him the only response I can. “The mafia is a dangerous business, Alex. Things happen all the time.”

  Alex erupts in a violent fit of rage. Leaping to his feet, he paces the floor in front of me. “What in the hell were you thinking!” he yells.

  “What was I thinking?” My nostrils flare in anger as I rise from the sofa. “What. Was. I. Thinking?” Each word is quietly pronounced. Our gazes clash as hostility and strain ripple through the air like the waves crashing in the ocean.

  “I was thinking about protecting my assets. And it was perfectly clear that she had no intention of doing what she was told.” The iciness in my tone would scare even the bravest of men, but only serves to enrage Alex more.

  “Dammit, Kylee! Do you not see what you’re doing? Who you’ve become?” he roars in frustration as his fingers curl around my shoulders, shaking me.

  “This isn’t you, Kylee. You aren’t her! Do you hear me? You are so much better than this!”

  My head falls back as I chortle with laughter. “Better? What would you know?” Spitting the words at him bitterly, I shove his chest, shaking loose from his hold. Releasing me, he takes a furious step back.

  “I know you’re a compassionate woman who loves deeply. So deeply that when she loses someone it feels like she’s lost a part of herself too.”

  “No, Alex, that’s what you don’t understand. That part of me is gone and I don’t think she will ever be back. For better or worse, I am what she made me . . . I am forever changed, and there is nothing you can do about it.”

  “I refuse to believe that,” he argues.

  “At this point, I really don’t give a damn what you believe. I’ve got a business to run with or without you. If you don’t like what you see, you know where the door is. But let me be perfectly clear, the moment you make the decision to walk out that door, there is no coming back. There will be no us . . . ever.”

  My body runs cold as I glower at Alex. The heavy ache in my heart worsens as his intense eyes sharpen, cutting me like a knife. Eliminating the small distance between us, he glares down at me. Rage unlike any I’ve ever seen burns in the depths of his violet eyes as they churn with emotion. His voice drops low, becoming dangerous and threatening as he forces out each word.

  “The only way you’re getting rid of me is in a body bag.”

  “Suit yourself. I’ve got business to attend to. My Tenpro house is in need of a new Madame. Stay or go, at this point it doesn’t really matter.” Taking a deliberate step to the side, I move to pass him by when he grabs me by the arm.

  “You can’t get rid of me that easily.” His deep gravely tenor has a quiver building low in my belly.

  Lifting my chin a notch higher, I stare at him with determination. “I’m not going to do anything, Alex. I have a feeling you’ll be leaving of your own accord.”

  Shaking lose of his hold, I walk to the door. Wrenching it open, I call over my shoulder, “If you’re coming you better make it snappy. I don’t have all day.”

  “I’m gonna snap my hand across your ass if you don’t stop being a bitch,” he mutters, stomping past me into the hallway.

  Sparks ignite, flooding my lower abdomen with heat, his carnal threat inciting my body’s basic craving for him. Shaking my head, I dismiss my ridiculous reaction and follow him to the waiting SUV. The ride to the Tenpro house is filled with tension. The air between us crackles with unstable emotions, neither of us willing to break the silence.

  A deep sense of foreboding crescendos, threatening to consume my every thought, but is thankfully cut short as the Escalade rolls to a stop.

  “Stay there,” Alex commands, exiting the vehicle.


  Rolling my eyes, I unbuckle my seatbelt. Without looking, I reach for the door only to come up empty when it’s yanked open and I’m thrust back into the seat. Alex mutters fiercely under his breath, narrowing his eyes in displeasure.

  “I told you not to move,” he snaps.

  “And who are you to order me around?” I challenge.

  Alex leans into the seat, hovering just a breath away. “Keep this up and you’ll find out right here. Have an attitude all you want, baby, but I’m not going anywhere. Just remember the more pissed off I am the worse that spanking will be.” Retreating from the vehicle with a grunt, he extends a hand to me for assistance.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I grumble, taking his proffered hand.

  The right side of Alex’s lips tips up in a smug grin. Bastard. I think to myself as I wrench my hand from his, stalking toward the building. I can feel my lips flatten, pulling taut in frustration with each step I take. My mother’s voice enters my head as I yank the doors to the lobby open. Focus, Ttal. You’re destiny awaits you.

  Growling, I enter the lobby, my eyes trained on the guard. Pointing my finger at him, I beckon him to me. The guards jaw drops and he scurries around the counter, hurrying toward me.

  “Has anyone entered my penthouse sense Madame Lin left?” I demand, seething rage evident in my tone.

  “N-No, ma’am,” he stutters.

  “Are the guards still upstairs?” I fire off the question, eyeing him with suspicion.

  “Y-Yes, ma’am. N-No one went in or out other than Madame Lin.”

  “Very well. Deactivate her key card and any others she has had issued. All key cards must be approved through me from now on, is that understood?”

  The guard fidgets under my unwavering stare. “Y-Yes, ma’am,” he replies nervously.

  “Good.”

  Dismissing him with a wave, I retrieve the keycard from my bag and bound toward the elevator. Pressing the button, I wait for the car, raging internally. As the door slides open, I angrily enter, swiping the access card. Alex files in behind me, a smug grin still firmly imprinted on his face. Baring my teeth, I growl under my breath. Alex barks out a quiet laugh, adding to my budding frustration.

  The tension between us soars, my skin flushing hot in annoyance as the elevator dings, signaling our arrival. As the doors sweep open, the foyer comes into view, revealing several guards towering over the women kneeling on the floor. My eyes grow wide, expanding as I digest the scene playing out in front of me. Lin’s favorite guard has Hye’s hair tightly coiled around his fist, driving her face toward his open slacks. As she struggles, my vision tunnels, a murky red haze enveloping me in a cloud of violent rage, propelling me into action. Moving slowly, I take deliberate steps toward the guard.

  He’s so distracted by the woman on her knees, he fails to see me coming. A guttural roar wells up, bursting from my lungs as I reach forward, grasping the man’s rather unimpressive dick. Squeezing firmly, I smile broadly as he hisses in pain. Instinctively, he draws back, letting loose an untamed punch. I watch in slow motion as his fist works its way toward my jaw, only to be stopped at the last minute. Alex’s steps in behind me, propelling me forward with one hand and blocking the punch with the other.

  My grip tightens on his tiny package. The guard howls in pain as I twist my wrist to the side.

  “Not only do you mistreat my girls, but you would dare to raise a hand to me?” I snarl, pressing him harder.

  “Ahhh!” His loud scream fills the corridor.

  The other men wince in pain. My gaze falls to the girls, who all stare at me with various expressions of shock and awe. Nari observes curiously, her eyes surveying everything about me.

  “I asked you a question,” I demand harshly.

  “I-I’m s-s-sorry, M-Mamasan. I-I had no idea it was you.” He winces, stuttering in pain as the blood is cut off from his genitals.

  “You think that gives you the right to raise a hand to a female in my house?” He remains silent, his pain overwhelming him.

  “Do you!” I scream, the red haze taking over completely.

  “N-No, Mamasan.”

  “Listen well, all of you. You do not touch any of the women in my house without my permission. You do not raise a hand to them at all. I don’t give a flying fuck if you’re shot and bleeding on the goddamned floor. My girls will not touch you unless I say it’s okay. Do you understand?” Releasing his dick, I spin around, glaring at them all with wild eyes.

  “Do you understand?”

  My chest rises and falls with the quickness of my breath as each of them spout their agreement. Turning, I face the girls on the floor, my gaze immediately softening. A genuine smile reaches my lips as I take in Key, Are, Hye, and Nari. The women eye me warily. Motioning for them to stand I usher them all into the sitting room. As they take a seat, I sanitize my hands, preparing myself to address all twenty women in the house, knowing full well that what I’m about to do will change everything.

  “Ladies, I am sure by now you have heard the news of Madame Lin’s passing.”

  Each of the girls looks timidly from one to the other before nodding.

  “Good. Then you know things are going to change around here. First, I’m starting by putting a new Madame in charge of this house.” The girls bristle, shifting uncomfortably in their seats. Holding up a hand, I soften my tone, hoping to put them at ease.

  “No, you misunderstand me. I’m changing things for the better. This will be a legitimate house of business—a companion service. You will not be required to provide sex to anyone. That is a choice you and only you will make. There is a strict no drug tolerance policy in this house. If you are caught using, you will be cast out immediately, no questions asked. You will have the opportunity to further your education and choose another career path if you’d like. I’m hoping that you’ll choose to stay because I take care of you, unlike the reign of terror that Madame Lin created. I will not tolerate such things under Madame Nari’s direction. You will have food and clothing allowances and be able to venture into the city with escorts, of course.” I pause, gauging the girl’s reactions.

  Shocked whispers and excitement sound throughout the group of women. Warmth fills me as I see the relief on their faces. Holding up a hand, I wait as they fall silent.

  “Now, while things are changing, some things remain the same. This is a business. You will conduct yourselves in a professional manner because you represent me. I will not tolerate lying, stealing, or any type of behavior that is conducive to ruining my reputation. I’d hate to have to introduce you to the side of me that makes grown men fall to their knees.” I stop, letting my threat hang in the air for several minutes before continuing.

  “If any of you have a problem with this, you are more than welcome to leave. There will be no repercussions, no questions asked. You will be free to go. Now is your chance.” I extend my arm toward the elevators, offering the girls a chance to walk out the door. No one moves. All of the girls watch me with bated breath to see what will happen next.

  Smiling, I ask, “Are you sure?” making eye contact with each of them. They all nod in agreement. My eyes find Nari, who still watches me silently.

  Holding her gaze, I say, “All right, ladies, you have a new wardrobe that has been delivered to each of your rooms. Shower and change. The stylist will be here in the next hour. I need to speak with your new Madame and get business settled.”

  Breaking eye contact, I gaze out over the girls one final time. “Any questions?” Shaking their heads vehemently, the girls’ faces teem with excitement. “Very well, run along and get ready, then.” I dismiss them with a smile.

  Nari stands and approaches me with a guarded look. After a moment, she tilts her head toward the now vacant office. Nodding, I follow her into the room.

  Turning, she pins me with an intense stare. “What happened to you?” she asks, her voice rocky with emotion.

  “I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” I feign innoc
ence. The fact is I’m not sure which part she’s referring to, my cold demeanor or my lack of emotion. Either way, both require an answer she’s likely unwilling to accept.

  Crossing her arms over her chest, she narrows her eyes. “I’m not buying it.”

  “You don’t have to. I’m doing what you wanted me to do, remember?”

  Nari expels a heavy breath. “This is not how I wanted it.”

  “We don’t always get what we want now do we?” I snap.

  “No, I guess we don’t.” She worries her lower lip as she examines me.

  “Look, you’re in a prime position to get everything you need. I put you as Madame for a reason. You can get all of the information you need on everyone in this family and put them, well . . . wherever it is you put them in Korea.”

  “Jail.” She chuckles.

  “If you say so. You can’t argue with the fact that I’ve given you the power to get what you need.”

  “This is true. It shouldn’t take long to gather what I need. Hell, it’s probably all here in this office.” She motions to the various things around the room.

  “Possibly,” I say, gazing out the window at the commotion coming our way.

  “Just don’t screw it up,” I toss out at her as I make my way to the door.

  “Not a chance.” She smiles.

  The shrill ring of a female voice cuts through the double pained glass of the office window. Internally, I wince at the sound.

  “That bad, huh?” Nari asks.

  “You saw that?”

  “You didn’t exactly hide the wince.” She chuckles.

  “Fuck, I can’t stand the sound of her voice.”

  “Not many people can. But I wouldn’t hide in here too long because it will just get higher the longer she has to wait.”

  “Can’t we just knock her out or something and sneak out the back? I’d rather ignore her ass altogether.”