Royal Blood

by Victoria Renteria

  With my vision fading, I blindly aim, praying that I land something worthwhile. As the first blow connects with Sang-Hyun’s jaw, his hold loosens enough for me to draw in some much-needed air. Using my remaining strength, I elbow him in the stomach, jabbing as fiercely as I can. Removing one hand from my throat, he pins my hands above my head. Our gazes collide as he presses firmly, forcing the air from my lungs once again.

  “Its time to end this. I will take my . . .”

  His words are cut off as he’s ripped off of my body and flung across the room. The distinct sounds of a struggle can be heard from across the room as two bodies collide. Struggling to breathe, I lie still, gulping down lungful’s of air greedily. Gradually, the blackness recedes, my vision becoming clear. Inhaling a deep breath in through my nose, I exhale it through my mouth and take my time sitting up. A firm hand touches my knee.

  Flinching, I look up to see U-Jin’s troubled gaze.

  “U-Jin.” His name is an exhale of relief from my battered lungs.

  “Mamasan, are you all right?” The concern in his dark eyes would be staggering if it weren’t for the devastating amount of blood covering him.

  “Y-You’re covered in blood. And you are seriously asking me if I’m all right?” I question his audacity.

  A smile splays across his lips, some of the tension releasing from his shoulders. “It is not mine. Thank you for your concern. But you’re the one I am worried about at the moment.”

  “I’ve had worse, believe me.” I smile, lightening the severity of the events.

  His eyes darken, an unreadable emotion passing over his face.

  “Where is he?” I ask, my eyes perusing the room for signs of Sang-Hyun.

  U-Jin’s jaw flexes, clenching as he grinds his teeth. “He fled. I didn’t pursue him because I was more concerned with your safety. I alerted our guards, doubled our security, and have our people tracking him. I’m trying to figure out how he got in.” His expression contorts, morphing into a mask of fury.

  “I will find him, Mamasan. He will pay,” U-Jin quietly vows.

  My tongue grows thick in my mouth, preventing a response. Before I can gain some semblance of control, the door crashes open with a thunderous crack. A wild violet-eyed storm barrels into the room. Alex throws the light switch, illuminating the entire suite. His shoulders rise and fall with each inhalation, pure adrenaline coursing through his veins. The violent storm in those sensuous eyes reaches its pinnacle, evolving into hurricane Alex.

  Frantically, his eyes begin wandering the suite in a crazed attempt to find me. The moment those violet hues crash into me, a trace of his madness wanes. His fiercely turbulent eyes assess me from head to toe, tabulating each visible injury. Within the span of a breath, Alex rumbles, an abysmally low sound unlike any other. Its possessive and animalistic in its claiming as he hurdles into action, bounding across the wide-ranging suite. Coming to an abrupt stop next to me, Alex explodes, detonating like a bomb at the sight of U-Jin covered in blood.

  “What the fuck happened! You were supposed to be protecting her!”

  Nodding his agreement to Alex’s statement, U-Jin stands. “Sang-Hyun ambushed her. This is his blood.” He waves to the crimson stained mess coating his torso.

  “That doesn’t explain why you weren’t protecting her. Was I not clear when I said she was not to be left alone. Do I need to spell it out for you? Perhaps you need me to draw you a fucking picture!” Alex’s expression hardens with his roughened voice.

  Remaining silent, U-Jin is cloaked in an impassive mask of calm. The only sign of emotion he displays is the occasional tick of his right eye. U-Jin’s silence infuriates Alex further. As if he were a superhero incarnate, his biceps bulge, flourishing in size, flexing the seams of his jacket to the point of bursting in his furious rampage. I watch the scene unfolding before me in awe. The man I’ve come to know and love has never been so primal, so feral, so absolutely unglued.

  Its wickedly carnal in a sinful kind of way. Suddenly, an undeniable craving hits me, annihilating my senses until I have no option but to soothe his inner beast. Taking a deep breath, I gradually slip to my feet. My hands shake, twitching nervously as the dizzying ensemble in my head continues its tantrum of wrathful hate desecrating my gray matter one neuron at a time. Alex and U-Jin are so caught up in their own conversation neither of them notice my slow hesitant rise. Blowing out a breath, I guide my arms around Alex’s waist, burying my head into his side.

  The sinewy muscles in his back and abdomen tense, hardening under my touch. “Its my fault, Alex. So if you’re going to yell at anyone, it needs to be me.”

  Alex huffs, his body tensing under my embrace.

  “Not happening, babe.”

  “What do you mean not happening?” Astonishment colors my tone.

  “Exactly what I said.” Each word is definitive through his clamped jaw.

  Letting go of his waist, I draw back, smacking him with a resounding thwack in the center of his chest.

  “Ow,” I mutter, vigorously shaking out my hand.

  “That’s what you get for being stupid. What in the heck did you do that for, by the way?” Alex grumbles, rubbing his stomach.

  “I’m stupid? What do you mean I’m stupid? You’re the one being a moron going off on U-Jin when I’m the one who told him to send the guards to the front of the house because I have a migraine. I was only in this godforsaken room because I couldn’t make it to the back of the house.”

  The moment the words slipped out of my mouth, I knew I’d made a mistake. His dark turbulent eyes smash into mine with the force of a freight train, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Dragging my palms down my pant legs, I inhale greedily, choking in a breath.

  “You what?” The dangerous timbre of his voice sends a chill skirting along the edges of my skin.

  Lifting my chin a notch higher, I defend my decision. “You heard me. I sent them away. If it weren’t for U-Jin being such a stickler, things would have turned out a little differently.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I incline my head toward U-Jin.

  “Well, are you going to stand there or explain?” he grunts in exasperation.

  “He pretty much said that he wouldn’t do it unless he checked on me every so often. So you have him to thank for the outcome.”

  Alex grumbles to himself, still unsatisfied. Sighing, I drop my hands and rub my temple.

  “Look, I don’t want to argue over this anymore, my head is killing me. I really just want to go and lie down.”

  Alex’s head snaps up, the crazed madness leaving him instantly. Tipping his head back, he exhales a long, slow breath. Inhaling, he leans forward, scooping me up into his arms.

  “Ah! Oh my God, Alex! What are you doing?” I yelp in surprise.

  “Bringing you to bed.”

  “Put me down, Alex. My legs work just fine.”

  Touching his forehead to mine, his eyes shine with unshed tears. “Fuck, Kylee. Let me have this, please? I almost lost you again.”

  His pleading tone cracks the ice around my heart, melting the determination that had lodged itself deeply in my psyche. At a loss for words, I surrender, immersing myself in his warm embrace. Alex mumbles something to U-Jin and exits the room. With each step he takes, exhaustion tugs at me, lulling me into unconsciousness with his soothing scent. Closing my eyes, I drift in and out of sleep to the soothing sounds of his breathing. Or is it humming?

  I struggle against the darkness, willing myself to wake. Needing to know the answer to the question burdening my chest, but in the end, the darkness is just too much. Ella will just have to wait. And I will have to fight to remind myself as my favorite song suggests love is here to stay. The only question that I can’t figure out is, does that apply to ours?

  ARE WE DOING THIS OR what?

  My fingers drum rapidly against the screen, a fierce tempo tapping out message after message.

  Seriously, man, do you have a location or not?

  Every muscle i
n my face pinches, tightening as I fling an irritated look at the phone. It takes all of what . . . two seconds to type out a response? You’d think he’d at least give me the common courtesy of saying take a hike. But, no, not Jack, he has to draw things out, make me wait. The churning in my gut worsens, anxiety inching its way into my throat. Another few minutes tick by in uneasy silence.

  Finally, impatience grabs hold of me, digging its talons in to the hilt. My fingers fly across the display in an angry attempt to provoke a response.

  Don’t make me come find you, asshole.

  Expelling a long, shaky breath, I glare at the screen. What in the hell is taking him so long? I seriously don’t have the time nor the patience for this right now. Time is of the essence. Every minute wasted is another minute he roams free. Grinding my teeth, I chance another look, my eyes drifting south toward the device.

  “Dammit!” The word is broken, a hiss between my teeth.

  Scowling at the impudent device, I want nothing more than to go Office Space on it in this very moment—Baseball bats and fax machines in the field. Well, cell phone in this case. My fingers flex, gripping the device tighter. No incoming messages. He hasn’t responded once. Blowing out a series of short breaths, I turn my attention inward, focusing on my thoughts.

  Bad idea, Grant. Bad idea. Grimacing, I forcefully shake my head in an attempt to dispel the wayward thoughts. The quick movements have no effect on the dangerous images invading my conscious deliberation. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to eighty-six the image of Kylee battered and bruised on the floor. The thick cord in my neck pulses, firing recklessly with each quick, fiery breath, forcing its way into my lungs.

  Another image flickers deep in my subconscious, an image so bright, so violently disturbing, my body shakes hysterically. Kylee’s dark chocolate eyes wide as she peers at U-Jin taking in his blood soaked body. Her slender neck a mass of colors. That once immaculately beautiful neckline decorated with the vast prints of a monster. Each fingerprint painted with varying hues of deep mulberry and greenish-blue that fade to black. The crushing grip I once held on the phone loosens as it slips, crashing onto my shaking legs.

  Vengeful desire coats my tongue, the wrathful taste snaking its way into my belly, churning around until my blood boils with rage. My vision hazes, the bittersweet vermillion mist taking over my senses. A sensation of increased strength flows through my veins, fueling my muscles with uncontrolled anger as my extremities begin to shake with need. My lips pull back, baring my teeth in a snarl. Every muscle strains, pulling taught against my skin as I exhale rapidly, ready to go into the storefront and tear the man I’ve been watching limb from limb. Unfurling my fingers, I reach for the door, grasping the handle, ready to barge in and beat some answers out of someone.

  Chirp.

  The phone lights up with an incoming message, eliminating a meager portion of the red haze. Glowering at the building, my fingers close around the door handle.

  Chirp.

  Another reminder. Blinking rapidly, I glance down at the device.

  Chirp.

  Stupid phone mocking me with its optimistic alerts. Of course he would respond now, just when you were about to do something completely stupid, I think to myself.

  “Fuck.” I sigh, running a hand across the back of my neck.

  Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose and calmly center myself, introspectively focusing to remind myself that I cannot afford to be driven by my emotions, for her sake and my own. But damn if that isn’t easier said than done.

  Chirp.

  The annoying message reminder sounds, pulling me out of my meditative thoughts. Retrieving the device, I swipe my finger across the screen and fight the urge to scream every profanity known to man as I read the text from Jack.

  Don’t threaten me with a good time.

  An expanding feeling explodes in my chest, the mounting frustration boiling over as my fingers type out a furious response.

  You’re about to learn what a good time is when my size twelve is shoved up your ass. Do you have something for me or not?

  Why you gotta be so rude? You know I wanna marry you . . .

  You can’t kill him. You can’t kill him. You can’t kill him. I repeat the words like an incantation to myself over and over again as I furiously type out a reply.

  Holy fucking shit. Are you kidding me right now, Jack? I am going to chain your ass up from the nearest tree, and beat you within an inch of your life if you don’t give me something.

  Furious breaths stagger in and out of my trachea, each labored pull doing nothing to staunch the agitation bounding its way through my nervous system.

  Chirp.

  The cheerfully bothersome melody of the incoming message brings my attention back to the device.

  I didn’t realize you were so kinky. Kylee is one lucky girl. I’m gonna have to steal some of those lines to woo the ladies.

  No, Grant, you definitely cannot kill the dumbass, I remind myself. But maybe a swift kick in the ass is in order . . . or a punch in the gut. God, I’d love to punch the bastard. Fuck! I don’t have time for this bullshit.

  I am so going to enjoy kicking your ass, Vega.

  Don’t get your panties in a twist, princess. I’ll have something for you soon. Until then, relax and rub one out. You seem a little tense ;)

  “Ahhh!” The fierce bellow is harsh to my own ears as it echoes throughout the confines of the Escalade. Panting, my chest heaves with the quick angry breaths, puffing from my nostrils.

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  Three rapid knocks on my window startle me out of my wrathful breathing. Whipping my head to the side, I glower at the intruder who’d dare to interrupt me. Jack beams, his vivid white smile, irking me to no end. The crease in my brow deepens, my eyes narrowing to tiny slits. Jerking my head to the side, I motion for him to get in. Trotting around to the passenger side, Jack climbs into the vehicle, a goofy ass grin still plastered on his face.

  “You could have just said you were here,” I say, avoiding eye contact.

  “Whoa. Calm down there, big boy. I was working a few angles.”

  “Like what?” I ask skeptically.

  “You know, you could try asking me nicely.”

  “And you could try getting to the point. Every minute we waste is another minute Sang-Hyun is on the loose and my woman is in danger. I’m over this shit. It’s time to end it.”

  “Damn. You really need to get laid, Alex. It’d do wonders for some of that tension you’re carrying around.” Jack lifts a hand, pointing toward my strained shoulders.

  “For Christ’s sake, I get laid all the time. Not that it’s any of your business,” I hiss.

  “You sure are snippy for someone who gets laid so often.” Jack crosses his arms, eyeing me dubiously.

  “Screw you, Vega. I’ve got a lot going on at the moment. My girl was attacked yesterday. Shit like that tends to key a man up.”

  “Hmm. I’ll give you that one. But I’m still not buying the whole motion in the ocean thing. You’re looking a little peaked there, big guy.” Jack’s watches me, feigning an expression of mock concern.

  “I don’t know why I called you,” I mutter, rubbing a hand across my forehead.

  His antics remind me so much of Noah. You’d think he was his twin separated at birth. Same demeanor and everything. Sadness strikes me deep in my chest at the loss of my friend. Batting the emotion away, I regain self-control, focusing on the task at hand when Jack starts to speak, reminding me of Noah all over again.

  “You called me because you can’t get enough of my good looks and charming personality.” Turning to face me, he winks, smiling broadly.

  “More like irritating and arrogant. Now are you going to stop dicking around long enough to tell me what you’ve found?”

  “Well, I guess I could. But, I’m seriously starting to think I need to feed you a damn Snickers bar or something. Your ass is acting like a hangry dwarf gearing up for his first MMA fight.�
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  Yep, has to be some divine intervention somewhere. Noah’s on the other side, laughing his ass off. Rolling my eyes, I flip him a double eagle.

  “Nice. I got a two-bird salute. I knew you liked me.”

  “Knock it off already, Vega. I’ve honestly reached my limit. I’m ready to kill someone. Don’t be the first casualty.”

  “You really do need a damn Snickers. Snickers and pussy.”

  “Vega!” I shout.

  “Okay, okay. Pull your thong out of your ass already. I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”

  “Just hit me with the bad.” I sigh.

  “I figured you’d say that. Bad news is most of the leads I dredged up were dead ends. Only two of them panned out as possibilities. Good news is I have the addresses for both locations here.” Jack retrieves a slip of paper from his cargo pants and hands it to me.

  “The first address is for a business front Sang-Hyun runs out of the upper south side of Seoul. He pops in every so often to check in on the business and handle his more shady side from there. The second address is a bar that he’s been known to frequent.” Jack pauses, giving me time to look at the addresses.

  “I know this one,” I say, pointing to the business front address.

  Jack nods. “I thought you might. The Colonel filled me in a little in regards to what your team was working on. He told me you’d been keeping tabs on Sang-Hyun before everything went haywire.”

  Gazing at him from the corner of my eye, I arch a brow. “It would seem that Colonel Parker filled in quite a few of the blanks for you.”

  Jack bristles uncomfortably at my statement. “Relax, its not a big deal. Parker did what needed to be done. I spoke to him a few days ago.”