Page 138 of Save Me

“He’ll get exactly what’s coming to him,” I promise. “Part of my work with the Global Group was to use their assets to expand our presence in Asia beyond South Korea. Despite his bragging, Daniel Park is shit at running the company that was left to him and my half-sister. It’s financially weaker than it seems.

“I plan to use its weaknesses to take him and the company down. Eliminating Blackmon from the Global Group is one step in that direction.”

Kennedy looks me over, realization seeping into her beautiful eyes.

“You’ve waited years to do this,” she concludes.

I nod. “Patience is one of my strongest attributes.”

She tosses her head back and laughs. “Since when?”

“Since always,” I reply.

She shakes her head, making the curls swoosh around her shoulders. “Not when it comes to me.”

I pull her into me and kiss her collarbone. “If you only knew,” I murmur before kissing her neck.

“Wait.” She presses against my chest. “Is whatever Daniel and his friends did to you why you have this scar?” She runs her thumb along the hidden scar on my chin.

With a nod, I tell her, “The day I received this scar was the day I decided to get my revenge on the son of a bitch. A few months later, I started my military service. That’s where I met Taehyun. We were both so stricken by how much we look alike.”

Kennedy nods. “You guys look like you’re brothers instead of cousins.”

I nod. “Technically, we are brothers.”

Her eyes balloon.

“Remember I said Soon Kim pushed his brother out of the business?”

She nods.

“It was his identical twin, who eventually moved to the States and started his own private lounge and entertainment company.”

She gasps. “Your Uncle Jin.”

I bring her fingers to my lips, kissing them. “He’s Taehyun and Jersey’s father. Taehyun and I became friends in the military and eventually discovered that we’re family. After our discharge, I moved to the U.S. and started working for my uncle. Taehyun didn’t get along with his father for a long time, but I took to the business like a fish to water.”

I became his trusted confidant, and when he left the business, all three of us ran it.

“Taehyun decided to run and operate the Seoul subsidiaries, so he often travels between the States and South Korea. Jersey works with me. We all intend to take Daniel Park and that company down for what they did to us.”

Kennedy nods in understanding.

“They deserve it,” she says, cupping my face. “Just …” She pushes out a breath. “You’re not that boy anymore.”

I cock my head sideways.

“The boy without a father or anyone to look out for him. Daniel Park deserves to pay for what he did, and Blackmon, but they can’t hurt you. Your father was a piece of shit for abandoning you like he did, and I’m so sorry you ever felt your life wasn’t worth living.”

She pauses.

“I wish I had been there for you back then. I wish I had been there to tell you how special and loved you are and will be.”

My heart nearly stops in my chest. She has no idea that she was there. That she was the one who stopped me from ending it all that day. Even if Park and his bastard friends hadn’t finished the job, I would’ve.

Until she showed up.

She was the spark that made me believe my life had value, some meaning, and that if I could live long enough, I might see it.

---