Epilogue
Kang Park
My phone chirps with a new message as I stalk down the hallway, keeping my head low and my expression casual as I hold my phone to my ear. The voice mail spits out the message and I end it abruptly, choosing to call back, so I get my head chewed off.
“Yes, your excellence?”
“Don’t joke with me, Kang. I don’t like it.”
A chortle explodes from me as I adjust my backpack. “Figured you could use a laugh, considering the circumstances.”
“I’m disappointed, Kang. I didn’t want to receive news of my brother’s death like this.”
It feels like an arrow lands in my heart when she says that. I shrug off the main walkway and dip into a little nook of abandoned lockers, the chatter of students continuing behind me as I whisper into the phone, “Well, you had to find out some way, didn’t you? How do you think I felt when I heard my father was killed in a fucking hotel in Capital City?”
“A police scanner announced his death to me. Do you think I liked that, Kang? Do you think I enjoyed hearing about my brother having a facial done with a 9mm handgun by an eighteen-year-old fucking child?!”
“I didn’t like it either.” My vision sharpens as I study the kids drifting past me. I don’t see who I need to speak to yet, so I linger in the little alcove a bit longer. “Why do you think I’m here?”
She sighs heavily. “I put you there because you’re the only one who can infiltrate that little social club in Macedon.”
“A little late for that, auntie. Those kids have dipped out.”
“Not that group, silly boy,” she coos affectionately. “A different group. There’s a girl, a sister to the Moretti whore who’s responsible for your father’s death.”
My lips tighten to a fine line as I recall the folder I was given before arriving in Macedon. “Yes, I remember her picture. I’m sure I can seduce her easily.”
“Once you have her under your wing, the rest should fall right into line. I want to wipe out the Morettis once and for all. Do you understand me, Kang? Am I being clear?”
“Yes, auntie,” I reply with a grin as I slip back into the sea of students heading to their classes. My target appears on the other side of the hallway, golden brown hair luring me in like a bed of fine silk. Dark eyes are the only thing she seems to share with her half sister, two pools that could swallow me if I so choose. “I think I see her now.”
She clears her throat. “Don’t fuck this up, Kang. My brother was an idiot to try to take things over the way he did. He foolishly ruined our plans.”
“I won’t fail you.” I smile when Evelyn spots me. “I’ll talk to you soon, auntie.”
My phone is tucked straight into the pocket of my khakis when Evelyn jogs up to me. Her beaming smile reflects the September sun spilling into the hallway from the wide windows at my right, with a gorgeous view of the academy grounds expanding in every direction.
“Hi. Are you new here?” she asks while tucking a lock of hair behind her ears.
The picture in the folder didn’t do her any justice. Up close, she’s incredibly gorgeous, like model gorgeous. This is the kind of attractive that could walk a runway, pose in front of a camera, and be absolutely ravishing in the morning while sleepily blinking on a hotel bed.
She raises her trim eyebrows and smiles politely, laughing lines cutting into her freckled skin. “Do you speak English?”
“Yes, I do,” I blurt. “Yeah, I’m new—Hi.” I hold out my hand to her, hoping that I remembered to brush my teeth this morning. No time to check. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Evelyn. I’m on the welcoming committee.” She takes my hand firmly and shakes, her eyes closing to slits as her smile beams at full blast. Christ, she could blind me if she were an angel. “Do you want a tour of the academy?”
My smile goes lopsided as I release her hand and say, “I’d love a tour from you, gorgeous.”
The way her freckles darken when she blushes makes me chuckle, genuinely impressed by how adorable she looks when she’s bashful. Her sunny appearance makes me think she hides a wild streak somewhere deep down. If I get close enough, I can draw it to the surface—and maybe have a little fun while I’m at it.
“Gosh, I’d hate to see how you’d melt if I told you that’s the most beautiful smile I’ve seen all day,” I tease. “You almost look like one of those strawberry shortcakes.”
She bites her lower lip shyly and giggles, her hand reaching for the strap of her backpack to grip. Her fingernails are painted a dashing red, reminding me of the blood her sister’s boyfriend spilled.
It takes every ounce of strength in my body not to lose my smile.
“You’re cute,” she says while meeting my gaze. “Maybe you want to grab a coffee when we’re done? I get to cut class for new students sometimes.”