The Dragon (G.O.N.Y. - Double Dragon) (18 page)

“And there’s the face…” Dr. Chen began in lightly accented English. She pointed to the monitor with one hand as she pressed a part of the machine into Jezebel’s belly. The baby opened his mouth and moved his arm, stretching upward. “He’s very active right now.”

“It’s a boy?”

The question came from Ramsey, who was standing on the opposite side of the makeshift bed, staring at the screen in awe. He even seemed a few shades paler. Jezebel smirked. She’d been like that the first time she’d seen the baby, and that had been a regular 2d ultrasound.

“Let’s see…”

There was a glob of movement as the doctor moved the instrument along her belly. She moved it a few more times before she chuckled and said, “He’s hiding from you.”

“What?”

Dr. Chen’s smile widened further. “Your baby just curled into himself, Ms. Carter.” She moved the handle along Jezebel’s belly again, this time going further to the side. “Don’t worry, he’ll probably shift soon and we’ll know the sex―”

“No.”

The doctor looked down at her with a raised brow.

Jezebel shook her head. “No. It’s fine. We don’t have to know now.” She turned to Ramsey, who seemed on the verge of disagreeing with her, and smiled. “We can wait.”

“Are you sure?” Dr. Chen asked, but she looked to Ramsey as she asked the question.

“I’m sure, doctor,” Jezebel replied, calling the woman’s attention back to her.

“Thank you, Dr. Chen.” When Ramsey spoke, Jezebel held her breath. He wouldn’t force her this, would he? “We’ll wait.”

The doctor nodded and gave Jezebel an easy smile. She drew blood and ran a few more tests, all the while answering Ramsey’s inquiries into Jezebel’s pregnancy. The man had come with a list of questions, some of which had brought her very close to strangling him. What types of food should she be eating? Was it a high-risk pregnancy? Was bed rest necessary? Those she understood. He was concerned about his child. But then he’d gone into other questions that were in no way any of his business. Could she have sex? When should she stop having sex? Were there certain positions she should avoid? As Dr. Chen patiently answered and looked impressed, Jezebel glared at him and considered leaving the two to their own devices. She only stayed because the 3d image of her baby hadn’t finished printing.

Back in her room, Jezebel placed the images of her ultrasound on her end table and turned to face Ramsey, who’d escorted her. He didn’t have to follow her to her room but had insisted. Jezebel hadn’t felt like fighting today, not with her baby’s face fresh in her mind.

“You didn’t want to know?” he wondered.

“It doesn’t matter,” she replied. “Not to me.”

“Or me,” he added, warmth infusing his eyes. “But I’d still like to know.”

“We have a dilemma there.”

Ramsey closed the distance between them. This close, she could feel his heat and smell the masculine aroma that wafted from him. Instantly, she grew wary.

“May I?”

“What?”

“May I touch you?” he asked in a soft lull. “Your belly?”

She looked down to find his hand hovering over her bump. “Oh…” She nodded.

His fingers brushed over her belly through the cotton tee, stroking her slow and steady.

“That was amazing,” he muttered and she couldn’t help her smile of agreement. “Five and a half months…”

He continued stroking and Jezebel gasped, but didn’t protest when his hands were suddenly on her bare belly. Her shirt had been pushed up to just under her breasts. Closing her eyes, she sighed and allowed it. Jezebel’s head was almost on his chest before she realized what she was doing and pulled back. He came forward, stopping only when the front of his body was pressed against hers.

“Ram…”

The lazy brush of his lips silenced her. Her body, already relaxed, heated. She could feel the tingle between her legs. His lips turned to her ear. “Thank you.”

“Hm?” was all she managed.

“Thank you for sharing that with me.”

Jezebel swallowed hard and took a step back. Right. He’d wanted to be there and Jezebel hadn’t protested. Regardless of his affiliations, he was her child’s father, a father who actually wanted to be in his life. As a child raised without a father’s attention, Jezebel had been unable to fault Ramsey’s dedication. As she focused, she realized her belly was still exposed and hastily pulled her shirt down.

“I need to take a shower,” she finally said.

Ramsey stared at her, his face relaxed but controlled, and although there seemed to be something lurking in the depths of his dark gaze, he only nodded. “Take your shower, Jezebel. We’ll continue this later.”

Continue?

She shook her head. “We don’t have anything to
continue
, Ramsey.”

“You don’t want to continue our discussion about the baby?” he asked with a little frown.

“No…not that…” As a teasing grin spread across his lips, she glared. “You know what I’m talking about.”

Ramsey moved to the door. He looked over his shoulder and smirked, “We’ll discuss
everything
later.”

***

“It’s done.”

He moved to one of the windows overlooking the sea and peered out. The sun was setting and all was still on the water. “Everything?”

“Yes.”

“Any casualties on our side?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“He’ll want blood.”

“He’s already drawn blood.” Ramsey felt anger coil in the pit of his belly as he saw Lily, blood-streaked and broken, in that parking lot. That was one of the two images that haunted his subconscious. The other was of her tiny body, gauze and cast wrapped, as she lay in that hospital bed attached to a breathing machine. It had taken months, but justice was nearing. As soon as he made Chang and everyone involved pay, he’d be able to let her go. Until then… “It’s time he tasted his own.”

“All’s fair in love and war.”

―Francis Smedley

He wasn’t coming and there would be no continuation of anything.

The thought should grant her relief, but Jezebel continued to shift restlessly in her bed. It had nothing to do with Ramsey and everything to do with the conversation she’d had with Delilah before she lay down. Her sister hadn’t supported her decision to have Ramsey with her for the ultrasound. In fact, Delilah had been so against it, she’d chosen to stay in her room as Jezebel went downstairs. A few hours ago, she’d gone to her sister’s room to show her the images of her future niece or nephew and make peace. Delilah had been distracted for a good ten minutes before she began asking if Jezebel had discussed with Ramsey when they were leaving and the next steps to being Ramsey-independent. That had led to an argument, and Jezebel returning to her room upset. And now, here she was, slithering around in her bed like a fish out of water because she had a lot on her mind and wasn’t the least bit tired.

Almost an hour later, and noticing that it was just a few minutes before 11 p.m., she turned the TV on. She eventually found a movie channel where the actors were speaking English and tried to focus. It didn’t work. Despite the huge robots fighting on the screen, Jezebel thought of Delilah, Ramsey, her unborn child, her emotional fragility, and the kind of life she’d have after…
this.
Closing her eyes and snuggling further under the duvet, she hoped the darkness and white noise in the background would push her into dreamland.

The sound suddenly lowered and Jezebel opened her eyes. Standing near her bed, dressed in black pajamas, was Ramsey Stone.

She sat up, pulling her duvet to her breasts despite being clothed. She’d opted for a large t-shirt and shorts. Of late, she’d been warm under the covers. “What are you doing in my room?”

Unfazed, he placed the remote on the end table. “I knocked.”

“I didn’t hear anything.”

“That’s why I turned the TV down.”

“You can’t just walk into someone’s room if they don’t answer,” she sputtered.

Ramsey gripped the edge of the duvet and lifted. Shock made her immobile as he slid under the covers and shifted around in an attempt to get comfortable. When her voice returned, it was to demand, “What are you doing?”

“Making myself comfortable.”

“What?”

He shifted until he was lying on his side, facing her. The TV light made him appear paler, and cast in a blueish glow. “Come here.”

Jezebel laughed. He couldn’t be serious. Laughter faded. He was. “Get out of my room, Ramsey.”

“No.” He yawned, rolled over for the remote and placed it on the comforter between them. Almost instantly, he was lying on his side again.

Maybe it was the shock of him laying next to her so casually, or perhaps it was the fact that her thoughts were already jumbled before he made an appearance, but Jezebel was at a loss for words. She glared at him before shaking her head. It did nothing as he’d closed his eyes and seemed so still, it was possible he was already sleeping.

Un-freakin-believable!

Before long, she’d ignored him and was back in her thoughts. Although she was irritated with Delilah, Jezebel knew where she was coming from. Jezebel was pregnant and hormonal. While she still had rational thoughts, a few of them gave way to her emotions, which was the only reason she’d slept with Ramsey a few nights ago. Right now, she didn’t know what was her, and what was her pregnancy. And when this was over, where would she live? She still owned the house in Astoria, and although she’d enjoyed living there and liked her neighbors, Jezebel knew she couldn’t return. She’d just be gossip-worthy material. No one would take her seriously anymore. So she’d have to put that property on the market, maybe move upstate or to Long Island, even switch states. As for her company, Carter Investors, if she still even had a company by the time that nitwit interim CEO was through with it, she’d have that to consider when deciding what to do with her life after Ramsey.

“You’re thinking too hard.”

Jezebel jumped and whipped her head in the direction of the voice. When had he moved? Ramsey was now perched against the bed-head, staring at her. She scoffed and growled, “Go back to sleep, Ramsey. Isn’t that what you came here to do? Sleep?”

The sudden sound of gunfire made her flinch and a memory she wished to keep buried, reared its head. It was only the television but she was back under the desk, holding the recoiling gun as the man dropped before her. Her heart lurched against her ribcage, but gradually began to settle. The volume cut out completely, and she saw Ramsey place the remote between them again.

“What were you thinking about, Jez?”

She could tell him where to shove it or lie, but Jezebel had questions and he was here. The least he could do was answer them.

“I killed a man.” At his sharp inhale, she glanced over at him. Under the flickering lights of the television, his face was impassive. “What happens now?”

“Nothing.”

She swallowed. “I killed a―”

“You protected yourself, Jezebel. Anyone would have done the same thing under the same circumstances. I’m sure the American legal system would agree.”

“How sure?”

“Positive.” When she only lifted a brow and waited for him to continue, he added, “I doubt any charges will be filed, but if they are, Brandon and the rest of his team will defend you.”

Jezebel nodded. It was bad that she’d taken a life, but having Ramsey confirm the improbability of her being tried for it, gave her some peace.

“After you’ve taken care of the threat, how soon can my sister and I return to America?”

“Jez…”

“Just give me a time frame, please. One month? Two?”

“It’s not that simple.”

“Then simplify it for me, Ramsey.”

He sucked in a slight hiss of breath. “I’d like you to stay with me until the baby is born, and some months after.”

Jezebel froze. Her entire body went numb. “What?”

“I think it’s the best option right now, Jezebel.”

“In South Korea?”

“If necessary.”

“Is it necessary for me to stay with you for so many months?”

“It’s the safest option.”

“And what’s the other option, Ramsey, because I haven’t heard any other options, just what you want.”

His face tightened. “The other option would be you returning to America with your sister…”

“I like this option. Sounds like a good option.”

“…but you’ll have to live in a house of my choosing, have armed bodyguards follow you wherever you go, and guards to work the perimeter of the property. You’d also have to give me access every week―”

“A-access?” She sputtered. The entire thing was incredulous but her giving him access was what had released her vocal chords. “Give you access to what?”

His lips lifted in amusement. “To you and our baby.”

Jezebel shook her head. “You have no access to me. I already told you, your only concern should be this baby.”

Ramsey leaned forward and before she could draw away, his hand pressed to her belly through the covers. “Right now, the baby is inside of you, so my concern is both you and the baby.”

She pushed his hand away. “What’s the other option?”

He leaned back. “Those are your options, Jezebel. Stay with me or allow me to protect you until I’m certain there are no other threats.”

“I thought once you took care of this threat, they’ll all go away...” She allowed her voice to trail off as she realized how naïve she sounded. Would she ever truly be safe? Even if this threat was taken care of, what was to stop another threat, and another? With her permanent connection to Ramsey, what was to stop them from coming after her, her baby, her entire family?

“Removing a threat can sometimes have repercussions, Jezebel.”

Leaning back against the headboard, she sighed. “Life as I knew it is over, isn’t it?”

“Jezebel…”

“I’ll never be truly safe again, will I?” She didn’t wait for an answer, didn’t need one. “Never be able to run the company I built from scratch, never be able to go out without having someone follow me, never be able to take my child to the park whenever I want. I’ll never be able to be normal again.”

The low sound of the TV was the only thing heard for long minutes before Ramsey spoke, “You were never normal, Jezebel.”

She snorted and harsh laughter bubbled from her lips. “Of all the things I said, you choose to respond to that.”

He moved closer and before she could focus on what he was doing, his arm was draped across her shoulder. She fought against his hold for a few moments before allowing her body to relax into his. “I’m sorry.” His fingers stroked down her arm. “I was selfish. I should have never gotten involved with you.” Jezebel tried to hold onto her righteous anger but she was just…tired. The exhaustion she’d been searching for as she lay tossing and turning, seemed to weigh on her now. “But you’ll be safe, Jezebel. I won’t let anything happen to you or the baby―”

“Unless something happens to you, right?”

His fingers never stopped their comforting caress. “Even then, you’ll be protected.”

“But you can’t tell me how?”

“No.”

“Wow.” She sighed and shook her head. “The next time I see a cute face and sexy body, I’m running for the hills.”

Ramsey stilled, but his caress soon continued. “You think I’m sexy?”

Jezebel ignored him. Why was he injecting humor into their conversation? This was serious! She didn’t realize she was sliding down the bed until her head was on the pillow. The lulling sound of the television faded away and hard heat brushed her back. A hand stroked the side of her belly and Jezebel sighed. As she felt the warm arms of sleep enfold her, she could have sworn she heard him whisper, “I think you’re pretty sexy too.”

***

“Where are they,
you smug son-of-a-bitch
?”

Although the Korean words were screamed, and the sound blasted his eardrums, Ramsey found a cold smile. “I’m not sure I know who you’re referring to― ”

“You took my daughter, my grandsons!”

“Did I?” Ramsey leaned back in his chair, watching as Vince moved across the room to the liquor bar. At four in the morning, it was too early for a drink, for this phone call, but his cousin removed a decanter filled to the brim with brown liquid and two glasses anyway. Ramsey understood the reason. When Vince had knocked on Jezebel’s bedroom door to tell him he had a phone call, he’d known who it was. Ramsey had expected the call earlier but the time didn’t matter as long as it came.

“You weak little half-breed,
goja
! If you touch them, you’ll be sorry.”

“I’ll be sorry, Chang?” he cut in. Ice cubes clinked as Vince dropped them into the glass and moved to his desk. “You don’t even know where your daughter is, where your grandsons are, but I’ll be sorry?”

The older man inhaled once, twice, before he snarled, “What do you want?”

Revenge. Justice. “A meeting.”

“A meeting?” Chang spat. More curses streamed from his lips. Ramsey’s smile only grew. He’d never heard Chang so flustered before. “Where are they?”

“I’ll send you the details,” he drawled. Vince filled both glasses to the half-way point. “You show up alone and they continue breathing.”

“You cowardly son-of-a-bitch!” his rival roared. “A woman and two children? Are your balls bigger? Your cock longer?
Goja
!”

“Alone,” Ramsey repeated. “If I even think you’re accompanied, your grandsons will die first. Your daughter might have some uses yet.”

“Goja!”

Ramsey ended the call.

Pushing one of the glasses his way, Vince lifted the other. With a nod, Ramsey did the same before bringing the glass to his lips and taking a mouthful.  

Whiskey.

The burn was harsh but he reveled in it. He wasn’t a drinker outside of social functions, but the occasion was celebratory. It called for one. Neither man spoke as they drank, until Vince replaced his empty glass on the table, and asked, “When should I set up this
meeting
?”

Ramsey smiled.

Long enough for Chang to worry, to suffer, but short enough that he couldn’t get word onto the streets of Gwangju. Loyalty only went so far when a copious amount of money was being offered to working-class families. Chang might part with his daughter, but his grandsons were his only living heirs, his legacy. He’d probably part with all of his wealth if it meant getting them back alive.

“Two days.”

“Thursday?”

At Ramsey’s nod, Vince asked, “Time?”

“We don’t need any witnesses.”

“4 a.m.?”

With a smirk, he looked down at the digital clock on his desk. 4:15. “It only seems appropriate.”

“He’s not coming alone,” Vince noted with ease.

Ramsey wasn’t stupid. He knew that. Chang Chul-Moo was coming with his mob, as many as he could fit onto a plane for the trip to Gwangju, but he wasn’t worried. In the grand scheme of things, he had the upper hand and in two days, Chang would be dead.