(Kwan)

Dom sighs and slaps his cards down on the green velvet table top. "I fold," he states, obviously frustrated with his hand.

I stare at my cards a second longer, not sure if luck or skill is failing me, before I toss mine down, too. "Same."

Dom looks over at Minwoo, a friend from another family, and narrows his eyes before pointing towards the men he brought along. "I see what you did now. You didn't bring these three because they're fun. You brought them because they're card sharks."

A fox-like smile twists Minwoo's lips as he looks at his own cards and shakes his head. "I got no idea what you're talking about. They're just more fun than DJ and Taeoh," He says, referring to their don and second in command.

One of the others, a younger guy named Kyu, nods. "Exactly. We're super fun, just like your money."

"Good thing I'm not playing with my money then," I say, patting Dom on the back. "I would have used my own, but thanks!"

"I might as well get used to watching my money fly away." He longfully looks at the pile of cash in the center of the table.

"Here." I hand him the last beer in the mini-fridge behind me. "We're both going to need more of these over the next few months."

"I might need something stronger than beer." His dark eyes turn up toward the ceiling toward Calla's room.

The room might be two floors up from Dom's basement game room, but it's like he can see it right through. Honestly, I feel bad for him, but I also get the business side of things. The Monroes can help us grow stronger after fighting for our place for so long. Then again...we've never been scared of a fight.

"Man, getting married." Minwoo tsks across the table. "You'd have to kill me first."

"Here here," Jacob, a wiry guy with an impish grin, chimes in.

I keep my mouth shut. The idea of marriage has never even crossed my mind. For one, no one within the original five families of Langbridge's underground world would want their precious mafia princesses married to a bastard like me. And for two, I prefer to keep work and play completely separate.

"Any plans for the bachelor party at least?" Kyu asks, tipping his drink toward us. "That's the best part, right?"

"Swear to God, if you say we're going to Banana Hammock's, I'm strangling you in your sleep," Dom warns as he toys with his rejected cards.

Laughter breaks free as my lips spread wide with a grin. "You think I wanna see that either?"

"But you got something planned, right?" Minwoo asks, raising his brow with that mischievous look that seems to never leave his face.

Side-eyeing Dom, I try to control the smile on my face. "Maybe."

"Please," Dom turns to me and begs. "Please, let me see titties before my death."

Roars of laughter burst all around the table, Kyu and Jacob both almost choking on their drinks in the process. It's a sound I feel like I haven't heard in a while, making me more relaxed with each passing minute. Then again, that could be the drinks too.

Nodding with the least convincing look on my face, I say, "Sure...might not be titties you wanna see, but you'll see something."

Dom sits back in his chair and shrugs. "Any titties are going to be better than what I get for the rest of my life."

Our fourth guest, Namgil, scrunches his face. "Are you talking about the woman that was in the living room when we walked in? Cause if so, that' woman has some fine ass tits peeking out of that top of hers."

"Yeah, they look great, but they don't come with a soul." Dom takes a long swig of his beer.

I snort out a laugh before finishing off my drink. "At least she doesn't seem super mouthy...I mean...most of the time anyway."

Dom gives me a deadpan stare before pointing a threatening finger at me. "That's it. I'm dragging you to more family events. Clearly, you haven't spent enough time with your future sister-in-law."

"She can't be worse than her sister," I fire back and instantly regret it.

I've managed to go most of the night without thinking about Lily till now. Clearing that girl from my mind hasn't been an easy task lately, but I did...for a little bit. Now, I keep seeing the looks she gave me the other day when she and Calla first walked in. That snooty attitude and those judging deep blue eyes staring me down like I was a cockroach on the floor. It had me fighting the urge to show her exactly who I was right then and there, just in case she's forgotten.

God knows I haven't forgotten.

"I still have road rash on my ass from the burn Calla gave me at breakfast," Dom tells me, bringing me back to our poker game as he twists his hips in the chair, showing off said ass. "Kiss it?"

Another stress-relieving laugh breaks loose as I lightly kick his chair away. "You fucking wish."

Kyu narrows his eyes at us before looking at Minwoo. "Are you sure they're the Song family Don and second? I swear I never see DJ and Taeoh joke this much."

"I'm sure." Minwoo nods. "They're just crazy, but don't think they're the same when it comes to business. I've never met two guys who can flip a switch the way they can."

"Aww, thanks. I'll take that as a compliment," I say, standing up from the table and walking over to the trash to toss my beer.

"Same," Dom adds before finishing of his beer as well. "Besides all work and no play keeps the Song boys away."

The few steps from the trash can back to the table feel wobbly as the last several beers and rounds of shots finally hit me. I check the mini fridge for more, only to mentally slap my tipsy mind for forgetting we're out.

Guess I'll be nice and get more from the kitchen...but not before teasing Dom one more time.

Placing a hand on the back of his chair, I say, "So back to those party plans."

"What about them?" Dom sniffs as he hands his cards to Minwoo to shuffle back into the deck.

"Two words, big brother," I say slowly, already preparing to make a break for it. "Silver...Linnings."

With that bomb dropped, I slap the back of his head and hurry off towards the basement stairs. The sound of his chair hitting the ground a second later quickly follows, along with hurried steps that have me breaking out into a full run.

"I take it back!" He shouts after me. "I don't want to see Grandma titties! No naked grandmas!"

Laughter erupts throughout the basement like a pack of hyenas, but I can't say I'm much better. Killing it laughing, I run up the stairs knowing damn well that Dom's right on my heels. He manages to grab my leg, making me have to catch myself with my hands and continue up to the first floor on all fours.

"Laugh it up, chuckles. I'll put you in a powder blue tux with ruffles for the wedding," he threatens.

The second I make it out of the basement and get back to my feet, I jet down the hall. "You'll have to catch me first, Mr. Calla Monroe!"

Dom's footsteps are right behind me as we trample through the first floor like a couple of kids. But the moment I turn the corner into the foyer, the front door opens, and my sneaker-covered feet squeak to a stop. Dominik slams into my back a second later, nearly knocking me over.

"Ha!" He grabs hold of my shoulders. "Caught you, you shi-" his voice trails off as he follows my gaze.

"You boys having fun?" Lily asks, standing in front of the open door.

"Loads." Dom gives her a goofy, crooked grin, showing how tipsy he is. He clears his throat and points over his shoulder. "I better get back to our guests."

He disappears around the corner in the blink of an eye while Lily's questioning eyes lock on me.

"Guests?"

I don't answer her. Partly cause I've been doing my best not to say a word to her the last couple of days but also because my eyes are too busy trailing the length of her body. Every inch of her is soaking wet, making her clothes hug her body like they've been painted on. I'm almost positive her jeans already did that before she left the house but the white button up shirt she has on sure didn't. Now the material is practically see-through, showing off what a black lace bra that makes her tits look fucking fantastic.

Thunder booms outside, snapping me out of my alcohol-induced trance. I hadn't even realized it had started raining since we went down to the basement to play poker, but now the storm is loud and clear. Nearly as loud as the front door slamming shut after Ken, Lily's bodyguard, enters the house.

With water dripping from her hair and clothes, Lily stares at me expectantly. When she realizes I'm not answering, she rolls her eyes and turns to Ken. "Okay, I'm in for the night. Guess that means you're off the hook till morning."

"Of course, Ms. Monroe. Have a good evening," the older guard says in a half-ass tone like he doesn't really give a shit.

Lily nods, and after sending me one last look of disapproval, she saunters down the hall and toward her room.

"Good one, kid," Ken says as he tosses me his keys. "Lock those up in the garage."

Instinctively, I catch the keys even as I grit my teeth, trying not to snap. Dealing with disrespect from him and others who work within the family has always been the norm. But I'm second in command now, and I won't get anywhere letting these guys boss me around.

I throw the keys back, hitting Ken in the arm as he turns for the door. "Put 'em in the lock box yourself. Besides, from how drenched you and Lily are, I'm betting you left the car parked out front anyway. Take it to the garage like you're supposed to, Kenny."

Ken's eyes narrow but even as he picks the fallen keys up, he still can't help putting his foot in his mouth. "Watch your mouth, kid."

"You watch yours," I shoot back, stepping closer and holding my hands behind my back. If the fucker wants to swing like he's been itching to do for months now, he'll have an open shot. And then he'll regret it. "And remember who you're talking to. I won't let this shit go for much longer."

"You're lucky Dom's home," he sneers.

"You think you're a big guy? Go ahead and do something. I fucking wish you would."

The asshole stares a second longer, contemplation written all over his weathered face before he takes a step back.

As he turns for the door, I add, "And you'll be lucky if Lily doesn't catch a cold. Next time use your fucking head and bring an umbrella."

He doesn't say anything as he heads out, leaving me to return to my original task.

I'm gonna need something stronger than beer after this.

Walking into the kitchen, I go for the fridge first and find two six-packs waiting for me. I dig further for signs of anything stronger before remembering Dom keeps most of that either in his office or in the game room. Shutting the fridge, I balance both packs in one hand and turn around, only to freeze like a statue once again.

On the other side of the kitchen island, sitting on the countertop facing me in a tiny pair of shorts and a tank top, is Lily. She swings her legs back and forth before pulling a red lollipop from her lips. "Hey, Kwan."

That's it. No more drinking with her in the house.

Forcing my eyes from her mouth, I quickly turn to leave.

"You know, you can't ignore me now that we live together."

Don't do it. Don't take the bait.

But my feet don't listen as I stop and turn to face her again. Placing the beer down on the counter, I ask, "Who says I live here?"

A light sparkles in her gaze, but she keeps the prissy expression on her face. "You're always here." She shrugs and puts the lollipop back in her mouth. "I just assume—"

"You assumed wrong. My brother lives here, and we do a lot of work from here. That's it."

"So you have your own place?" she asks, jumping down from the counter.

I try not to stare at her mouth, the lollipop stick now hanging from one side. "Obviously."

She slowly walks around the island toward me. It takes everything I have not to step back as she gets closer. I don't step down from anyone, but keeping space between her and me might be more important right now.

"Must be nice to have that kind of freedom," she says, stopping just a couple of feet away.

"What are you trying to get at here, princess?"

She wrinkles her nose at the name and yanks the pop from her mouth. "I'm just trying to have a conversation. Geez, why do you always have to be such a jerk?"

"Just 'cause you live here now doesn't mean we have to play nice. We're not friends. We're barely even acquaintances."

"And whose fault is that?"

With a roll of my eyes, I look away and try to bite my tongue. This is exactly why I try to avoid crossing her path. Any time we've ever spoken, it's always turned into an argument. It's like she gets off on getting a reaction out of me.

"I'm not doing this with you," I say, grabbing the beer from the counter.

"Asshole," she mutters just as I walk by.

I don't know if it's the alcohol or the looks she's given me since stepping into this house, but that one word alone sparks my temper.

"Fine, I'm an asshole. But you're a spoiled brat," I say, whipping around to face her. "You act like I should kiss your ass now that you're here. Hate to break it to you, princess, but not everyone has to worship the ground you walk on."

Her brows pinch above a stormy gaze of blue waves and irritation. "I never said anyone had to do that. Is it too much to ask for you to just not ignore me for once? Can we not at least be civil?"

"Civil?" My head jerks back as a harsh laugh breaks free. "What's civil about you? You're always trying to get some kind of rise out of me. You've done it since high school. Grow the fuck up!"

A quick flash of emotion fills her eyes before disappearing without a trace as if I just imagined it all together. It throws me off so much I'm tempted to swear off alcohol for the rest of the night. Especially once I realize how close I've stepped towards her, the scent of something sugary sweet hitting my senses and bringing back a memory I've tried pushing away for years.

A black silk dress, blue eyes behind a dark mask, the feeling of soft fingers diving into my hair, and the smell of cotton candy wrapping around me.

Fuck.

"Kwan?" Lily softly prods, bringing me back to the here and now...and how close I'm standing to her.

I take a step back but just as I do, my phone in my pocket begins to ring. The music sounds like an alarm blaring in the quiet kitchen, killing whatever awkward tension had begun to build.

Taking the noisy thing from my pocket, I catch the name "Mia" on the screen. Lily must catch it, too, as a scoff sounds from her.

"Whatever," Lily mumbles as I shove my phone back into my pocket. "You don't want to be civil? You just want to act like I don't exist? Fine. I don't need attention from someone like you anyway."

Her words light a fire in my veins unlike any other. She might walk around giving me looks like I'm less than her but she's never outright said it. I'm not sure how she even found out unless Calla told her after the meeting at Dad's, but it doesn't matter. She's hit a new low with that one.

Yet even as I want to go off on her again, this kind of burning is different. It's not the kind that can be put out with yelling or outbursts. I'm not even sure what to do, to be honest. But it's not like I have the chance to figure it out anyway.

Footsteps echo through the foyer before Minwoo shows up at the kitchen entrance.

"Uh," he looks from me to Lily, an appreciative gleam in his eyes before turning his attention back to me. "Dom wanted to know if you were still bringing the beer down?"

Clenching my teeth, I nod before leaning closer to Lily. The way she sucks in her breath as my chest brushes against her arm brings a sense of satisfaction I shouldn't feel. But I'll be damned if I can help it.

"Just so you know, princess," I whisper next to her ear for only her to hear. "I don't have to pretend like you don't exist. There's no such thing as ignoring someone who never stands out anyway."

A pained gasp falls from her lips just as I turn to walk away, ignoring how Minwoo follows with a questioning look on his face or how he keeps glancing back until Lily can no longer be seen.

Maybe I struck a low blow, too. But I can't say it doesn't feel at least a little good to know I can hit her where it hurts, just like she did to me.