Page 86 of Marked By Him

I nod while Jin’s jaw sets.

He’s not happy. It’s not about Dr. Baek and his treatment. It’s about… the entire situation.

But he’s not the only one who’s angry. Beneath the layer of exhaustion that weighs me down, I’m furious too.

For several reasons.

“She needs rest and plenty of fluids. You too, Jin-tae. Don’t be too stubborn to take care of yourself like always.”

I’m too tired to ask what he means. He packs up his things and reminds us one last time before he leaves to call with any questions.

The door snaps shut once he’s gone.

Silence fills the private inn room. The first time Jin and I are truly alone since this morning. We were so busy escaping during the fire and then his drive away from the scene that those moments hardly count.

Thisis the first time we’re faced with each other with no distractions.

I pry the oxygen mask from my face and then reach for the brown bottle of steroid tablets that Dr. Baek prescribed. The pills are large and chalky sliding down my throat. I shudder at their bitter aftertaste.

Jin’s still watching me, hands plunged deep into his pockets. While I’ve showered and changed into a robe the innkeeper provided, he’s remained in his torn and soot-dusted clothing. As if he refuses a moment’s rest until this situation is sorted out.

“I’ve already started looking into it,” he says. “The fire. From what I’ve gathered so far, and from the fire investigation going on, it didn’t start naturally.”

I roll my eyes so hard it hurts. “No kidding.”

He ignores the snark and plunges on. “There’s been eyewitness testimony from one of the residents in my building that he saw a man near a utility box. He didn’t recognize who he was. The fire started not long after.”

“You’re telling me someone set your apartment on fire? Wow, shocker! Not like you’ve made enemies or anything.”

His jaw hardens. “I’m serious, Monroe.”

“So am I.”

“It could’ve been any number of people,” he says, stepping closer. “Anyone I’ve crossed. Any syndicate or gang I’ve had conflict with. But I need time to figure it out. Tonight we’ll stay here. Tomorrow, I’ll move us somewhere else. Somewhere safer.”

And there it is. That word.

Safer.

Any restraint I have vanishes. I snap my head toward him, heat rising through me fast. “Will the cuff be making a comeback, Jin?”

His brows twitch, but I don’t give him a chance to answer.

“Wherever you take me next, are you going to chain me to the wall while you disappear for god knows how long? What next, huh? Your enemies breaking in for aknife attack? Maybe set off abombto blow me up?” My voice pitches higher, ringing with emotion. “How else are you going to leave me helpless while you’re off handling business for the Baekho?!”

He opens his mouth, then clamps it shut again. His gaze drops from mine and his fingers flex at his sides. His guilt is worn like a second skin in this moment, like he recognizes how right I am even if he hasn’t said it.

“I was securing you,” he says finally. “You know why. I couldn’t risk that you’d run.”

“But youcouldrisk that I’d go down in flames with your damn apartment!”

His eyes flare. “I got you out in time. I would’ve walked through fire to make it to you?—”

“This time!” I scream, the sound ripping from my throat, raw and painful. Hot tears emerge, rolling slowly down my cheeks. “You came this time, Jin! But what about next time? What happens when one of your enemies gets it right and you’re too late?”

I wipe at my face with the back of my unbandaged hand, then give up altogether. The oxygen I’ve taken in no longer feels like it helped as my lungs ache and my breaths sputter out.

“You want me safe?” I murmur. “Stop locking me up like I’m your prisoner. Because I’d rather take my chances out there than die strapped to your idea of security.”

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