I put on my sunglasses and lie back. “Who says I need a ‘right’ girl? If I follow in Dad’s footsteps, I’m better off with no one.”

“You’re right about that, especially since you can’t keep her out of trouble even with people who aren’t gangster. Joseph Mok is a nobody.”

“He touched what belongs to me.”

I think I spoke too emphatically, because my mother looks taken aback. I rub my temple. I know I’m the real reason Bridget has a split lip. If I hadn’t gone after Mok, she wouldn’t have stitches. I’m also fully aware I’m angry at myself, but I don’t have any issues taking it out on Mok.

My mother continues, “You’d be better off not taking after your dad and being with a girl who’s more simple.”

“What do you mean by ‘simple.’ Bridget’s not complicated.”

My mother furrows her brow. “Yeah, but she has her own goals. She’s not just going to sit around supporting whatever you do all the time, especially if what you’re doing involves more with the Jing San.”

I recall how Bridget didn’t stand around screaming like the other women. She jumped right into the fray. I smile. “No, she definitely didn’t just sit around while I was trying to beat the shit out of Mok.”

“She could have been hurt worse.”

“You that worried about her?”

“I’m worried about you. What happens if you fall in love?”

I try to imagine what that would be like. I remember having a pretty bad crush on a girl in high school, then thinking I was in love with Jade Huang, who does bookkeeping for many triad members, but the emotions faded after a few months. That’s about as close as I’ve come to being in love.

“You worry too much,” I finally tell my mother.

“Do I? Maybe it’s already happened?”

“What’s already happened” I ask with exasperation.

“Maybe you’ve already fallen in love.”

I don’t respond. Women. They make such a big deal about everything. And I’ve done enough for my mother. I finished school for her. I stepped away from my father’s legacy in the triad. So far.

There’s no fucking way I’m giving up Bridget. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Shit.

My mother might be right.

Chapter 27

DARREN

Present

Despite the coolness of the basement, I feel warm. Very warm. Probably from the heat of my arousal combined with the heat of my anger as I stare down at Bridget. I kick aside any sympathy I feel seeing her with her legs forcefully folded by rope bondage, her arms bent with her wrists tied behind her neck and secured to a rope crotch, her face marked with my cum.

I can’t believe I fell in love with this woman. That might be what I’m most angry about, and I’m pretty damn angry that she ran out on me.

My mother warned me about her. And she was right about Bridget. But stupid fucking me had to have her. I can’t believe I was such a pathetic fool. Ready to turn my world upside down for her. Wanting to give her the best that I could. What a moron. What. A. Fucking. Moron.