"I know."
"You could go back to Georgia."
"Do you want me to?"
He couldn't answer.
Zora leaned closer.
"Then don't ask me to leave."
She touched his face.
"I don't need perfect. I need real."
Jihan closed his eyes.
For years, he had built walls around his heart.
She had somehow walked through every one.
He kissed her.
This time, there was no fear.
No pretending.
No audience.
Just two people choosing each other.
When they separated, Jihan whispered, "This is a terrible idea."
"Probably."
"You don't know what you're agreeing to."
"I know enough."
"If you're with me, I will protect you with everything I have."
"I know."
"And I can be possessive."
She smiled.
"I've noticed."
He laughed softly.
Then he kissed her again.
The next morning, Chicago's underworld began to hear the truth.
Kong Jihan had fallen in love.
The Ice King had a weakness.
Her name was Zora Bennett.
The Lee family noticed immediately.
At first, the threats were subtle.
A car followed Zora to campus.
Someone watched her outside the dance studio.
Her phone produced strange interference.
Jihan doubled security.
"I don't like this," Zora said.
"I don't either."
"I can't have a bodyguard following me into dance class."
"You can."
"Jean."
"No."
She crossed her arms.
"I'm not helpless."
"I know."
"Then stop treating me like I am."
He stepped closer.
"That's exactly why I'm afraid."
She softened.
He wasn't controlling her because he doubted her.
He was afraid of losing her.
Zora touched his cheek.
"I chose this."
He closed his eyes.
"I love you."
Her heart stopped.
She whispered the words back.
Three days later, the Lee family made their move.
Zora was leaving rehearsal when three vehicles surrounded her.
Her guard fought to protect her.
She ran.
She made it half a block.
Then someone grabbed her.
Her hearing aid fell onto the pavement.
The world went silent.
She was dragged into a van.
The last thing she understood was a voice saying:
"Boss wants her alive. She's leverage."
Then darkness.
The War for Zora
Jihan was in a meeting when Tayang entered.
His face was pale.
"They took her."
Jihan didn't move.
"Who?"
"The Lees."
The room became silent.
"When?"
"Twenty minutes ago."
Jihan stood.
His expression was terrifyingly calm.
"Find her."
"We're working on it."
"Find her."
Tayang nodded.
Every contact the Kong family had was activated.
Surveillance footage was collected.
Phones were traced.
Informants were questioned.
Sixteen hours later, they found the location.
A warehouse on the south side.
Tayang studied the information.
"It's a trap."
"I know."
"They want you to come."
"I know."
"Then don't."
Jihan looked at him.
"She's there."
Tayang knew there was no argument left.
Jihan gathered his people.
"We bring her home."
Meanwhile, Zora sat in darkness.
Her wrists were bound.
Her hearing aid was gone.
She could barely understand what the men around her were saying.
Eventually, Lee Minjun entered.
He held up a phone.
A message appeared.
Tell Kong to surrender his south-side territory.
Zora shook her head.
Another message appeared.
His shipping routes.
She shook her head again.
His family must acknowledge ours as an equal.
Zora typed on the phone.
He won't surrender.
Minjun stared at her.
"You'll convince him."
She typed:
No.
Then:
He'll come for me.
Minjun laughed.
But Zora didn't believe her own fear.
She believed in Jean.
At three in the morning, the warehouse erupted into chaos.
Jihan's team moved through the building.
The rescue was fast and dangerous.
Jihan found the basement.
The door opened.
Zora looked up.
She couldn't hear him.
But she recognized his face.
"Zora."
She ran toward him.
He cut her restraints and pulled her into his arms.
She clung to him.
He held her as though letting go would make her disappear.
He checked her for injuries.
She had bruises.
She was dehydrated.
But she was alive.
Jihan took out his phone and typed:
I've got you. You're safe now.
Zora read the message.
Tears filled her eyes.
She nodded.
They left the warehouse together.
Back at the penthouse, Jihan refused to leave her side.
He arranged medical care.
He replaced her hearing aid.
He made sure she ate.
He stayed awake when nightmares frightened her.
For the first time, Zora saw how deeply he loved her.
But she also saw the danger surrounding them.