Kuang Jr. cast a suspicious gaze between Han and Lam before saying, “Your new girlfriend’s out there looking for you. Want me to keep her company while you finish up your little conversation?”
Another wave of irritation rolled through Han. But this was why he’d invited Jasmine here in the first place, wasn’t it? To re-establish their link in front of Kuang Jr. and his crew. To remind the snakehead and anyone else who might want her that she still belonged to a Dragon.
Han had hoped a few weeks would make Kuang Jr. forget about Jasmine. After all, he had his pick of onsite beauties ready and willing to keep him company.
Then again, maybe that was why the snakehead kept bringing up Jasmine. He wasn't used to being usurped, and he'd almost had her in his clutches when Han snatched her away.
Han almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
“I must go,” he said to Lam with a respectful head bow. Then just to annoy Kuang Jr., he added, “We can continue this conversation later.”
Lam glanced at Kuang Jr. and nodded. “Yes. Good to see you again.”
Han gave him another bow, committing to the illusion that he felt the same way, even if the mention of his half-brother had been most unwelcome.
Back in the hallway, Kuang Jr. fell into step beside him.
“What were you talking about with my contact?” he demanded in English. Most likely suspecting correctly that Lam’s English wasn’t good enough to make out what he was saying over the loud music pumping overhead.
“He’s an old friend. We were catching up,” Han answered. He made sure to keep his voice neutral. “You should make sure to give him your highest quality product.”
“Those Taiwan triads don’t know good weed from skunk,” Kuang Jr. answered with a dismissive snort. “They’re lucky I sell to them at all. I got clients up and down the west coast willing to pay top price.”
“Still?” Han asked. “Even after legalization?”
He must have hit a nerve. Kuang Jr. flinched. “Don’t matter. Hawaii weed has a good reputation, brah. It’s always going to get top price.”
“Yes, it does have a good reputation,” Han agreed. “One you’ll ruin if you sell your overseas clients low-quality product.”
Kuang Jr. stopped walking. “Did he say something to you about the weed I gave him? I was just testing him out.”
Han also stopped. “I have no hand in your business, so I will simply give you some advice.”
Kuang Jr.’s face took on a petulant cast. “I don’t need your advice—”
“Treat your legitimate partners nice. And treat your criminal partners even nicer,” Han advised. He clapped Kuang Jr. on the shoulder. “Nobody wants to risk their life and jail time for shitty product.”
Han didn’t bother to wait for Kuang Jr.’s reply. His little surfer girl was waiting.
However, he didn’t find Jasmine when he returned to the bar area.
“If you’re looking for your girl, she said she’d wait for you in the parking lot,” Chen came over to tell him.
Your girl.
Han added that he didn’t entirely hate hearing her referenced as his, to his ever-growing dislike list.
“Thanks,” Han replied, nonetheless.
That should have been it, but suddenly Kuang Jr. reappeared beside him. “I’ll walk outside with you. Say hi.”
Han kept his expression neutral. The whole point of this exercise was to remind Kuang Jr. that Jasmine was his and therefore off-limits after all.
But every instinct inside of him protested the shorter man going outside with him. He didn't want Kuang Jr. talking to her. He didn't even want him looking at her.
However, that was exactly what they both ended up doing when they found Jasmine in the parking lot, adjusting the surfboards balancing on top of an old Jeep Wrangler. She was a vision of sporty femininity in the early morning sun. Surfer shorts framed her strong trim legs and firmly rounded butt. And the profile of her pretty face radiated health and beauty underneath the early morning sun.
His breath caught, wanting to kiss her. Not just for claim, but because he couldn’t shake the feeling that she was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen.
“Damn, look at that ass!” Kuang Jr. exclaimed in English beside Han. “Maybe she was worth all that money. I bet you’re hitting that every night.
Jasmine stilled. She’d definitely overheard Kuang Jr.’s words.
Han could only hope that she was smart enough not to let Kuang Jr. know that they hadn’t touched each other since the show they put on for him.
Actually, Jasmine turned around and did him one better.
“You ready for your surf lesson?” she asked Han as if she didn’t notice and couldn’t even see Kuang Jr. standing there.
Han could practically feel the snakehead fuming. This was another thing Kuang Jr. wasn't used to with this deliberately loud and flashy wardrobe. Getting ignored.
But the snakehead’s obvious anger suddenly cleared.
“You going to teach Han to surf?” he asked with a glance up toward the boards strapped to the roof of her Jeep Wrangler. The thing was ancient—at least fifteen—possibly twenty years old.
