For the next forty eight, time ceased to exist in that wet, vast warehouse. Jungkook remained strapped to the chair, a broken puppet in an endless cycle of physical and psychological torture.
Minhun didn't show his face during those agonising two days, leaving his four, stone-faced mercenaries to do the dirty job and they treated Jungkook with the cruelest, mindless brutality of men slaughtering livestock.
They doused him with big buckets of ice cold water, the shock tearing raw, gasping wails from his dry throat as his body spasmed in violent, uncontrollable pangs.
They struck his face with heavy punches, opening fresh cuts over his cheekbones or reopening old ones, swelling his right eye shut till his whole world was reduced to a dark, black - red blur.
No food reached his lips, no water touched his tongue. They left him suspended in his own filth, uncontrollably trembling in the drenched draft of the concrete.
His body was a map of agonising trauma, bruised, feverish and utterly spent but his mind was far worse. The physical pain was nothing compared to the staggering horror of the truth he now carried.
Each time he drifted towards unconsciousness, Taehyung's face and haunted eyes invaded his mind. Taehyn wasn't a lover but a murdered kid, paying the heavy price of being loved by Tae.
Taehyung's coldness, his well guarded heart, and his horrific past wasn't arrogance. It was the bleeding wound of an uncle who had lost his favourite nephew to a sick monster.
Jungkook's chin rested weakly against his bone - dry collarbone, his hot tears blending with the cold water dripping from his matted hair.
The horrific realisation that his life was ending there, bound to a chair, waiting to be handed to a drug cartel boss like a piece of meat, dissolved what little remained of his spirit.
Death would be a lot easier.
At least it would be quick.
Becoming a junky and being abused and raped by twisted, old men was the cruelest punishment for Minhun's jealousy and for loving Taehyung.
He didn't scream anymore when the fists landed on his face and stomach just clenched his teeth and endured it. Thick, red blood gushed out of his nose, cheeks and the corner of his slit mouth.
He didn't flinch when buckets of ice water splashed onto his aching body, ramping up the shivering.
He simply stared blankly at the wet concrete, his feverish heart fluttering erratically against his ribs, waiting for the dark to finally swallow him.
____________________
Miles away across the bustling heart of Seoul, Taehyung was transforming into a dangerous, unhinged beast. Two more days had passed and Taehyung's world had completely eradicated.
His empire was abandoned, dumping the workload on SeoJoon, managers and his business partner from Black Swan were frantically calling his dead phone, his immense fortune, his political connections and his army of private security were proving utterly useless against the shadowy syndicate that had him trapped in hell.
Taehyung hadn't slept in over ninety six hours. He hadn't eaten. He lived on black coffee, whiskey and pure, toxic desperation and guilt. His once broad frame was visibly hollowed out, his expensive, tailored suit substituted by plain jeans and T-shirts, his dark hair wild and his red rimmed eyes burning with raw panic that terrified anyone who even dared glance at him.
He was spiraling. Each passing second felt like a piercing blade cutting through his chest and twisting deeper and deeper. He could feel Jungkook's pain across the city, an unprecedented, phantom ache radiating through his own bones.
The company, his penthouse, the whole of Seoul felt as if they were dangerously closing around him, suffocating him. Nothing mattered anymore. His nephew was sent back to Daegu, his family kept calling him with worry but he had no time for that.
He had to find Jungkook.
In a fit of complete, unadulterated madness, Taehyung stormed out of his penthouse and found himself behind the wheel of his sports car, driving through the roaring streets of the city.
He didn't drive to his penthouse or Seojoon's house.
He drove south, pulling over at the curb of a modest, residential street, the chilling air quietly hitting against the windshields of his car. His gaze looked up at the seventh floor of an apartment building where a soft, yellow light glowed against the dimless night.
Jungkook and Jimin's apartment.
He killed the engine and stepped out into the sudden downpour that had started seconds ago. The rain instantly soaked through his black, leather jacket, plastering his messy hair to his forehead but he didn't care.
He just stood in the middle of the road, staring up at the window, hands clenched to fists, wondering if it was the right thing to do. He had no right to be there, no right to ask for help. Days ago, he had shown nothing but arrogance while Jimin and Yoongi stripped away their souls revealing the truth he was too blind to face, cursing him for destroying Jungkook.
He was the villain of the story.
He was the monster who had wrecked Jungkook's life and had killed their baby.
Yet, he stood outside the apartment, totally helpless, reduced to a pathetic, desperate beggar with nowhere else to go.
His legs felt like lead as he dragged them into the huge lobby, climbing up the stairs to the seventh floor because the mere thought of getting into the elevator suffocated him, his wet sneakers tracing wet patterns on the marble stairs.
He waited in the narrow, dimly lit corridor outside Jimin's threshold. His tall frame hovered in the shadow, his chest rising and falling in hollow, jagged gasps as he raised his long, shaky hand towards the doorbell.
For a few long, agonising minutes he couldn't bring himself to ring it. His hand hung in the air, so violently trembling his knuckles rattled against each other till they turned to a tight fist.
The unbearable shame, the crushing guilt and the absolute fear of being thrown out almost brought him to his knees.
" Beg for help, idiot. Your pride means nothing. Find him." he whispered in the empty corridor.
Taehyung shut his eyes, tears running freely down his wan cheeks mixing with the rainwater and let his trembling knuckles strike the white door.
____________________
The door opened just an inch before Jimin's eyes adjusted to the wet shadow standing in the dim corridor and the wreck of a man drooping on his doormat.
The second the warm hall light caught a glimpse of the ruined, rain soaked frame of the almighty Kim, Jimin's face contorted into pure, instinctual disgust.
Before Taehyung could even open his mouth to speak, Jimin grabbed the edge of the door and slammed it to his face with a thundering bang that rattled the walls.
" Jimin..."
" Get the fuck out of the building before I kill you." Jimin yelled, taking deep breaths to calm his raging heart.
Yoongi's low, steady voice cut through the quiet space from where he was standing on the counter, his sharp gaze pinned firmly on the door. He slowly set his coffee mug down on the counter, fingers holding the edge and said."Open the door,Jimin."
" No." Jimin barked, his whole body shaking with rage and fury, his hands balled into tight fists. " I warned him if he ever showed his face near me, I'd kill him myself. He doesn't get to step foot in this house."
" Jimin."
" Gimme one good reason."
" He didn't come here as Kim." Yoongi's voice said calmly, leaning back against the counter, his eyes unreadable. " He came as Taehyung. Look at him. He's bleeding. Hear him out,baby." He shook his head to the right ." Then kill him if that makes you happy."
Jimin let out a harsh, shaky breath, his jaw grinding as he shut his eyes, opened them, forcing his fingers back onto the metal lock. He turned the handle and yanked the door open again.
Taehyung stood frozen on the doormat, completely drenched, rainwater pooling around his dirty, white sneakers, his broad shoulders slouching inwards as if the weight of the world was crushing his spine.
His handsome face was a ghastly, hollow mask, his eyes crimson red, swollen, dark circles covering them, his hair plastered to his forehead and his jaw held rough, dark stubble.
His head snapped up, his bloodshot, teary eyes locking onto Jimin's rageful ones and the arrogant, untouchable titan of the Kim empire collapsed onto his knees right there on the threshold.
" Jimin... please... I beg you..." Taehyung sobbed, voice cracking into a jagged, pathetic plea as he pressed his palms flat against the cold marble, bowing his head until his forehead and hair swept the wet mat. " Please... ten minutes... just give me ten minutes... I'll leave after that... I'll let you do whatever you want... hit me... kill me... but please... give me ten minutes. "
Jimin was struck dumb, sneering down his nose, his chest heaving while staring down at the man who had destroyed his brother's soul to pieces, now sobbing on his threshold like a broken, condemned man.
Kim Taehyung was a ghost of himself, guilt and despair was written all over his face. " Ten minutes. " Jimin spat out, his voice sharp, deprived of warmth and gentleness but laced with poison as he stepped back, leaving the door wide open. " You get ten minutes. Talk fast or I'm throwing you out."
Taehyung forced his shaky legs under him, dragging his soaked body inside the warm apartment but didn't dare to move closer to them towards the couch. He stood near the doorway, shivering, fresh tears brimming down his face, mixing with the rainwater streaming from his jaw.
" I love him." Taehyung choked out, his tone violently shuddering as he grabbed onto his own chest, his fingers digging into his wet jacket over his raging heart. " I am hopelessly, madly, obsessively in love with Jungkook. I have been for a long time... since the moment I first saw him..."
" Yet, you destroyed him." Yoongi observed calmly.
Jimin folded his arms over his chest, biting his lip and his anger before curling it in utter disgust only because he actually wanted to hear his ridiculous excuses and see him begging." Don't you dare stand here and lie to me Kim! You can't love. You don't even know the meaning of the word."
" I'm not... I met Jungkook at a café on a Monday morning long before the club. " Tae wept, his broad back harshly shaking in violent, agonising pangs as his memory flooded his foggy mind. " He was standing at the queue, humming a tune... he looked so handsome, so stunning, so bright like he was made of pure light. For months I couldn't erase his face, couldn't stop thinking about him... and when I bought the club... there he was! Behind the bar, smiling, radiating a magnetism I have never seen before. I thought God had smiled at me! But his eyes held so much resentment and disgust for me. Despite my efforts, he kept reminding me he was straight, had zero interest in me and often gave me a piece of his mind."
Taehyung forced out a dry chuckle." So I did what I always do. I hid my feelings under a fake pretence. I acted like a fucken sex addict, making him think I was fucking around while truth was... I haven't touched or slept with anyone since that Monday morning. I won't lie... I tried but the thought of being with someone else made me nauseous. My body rejected any other touch besides Jungkook's. "
Taehyung dropped his face into his trembling hands, his shoulders shaking as he let out a raw, ugly cry of utter despair. " I fucked up. I've got no excuses. None. I was arrogant, selfish and terrified of being vulnerable. I was so set on being right that I looked into the eyes of the boy who loved me more than anything and called him a liar. I threw him out because I was blinded by jealousy... I let him lose our baby and face it alone... I didn't even listen..."
Jimin's eyes flashed with a suppressed, lethal rage as he took four aggressive steps towards him, pointing his trembling index finger straight at Taehyung's chest. " Spare me the sentimental crap, Kim. You make me sick. " he wailed, frantically tapping his finger on his stern. " You stand here crying about your regret but it doesn't change a damn thing. When the time came to protect him, you failed. You chose to believe the lies someone had planted and now my brother is gone. Whatever garbage comes out of your mouth, I ain't buying it."
He sucked in a deep breath." What about your new lover? Huh? Hypocritical asshole! The moment he returned you went crawling back to him and forgot all about Jungkook. He was a liability. Something to discard before your lover found out about his existence. So don't you dare talk about loving Jungkook. "
" THAT'S NOT MY LOVER! " Taehyung barked, his voice hoarse and vibrating through the entire apartment, his teary eyes wide with fierce, terrifying desperation as he closed the distance between them by taking one step. "God help me, he's not my lover. He's my nephew, Jaejoon. My sister's younger son. He came to Seoul in search of university and I... I let Jungkook think he's... my lover. "
Jimin stared at him in utter confusion, his arm slowly dropping while his brows knitted together." What...? Jaejoon? Why lie? Why torture him like that? Throwing him out and stepping on his pride wasn't enough for you? Cursing him and calling him names wasn't enough? You had to completely break him? Why...?"
" Don't know... Jimin I honestly don't know... anger, jealousy." He sighed."My stupid ego... the thought of him in bed with someone else... the thought that he had so easily slept with someone who wasn't me while I had been rejected so many times by him in the past..."
" You still had no right to treat him like shit."
Taehyung's head was still bowing and staring at the floor." I'm sorry... I screwed up..."
Jimin's brows creased." Then who the fuck is Taehyn? Jungkook heard you whispering his name in your sleep..."
Yoongi, who had been carefully listening from the living room, warily straightened up from the couch, his sharp eyes narrowing and landing on Taehyung's slumped frame." You better explain yourself Kim. It seems you've got plenty of secrets."
Taehyung took a deep breath and wiped the tears from his eyes and cheeks with his trembling fingers. He had to come clean. Tell them everything in order to gain even a fraction of trust. " Taehyn... is my nephew... who went missing about two years ago." he rasped out, balling his fists and staring at the wet floor beneath his feet. " My family... We've been living in a nightmare since the day he vanished. I've been searching for him for years, pouring millions into finding him... but nothing. Not a damn solid clue of what happened." Taehyung choked, his chest heaving as he attempted to find his breath. " I failed... I failed to protect him... just like Jungkook. They were both taken from me..."
An unbearable, stuffing silence covered the room, broken only by heavy breathing and droplets of water dripping from Taehyung's jacket.
Yoongi walked over, standing next to Jimin, his expression rather hard to read as he meticulously studied Kim's face. ' Another one gone missing from Taehyung's life? Too many coincidences.' Yoongi thought to himself. And Min Yoongi didn't believe in coincidences. Kim was either the unluckiest bastard on earth or a damn good target.
" And the club? Why did you buy it? It's not exactly the most brilliant or lucrative investment for a billionaire of your status." The idea forming in his head and his suspicions needed either confirmation or a freaking good explanation because something didn't add up.
Kim Taehyung wasn't the type of guy to make such an unnecessary investment out of the blue. Therefore, something else was hidden behind his decision.
Taehyung's eyes flashed with a dark, soul wrecking grief. He had to be honest for once in his miserable life because so far handling things alone had proven catastrophic. "Because the last thing I've got is a surveillance video of my nephew running in panic from that club before he vanished. I discovered he was a regular there. I spent months tearing through their internal servers, trying to find a single paper trail, a name connected to Taehyn but..."
" Go on." Yoongi urged him calmly, gulping hard because he was scared his instincts were right and there was more. " You're on to something, aren't you?"
Taehyung looked up at the two men, his red rimmed eyes completely empty of the arrogance they once held, leaving only a shattered, desperate uncle and a grieving lover." SeoJoon and I discovered illegal activities right through the club. Under our noses for years. Money laundering, drug cartels... human trafficking. We found ghost company shells around Europe and a name... Akuma."
Yoongi's body stiffened. He had heard the name before. A myth. Not human, not really existing, just the deadliest, most dangerous ghost in the underworld even the Yakuza feared. " Sure about the name?"
" Yes." Taehyung whispered almost lifelessly, neglecting to trace the slight trembling in Yoongi's voice.
Jimin's head suddenly snapped to the side as his eyes fixed on his boyfriend's gaze that had hardened into a cold, analytical focus.
" Akuma is a ghost." Yoongi blurted out without blinking." And you can't catch a fucking ghost. If he's involved, it's getting more and more complicated. We have been chasing him for years and always end up empty-handed. Not even the Yakuza touches him. "
" Apparently everyone says that. But I don't give a shit. I'll fight the devil if I have to. He doesn't scare me more than losing Jungkook." Taehyung spoke firmly and resolutely, which seemed in total contradiction to his slumped posture,balling his fists on his thighs.
" They used your blind spot. They created the right diversion to distract your attention, let your guards down and snatch Jungkook. That's on you."
" I know." Taehyung squeezed his eyes shut, bowing his head as a broken sob tore from his throat." I can't find him... my money... my power... my empire... it's useless... I can't find him... please I need help... your help... please..."
Jimin huffed but he wasn't sure if it was from his boiling rage, the shocking truth about the club, his nephew or seeing Kim so freaking vulnerable, begging for help. Perhaps it was a combination of everything. " I'm sorry about your nephew. But that doesn't excuse your behaviour to Jungkook so no matter how much you beg and cry, you're still a pathetic asshole and you're not forgiven."
" I don't deserve your forgiveness and I won't ask for it. I just want to find him, bring him back to us." Taehyung replied in a shaky voice and surprisingly sounded sincere, choosing his words very carefully.
Yoongi on the other hand, stood motionless in the centre of the room, beside Jimin, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his dark jeans. He stared at the ruthless, untouchable billionaire now bent double in front of them, soaked to the bone, sobbing and begging for help, crushed by the oppressive weight of the tragedy he was facing.
Gradually, Yoongi let out a long, measured exhale, turning his head toward the window, watching the faint rainbow covering the sky, his jaw tightening as he weighed his options and the dangerous line he was about to cross.
" Taehyung." Yoongi spoke, his deep, raspy voice carrying a sudden, oddly sharp weight that made Jimin swallow his words and pin his eyes on him.
Kim forced his crimson red eyes up from the floor, his breathing coming out in shallow hitches.
" You've been playing a very dangerous game with the club. Risking too much. You actually thought you were being subtle while in fact you were walking through a minefield blindfolded. " he said quietly, stepping closer and standing directly in front of Tae.
Taehyung swallowed hard, his Adam apple bobbing hard, his vocal cords scraping against each other. " I had no choice. It was the only lead I had to my nephew... I had to take risks. "
" I know. I would have done the same thing." Yoongi agreed softly as he drew a deep breath, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a leather wallet, flipping it open in his palm. A silver badge glowed under the warm light, right beside a laminated state, identification card.
" Yoongi..." Jimin exclaimed in total shock but it was too late.
" I'm a police officer, not a bodyguard at your club, Kim. " Yoongi revealed, his dark eyes holding Taehyung's stunned gaze. " I've been working undercover with the National Police Agency's Organised Crime Task Force at the Black Swan for almost two years now. There's a whole international syndicate operating out of east Asia and your club is the centre. We knew about the illegal activities for quite some time but lacked solid evidence. So I was sent to investigate and somehow that man in the photos Jimin showed you, Minhun, is involved. Haven't figured out how or why yet but he knew something."
Jimin's mouth split open, his head instantly shifting towards his boyfriend in absolute astonishment and disbelief at why he would reveal his identity to Kim but to everyone's surprise Taehyung didn't even gasp. He didn't flinch.
Instead a sudden, massive relief washed over Taehyung 's haunted face and troubled soul. He stared at the badge as a single, jagged breath escaped his dry throat and his eyes shut for a brief moment. In the middle of that absolute nightmare, finding out that Min Yoongi was a highly skilled officer holding the law in his hands felt like a light at the end of the tunnel.
" A cop... you're a cop..." Taehyung uttered in one breath as his eyes pinned on the man, his hands shaking against his knees. He stood up, legs trembling and grabbed him by the shoulders." Thank God! Yoongi please tell me you've got something. Tell me you know who's behind it... who took my Jungkook?"
Yoongi concealed his obvious surprise behind his sharp, professional mask as he tucked his badge back into his pocket. " Haven't got a clue.My investigation has reached a dead end. All I know so far is that it's connected to you and most likely the club."
Yoongi paused and then continued, strongly rubbing his jaw. " We have been tracking the money laundering, probably linked to the shell accounts you found. Human trafficking, narcotics, extortions all run through the VIP rooms of your club. We knew someone high up in the underworld was steering the ship but each time we got too close to a name, the trail was scrubbed. Whoever orchestrates this isn't just a normal criminal. He's a ghost. A sociopath with unlimited sources and Akuma fits the description." Yoongi slowly removed Taehyung 's hands from his collar, handing him a clean towel to wipe the rainwater and signaling them to move to the couch.
" The night Jungkook was abducted we found his Harley in an alley, identified the stolen plates from the vans that took him but they managed to burn them. Even my contacts at the FBI have no infos about the organisation. We're acting as an auto pilot for now. "
" Then what do we do?" Taehyung wiped the water from his face and clothes as much as he could, taking a seat on the couch, wet hair still sticking on his forehead. " My men are worthless. Your task force is chasing ghosts and Jungkook is still missing. Every second we stay here doing nothing, causes more pain on him. I can't handle that... I'm losing my mind.."
Before Yoongi could reply, the unexpected ringing of Jimin's phone cut the tension in the house. He flinched, instinctively grabbing his phone from the table. The screen glowed with Seojoon's name and he swiped the screen, pressing the phone to his ear.
" Seojoon hyung?" Jimin answered, his heart thumping against his ribs and his voice breathless and high-pitched with worry.
" Jimin, is Taehyung with you? Can't find him anywhere." Seojoon's calm voice echoed through the line, heavy with an eerie, dangerous composure.
" He's here. " Jimin confirmed, glancing up at Kim who was staring at him with wide eyes. "Did you find anything?
There was a brief pause." Not exactly but I was just on the phone with Wooshik. He reached out to a connection he has in Italy. Help is on the way. "
Jimin's brows furrowed in confusion, his fingers squeezing the device and his teeth chewing on his lower lip." What connection? What are you talking about?"
" Wooshik called in for a favour. " Seojoon replied, the sound of a roaring, car engine humming in the background of the phone." Two years ago he saved someone's life, someone's husband and has secured direct, military - grade intervention through that." Jimin heard him breathing heavily." Don Damiano De Luca. The Godfather of the De Luca syndicate and the undeniable power of the underworld. He is deploying an elite tactical team into Seoul as we speak. I'm heading to the airport right now. They have private satellite tracking and ground forces that don't answer to the law or red tape."
Jimin's bulges popped out, gasping softly and clutching the phone tighter to his ear. " A... a Don? You're bringing the mafia into this..? "
" No. We're bringing you an army," SeoJoon corrected him firmly. " Because whoever took Jungkook isn't a petty, street gang. They are a cartel. You can't fight them with lawyers or the police. I'm bringing them over to your apartment as soon as they land. Stand by. The Don's commander Rocco Bellini is escorting the team. We'll find him, Jimin." After that the line went dead, giving Jimin no room for arguments.
They needed help. And frankly he didn't care who offered it as long as it brought Jungkook back to them.
Jimin gradually lowered his phone till it was set on the coffee table, his face pale, his gaze drifting between the two men sitting on his couch. He sure didn't know how to tell them a mafia boss sent help, especially to Yoongi. "That was... Seojoon." the younger lisped in a trembling voice." He said Wooshik brought in a friend for... help. A mafia Don from Italy... Damiano De Luca. He's already sending heavy armed forces to Seoul to locate Jungkook. "
Two sets of eyes stared back at him in utter astonishment. Yoongi abruptly jolted up from the couch, fingers running through his hair and his eyes held an unadulterated shock. " No." He recognised the name. The most heartless, notorious Godfather in the world. He was practically untouchable!
Even his name brought shivers to his enemies.
Il Mietirore, the Reaper.
His mind, trained for over fifteen years in strict constitutional law and police protocol, violently rebelled at the words he had just heard. " Are you fucking kidding me? Are you insane? A Godfather ? A mobster? I'm a cop. I can't cooperate with an international crime syndicate. Do you have any idea what happens if the feds or my captain find out I aligned a police operation with the De Luca family?"
" Wooshik saved his husband's life and he owes him a favour. " Jimin explained." He's here to repay it. I... I..."
" We do not associate with criminals. He's extremely dangerous." Yoongi barked out, breathing heavily." He kills first then asks questions."
" I don't give a fuck about your badge, your morals or the police. " Taehyung snarled, popping up from the couch and taking a few, aggressive steps towards Yoongi, his eyes flashing with a raw, terrifying desperation." I don't care if it's the police, the syndicate, the freaking military or the devil himself. If the Don can find where they are keeping Jungkook, I will shake his hand, kiss his feet and burn the entire damn city to the ground beside him. "
" Kim, just think for a second. It's too risky." Yoongi tried to argue, his chest rising and falling as his internal, moral compass locked in a brutal war with his love for Jungkook.
" NO! YOU THINK! " Taehyung screamed at the top of his burning lungs, his raspy voice cracking with an agonising, raw grief as he snatched Yoongi's collar again, his knuckles turning stark white. " They've got Jungkook. My man is bleeding and fighting for his life. He lost our baby. He believes I betrayed him. He's dying every single second we do nothing and honestly I don't give a fuck about the law anymore! I want to find him. Bring back to me. I just want my Jungkook back. So swallow your goddamn pride and help us. "
Yoongi made no effort to yank him off. He only stared at Taehyung's broken face and red rimmed eyes. Then his gaze shifted to Jimin who was simply sitting on the couch, his hands balled into tight fists and his eyes begging for him to agree.
Then back to Kim. He saw the determination, the need to hold on to something, the absolute, terrifying truth. Taehyung was ready to die if it meant saving Jungkook.
And deep down, past his badge, his oath to serve and protect, past his duty... Yoongi saw Jungkook. He knew that his precinct's slow, bureaucratic channels would only lead them to Jungkook's cold corpse.
Yoongi shut his tired eyes, sucking in a slow, deep breath, swallowing every drop of professional reluctance and doubt. It wasn't a different choice.
When he finally opened them, the officer was long gone, replaced by a ruthless brother who would burn heaven and hell to bring Jungkook home. " Fine." he uttered, his tone dropping into a deadly cold whisper as he reached out and shoved Taehyung 's hands off his T- shirt."But warn this De Luca proxy that if his men step one foot out of line in my territory, I'll put a bullet in them myself. No matter the cost. Now if they have the satellite coordinates to find Jungkook..."
Yoongi hoisted his head, looking at the two men, the muscles on his jaw locking. " ... we move tonight."
____________________
The hands of the white, metallic clock hanging on the wall behind Taehyung moved with a cruel, mechanical indifference. Taehyung had changed into dry clothes, holding a cup of warm, mint tea between his cold fingers.
Two hours crept by in the earsplitting silence of the apartment. Every sharp click of the clock hit Taehyung 's eardrums like a clap of thunder, a deafening reminder that every passing second was a second Jungkook spent drowning in blood and pain.
The heavy tension in the room was so thick it felt physically unbearable. Yoongi's tall frame stood by the window, his arms crossed over his thumping chest, lips parted, his breath caught in his throat while loitering outside in the starry, night sky.
Jimin sat on the edge of the couch, his elbows on his trembling knees, his foot nervously tapping on the floor, his hands buried in his hair as quiet tears occasionally dripped down his cheeks and sweatpants.
Taehyung was sitting on the couch across from him, his tall figure utterly motionless, his swollen eyes staring blankly at the floor, mug still at hand and tea growing cold. His mind was a chaotic, dizzying blur of anguish, haunted by the ghost of his unborn baby, the crashing weight of his betrayal and the terrified image of Jungkook bleeding alone in the dark.
' Time... we don't have time... we can't afford to lose another second... Jungkook needs me...' Taehyung thought, a crushing weight settling over his chest, stealing his breath as cold sweat broke out across his forehead.
Time...
We're running out of time...
Time...
All of the sudden, as if a lightning bolt had struck straight through the foggy, paralyzed mist of his troubled brain, Taehyung 's eyes blew open. The staggering despair in his chest instantly vanished and was replaced by an unexpected, violent surge of adrenaline that made his pulse roar in his ears.
He bolted upright from the couch so fast, the mug slipping from his hands and crashing on the floor, shuddering into pieces.
" THE WATCH! " Taehyung shouted, his high-pitched,deep voice breaking and startling the other two men.
Jumin jumped up, his hands flying to his chest."Watch...? What watch..?"
" How did I not think about it before? The watch!" Taehyung's palm landed on his own cheek as he repeated hysterically. " The watch." The watch on his wrist. The one I bought him. The watch! " He rushed to the pile of wet clothes stuffed in a corner next to the door, dropping to his knees, his hands frantically shoving inside the pockets, pulling out his phone with wild, manic speed. " The watch.." He sounded like a mad man, his eyes moving left and right.
Yoongi ran to his side, grabbed bim by the shoulders and pulled him back up, his sharp eyes narrowing into cold focus." Get a grip of yourself Kim. What's with the watch?"
Taehyung's gaze, lost and unfocused, was still on the phone in his hand." Aftrer... after that explosion in Thailand... I got scared for Jungkook so I installed a microscopic, GPS chip into the watch face to track him at all times... I couldn't risk it... I couldn't risk Jungkook getting hurt, not after what happened to Taehyn. I swear to God I only wanted him to be safe..." Taehyung yelled, his thumb frantically swiping across the glowing screen, his body shaking while opening his private security application.
" Was Jungkook wearing the watch when he was taken?" Yoongi asked a stunned Jimin in a raw voice.
" I... I don't know... can't remember...maybe..." Jimin stuttered, looking left and right as if he was seeking confirmation from someone.
" Go search his room." Yoongi ordered and Jimin ran to Jungkook's bedroom, searching every drawer, every corner of the room, throwing clothes and personal items everywhere in a hurry and sprinted back to the living room out of breath.
" The watch... it's not in the room..."
Taehyung's fingers squeezed around the device ready to open the app but Yoongi stopped him." I can do it..."
" We need professional help." Yoongi cut him off impatiently and he didn't waste a single minute. He yanked his official police phone from his belt, pressed one button and placed it to his ear.
" Partner? What's up? Thought it was your day off. " Hobi' s cheerful voice came through the speaker with the usual background heavy clicking on the computer while chewing on a triple chocolate cookie.
" Hobi, listen to me very carefully." Yoongi abruptly commanded in an audible whisper. "I'm sending a private server link from Taehyung's phone to your terminal right now. It's a tracking signal embedded in a watch. Run the frequency through the department's mainframe and find Jungkook's location."
" On it." Hobi responded, the rapid tapping of his fingers on the keyboard instantly clattering over the line. A few agonising seconds of dead silence stretched out, the tension in the apartment rising to fever pitch. " I'm intercepting the ping... it's faint Yoongi. Extremely weak. Give me a second... The signal is buried under heavy concrete or deep underground but it's still barely active. I've got a locked coordinate. Sending it to Taehyung's phone."
Taehyung took a sharp, deep inhale stepping closer to Yoongi's phone." Where is he? Where do they have him?"
" An abandoned industrial complex in the West District." Hobi ungently reported. " Warehouse 15, near the old shipping docks by the river. Want me to send backups?"
Yoongi hesitated for a microsecond, thinking of the mafia convoy arriving and Rocco Bellini and he didn't want to complicate things further. Involving the police was too risky because he knew how they operated. They had procedures and a specific protocol to follow and by then it might be too late. " Hold them on for now."
" You're not thinking of going alone! " Hobi shouted through the device.
" I'm not. Help is coming. Hobi, don't ask me anything more. Don't get involved in this. Please. Let me handle it." Yoongi stated, his eyes burning with a dark, deadly fire.
Hobi didn't insist. He understood that his partner already had something else in mind."Have it your way but call me the moment you want me to send the meds and the SOU."
" Got it. We'll be in touch." he agreed and the call was disconnected.
" Let's go!" Taehyung barked, charging towards the door without waiting for another word.
The three men sprinted down the stairwell, their hectic, heavy footsteps echoing wildly in the building and burst through the glass doors of the lobby into the chilly night. The street was still wet from the torrential downpour and they were about to dash towards their cars when the high-pitched screech of tires tore through the quiet night.
A massive, terrifying convoy of ten pitch black, armored SUVs, a huge MediTram, another unidentified huge truck and a black sedan rounded the street corner at lethal speed. They hurtled through the silence, creating towering walls of spray, and slammed to a halt directly at the entrance of the building, totally blocking the road.
Seojoon lowered his car window but didn't get out, his hands tightly clutched around the steering wheel as he stared at his friend without uttering a single word. They had no time for that.
The clock was ticking.
The heavy doors of the lead vehicle simultaneously swung open. A dozen men in full, black, tactical gear, carrying suppressed assault rifles and wearing grim, merciless expressions, poured out into the night, forming a defensive perimeter around the entrance.
From the rear passenger seat of the lead SUV, a tall, imposing figure slowly stepped out. Draped in a black tailored suit over his broad shoulders, his ink black, intricate mafia tattoos crawled up from his chest to his thick neck and his eyes were cold, calculated and sharp as a surgical steel.
Rocco Bellini.
The legendary Head of Security of the Godfather.
Yoongi's hand instinctively reached for the concealed sidearm at his waist, his cop instincts flaring but Taehyung quickly walked past him, standing face-to-face with the giant.
" I am Rocco Bellini. Head security of the Godfather. Heard you had a problem. We are here to assist."The man spoke in English with an obvious Italian accent.
" Kim Taehyung." Tae impatiently replied, his body freezing at the view of the giant inches away.
Rocco didn't even flinch at the sight of the unhinged billionaire dressed in tight, blue jeans and a black hoodie nor did he blink at the cold, murderous expression of Yoongi standing behind him. He simply reached into his jacket suit, pulling out a heavy, high - caliber handgun, checking it with a smooth, mechanical practiced flick of his wrist before setting it back into place.
" Mr Kim." Rocco spoke again, his voice a sharp, gravely baritone lined with a heavy European accent that actually brought shivers down Jimin's spine who hid behind his boyfriend's frame. " Don De Luca sends his regards. We have been informed of the situation. "
" We found him." Taehyung blurted out, pointing a hand towards the west." An abandoned warehouse by the docks in the West district. But we need to move now. "
" The cops?" Rocco's calculated gaze landed on Yoongi. He had done his homework. He knew he was an officer of the law.
" They won't get in the way. " Yoongi's reply was immediate, staring back at him with the same calculated look. " But if you..."
He didn't get the chance to finish the sentence." We won't. We came to help. Not stir trouble. " Rocco slightly tossed his head backwards, a tiny, dark, untamed glint flashing in his dangerous eyes as he calmly gestured towards the heavily armed vehicles and his strike team but the corner of his eyes was stuck on Yoongi.
He found Min Yoongi pleasantly amusing and Rocco wasn't easily impressed, especially by a cop. Yet this one was different, willing to put aside his instincts to help his family. Rocco valued the concept of family and loyalty.
" The cops bring sirens, red tape and questions, Mr. Min." Rocco said, a sly grin coating his kips, his voice dropping into a chilling, absolute declaration of war that screamed with undisputed power as he turned his eyes back to Tae. " The De Luca family brings judgment. Whoever is holding your man... tell them to pray to whatever God they believe in because neither heaven nor hell will reach them tonight."
Rocco wasted no time as he spun around and threw open the passenger door of his armoured SUV. " Get in. We burn the place to the ground. And we're getting your man back. "
Without a second thought, Taehyung and Jimin practically jumped inside the SUV and plopped onto the leather seat but Yoongi hesitated... only for a brief moment. Then he got in, slumping next to his boyfriend and opposite Rocco.
The doors slammed shut, the engines roared to life like thunderous beasts and the massive convoy blazed through the streets of Seoul, speeding towards the West District to reclaim Jeon Jungkook.