Jungkook walked out of the club.
So…was that it?
He could not stand that man. It was one thing to want to protect his daughter from the son of his mortal enemy. But to tell Jungkook to sleep with her to get her out of his system…Jungkook was boiling now. Nobody treated Bora like that and got away with it.
Oh! That he could whisk her off to some tropical island and hide her away for the rest of their lives. His desire to protect her was growing exponentially. Every moment that she stayed ensnared in her appa’s evil plans was one moment too many.
Perhaps he should marry her. The question was…could it be done in secret? Could they get the proper papers without her father finding out? Probably. If he asked his own appa for help.
But then he’d owe him a favor. And Jungkook loathed the idea of being in any way beholden to the man. But, having met her father, Jungkook had ascertained that her appa was the more cold-blooded of the two men. Jungkook now knew he had a target on his back. Whether or not he married her.
So now, as he stood in the dark on the street corner, his sixth sense on guard, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. He feinted at just the right moment. And sent up a prayer of thanks for those taekwondo lessons. The baseball bat just barely grazed his shoulder instead of battering his head. Shoulder stinging, Jungkook leapt back as his hand slid into his jacket. He removed his gun in one smooth move as he faced his assailant.
“Brought a bat to a gun fight, eh?” Jungkook quirked one midnight eyebrow.
The man lowered the bat. He backed up. “I’ve been sent to kill you.”
“I figured,” Jungkook shrugged. He was oddly calm.
The next moment, they were swamped by security guards. Jungkook’s. He glanced around at them.
“I didn’t require your assistance,” he informed them.
He watched as they closed in on the man and removed the bat from his hands.
“What are you going to do with him?”
“That’s none of your affair, Jungkook. But you know the boss doesn’t take kindly to anyone threatening his son.”
The assailant’s eyes grew wide. “You’re the boss’s son?”
“Not your boss,” Jungkook replied, then quipped, “But I am trying to become his son-in-law. I’m guessing you’re proof that the engagement is off. In his mind, at least.”
Jungkook slid the gun back into his pocket. The door suddenly opened, and Bora came running towards him. He caught her in his arms. She buried her face against his chest. His hand came up and slid into the hair at the base of her head. His fingers splayed across the back of that beloved head as he lightly pressed her against him. He bent his head, and his voice grazed her ear.
“I love you, Bora. No matter what happens, always remember this. I love you.”
His words were a breath. A sweet breath. A terrifying breath.
She lifted her head. “What did he say?”
“I can’t fool him. He knows I love you. He also knows I hate the life and have no true desire to join the company.”
Bora stared at the guards surrounding them. Then she noticed the man they were detaining.
“Beomseok! What are you doing out here? Why are these men holding you?”
Jungkook glanced at the leader. He looked at the two men who each had one of Beomseok’s arms in their strong grasp. He picked up his chin and tossed it to the right, and the men began to drag Beomseok away.
Bora’s eyes grew wide. She looked up at Jungkook. “What are they doing with him?”
“You were right. Your appa isn’t playing any games. I’m guessing Beomseok isn’t really one of your father’s favorites. Is he?”
She shook her head. “He got in trouble a while back and has been looking to do my appa a favor.”
Jungkook nodded. “He tried to accomplish it tonight.”
She furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?”
“Come. Let’s walk.” He kept his arm around her and pulled her in the direction opposite the club.
They walked in silence, surrounded by bodyguards who were all on high alert. Eventually, Jungkook stopped a cab. He glanced at the guards.
“There’s no room at the inn for you all. You’ll have to catch your own ride.”
He urged Bora to get in and slid in behind her, then he shut the door in the face of his guards. But one of them climbed in the front seat before the taxi could leave. Jungkook sighed.
It was just as well. In case the driver worked for Lee Kwangjo.
Jungkook gave the man directions to his neighborhood but not his exact address. No one spoke after that simple set of instructions. Eventually, they reached the block before his. Jungkook spoke to the guard.
“Since you insisted on sharing our ride, you can pay for half.”
The man threw a large bill – which more than covered the entire charge – at the driver and climbed out before Jungkook could pull out his wallet.
“Let’s go,” spoke the anxious man. “I paid him more than enough for us all. Let’s get you tucked away in your apartment.”
Jungkook sighed. He wouldn’t be alone with Bora until they reached the safety of his apartment. When they entered it a few minutes later, he placed his finger against his lips. Then he pulled her towards the bathroom. Once they were inside the tiny room, he shut the door and turned on the faucet. He released her hand and bent to turn on the shower. Once the water was running loudly, he leaned down and whispered in her ear.
“I’m sure they’ve all bugged my apartment.”
Her eyes grew wide. She turned to breathe into his ear. “Kookie! What are we going to do now?”
He gazed down sorrowfully at his heart’s desire. After his first meeting with her father, he had believed the man loved her. At least a little. He’d seemed disturbed at the idea that she might end her own life. But tonight he had made it clear that he didn’t give one whit about her heart.
Jungkook wasn’t sure which he cherished more – her heart or her life. He knew only two things for certain. He wanted to protect them both, and he wouldn’t act less than honorably. Not towards Bora. And not in any other facet of his life. He could not do anything that hurt someone else. But how could he protect the girl he loved and still remain pure from the many stains that colored the lives of those in the company?
