Zero O'clock

05

A WEEK LATER

Kim Taehyung

I felt like the black sheep of the family as all my brothers gathered around the table. Jungkook looked at me,his eyes challenging. I could not miss the slight grin plastered across his face. It was like his mind was bare for me to read,he was pleased to see me in the hot seat. For a change,he wasn't the one occupying it. My eyes darted to Yoongi,as usual,he seemed not interested in whatever we were discussing,he wore a small scowl on his face as if he'd rather be somewhere else. Jin savoured the red steak in front of him,barely paying attention to us. How could he have bad eating habits and a body like that? I envied him sometimes. Hoseok wasn't as jolly as always, he seemed to ponder something really hard with his eyebrows pinched together. Jimin sat beside me,rubbing his hand up and down my back. I knew that even if they all refused to support my madness,he would never leave me.

"You're going to cancel whatever you have planned with Zola,"Namjoon said calmly with a pinch of authority.

"Oh,there goes the fun,"Jimin complained,earning himself a glare from Namjoon.

"Why would I do that?" I challenged. Namjoon was our leader,or at least he acted like it. He was older than me and I had always respected him but I refused to blindly follow him and his orders.

"You know what happened the last time you did this,"he reminded me,his voice calm still.

"Yes,I know. I remember perfectly. I lost that is why I'm not going to back down this time,"I said,steadying my mood.

"You lost? You took everything away from him. His wife,his daughter and he took your mom and sister. You didn't lose,you're even. Now,let it go,"his tone got firmer and venomous.

"Took them? He didn't take them,he murdered them. We're not even and I'm not letting it go,if you feel like it's too much for you,look the other way,don't try to stop me,"I said through gritted teeth as I pushed my chair back.

"Dammit,Tae! I said walk away from this!"he punched his fist against the table,grabbing everyone's attention. They knew him as a calm person without a temper and to act like this meant he was getting really pissed.

I chuckled. Finally,he shows that he's human. "This is my battle, I didn't ask you to fight Zola. He won't come after you,he doesn't have anyone nor the resources to mess with you. You don't have to worry."

"Why can't you just drop it and walk away? Why do you always have to spill blood?"He said as his judging eyes held mine.

"Why lead a life like this if you can't spill blood?"I asked as I turned to walk away.

"Tae,"Yoongi lazily called forcing me to face them again.

"Tell us about Anika,"he said,making the room fall silent as all eyes fixed on him.

"Shanika,"I corrected as I sat on my chair.

"He sent her to prison because he didn't want her to get caught up in the mess he'd created three years ago. He sent her there to protect her. She's the only person he's ever truly loved. I'm sure I don't have to explain why this makes her the perfect weapon,"I told them.

"But how sure are you that he truly loves her?" Hoseok finally snapped out of his thoughts.

"I'm one hundred percent sure. Zola was supposed to traffic her to Italy like he did the other girls. What do you think stopped him?"

"That doesn't prove anything. There could be any reason,"Jungkook said.

"Like what?" I challenged.

"I don't know,maybe he simply thought to keep her for himself. Maybe she's only his sex slave,nothing to do with love,"he reasoned.

"That's possible,"Jin said with a mouthful of roasted potatoes,making everyone turn to him briefly before looking at me disapprovingly.

I heaved out a sigh,"How about you just trust me?"

"Trust isn't enough to put our business and everyone around us in danger,"Namjoon pointed out.

"Yeah,Namjoon is right,so is Jungkook. I know how this looks guys,but we're brothers,if it's important to Tae..."Hoseok shrugged.

"Yeah,we can always rebuild the business. I say we give Tae the benefit of the doubt and support him,"Jimin said.

"No,guys. We're not even sure whether she's ever going to wake up. Even if she does,her body might not be strong enough for body packaging. I suggest you all think about this one long and hard first,"Jungkook said,making me roll my eyes.

It became dead silent once again,everyone seemed to think about their decision. Whether it really was worth it to risk everything because I was revenge parched.

As everyone was still on fence,someone knocked softly on the door.

Taki open the door slightly to peek inside,his eyes falling upon me. A signal.

I pushed back my chair and walked towards him.

"How's she?"I whispered impatiently.

"She's awake,"he whispered back.