Black Hand

15

I look over at the door. Ace has terror written on his face. I mean it's definitely fake terror but he plays the illusion very well. I don't understand why he is acting like this until he steps inside the house. I finally see the gun and following the path, I see it's Zora holding it. I scoff in disbelief. You have got to be kidding me.

"Zora?" I ask very confused.

"Hi Yoongi." He smirks. "So sorry to have to do this. You know especially after the night we had. It was quite something. I thought we had a spark, but turns out, I was just a one night stand. You, went back to this piece of wet lettuce. I mean come on! You have me right here. My dick is bigger than his. I could have given you so much more than him. God! You're stupid! Look at the profession you're in and look and the one he's in. One of these days he's going to have to choose between you and the badge."

He senses the tension in the room. "Oh hoho. Seems he's already chosen. And he chose the badge." Zora laughs. "With me, baby, you won't have to worry about what I'll choose. It's you and me agains the world. Just come with me. Forget this pathetic bastard."

"Zora I never went back to him. This is my house. He's staying here. Along with a few others. That's all it is. Come on. Put the gun down." I correct him.

Hartley looked over and does a double take. Behind Zora are two men. "Shit. They're the ones who attacked us." He concludes.

"You're positive?" Jungkook confirms. Hartley nods.

They all take another few steps inside the house. Ace is now standing in the middle of the living room with Zora just a few feet away. I step forward. Zora clicks his tongue, signaling that is a bad idea. I stop. But slowly remove a dagger from the sheath that's clipped onto the back of my jeans. I hold it down at my side. Namjoon pulls his gun out and raises it, aiming at Zora. Hartley and Jungkook do the same but at the two men behind Ash.

"You're outnumbered. Put the gun down." Jungkook seethes.

Zora laughs. Maniacally. Like what Jungkook said is some sort of joke. His men draw out their guns. They point them at Namjoon and Jungkook. While not quite evenly matched, Zora didn't seem to really be bothered.

Zora looks at me and cocks the gun. A revolver. "One bullet. Let's see if it kills him." Zora spins the barrel and pulls the trigger.

Empty.

Thank god. I take a careful step forward. "Zora, what do you want? I'll give you that. Just let him go." I pull out another dagger and hold it so that the blade was against my forearm.

"Ooo. Okay. Interesting. How about this." He thinks on it for a second. "You say he's your ex right. So, cut off contact with him. Date me. And I'll spare his life." His finger goes back on the trigger.

"For how long?" I look at Ace. Then at Zora. Back to Ace.

"Forever. Duh. I mean, seriously, Yoongi. You expect me to believe you thought I'd keep a statute of limitations on this?" Zora cackles. He squeezes the trigger.

Empty.

Two times the revolver fired. Which means there is a 4/6 chance the gun discharges a bullet. Ace's life isn't worth the risk. There's no harm done, right? Ace and I aren't together anymore. And despite what feelings we have for each other, there's no chance for any near future reconciliation. To keep him safe, and to keep me focused, this is the only choice I can make.

"What do you decide?" Zora is growing impatient. He pulls the trigger again. My heart races.

Empty.

3/6 chances. Time's ticking. There is a time bomb aimed at Ace's head. I have to make a decision and fast. Do I choose as a mafia leader or do I choose as a lover? The mission comes first. Always. It's something we're taught right from the beginning. All we are trained to do is kiss and kill. Not form deep relationships with people. When Ace came into my life there was another option. Kiss and marry. Right now, at this very moment, I have to choose to kiss and kill or kiss and marry.

"I agree to the terms." I finally say. Namjoon and Jungkook are in shock. Hartley is stunned. Ace looks at me with a disheartened look.

Zora uncocked the revolver and put it back in its sheath. "Good choice. Let's go boyfriend." He stresses on the word to make a point.

"Zora. Can I say my goodbyes? Two minutes." I request. He nods. Him and his goons wait outside.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Namjoon curses.

"It was the only way to keep you all alive." I defend. "I also have ulterior motives. He's a former Lycus Elites member. Which means he's got info I can use against EmberWing. But the only way I can get it, is to get close to him."

"What can we do in the meantime?" Jungkook asks.

"I want you and Namjoon in Warsaw. Taehyung can use some help. Namjoon remember what I said. Take them out. I want it done right away." I say sternly. Namjoon nods. While he doesn't like the idea, he had to follow orders.

"Jungkook, Hartley, assist Namjoon and Taehyung however you can. But also, take some time and enjoy each other. We might not be able to when shit starts to go down."

Hartley interlocks his fingers with Jungkook's. "Got it. When do you want us to leave?"

"Tonight. Or tomorrow. Use the jet." I suggest.

"What about me?"

I turn around and face Ace. Here we go. "I need you to collect info on Keith Choi. I mean whether or not he's a phoenix member, there is some reason he tried to arrest me. I mean why? I have nothing with the guy... Unless.." I smack myself in the back of the head. "The year you and I met, it was the same year I left the Lycus Elites. I joined the Black Hand 4 months later. And that's around when I met you." I start piecing together.

"O....kay?" He's not following.

"He's been following me since I left Lycus Elites. Meaning this has to predate my father, EmberWing, all of it. We got his timeline wrong! Okay great. I have two reasons to be with Zora right now." I wrap things up. My two minutes have already ended. "Listen, I love you all. Okay. I'll be fine. You guys be careful. Namjoon call me as soon as you land. Ace, good luck." I turn to leave the house. Zora walks inside to take me. But stops, holds me in his arms and pulls me in for a kiss. His eyes dart to Ace. To make it real, I kiss him back. Ace squirms, looking away. We part and holding my hand, Zora leads me out of the house.