Crime, Betrayal, and Love (A Seventeen Street Racing AU)

LI | How Things Change

"What do you mean he stopped responding?" Jeonghan's face is twisted into a look of concern and anger.

"I was trying to contact him while we were running, and he didn't answer."

Jeonghan sighs, beginning to pace in the parking lot. "Do you know what part of the building he was in?"

Mingyu shook his head. "I only know they're on the first floor."

"Great, just great!"

"I'll go back in and find them," Mingyu offers.

"I don't think that's the best-"

"It's fine. No reason to get everyone involved."

Jeonghan sighs again, bringing his hand to his forehead. "This is a group mission, Mingyu. Everyone is already involved."

"Well, I- uhm," Mingyu falters. "I want to help Dino and Jisoo."

They're both silent for a moment, staring at each other, Mingyu with a fierce determination to go and Jeonghan with a scrunched nose and furrowed eyebrows.

"You ran into Bambam." Mingyu doesn't respond. "Of course you did."

"Let me deal with this, Jeonghan. Please." There was something in Mingyu's voice. Desperation?

"Fine." Jeonghan waved his hand, giving up. "But I'm not standing up for you if you get in trouble with S.Coups."

"Here." Mingyu hands Jeonghan a USB.

My eyes widen. "Didn't you giv-"

"I had a backup." Mingyu shrugs. "You should go with Jeonghan."

"What? Absolutely not!"

Mingyu stares at me, mouth agape. "But-"

"I'm not leaving Jisoo," I huff. "I'll go with you."

"What if you get hurt?" he tries to reason.

"Let her go." My head whips around to look at Jeonghan. "She's gone this far."

Glancing between me and Jeonghan, Mingyu shakes his head. "Okay."

"Go now. I'll be waiting outside the entrance to get us out of here. Be quick."

The men share a nod before Jeonghan turns on his heel and sprints to his car.

"You're sure you want to go?"

"Yes." I roll my eyes. "I'm not going to leave Jisoo in there. Plus, I have plenty of experience running away from people chasing me," I meant for it to sound like a sarcastic joke, but it comes out unexpectedly bitter.

"Let's go then." Mingyu begins walking, taking fast steps.

I rush to catch up, but he keeps walking faster to stay ahead. I can't tell if I offended him or if he's in a hurry.

"What's the plan?" I ask, reaching his side again.

He strides forward to get a step ahead. "We'll go through the front and enter the downstairs office where Dino and Jisoo did."

"Is going through the front going to work? Won't there be guards?"

"No. They won't expect us to go back in."

I'm skeptical of Mingyu's logic, but I hold my tongue. It's overly evident that he doesn't want my input or help.

The music grows louder as we approach the open doors. Multicolored lights stream out, and the sound of blissful, half-drunken conversations.