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

LXIV | Unexpected

It only takes fifteen seconds for the first three racers to exit onto the mystery track. S.Coups, Yangyang and Jooheon. All the screens focus on the three cars, eager to show viewers the new track.

I almost breathe a sigh of relief when I see the racers don't have to drive through the dirt and mud but on a paved path, although I'm sure that something else will pop up that's worse. Deep down, I know something about tonight is going to go wrong.

Pressing my face against the glass, I search the blaring screens as more racers join. Thankfully, Mingyu's bright red car sticks out, starting the race in seventh place.

I frown, trying to decide how good or bad that was. There are only two more races after tonight, and I'm unsure how many they eliminate from each round. Unfortunately, Joshua has moved on somewhere else, and the members around me are drunkenly cheering, and I doubt I'll be able to get their attention.

As of now, I'm not worried about Mingyu losing. There's no way the top ten won't make it to the second race. However, I wish I knew what the safety net was.

When did I start caring this much?

Nothing exciting has popped up yet—just a standard course, so I drift my focus momentarily. Even though he started last, Chankgyun has made his way up the ranks, already in fifteenth. I may not be excited that he's competing, but there's no denying that he deserves the spot.

A warm breath hits the back of my neck, and I whirl around, almost swinging my fist into Jeonghan's face. He quickly steps back, eyes growing wide. With the excitement of the race and the loud crowd, I didn't notice him sneaking up on me.

I inwardly groan. By now, I thought I was well aware of my surroundings, but apparently, it still needs work.

Before I have a chance to question or berate Jeongahn for creeping up on me, he lunges his hand forward, grabs my arm, and pulls me to the back of the room.

"What the hell is wrong with you!" Jeonghan then covers my mouth. Nobody notices my strangled cry besides Woozi, who watches with a raised eye. Yet, he doesn't step in.

Jeonghan shakes his head at me, drops my arm, and signals me to stay quiet. Reluctantly, I nod, and he releases his hand. I wipe my mouth with my sleeve.

"I need your help," he whispers.

I can't contain my laugh, "No."

He groans, "Look, this is crucial. And I know you're pissed at me, for... fair reasons," Jeonghan struggles to get the words out. "But this is more important than that right now."

Even though I want to blow him off and tell him to learn how to fix his own problems, I notice the sweat beading on his forehead, even though the room is the perfect temperature, and how wrinkles spread over his face as it twists in concern.

"Why can't you do it?"

"I can't be noticed." He takes my question as a positive answer and shoves a thin slip of paper at me—a check. I don't dare to look at the total yet. "This needs to be done discreetly."

"What if I'm noticed? And what is this even for?"

"I don't have time to answer your questions!"

"Then find somebody else," I bluff. Doing Jeonghan's dirty work might be worth it if I can get the information I want.

"Ugh, fine. Anybody who could recognize who you are is too busy racing or supporting the race." Jeonghan warily looks around to ensure nobody is listening. Leaning closer, he whispers quieter than before, "Somebody is demanding their money early, and if I don't get it to them, they'll sabotage Seventeen tonight. Including Mingyu." He hisses Mingyu's name, and I know he only added it to get to me, to force me to do what he wants. I hate to think how it would easily work on me if I weren't already secretly on board.