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

LXVI | Promised Safety

"Glad you could make it." S.Coups crosses his arms as Mingyu pulls out a chair at the end of the table. "Even Dino and Vernon made it here before you," He chides.

Dino and Vernon appear to have spent the whole night at the party. Vernon looks like he's about to fall asleep sitting up.

"Sorry." Mingyu shrugs, sinking into the seat. "I couldn't pick out a shirt." Beside me, Hoshi snickers. "Damn, did you all order already?"

Jeonghan rolls his eyes. "Yes. Don't worry, DK ordered for you."

"Okay, let's start while we wait for food." S.Coups claps his hands, startling awake Vernon, whose head slumped over while waiting

I'm not in a much better state. After the exchange with Mingyu, I couldn't manage to calm down for a couple of hours, and by the time I did, Jisoo's alarm had woken her up, and she was wildly awake and energetic. It was a strange feeling, a perfect mix of embarrassment and bliss that kept me up. I can't place a word to the emotion, but I know I've only felt it around Mingyu.

"So, everybody understands what happened last night?" Heads nod, and nobody claims not to know. "Realistically, this shouldn't affect us. None of our members were involved, and we aren't connected to Kun."

I immediately recognize the lie. S.Coups' eyes travel between Jeonghan and Woozi anxiously, and his finger taps on the table, yet he doesn't look my way. Maybe they left out my involvement.

"But, our problem isn't with that mess. It's with the groups sponsored by Kun," S.Coups sighs, sipping his water before continuing. "Without his financial support, they're going to be looking for a way to make extra money."

Not even Jisoo or I need an explanation for that. The only other way to make money is to acquire bets and win. People were going to start making riskier decisions.

My heart clenches, worried that someone will try something on Mingyu, Changkyun, or even any of the racers I've met and somewhat befriended.

"There's only so much you can do, but be extra cautious while racing—" He makes a non-subtle look at Mingyu, who carelessly shrugs his shoulders. "and just being outside," S.Coups continues. "I believe anybody will try something now."

S.Coups seems to finish his speech, and thus the meeting, right as the food is served.

I regret staying up all night and missing out on sleep for a short talk that didn't even last ten minutes.

Hoshi's head lolls back as he yawns. "I woke up for this? 'Coups, someone has got to teach you about emails."

"I email you every week with a job report," S.Coups grumbles.

"Oh. Well then, about text messages. You realize you can start group chats, right?"

Jeonghan places a hand on S.Coups' shoulder before he curses Hoshi out in front of the entire restaurant. "I like my meetings, thank you."

Hoshi groans. "Of course you do, old man," he whispers to me, and I stifle a laugh.

"What was that?"

"Let it go," Jeonghan sighs.

"So, do you think anybody is going to try to sabotage Seventeen?" I ask Hoshi while grabbing a piece of my doenjang jjigae.

Mouth already tearing through his breakfast, Hoshi enthusiastically nods. "Absolutely. Probably more than one," He laughs before taking another bite.

"With Jennie behind us and all the bets we've been pulling in," Seungkwan adds from across the table, "They'd be stupid not to."

"And you guys are just okay with that?" Jisoo gasps. "What if someone gets hurt?"