Worst Behavior | KNJ

Chapter 5: Tempest

The chill of November seeped through the warehouse, wrapping around me like a second skin. I adjusted the collar of my leather coat, the fabric soft against the white tee underneath. The dark jeans I'd pulled on that morning felt comfortable, and I couldn't help but run my fingers through my hair, pushing it back as I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. It was almost 1 AM, and while the world outside was asleep, we were deep in the heart of a very different reality.

The flickering fluorescent lights above cast a harsh glow over the meeting room, illuminating the faces of my usual crew—Rob, DC, and Blue. They leaned against the worn table, their casual demeanor in stark contrast to the gravity of the discussion we were about to have with Samuel. The boss was notorious for his cold, calculated methods, and tonight was no different.

"Alright, boys," Samuel began, his voice smooth yet laced with an underlying menace. "We need to slow things down on the trafficking front. Too many loose ends, too many risks." He leaned back in his chair, a predatory glint in his eye as he surveyed us.

I shoved my hands deep into my pockets, trying to keep the chill at bay. It was hard to shake the feeling of desensitization that had settled over me after months in this world. I glanced around the table, taking in my friends. Rob, with his easy grin; DC, quiet but observant; Blue, always ready with a quip. We were a mismatched family, bound together by circumstances that were anything but ordinary.

As Samuel spoke about new streams of income, my mind wandered. I had been thinking about Diavian a lot lately—her laughter, her sharp wit, the way she could light up a room. The thought made me smile, a small, private victory in a place that thrived on darkness. I wasn't sure if I was ready to share that with the guys, though.

"Namjoon," Samuel's voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back into the moment. "You still with us?"

"Yeah," I replied, a little too quickly. "Just thinking."

"Good. Because if you're thinking about skipping out on this, I'd recommend against it," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "We've got a plan for clients who don't keep their word. It's time we send a message."

I raised an eyebrow. "A message?"

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Let's just say it involves more than just words. You need to understand the stakes here, Namjoon. We don't play nice with those who cross us."

I felt a flicker of discomfort. This was the part of the job that always made my stomach turn. The world I lived in was built on fear and intimidation, and the longer I stayed immersed in it, the more I felt like I was losing a part of myself. Still, I forced myself to nod along, giving Samuel the reaction he was looking for. I was here to do a job, after all.

As he detailed his wicked plan, I adjusted my necklaces, the silver glinting in the harsh light. I thought back to the messages I had exchanged with Diavian earlier that day, picking out my outfit together as if we were planning a casual outing instead of engaging in illegal activities. Her playful suggestions always made my day a little brighter, reminding me that there was more to life than what was happening in this room.

"Namjoon," DC's voice pulled me back from my thoughts again. "You good? Or are you just gonna zone out the whole meeting?"

"Yeah, I'm here," I replied, shaking my head to clear the fog. "Just—" I hesitated. "It's all pretty dull, isn't it?"