Dangerous Affection | Renmin | Jaemren

3

Renjun woke up to the sound of soft murmurs and the faint clinking of glass. He blinked, disoriented, realizing he had dozed off on one of the armchairs in the penthouse. Jaemin was already awake, talking on the phone with someone, his voice low and serious-different from his usual playful tone.

Renjun watched silently, not wanting to intrude. Jaemin's back was turned, his posture tense as he listened intently to whoever was on the other end of the line. Renjun couldn't make out the words, but the urgency in Jaemin's voice was unmistakable.

"Yeah, I understand," Jaemin said finally, ending the call and tossing his phone onto the table with a frustrated sigh. He ran a hand through his hair, his expression dark and troubled.

Renjun cleared his throat, making his presence known. "Everything okay?"

Jaemin looked up, startled for a moment, before forcing a smile. "Just business. Nothing you need to worry about."

Renjun frowned, unconvinced. "Doesn't sound like 'nothing.'"

Jaemin shrugged, grabbing a bottle of water from the counter. "It's just a deal that went sideways. We'll handle it."

But Renjun could see through Jaemin's facade. There was something different today-a tension in the air that hadn't been there before. Renjun knew better than to press, but he couldn't shake the feeling that whatever was going on was far more serious than Jaemin was letting on.

Before Renjun could ask any more questions, Jaemin's phone buzzed again. He glanced at the screen, his expression hardening. "We've got to go."

Renjun followed Jaemin out of the penthouse, his mind racing. They drove in tense silence, the city passing by in a blur of neon lights and shadows. Renjun tried to piece together what little he knew, but Jaemin's cryptic behavior only fueled his suspicions.

They arrived at a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city-a place Renjun recognized from his father's past dealings. It was an old meeting spot, far from prying eyes, used for business that couldn't afford witnesses.

Inside, a group of men were already waiting, their faces grim and unfamiliar. Jaemin exchanged quick greetings, his demeanor shifting to something colder, more calculating. Renjun hung back, observing the room with growing unease.

One of the men, a tall figure with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward. His gaze shifted between Jaemin and Renjun, lingering on Renjun with a hint of disdain. "This the kid?"

Jaemin nodded, keeping his tone casual. "He's with me."

The man scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "Let's hope he can handle what's coming."

Renjun bristled at the insinuation but kept his mouth shut. He wasn't here to prove himself to anyone, especially not to a room full of criminals who saw him as nothing more than the boss's sheltered son.

Jaemin cut to the chase, discussing details of a deal gone wrong-money missing, shipments intercepted, and trust shattered. Renjun listened carefully, piecing together that someone within their ranks had betrayed them, putting everyone at risk. It was a dangerous game of power and deception, and the stakes were higher than Renjun had ever imagined.

As the meeting wrapped up, the scarred man pulled Jaemin aside, whispering something that Renjun couldn't quite catch. Whatever it was, it made Jaemin's jaw tighten, his eyes darkening with anger.

Renjun approached cautiously as the group began to disperse. "What was that about?"

Jaemin hesitated, glancing at Renjun with an unreadable expression. "It's complicated."

"Everything's always complicated with you," Renjun shot back, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Are you going to tell me what's going on, or am I just supposed to stand here and guess?"

Jaemin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It's not that simple. There's a leak somewhere in the organization. Someone's been feeding information to our rivals, and it's putting all of us in danger."

Renjun's heart sank. A leak within the family was a betrayal of the highest order-one that could bring the entire operation crashing down. He'd heard stories of how swiftly and ruthlessly his father dealt with traitors, and he knew this wasn't going to end well for anyone involved.

"What do we do?" Renjun asked, his voice laced with a mix of fear and determination.

Jaemin's expression hardened. "We find out who's responsible, and we deal with them before they deal with us."

Renjun nodded, but a knot of dread twisted in his stomach. He'd never been involved in something like this-never had to confront the real, brutal side of his family's business. But now, with Jaemin by his side, Renjun knew he had no choice but to face it head-on.

---

The following days were a blur of tense meetings, whispered conversations, and sleepless nights. Jaemin's usual carefree attitude had all but disappeared, replaced by a sharp, focused intensity that Renjun hadn't seen before. He was constantly on edge, always looking over his shoulder, and Renjun couldn't help but feel the weight of the growing tension between them.

One evening, after a particularly grueling day, Renjun and Jaemin returned to the penthouse, both exhausted and on edge. Jaemin poured himself a drink, his hands shaking slightly-a small but telling sign of the pressure he was under.

Renjun watched him, his own nerves frayed. "You're not okay, are you?"

Jaemin looked up, his eyes tired but defiant. "I've been through worse."

Renjun sat down across from him, the silence heavy and uncomfortable. "You don't have to do this alone."

Jaemin scoffed, downing his drink in one gulp. "Trust me, I'm used to it."

Renjun's chest tightened. He could see the cracks in Jaemin's armor-the fear, the anger, the loneliness that Jaemin tried so hard to hide. Renjun wanted to reach out, to offer some kind of comfort, but he didn't know how. They were two people trapped in a world that demanded strength and sacrifice, and there was no room for vulnerability.

But Renjun couldn't just sit back and watch Jaemin crumble under the weight of it all. "Whatever happens, I'm with you. I've got your back."

Jaemin stared at him, something flickering in his eyes-something Renjun couldn't quite place. It wasn't gratitude or relief, but a quiet, desperate need for connection that Jaemin was too proud to admit.

"Don't make promises you can't keep," Jaemin said softly, his voice laced with a rare, raw honesty.

Renjun leaned forward, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not going anywhere, Jaemin."

For a moment, the walls between them seemed to crumble, just a little. They were still on opposite sides of a dangerous game, but in that fleeting moment, Renjun felt something shift-a fragile, unspoken bond that was both terrifying and undeniable.

Jaemin looked away, his expression guarded. "This life... it doesn't get easier. It only gets messier. And if you're not careful, it'll destroy you."

Renjun nodded, knowing full well the truth of those words. But he also knew that, for better or worse, he was in this now. With Jaemin. Against the world.

Jaemin stood up, heading towards the door. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we figure this out. No more hesitating."

Renjun watched him go, the weight of their uncertain future settling heavily on his shoulders. He didn't know what lay ahead, but one thing was clear: Jaemin was more than just a partner or a mentor. He was someone Renjun couldn't walk away from, no matter how dangerous things got.

And that was the most dangerous truth of all.

---

End of Chapter 3
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