Tangeled in shadows | Min Yoongi

Chapter 20: Into the Fire

Yoona's arrival at the warehouse was nothing short of chaos. She could feel the adrenaline pumping through her veins, despite the lingering pain from her injury. The sound of gunfire and shouts filled the air as Namjoon guided her through a hidden side entrance, keeping her out of the direct line of fire.

"Stay close," Namjoon warned, his voice low as they navigated the narrow corridor. "We can't let them see you."

Yoona nodded, her eyes scanning the scene as they approached the main area of the warehouse. Her heart raced, a mix of fear and frustration burning in her chest. She should have stayed back, should have listened to Namjoon and Yoongi, but the thought of being left out while her crew and Yoongi's men fought for their lives was unbearable.

As they emerged from the shadows, Yoona saw the full extent of the attack. Yoongi's men were holding their ground, but it was clear they were struggling to keep the rival gang at bay. Bullets whizzed past them, hitting walls and crates, and the air was thick with smoke and the acrid smell of gunpowder.

Yoona's eyes instinctively searched for Yoongi. She spotted him near the front, directing his men with the calm intensity that had always unnerved her. His focus was sharp, his movements precise as he fired at the enemy, but even from a distance, she could see the tension in his posture.

"Yoongi!" she shouted, trying to get his attention.

Yoongi's head snapped in her direction, his eyes widening as they locked onto her. For a brief moment, the cold mask he usually wore cracked, revealing a flicker of something else-concern.

He was by her side in seconds, grabbing her arm and pulling her behind a stack of crates for cover. "What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice low but fierce.

"I couldn't just sit there and wait," Yoona shot back, wincing as she shifted her weight. "I'm not some helpless damsel you need to protect."

Yoongi's grip on her arm tightened slightly, his jaw clenched. "You're injured, Smoke. You shouldn't be here. This is too dangerous."

Yoona met his gaze, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm not going to hide while my crew fights. I came here to help."

Yoongi cursed under his breath, his eyes dark with frustration. "You're going to get yourself killed."

"Not if you have my back," Yoona said, her voice softer now, but still firm. "I'm not asking to be in the middle of the fight, but I need to be here. With them. With you."

For a moment, neither of them said anything. The tension between them crackled like electricity, but there was something else underneath it now-an understanding. Despite everything, despite the years of hatred and violence between them, they were in this together.

Yoongi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine," he muttered. "But stay out of the line of fire. I'll handle the front."

Before Yoona could respond, Jungkook appeared beside them, his expression grim. "We've got a problem," he said quickly. "They're bringing reinforcements. We need to pull back or we're going to get overrun."

Yoongi's eyes flickered with anger. "Damn it," he growled, standing up straight. "We need to hold them off long enough to regroup."

"Yoongi, if we stay, we're going to lose more men," Jungkook argued. "We're outnumbered. We need a new plan."

Yoona could see the conflict in Yoongi's eyes. He didn't want to retreat-retreating meant giving ground, showing weakness-but he knew Jungkook was right. If they stayed, the rival gang would pick them off one by one.

Yoongi glanced at Yoona, then back at Jungkook. "Fine," he said finally. "Pull the men back. We'll regroup and hit them from the sides. Don't let them push us into a corner."