Arranged marriage

Chapter 25

Y/N's mind raced as the world around her seemed to blur into chaos. The shock of seeing Minho standing just a few feet away made her heart freeze. His smile was chilling, predatory, and it reminded her of just how dangerous he really was.

Jungkook scrambled to his feet, his expression hardening into something fierce and protective as he stood between Minho and Y/N. His body was tense, ready for a fight, his hands clenching into fists. Despite the tension between them, Y/N felt a flicker of relief knowing Jungkook was there. But then, a pang of doubt hit her—wasn't he the one pushing her away all this time? Could she even trust him now?

"Minho," Jungkook growled, his voice dripping with disdain. "You really want to do this here?"

Minho's smile widened. "Oh, come on, Jungkook. You didn't think I'd let you and your pretty little bride get away so easily, did you?"

Y/N's stomach twisted at the venom in Minho's tone. His eyes slid toward her, assessing, taunting. She could feel the weight of his gaze, his twisted amusement at the situation, as if everything was just a game to him.

"Let her go," Jungkook demanded, stepping forward, his shoulders squared. "This is between you and me. She has nothing to do with it."

Minho chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "Oh, but that's where you're wrong. She has everything to do with it. You see, I don't just want what's yours, Jungkook. I want to watch you suffer while I take it."

Y/N felt her blood run cold at his words, and for a moment, she thought she saw something flicker in Jungkook's eyes—fear? No, it couldn't be fear. It was something deeper, darker, something she couldn't quite place.

Before she could make sense of it, Minho moved with lightning speed. In an instant, he lunged forward, pulling out a concealed knife and swinging it toward Jungkook. Y/N gasped, her heart leaping into her throat as she watched Jungkook dodge just in time, the blade slicing through the air where his torso had been only a second before.

The sound of metal clashing with metal echoed through the warehouse as Jungkook pulled out his own blade, parrying Minho's next attack. Their movements were fluid, dangerous, as they danced around each other, each blow more intense than the last. It was a fight for dominance, for survival, and Y/N could see the years of rivalry and hatred between them boiling over into every strike.

Y/N wanted to scream, to do something, but she was frozen in place, fear gripping her so tightly she could hardly breathe. The two men fought like predators, and she felt powerless in the face of their violence.

And then, it happened.

Minho, with a swift and vicious motion, slashed at Jungkook's side, the blade cutting through fabric and flesh. Jungkook staggered back, clutching his side, blood seeping through his fingers. Y/N's heart dropped at the sight of him in pain, but before she could react, Minho was on her.

He grabbed her by the arm, yanking her toward him. Y/N gasped, struggling to break free, but Minho's grip was ironclad. He twisted her arm behind her back, holding the knife to her throat as he leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear.

"You see, Y/N," Minho whispered, his voice low and dangerous. "Jungkook can't protect you. No one can."

Y/N's pulse pounded in her ears, her vision blurring with panic. She felt the cold steel of the knife pressing into her skin, too close for comfort, and she knew in that moment that her life hung in the balance.

Jungkook straightened, his face pale but his eyes burning with fury. "Let her go, Minho."

Minho smirked, tightening his grip on her. "Or what? You'll try to stop me with that half-assed injury? Pathetic."

But Jungkook didn't waver. Despite the blood running down his side, he stood taller, his voice cold and steady. "Touch her again, and I'll make sure you don't leave this warehouse alive."

For a brief moment, Y/N saw something flicker in Minho's expression—hesitation. It was as if, despite his bravado, he knew that Jungkook was not someone to underestimate, even while injured. Minho loosened his grip slightly, his eyes darting between them both.

And then, in a sudden, calculated move, Jungkook launched himself forward with a burst of energy that left Y/N breathless. He knocked the knife out of Minho's hand, twisting Minho's arm behind his back in one swift motion. Minho let out a pained grunt, and before Y/N could register what had happened, Jungkook had him on the ground, the tip of his own blade pressed to Minho's throat.

For a moment, everything was silent. The only sound was their ragged breathing as Jungkook held Minho down, his eyes blazing with fury.

"You lost," Jungkook spat, his voice low and venomous. "Now get the hell out of here before I change my mind and kill you."

Minho sneered but didn't argue. He knew when he was beaten. Slowly, he raised his hands in surrender, his expression full of malice as he stared up at Jungkook. "This isn't over," he snarled, his voice dripping with hatred. "I'll be back."

Jungkook didn't move, his blade still pressed against Minho's throat. "Try it, and you won't survive next time."

With that, Jungkook shoved Minho away, letting him scramble to his feet. Minho cast one last, hateful glance at Y/N before disappearing into the shadows, leaving the warehouse eerily quiet in his wake.

Y/N stood frozen, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. Jungkook, too, seemed to be catching his breath, his chest rising and falling heavily as he watched the exit where Minho had vanished.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. And then, finally, Jungkook turned to her, his expression softening in a way she hadn't seen in days.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his voice strained.

Y/N nodded, though her legs felt like they might give out beneath her. "You... you saved me."

Jungkook's eyes flickered with something she couldn't quite place—regret, maybe? But then, just as quickly, his walls went back up. He turned away, pressing a hand to his side where blood still seeped from his wound.

"I didn't do it for you," he muttered, his tone cold again. "We still have a deal. That's all."

Y/N's heart sank at his words, the brief connection they had shared slipping away as he retreated behind his emotional armor once more. She watched him, feeling the sting of his rejection even though he had just risked his life for her.

Before she could say anything, Jungkook started walking toward the exit, his movements slow and pained. Y/N hesitated for a moment, then hurried after him, her mind spinning with confusion. She didn't understand him—didn't understand how he could be so distant after everything that had just happened.

As they stepped out into the night, the cool air hitting her skin, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that things were far from over. Minho's threat still hung in the air, a dark cloud over their heads. And worse, the growing distance between her and Jungkook felt like it was widening by the second.

She stole a glance at him as they walked, his face set in a grim expression. The silence between them was deafening, and Y/N wondered if they would ever break through the walls he had built around himself.

But deep down, she knew one thing for certain.

This fight with Minho wasn't just about business.

It was personal.

As they reached the car, Jungkook's phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, his eyes narrowing as he read the message. His grip tightened on the phone, his jaw clenching with barely contained anger.

Y/N leaned in, her voice tentative. "What is it?"

Jungkook's voice was low and dangerous as he spoke, his eyes locked on the screen.

"It's from Minho. He's coming for us."