Promise In Shadows {On-Going}

|8| Bound By Blood & Shadows

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Taehyung's POV

The night was cold and heavy, wrapping itself around the city like a warning. I couldn't shake the feeling, a gnawing dread that tightened in my chest as I returned to the house. I'd barely taken two steps inside when one of my men approached, his face pale, a paper clenched in his hand.

"Sir, we found this pinned to the gate."

The note's message was brief, just a handful of words, yet each one cut into me like glass: You think she's safe? Guess again.

I forced my expression to stay calm, but my thoughts raced. Every corner I'd turned, every precaution I'd taken, somehow it wasn't enough. They were circling closer, and I had no choice. I had to make a decision, no matter the cost.

A few hours later

Ana was pacing in her room when I entered. She stopped, her face etched with worry. "Taehyung-shii, what's happening? You look like... like something terrible has happened."

I moved toward her, taking her hands in mine, my voice low. "Ana, they know about you. They've threatened you again. It's not safe here anymore."

Her grip tightened, defiance flashing in her eyes. "I'm not leaving. Not like this. I told you, I'd rather be here with you than anywhere else."

I shook my head, my heart pounding. "They won't stop until they've gotten to you, Ana. The only way to keep you safe is to get you out of here. Far away, where they can't find you."

Ana's POV

His words hit me like a wave, but I held firm, even as fear churned in my stomach. "No. I'm not going. You're in just as much danger as I am. I can't just leave you behind."

Taehyung's eyes softened for a brief second, something unspoken flickering there before his expression hardened. "Ana, I can't protect you here. If anything happened to you..." His voice broke, his jaw clenching as he regained control. "They'll use you against me, Ana. They'll hurt you to get to me, and I can't allow that."

He tried to pull away, but I held onto him. "Don't make me leave, Taehyung-shii. Please."

But his gaze turned steely, a resolve I'd never seen before. "Ana, I've made my choice. I would give up everything-my position, my life-if it means keeping you safe. You have to trust me on this."

The weight of his words hit me hard. He was willing to sacrifice everything he'd built, every piece of his own life, to protect me. But even as I listened, I felt a wave of helplessness rise inside. Could I really let him make that sacrifice?

Later that night

Taehyung's POV

The roar of engines hummed low in the background as we approached my private airport. The night air was thick with tension, but here, amidst my world of shadows and control, I felt a grim resolve settle in my chest. This place was supposed to be our escape route-a way to get Ana far from this city, from these threats. But instead, it had turned into a battleground.

One of my men approached, his face strained. "They're here, boss. The Wraiths made it past the perimeter."

I clenched my jaw, feeling the weight of the decision I'd made to confront them directly. This was no longer just about safety; it was about standing my ground and protecting what mattered. "Good. Get the rest of our men in position. I want them surrounded."

He nodded and vanished into the shadows. Ana stood beside me, her face pale but determined. I placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Stay here, Ana. Whatever happens, do not move."

She looked up at me, worry clouding her eyes. "Taehyung-shii, please don't... don't do this alone."

I held her gaze, feeling a surge of protectiveness. "I'm not alone. My men are loyal, and I will end this tonight."

At the airport runaway

The Wraiths' leader, a man known for his ruthless reputation, strode into the hangar, flanked by his men. The cold smirk on his face betrayed his confidence, but I knew better. He had walked right into my territory, where every inch was controlled, every corner guarded by those loyal to me.

"Taehyung," he greeted, his tone mocking. "Thought you could slip away with her? No more games. Hand her over, and maybe I'll let you live."

I smirked, feeling the weight of the gun holstered at my side. "You really think I'd hand her over to scum like you?"

He chuckled, stepping forward as his men surrounded us. "I know your weakness, Taehyung. That girl-she's made you soft."

I took a slow, measured breath, letting him think he had the upper hand. Then, with a calm that chilled the air, I gave the signal.

In an instant, my men closed in, guns drawn, silently moving to block every exit. The Wraiths' men, seeing themselves surrounded, shifted uneasily. But as the seconds ticked by, something more sinister unfolded: several of the Wraiths' own men turned, leveling their weapons at their so-called leader. The betrayal etched across his face was priceless.

"What is this?" he demanded, glaring at his own men, who now stood in silent allegiance to me.

I took a step forward, the shadows casting my face in sharp relief. "You're out of your depth. Your men are loyal to whoever holds the real power-and they know it's not you."

Realizing his vulnerability, the Wraiths' leader lunged toward me, desperate and reckless. But I was ready. Before he could lay a hand on me, I sidestepped and drove him to his knees, pinning him with an unyielding grip.

He struggled, his defiance flickering. "You think you can just get rid of me? There will always be more who come for you, for her."

My gaze turned cold, an unspoken fury simmering beneath the surface. "Then I'll end each one who tries." Without hesitation, I pressed the gun to his temple, the finality of my decision clear in my eyes. "You made a mistake coming after her. I'll make sure it's your last."

And in one swift movement, I pulled the trigger. The deafening crack echoed through the hangar, and his body slumped, lifeless, to the ground.

Ana's POV

I flinched at the sound of the gunshot, my heart pounding as I watched Taehyung stand over the man's fallen body. His figure was dark, unyielding, an image of controlled power and merciless resolve. For a moment, I couldn't breathe, caught between awe and fear, but beneath it all was an overwhelming gratitude-he had done all of this to keep me safe.

Taehyung turned to me, his expression softening just a fraction, enough to let me see the vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior. He walked toward me, each step weighted, his gaze never leaving mine.

When he reached me, he spoke, his voice rough but steady. "It's over. You're safe now."

My hand trembled as I reached for his, pulling him close despite the blood on his hands. "Taehyung-shii... I-thank you."

He lifted a hand, gently brushing a stray tear from my cheek. "Ana, I would give up everything if it means keeping you safe. This life... it's nothing compared to you."

I searched his eyes, seeing the depth of his words, the lengths he was willing to go to protect me. And I knew, in that moment, that I would follow him anywhere.

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