SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Chapter 17

Joshua's heartbeat thundered in his chest as he watched the scene unfold. What was meant to be an adrenaline-fueled evening of street racing had spiraled into something far darker, something he couldn't just walk away from. 

He was supposed to be here for fun, a distraction from his ordinary routine, not for something twisted and dangerous. But now, he found himself entangled in a situation he barely understood.

It began when Kyofu's gaze fell on him, far too long to be accidental. Joshua could feel the man's eyes bore into him, calculating and possessive. The way Kyofu's lips curled into a smirk made Joshua shiver. 

Why was this man looking at him like he was part of the stakes? 

Joshua was an outsider, a stranger here—no one should even know his name, let alone think to draw him into their games. Yet, as Kyofu's attention lingered, Joshua could feel an ominous shift, a new layer of threat weaving through the already tense air.

Jimin noticed it too, his casual demeanor shifting to something rigid, protective. He stepped forward, placing himself between Joshua and Kyofu, his face hardening. "Don't drag people who aren't part of your business into this," Jimin warned, his tone edged with hostility.

Kyofu merely chuckled, sidestepping Jimin to focus his attention back on Joshua. "Oh, but your friend here...he's a nice little piece of intrigue, isn't he?" His words oozed malice, and Joshua felt a sick twist in his stomach.

"Look," Jimin said, his voice strained but steady, "he has nothing to do with this. You're out here for Jungkook and the Shadows, not him. Leave him out of it."

Kuro, Kyofu's silent and cold-eyed partner, flicked a dismissive glance at Jimin. "Back down, kid," he said, his voice laced with contempt. "Unless you want to be part of this wager too."

Joshua's blood ran cold as Kyofu took a step closer, his gaze fixed intently on him. 

"You've got the look of someone who doesn't belong here," Kyofu murmured, almost as if assessing a prize, "and I think that makes it all the more interesting. Let's say you're part of the game, doctor."

The use of his profession felt like a knife's twist. His cover was blown; somehow, they knew exactly who he was. Joshua's mind raced. He had no connection here, no ties that should have led to his identity becoming part of tonight's twisted agenda. 

Unless...someone had set him up, or they'd been watching him long before tonight.

Panic clawed at Joshua's chest, but he tried to keep his face impassive, unwilling to give Kyofu the satisfaction of seeing him rattled. But the air felt thick with danger, and the look in Kyofu's eyes was predatory. 

Joshua had seen that kind of expression in his patients before—the thrill of holding power over someone, the delight in making them squirm.

Samuel arrived in the midst of this, his eyes narrowing as he took in the tense scene. He immediately moved toward Joshua, only to be stopped by Jimin's arm barring his way. Samuel shot him a furious look, but Jimin shook his head, a silent warning in his eyes. 

"Stay back," Jimin murmured, keeping his voice low but firm. "This isn't the time, Sam."

"What the hell is going on?" Samuel demanded, his voice barely controlled as he took in Joshua's wide-eyed expression, the way he was holding himself rigidly still under Kyofu's gaze.

"Kyofu's pulling him into it," Jimin said, his voice clipped. "Just don't interfere, alright? I promised Joshua I'd keep you out of it."

Samuel let out a frustrated sigh, shaking his head at Jimin as he watched Joshua struggle under Kyofu's sickening gaze. "Jimin," he said, voice tight, "I've got the best shot at handling this. You know it."