𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 || 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐖𝐨𝐧

Chapter 23

The journey to the handover point was tense and silent.

Everyone in the car was aware of how dangerous a situation they were walking into.

“Are you still sure you want to do this?” Mingyu asked. “I won’t hold it against any of you if you choose to back out.”

He glanced pointedly at Josh, who was taking the biggest risk of all.

“I’m ready for it,” the omega said. “It might be the most important role I ever play.”

Beside him, Cole laughed tightly. “No superhero antics, okay? As soon as you can, you get back to the safety of the car and keep out of sight. I’m going to be on you the whole time, keeping you safe.”

The omega leaned in and kissed Cole on the cheek. “I know you will. That’s the only reason I’m doing this—because I know you have my back.”

“Always.”

Mingyu looked away, giving them a modicum of privacy in the enclosed space of the car. “We’re almost there. Fifteen minutes.”

Duke gave him a sideways glance from the driver’s seat.

“The most important thing is to keep a level head. No matter what’s said, no matter how Wonwoo looks. We’re getting him back, that’s all that matters. Any thoughts of revenge, let them go now.”

“I just want him safe,” Mingyu insisted. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me.”

“This isn’t because of you,” Josh insisted. “You’re just as innocent as Wonwoo is in all of this.”

“I could have made different choices. I put him in danger. Unwittingly, sure, but it was still my fault.”

“Blame helps no one,” Duke said shortly. “We need to focus on our actions from here on out. We get Wonwoo, we keep Josh safe, and we get out of there as quickly as possible. Leave the police to pick up the pieces.”

Their plan relied on everyone playing their part, and the timing was as important as the players. If the police came too soon, it would do more harm than good. Mingyu had gone over and over the plan in his head until he felt like he could have gone through the motions in his sleep.

“This is it,” Duke called in warning as they pulled off the road and onto a snow-covered lot. There was already a car waiting, idling with its engine on. As they came to a stop, a van appeared from the other direction and stopped across from them.

“Showtime,” Cole said. “Places, everyone.”

“You’re up.” Duke clapped Mingyu on the shoulder. “Good luck.”

With one last glance around the car, at the virtual strangers who were putting their lives on the line for him and Wonwoo, Mingyu got out.

He trudged through the snow to stand in front of the vehicle, sticking his hands in his pockets and trying to look calm and collected. The cold bit at him, but he forced himself to ignore it, his eyes roving from the car to the van.

With tinted windows on both vehicles, he had no idea who was where, though he suspected Wonwoo was in the van.

A door opened on the driver’s side of the van, and a man climbed out. At the same time, the passenger door of the car opened, and a third person joined them.

“I didn’t realize this was a three-way deal,” Mingyu commented dryly.

“It’s not,” the guy by the car said. “I’m Donghwi. My employer sent me to complete the deal on his behalf.”