The Innocent and The King

Chapter Seventeen - The Calm Before The Storm

The days following their arrival in Busan were a blur of cautious routine. Jungkook’s men were always on alert, their eyes scanning every corner of the safe house, ensuring that no one could get close to Reva. As much as she tried to adjust to her new surroundings, the constant sense of tension gnawed at her. The walls of the safe house were a physical barrier between her and the rest of the world, but the world’s dangers were still too close, too real.

Despite the precautions, Jungkook’s presence never wavered. He was by her side as often as possible, his protective instincts never dimming. Even as the leader of one of the most powerful mafia organizations in the world, Reva had never seen him more focused, more determined. For her.

But it was the moments between them—those stolen glances, the quiet touches—that made Reva realize just how deep his feelings for her ran. He wasn't just trying to protect her from the Kangs or the chaos that constantly threatened their lives; he was trying to protect the one thing he treasured the most—her.

It was early one afternoon when the peaceful, albeit tense, air of the safe house was shattered.

Reva sat at the kitchen table, sipping her tea, when her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. Her heart skipped as she glanced at the screen. It was a message from Jungkook:

Stay in the house. Lock all doors. Don’t open for anyone. I’ll be home soon.

Her stomach dropped. Something wasn’t right.

Before she could process the message fully, she heard the distinct sound of a car engine revving outside. Her heart pounded in her chest as she rushed to the window, trying to make sense of the situation. A sleek black SUV had pulled up in front of the house. There was no mistaking it—it was one of Jungkook’s vehicles, but it wasn’t his men inside. She could see the faint silhouette of two people inside.

She felt a chill race up her spine.

Something was wrong.

She turned and rushed to the door, locking it as instructed, but the feeling of helplessness surged through her. Jungkook had told her to stay in the house, but her instincts screamed at her to do something—anything. The clock seemed to tick louder in her ears as she paced back and forth, anxiously waiting for any sign of what was going on outside.

Her phone buzzed again, and she quickly grabbed it, hoping it was a message from Jungkook.

Get to the panic room. Now.

Reva froze. The panic room was hidden in the back of the house, a place she had been instructed never to use unless absolutely necessary. But now, with her heart hammering in her chest, she knew that this was no drill. She had no choice but to follow his instructions.

She rushed through the corridors, her footsteps echoing in the silence. She reached the hidden door, quickly pressing the panel on the wall that slid open, revealing the small, windowless room. It was cold and sterile, filled only with a few chairs, emergency supplies, and a few phones.

Before stepping inside, Reva hesitated for a moment, her heart aching. She felt as though she was abandoning him, locking herself away while he was out there, in the thick of it. But the very fact that Jungkook had told her to go there meant that he was facing something far worse than she could imagine. She forced herself to step inside and pressed the door shut behind her.

The sound of muffled voices reached her ears through the thick walls, but she couldn't make out the words. Panic surged within her. Was Jungkook okay? Was he in danger?

She checked her phone, her fingers trembling as she scrolled through the messages. There was nothing new from him. The silence on the other end only made her more anxious.

Minutes passed—long, unbearable minutes—but it felt like hours. The house was eerily still, the only sound the faint ticking of the clock. Then, just as she was about to pick up her phone and call him, a loud crash echoed through the house, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps and muffled shouting.

Reva’s heart stopped.

She wanted to scream, to break out of the panic room, but she knew better. She could hear the chaos unfolding outside, the shouts of men, and the unmistakable sound of gunshots. She clutched her phone to her chest, her mind racing. Was Jungkook out there? Was he fighting?

The door to the panic room suddenly creaked, making her jump. For a split second, she thought it was Jungkook, coming to get her. But then, another crash echoed in the house, followed by more shouting. The footsteps outside were growing louder, closer.

Reva pressed her back against the wall, listening carefully, trying to hear if she could make out any words. The door to the panic room shook as something slammed against it from the other side.

Then, it was quiet. Too quiet.

For what seemed like an eternity, Reva waited, her heart in her throat. Her phone buzzed again, and this time, she could hear Jungkook’s voice on the other end.

“Reva,” he said, his voice rough, yet steady. “It’s done. I’m coming to get you.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the weight of the world lift from her shoulders. But she knew it wasn’t over—not yet.

“Are you alright?” she asked, her voice trembling with fear.

“I’m fine,” he said, his voice distant, but with a certainty that reassured her. “Stay where you are. Do not leave the room until I get there. Understand?”

“I understand,” she whispered, her voice shaking with emotion.

She sat down, trying to steady her breathing, her mind still racing. Jungkook was safe. He had to be. But the fact that he had told her to stay hidden, to not leave the panic room, meant something far darker was coming.

After what felt like an eternity, the door to the panic room finally opened. Reva’s heart skipped a beat as she looked up to see Jungkook standing in the doorway. His shirt was torn, his face bruised and bloodied, but his eyes—those dark eyes—locked onto hers with a mixture of relief and possessiveness.

He stepped forward, his arms encircling her tightly, pulling her against his chest.

“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his breath ragged.

“No, I’m fine,” Reva replied, her arms going around him, holding on as if letting go would mean losing him forever.

Jungkook pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. “You were never meant to be part of this world,” he said softly. “But I won’t let anyone take you from me. No one. Not even the Kangs.”

Reva’s chest tightened as she nodded, burying her face in his chest. “I know, Jungkook. I know.”

They stood there for a long moment, the chaos outside momentarily forgotten, as they held each other. The storm wasn’t over, but in that moment, it felt like they had found a brief, precious moment of peace—together.

But Reva knew, deep down, that the storm was coming again, and this time, it would be fiercer than ever.