SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Chapter 35

The door to the tattoo parlor barely holds. 

The sound of splintering wood and the forceful thuds against it echo through the dimly lit space, each strike reverberating in Joshua's chest like a warning drum. And then—

Bang.

The door slams open, crashing against the wall with a force that rattles the entire room. The air turns electric, thick with tension, as heavy boots step inside, one after another.

Joshua is already hunched low behind the reception desk, his arms instinctively wrapping around Su-A, whose breaths come out ragged, short, panicked. Her small body trembles violently against him, fingers clutching at his jacket in desperation. 

Joshua moves quickly, pulling out the inhaler he had pocketed earlier—thank fuck he did—thrusting it into her shaking hands. "Breathe, Su-A. Slow. With me," he murmurs, voice firm but soothing. He places his hand against her back, guiding her through it even as the chaos unfolds beyond their hiding spot.

A flicker of movement draws his eyes upward, and then he sees him.

Kurayami.

That face—twisted in amusement, that sick, knowing smirk curling his lips. A gun hangs in his grip, casual yet deliberate, like he's already decided how this will end. Joshua feels something in his gut tighten unpleasantly. Of all the fucking people.

Joshua had humiliated him, ensured he fell from grace in front of the very people who mattered to him. And now, Kurayami was here to collect.

Joshua's gaze darts across the room, taking stock of the others. Jungkook and Taehyung are side by side, bodies taut, their postures screaming alertness. Wonwoo lingers near the wall, fingers hovering near his gun—hesitant but prepared to act. Then Joshua sees Samuel—sees his face drained of color, the horror in his eyes so raw it's almost suffocating.

And Kurayami sees it too.

His gaze flickers to Samuel, holding there, piercing through him like a sharpened blade. A single second of recognition, of understanding, before he turns to DK, standing right in front of him, mere inches away. The smirk on his lips deepens.

"My intel rat is a great one," Kurayami drawls, his voice edged with cruel amusement. "Always so damn loyal."

Joshua doesn't miss the way Samuel visibly shivers, his entire body going rigid like he's been doused in ice water.

Kurayami shifts his attention then, past DK, past the others, until his eyes land on Chan. His expression darkens, and then—

"There he is. The precious Gem," Kurayami muses, the condescension dripping from every word. "You know, I almost thought you weren't real. Ten fucking years trying to get my hands on you, and all it took was a little rat to sniff you out." He tsks, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

Chan doesn't flinch, doesn't move. Instead, he scoffs, his mouth curling into something bordering amusement and disdain. "Wow," he drawls, eyes lazy but sharp. "You should get your money back, then. Your rat's got slow legs."

Kurayami rolls his eyes, but there's something dangerous lurking beneath his forced exasperation. "Why don't you just come with us, Gem?" he offers, voice dripping with faux patience. "We'll show you a world that'll change that narrow little perspective of yours."

Chan remains unmoved, gaze unwavering. "You talk too much."

A low chuckle escapes Kurayami's lips before he turns, scanning the room again, his amusement growing when his eyes land on Wonwoo.

"Ah, glad to see you, Jeon," Kurayami says, his tone shifting into something almost gleeful. "You know how many shipments we've lost because of you? How many deals you've fucked up? Man, Kuro would love to have you as a welcome-home gift when he's back from Indonesia. You'd be a fucking bonus." He tilts his head, eyes gleaming. "I'd be rewarded, you know."