Danger | Sope ✓

10-53

Taehyung straightened his tie, stepping into the club.

Music blasted from speakers, bodies moving to the beat as Taehyung tried to squeeze through women trying to force themselves on him.

Taehyung apologized as he pushed away the ladies, noting the familiar man sitting on a couch, an arm around a woman and a drink in the other.

"Yo V!" The man smiled once he caught sight of Taehyung, voice loud enough that it didn't drown in the music.

"Mark!" Taehyung smiled pulling the man into a small hug.

"Where's Jimin?" Mark asked, raising a brow as he searched the club for the shorter man.

"Couldn't make it. He's working late again," Taehyung shrugged.

"Come on, let me buy you a drink, then we can talk business," Mark whispered something to the woman who smiled before walking off.

The two men headed to the bar, Mark asking the bartender for two shots.

"I'm surprised you went outside today," Mark laughed. "Usually, you'd be the one busy."

Taehyung shrugged once more. "Jimin... Jimin's just stressed. And I go outside. I'm not some cave creature."

Mark downed his shot with a small shrug. "Anyway, the transaction. I sent half of the money. I won't pay the other half unless you send the coke."

"I'm hurt that you don't trust us," Taehyung joked. "But that could be arranged. Lucky for you, I'm the one who met you today. I'll see what I could do. I'm sure Jimin wouldn't like that, but I can set up an arrangement."

"Thanks, V," Mark nodded. "How's the search for Jungkook?"

Taehyung sighed, finally taking a sip of his drink, hissing as the liquid burned his throat. "Not well."

"Can we talk somewhere quieter?" Mark suggested.

Taehyung nodded as he finished his drink. "Why the hell not? I have time anyway."

The two men walked out of the club, loitering in the parking lot where they stood against Mark's car. Mark pulled out a cigarette, offering one to Taehyung.

"No thanks," Taehyung refused, shaking his head. "I don't smoke."

"Suit yourself," Mark mumbled as he lit his cigarette, taking a long drag. "So Jimin..."

"What about him?" Taehyung arched an eyebrow.

"How's he holding up with this whole Jungkook business? I saw the news two weeks ago. Cops finally barged into his territory and searched his place. I'm surprised he hasn't laid a finger on any of them."

"He's focusing on business for now. He knows he's caught lots of attention by trying to infiltrate ADX Florence. It'll be awhile until he can get action again."

"And what about you? Have you found Jungkook yet?"

Taehyung's jaw tightened, staring at the ground with hands in his pockets. "Mark... I trust you okay? I trust you won't tell anyone about this information? Especially Jimin?"

"Sure, Tae," Mark furrowed his eyebrows, flashing Taehyung a worried look.

Taehyung sucked in a breath, nodding lightly. "Jungkook... Well, I've known his motives and why he got arrested for well over four years."

Mark nodded, letting Taehyung know to continue.

"He wanted to get away from Jimin. That's why he purposely got arrested. And well- a few years ago, he returned a letter. Saying he's actually out of prison and living a normal life. Then the other day, I found Jungkook. In LA and as a detective. And on a missing persons case concerning Jimin. It's just... I convinced him to fly back to New Jersey but- I don't know Mark... I've been lying to Jimin for years and it's just-" Taehyung took a deep sigh. "It feels wrong. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing. I don't understand how this is all going to turn out. Am I doing the right thing, Mark?"