Retracted Claws - [KTH] {DISCONTINUED}

04

It's almost unnerving at how fast time can tick by after a tragic event. It's already been 2 months since you were attacked on the streets and it's also been 2 months since Taehyung snapped at you. True to his apology, he's done everything in his power to control his temper, especially around you. You understood that he had to be strict and hold a sense of power to keep his men in line and he couldn't really run his mafia if he was soft on them. You didn't mind when he yelled and threw shit at someone who didn't listen, but if you were with him, he would keep it short- promising punishment to them later.

The guilt from that time still ate away at his stomach early morning and he's woken up enough times panicking when the memory of your blood body haunts his dreams. Taehyung had almost moved into your room by home much he was in there with you, sleeping in your bed at your side and even making sure you don't slip in your own shower.

While he's become even more doting, you've started becoming more independent; albeit in baby steps. You can wander around the manor on your own, you can stay in your room and shower on your own now without fear of some random man charging at you when your back was turned. For lack of better terms, here in this manor where you had Taehyung and you had Jimin, you felt safe. These walls of this grand manor were ones you could trust.

You've also started trying to speak up more. You were almost always limited to speaking to Jimin or to Taehyung. Humans are vile and scary, and you couldn't bring yourself to say two words if someone paid you (mostly because payment for you never turned out).

Perhaps, that's why Taehyung had been a bit more relaxed when it came to you being indoors. He would always be watching you in the corner of his eye, or he asks Jimin or a trusted member of his men to watch over you, but as opposed to the constant hovering he did before, he had grown less tense about it.

Now, here you stand in the corner of Taehyung's meeting room. Jimin sat at the table and Yoongi speaking over the phone. Taehyung sat at the end of a long table and a stranger sat at the other end. He was apparently a client of Taehyung's that has been shifted in his loyalty as of late. He claims to have some dirt on some rival companies and drug lords, but he's not willing to talk easily. No one was even sure if his claims of information were true, to begin with. It was all one big assumption.

So, here Taehyung sits, annoyed and impatient. His legs were crossed under the table, one hand tapping on the wood and the other curled around his mouth as his eyes were lidded with annoyance. The dark glimmer in them still sent shivers down your spine as your ears would unconsciously fold backward.

Even after all this time beside him and being fully aware since day one, just who Taehyung is and what he does, it doesn't lessen the chill you get from him when he's engulfed in his work.

"As I'm sure you're aware," Taehyung finally spoke. Jimin looked at his friend in a blank expression- he was good at hiding what needed to be hidden in such dire and heavy atmospheres. "I don't have all day and frankly, you're already wasting my time. So, either start talking or get the hell out."

"Taehyung," Jimin warned, trying to reign in his temper before it would spiral out of hand. Ever the professional when it comes to something business related. Jimin had too many sides, more than a die would and you always wondered which was legitimate.

"I want my payment before I tell you what I know," he spoke with an almost too proud smile. Taehyung's eyes narrowed.

"Tell me one good reason why I should reverse the ways of a trade when it comes to you specifically? I see nothing special about you compared to any other barber who comes my way."

"I won't tell you a thing otherwise. Who knows, maybe I have some good intel."

"And perhaps you're a liar who is just trying to pry at what clearly doesn't belong to you by putting on a face of pride." Taehyung dropped his hand from his mouth, joining it with his other than tapped on the table. Now clasped together they sit still. "You could very well have something, sure. However, you would just as easily be completely empty-handed when it comes to anything that could possibly be helpful to me."