run ── 𝗹𝗲𝗲 𝗷𝗲𝗻𝗼 ❎

Chapter 16

JENO'S POV:

When I enter the gang hideout, Soobin notices me. He shakes his head and I know something is off.

'Jeno.'

I spin around to face Mark.

'Where have you been?'

I shrug. 'Treating my wound.'

He narrows his eyes in suspiscion. I stare at him defiantly. I'm not exactly lying. Mark finally relents, and gestures for me to follow him.

I enter Kun's office. Mark leaves without another word.

'Oh Jeno...' Kun smiles tiredly. 'You really like her, don't you?'

'Who?'

Kun tilts his head. 'You know who I'm talking about.'

I freeze. Deciding to be honest with Kun, someone who had been so close with me for so many years, I say quietly, 'I don't know Kun. She's...different. I think...I think that I like her, but I know I can't get her involved in gang matters. It will hurt both her and us.'

Sighing, the man in front of me smiles, exhaustion clear in the way he holds himself. 'Jeno...I can't have Mark keep looking out for you. I know you know the limits. You know this...relationship will not end up well.'

I clench my fists. 'I can protect her, Kun.'

Kun sighs again. 'I know you can. But what about the gang? We need you more than ever. This Javan Tiger is not something to be taken lightly. Taeyong will not stop until he destroys us. And you, are not helping by being with that girl almost 24/7.'

I keep quiet. This Javan Tiger is indeed a serious problem. And it has to be stopped immediately.

I begin slowly, cautiously choosing my words, 'Fine. I'll lessen my time with her. I won't meet with her that much. But if her life ever comes to danger...' I narrow my eyes. 'I will hurt whoever dares threaten her.'

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The next day. Evening. Sunday.

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Red alert flashes on my phone screen, and I immediately pick it up.

'Jeno! Get to the city square now.' Kun's voice is urgent and angry. Something bad is happening right now.

I drop my books onto the table and grab a black mask. I pull up my hood and run out the hideout. I find Mark right outside, gesturing hurriedly for me to get into the car.

After I get in, the car speeds up and swerves through roads quickly. Haechan sits at the wheel, his knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel tightly.

'What's happening?' I demand.

Haechan hisses, 'Taeyong had his gang ambush the people at the city square. He sent a message to Kun that if we don't call off our attacks to his gang, he'll kill everyone there one by one.'

I snarl and clench my fists tightly. 'Who does he think he is?'

'Kun wants us to stop him. Others are reaching the square already. He thinks we can't fight back.' Mark says, his eyes trained to the front.

That's when we arrive at the scene. I can see our other members hiding around the area, ready to fight whenever we call. The people in the square were all trembling, their eyes filled with fear and terror.

Around twenty men face us, and we get off the car cautiously. Our own men emerge and surround us. We're around the same number. That's when I see who the man in the middle has in his hands. Of all the people who are at the square.

A knife pressed against Soojin's neck.

Hot fury surges through me, dyeing my vision with a tinge of dark red. Without a second thought, my spare dagger slips into my right hand.

'Jeno wait-'

No one will ever hurt her and get away with it.

The dagger hurls across the distance and cuts towards the man holding Soojin. He tries to turn Soojin to act as a shield, but not fast enough. The blade slices into Soojin's side slightly - then embedding itself into the man's stomach.

The man cries out and releases Soojin. He clutches at his wound as crimson blood gushes out.

As if that was a silent command, everything around me breaks into chaos.

People scream and run. The gangs leap into battle, limbs swinging and guns shot. I run straight through the turmoil and bend down next to Soojin, who is on her knees, her hands hugged around her sides.

Her eyes are darkened with pain; blood seeps through her shirt. I'm seething, struggling to keep my fury intact when I see her blood. She doesn't seem to recognize me.

'Who...?'

I pick her up bridal style effortlessly.

'Don't speak. You're hurt,' I growl angrily.

She opens her mouth again to say something, but thinks better of it. I quickly pass her to one of the members that just arrived.

'Get her back to the hideout and have her treated. Don't hurt her.' I order, turning back to the battle to help.

I swipe up twin knives from the ground swiftly and charge into the mess of men.

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Breathing heavily, I cast my gaze around the now quiet square. We won. Of course we did. They underestimated us.

I jerk my head at Haechan and Mark, who are making their way towards me.

'Where is she?' Mark asks beneath his breath when he stops next to me.

'Back at the hideout with the medics.'

'Is that a good idea?'

Before I can answer, Haechan catches up to us. 'Let's go back.'

I nod and we enter one of the unoccupied cars. Mark drives this time.

When we arrive, I go straight to the medics room. One of them points to another room.

I enter the quiet room. She's on the bed, sitting against the frame.

But when she sees me, Soojin backs away uncomfortably despite her obvious pain and says flatly. 'Don't come near me, I don't know who you are.'

Then I realize why. I take off my mask and pull down my hood.

'Oh. Jeno.' She smiles sheepishly and her ears heat up.

Ignoring just how cute she looks, I close the distance between us in two quick strides. 'Can I check your wound?' I ask sharply.

She nods, seeming to be surprised by the hardness in my voice. I push up her shirt slightly, and temporarily remove her bandage.

'Shit Soojin. I'm so sorry.' Hot guilt burns through me like a trail of liquid fire when I see how deep the cut is. If I didn't react so quickly...

She shakes her head and smiles. 'No, it's not your fault okay? You were protecting me.'

I replace her bandage quietly. Just as I am going to say something, the door opens.

'Kun wants to see-' Mark frowns when he notices me.

'Jeno? What are you doing here?'

I raise an eyebrow. 'You think?'

Mark sighs, then look at Soojin. 'Anyways...Kun wants to see you. Now.'