Crimson Park

Chapter 9

Weeks passed and everything between you two was... normal. You and Jungkook hadn't had sex again, and the night you did began to feel like a dream - like it didn't happen. like you couldn't recall everything that had transpired but you could vividly recall how you felt. It's not that you didn't want to, but you couldn't shake the foreboding feeling that this would all end in tragedy. you had weeks ago resolved to keep him at a distance, and sex was sure to muddy that.

Jungkook never pressed, and you wondered why. Was he not into the idea anymore, despite what he said? But there were times - too many times - when you caught his eyes lingering on you. Like today. You wore a ribbed, cotton - albeit very expensive cotton - dress that knotted around your waist and exposed the cut-outs of your sides. He couldn't seem to keep his eyes off your bare flesh, and the curves of your body it left up for consumption, but he kept his cool no matter what. So, you knew he wanted you. Perhaps he was waiting for you, and you were pleased to keep him waiting while you internally battled with yourself.

You were both seated in the backseat of a car, a mere partition separating you and one of Dongnam's personal drivers. It would have felt rather illicit and precarious, just the two of you back there - especially since you had just caught Jungkook admiring the shadows that formed between your calves and shins - but you were too busy hiding your nerves to feel it.

"What's the expectation this time?" Jungkook asked.

"Same as before. I want you to be as inconspicuous as possible. So, try to stay in with the security team."

"Are you sure you won't be in any danger?"

"It's just for a few hours." You were on your way to another meeting. This time, with just the heads of the casinos and Dongnam's assistant.

"Should we be worried it was called so last minute?"

"It happens all the time. It's probably nothing."

⁂

You waited in the boardroom with the heads of the casinos – all except one - Piper. Dongnam's assistant hadn't shown up yet. You told Jungkook otherwise, but you were concerned about the meeting today. It wasn't unheard of for Dongnam to call something last-minute, but you had a strange feeling in your gut, nonetheless, and Piper being late only solidified it.

The door flung open with a bang, and in strode the assistant – a burly looking man who between his scars and weathered skin, looked as if he had been through a war. Behind him walked in another burly looking man and in his grasp was Piper.

"You've been brought here to discuss the matter of the east end casino," the assistant began but didn't elaborate.

"What's the issue with the east end?" you asked as you began to ruffle through your papers trying to find Piper's file. Your heartbeat fast, thinking you had made some sort of mistake or missed something that Dongnam had caught. Bloody Crimson Park was an image you were okay with here, but the last thing you needed was to be seen as incompetent.

"We're going to need a new head." All eyes in the room turned towards Piper. It was his casino – yet he was still here. Why?

"Mr. Piper here decided that he was going to leave the family."

Suddenly, you understood. Piper had tried to get out, and the realisation instantly turned your stomach.

"Why am I here?" you asked. The assistant's eyes flared at your question. He was a man who obviously wanted to be feared and obeyed and wasn't happy being questioned.

"Because he had cash on him. A lot. You're here to determine if his family will need to make reparations before he's punished." Your blood ran cold. Please let it be that Piper wasn't that stupid. That he saved the money on his own and didn't steal it. You swallowed.