VENDETTA | VKOOK

┌TWENTY NINE┐

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Taehyung was hurting.

"I-I-I hate you!" Jungkook's words were echoing in his head, along with the image of Jungkook with tears running down his pale face, irises broken in disparity. How his body crumbled to the floor when Taehyung slammed the door shut, and how Taehyung's heart disintegrated into tiny pieces.

Just the fact that Jungkook went to sleep every night smiling because of Taehyung. His heart beating swell because of Taehyung. Cheeks turning pink and eyes dazzling because of Taehyung. Stomach churning with butterflies because of Taehyung. Thoughts making an image of a future with Taehyung.

All that, broken, in an instant.

Now he was crying because of Taehyung. Hurting because of Taehyung. Screaming, shouting, wanting death upon himself because of Taehyung. Hating himself because of Taehyung.

Taehyung was a monster.

"I-I wasn't supposed to fall for him," Taehyung breathed out, shaky hands clasped around a glass of cheap rum which he brought to his lips. "He's just- he's so fragile, Mark. All he wanted was f-for someone to love him, a-and hold him."

Mark stayed silent, urging Taehyung to continue. "He hates me now, and I understand. I hate myself more for-for-"

"Taehyung, it's not your fault. You were simply following orders. If you knew about Jungkook's past and-"

"I did!" Taehyung snapped, turning to Mark. "I-I did. I found out, didn't I? He told me- h-he trusted me. I should've stopped the second he told me a-about everything that happened to him. He just- he doesn't deserve all these things, Mark. He's s-so good, he's so good- his-his heart is pure and-and he doesn't- h-he-" Taehyung choked out, and Mark tsked when he saw tears in Taehyung's eyes.

"Tae- don't cry. C'mon- listen, I know you're upset, but-" Mark started, and then the door to Taehyung's room in that Mafia house opened, and Jackson walked in.

"You still moping?" Jackson asked in an angered tone, and Taehyung wiped his tears with the back of his hand, shaking his head quickly.

"Good. 'Cause the trackers you put on the Jeon vehicles are working. They're coming here." Jackson said, and Taehyung lifted his head up, looking at Jackson.

"What? W-why-"

"They know. That- that's probably why they're coming. Jungkook told them." Mark said, eyes widening. He shot up from the bed and rushed outside, along with Jackson.

Taehyung stayed on the bed, and then he grabbed his phone as quickly as possible.

[to Jungkook]
Please get out of the house as quickly as you can. I know you don't trust me, but please. For your safety.

Taehyung sent the message, and then there was a beeping.

Message not delivered.

Taehyung tried sending it again and again, but the same sign kept showing up. Message not delivered.

Dammit, Jungkook probably blocked him. Which is exactly what Jungkook should do- but Taehyung needs Jungkook to be safe right now.

Taehyung rushed out of the room and saw all the boys huddled around a table, Jackson ordering out some instructions. Taehyung was walking towards them, but then felt a hand on his back.

Taehyung turned around and his eyebrows lifted when he saw Wang Ruiji. "Sir- um- I was just-"

"Mark told me you failed to bring Jungkook here." Ruiji said, and Taehyung's breath hitched. He looked down at the floor. The man was older, hair dark with lines of grey. Lean, and tall, buff- that's where Jackson got it from. Eyes dark. He wasn't old. He wasn't old like Dokeun. Younger, but still had the intimidating look in his eyes.