...

It was quite rare that all three Kims were summoned by Dong-Ho, to the headquarters. It was usually Jin that went alone, managing to spare his brothers the pain and suffering that place always provoked. This time, however, Dong-Ho wanted all three of them.

The news of Rim Kwan and Gyeong Hak-Kun's singing to the police had made a serious ruckus amongst the ranks in the Underworld. A few of Hak-Kun's and Kwan's closest men were brought to Dong-Ho, who executed them in front of everyone. Dong-Ho wanted to tell all of them what will happen if they try to betray him. It was tactical intimidation, nothing else.

After that was done, the rest were sent away, while a few others, including Jin, were escorted to a meeting room with a big table and chairs for each member of Dong-Ho's council. Several seats now stood empty as their owners were either dead or arrested.

In there, they discussed the further businesses, new options and most importantly the chaos Hak-Kun and Kwan got them into.

The two men were always taken for granted. Two sickoes were responsible for the fresh meat and video production. Jin remembers just how much was hard for Namjoon not to expose them all. He knew though, they all did, that if one player is removed from the board before their time, another one will take its place, changing the flow of the game. It was endless if played recklessly. The only way to finish it is through careful moves, setting traps and then destroying them all, if not at the same time, then one by one, in a so-called chain reaction.

Kwan and Hak-Kun were the players on the board. They needed to play their part, to make their moves so others could make their own. They did the job well. The steady income they made for Dong-Ho, made him less judgemental of how they did it. He simply didn't care, as long as it fills his bank account. But they failed. They were allowed to be caught, all thanks to Namjoon, but no one knew about that.

And instead of keeping their mouth shut, they spoke, they revealed everything in order to save their skin. They tried to play heavy bargaining with both the police and Dong-Ho with that USB drive. The only thing they didn't count on was Jimin.

Jin knew Dong-Ho was heavily after Jimin, thinking that he might know more than what was among that USB files, considering that half of those who were on it were still free. It was believed that Jimin made copies and, in agreement with Kwan and Hak-Kun, was set to sell the information to the highest bidder. He was wrong, of course, but nothing would convince him otherwise.

Dong-Ho's empire was crumbling. First, is the gallery scandal. It wasn't a big game as the others but was the one that started it all. Then Lee's gang fell, or at least the ones that worked with Dong-Ho. Then, the drug chain was closed, tens of billions upon billions won have been lost, and even though they began regrouping and trying again, it will take years to establish the reputation, money and connections they had.

Their illegal video production has stopped, and the new evidence that keeps resurfacing is closing down on Dong-Ho's prostitution and slaves group.

Not to mention the clients, who are complaining, spreading tales of fake goods he sold. Several jewels still haven't been sold, because the buyers keep avoiding him, not wanting to be framed. Dong-Ho was fuming but was unable to stop the rumours nor to get to the bottom of it.

He did meet one of his buyers claiming that. They were wearing masks to protect their identities, so it was easy for Jin to be there without fear of being recognized. In the end, they argued a lot and Dong-Ho pulled out a gun on the buyer. They nearly managed to avoid the bloodshed, and only because Jin was able to calm the situation, informing Dong-Ho that the necklace was indeed fake, but that was real when they bought it from them. The buyer, of course, was enraged, claiming he was framed, and Jin pulled another card by bringing up the jewellery expert that buyer brought with him, who expected the necklace himself and claimed it was real. In the end, the buyer left, unsatisfied, tossing the damned necklace in Dong-Ho's face before storming out of the room, his entourage at his heels.

It took Jin a good fifteen minutes to calm Dong-Ho down, so he won't order the murder of the man.

Either way, Dong-Ho somehow managed to swim through all this shit, holding on to his power and position. He still has strong allies in other cities, the biggest one being Busan, with An Beakhyun on the top. But the biggest support was from the ''Organization'' whose treasury doors were always open to its members, and Dong-Ho knew how to hide his wrongdoings.

When Taehyung told him and Namjoon what Jung Hoseok has told him about the organization, they couldn't believe their ears. That same day, Jin spent almost two hours talking with Hoseok through the secured video line that Namjoon provided.

The man proved even more connected than Jin.

Jin had serious trouble trusting Hoseok, but with Taehyung and Namjoon vouching for the man, he relented. Soon, Hoseok proved him wrong in his first assumption and quickly changed Jin's opinion of himself. They had too much in common in the first place.

Hoseok promised that he will reach his contacts in Europe, making a certain plan that Jin approved wholeheartedly. The only thing that was left for them to do Is to figure out how to do it without Dong-Ho noticing.

-'' I told you he is the ''sunny Hyung''.'' – Taehyung chimes in when Jin had finished his video call.

-'' Hmf...'' – Jin grunted, his mind was still in a slight panic. A lot of things were happening beyond his control and he did his best to stop overthinking.

-'' Hyung.'' – Taehyung nudged his shoulder with his own. – '' It will be alright, you'll see.'' – He says.

Jin sighs, nodding. –'' Yes, o-of course.''

Taehyung squints his eyes at him. – '' You don't sound very convincing.''

Jin huffs a laugh. – '' No, I am. it's just...I'm afraid as well.'' – He admits. It was okay for him to show his weakness to his brothers. It was hard to stay strong and calm all the time. – '' I wish I had at least one-third of your bravery, Tae-ah.''

-'' Oh, Hyung.'' – Tae's voice was soft, as his eyes probably, Jin didn't dare to look at them at this moment. Taehyung clicks his tongue. – '' I am afraid also, all the time.'' – He says, wrapping his arm around Jin's shoulders. – '' I always worry about you, Joonie, Jiminie, Jungkook... but I also believe in all of you, and I know things will be fine. After all this struggle and suffering, they have to be. The light on the end of a tunnel.''

Jin chuckles gently at that. – '' I hope you're right.'' – He says, moving Tae's hand away, so he could lean his head on Tae's shoulder, as they sat on the couch together, comforting each other silently.

There is still a lot to do. His careful plans went under change now that more players have been added to their side, and it's still so new to him. Trusting someone else, besides his family, was once unthinkable, but both of his brothers kept encouraging him to open up and try.

Still, he fixed his will with a help of his other lawyer (he always believed that it's best to have several sources for different areas) and instructed Solar on what to do if anything happens to him.

She watched him worryingly, wondering why is he saying all those things, wanting to know what was going on, but Jin just play it on a whim.

-'' Don't worry, everything is fine.'' – He lies through a smile. – '' I was just bored and decided to prepare for every eventuality. You know what happened to my father, right?''

He didn't fool her. -'' Sajangnim, you are never bored. You always have tons of work to do. You don't have time to do things on a whim.'' - She says, scornfully.

Jin gave her a tired smile. – '' You're right, but maybe I ought to give myself a chance...one of these days.'' – He watched her with huge affection, telling her to empty his schedule for two weeks.

Solar looked at him in shock since he never asked that from her. Ever.

-'' Sajangnim, but...you never before...'' – She stammers a bit, and Jin takes her hand.

-'' I have some private things to do, and I have full confidence in you to deal with business while I'm gone.'' – He pulls her towards his deck, placing the document on the surface. – '' I want you to sign this and keep a copy with you.'' – He offers the pen to her. She looks at him in shock.

Jin sighs. -'' It's an authorization document that leaves you in charge while I'm away.'' – He says, letting her take the document from the desk so she could read through it. He watches her brows furrow the more she read. At the end of it, Jin's flashy signature stood at the right end of the paper. The left side was still empty.

She raises her wide eyes at him. – '' But this... this...''

-'' This will make you a president. You will have all authority over this place and all the stores we have. You will use my office while I'm gone, and we will arrange for the bigger one for you when I come back.''

-'' Sajangnim...'' – Her eyes were full of tears.

-'' You gave your time, blood, sweat, and tears to this company and I know you will not allow it to fall to ruin.'' – He says softly, his fingers reaching to touch a blond lock of hair that managed to escape from her tidy little bun.

She was crying now. – '' Why does this feel like you are saying goodbye.''

Jin smiles. – '' Don't be silly. I'm right here.'' – He moves his hand from her hair to take her hand in his again, placing the pen in her fingers. – '' Sign it, please, and let me breathe a little easier.''

It took him some coaxing for her to finally sign the document, crying non-stop. He pushes the paper away and reaches for his handkerchief. – '' Now, now, don't cry anymore. There's no need for that.''

-'' But Sajangnim...''

-'' Hush now.'' – He dabs at her cheeks, collects her tears, and then smiles. – '' Congratulation, president Kim.''

He remembers Namjoon's words at that moment, saying that if he ever marries her, she won't have to change her last name. He chuckles to himself, looking at her pretty face.

She let another sob at his congratulations and wrap her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. Oh...she is so tiny. Jin muses as he hugged her back, kissing the top of her head. Yes, he made a good choice with her. The business is safe in her hands, so he has one less worry until this is over.

The sharp argument jerks Jin from his thoughts, and he remembers where he was. Dong-Ho's conference room, the meeting, the boredom.

He pays attention to what they are talking about and seeing it was none of his concerns, but some dispute between the clans, he zoned out again, mentally preparing for at least another hour of this nonsense.

---

Down in the corridors, Taehyung paced around, waiting for Jin to finish. He was in search of something, someone, to be exact when the voice spoke from the shadows.

-'' You act all proud and almightly, Taehyung as if you have no worries in the world.''

It was Kang Jihoon. He was leaning on the wall for who knows how long, silently observing him.

Taehyung stops in his tracks, glancing blankly at the man. – '' You want something, Jihoon? Or do you just yapping for no reason?''

Jihoon grits his teeth at that. – '' Careful, Taehyung or you might find yourself in big trouble if I show the boss what I have.''

Taehyung was unmoved. – '' Oh?'' – He approaches the man, tilting his head amusingly when Jihoon fell mute, his body rigid. Clearly, he didn't expect Taehyung to come this close.

Taehyung takes a deep breath and releases it in a huff like he was bored. – '' Tell me, what do you think you know, hmm?'' – Tae asks in his deep alluring voice.

The man makes a grimace full of hate. – '' Didn't your boyfriend tell you?'' – He grins devilishly. –'' It must be devastating when he left you for that police mutt.''

The muscle on Tae's jaw twitches at how Jungkook was referred to, and Jihoon's smile widens, thinking that he hit the nerve. Taehyung schools his expression fast and speaks in a drawling bored voice.

-'' I am at the loss of whatever could you mean, Jihoon.''

-'' You know.''

Tae clicks his tongue in annoyance. – '' Why does everyone assume that I know what's in their heads.'' – He sighs and shakes his head, eyes blazing with fire when he suddenly nails Jihoon with his cold stare. – '' I'll ask you again, what is it you want?''

Jihoon grins with a pure evil expression on his face. – '' If you don't want the boss finding out about the pictures and your perversions, you better do as I say.''

He watched in shock as Taehyung tossed his head back and laughed out loud.

-'' My perversions? Oh, boy... You are one to talk, Jihoon. Ridiculous.''

Suddenly, the blade was pointed at Taehyung's belly, pooking slightly. The laughter dies in Taehyung's throat, and a look of disgust appears on his face.

-'' You are not laughing now, do you?'' – Jihoon snarls in Tae's face. The vein in his forehead pulsed, and he was all flushed from anger. No one who would see Jihoon know, his face twisted from hate, would ever say that he is beautiful.

Taehyung thought the same, tilting his head and humming calmly. He arches his eyebrow and looks pointedly down at the knife and then back at Jihoon's eyes.

The man just presses the blade harder to show that he is in charge.

Taehyung groans. - '' Oh, Jihoon...how can you be so blind.'' – He repeats the motion of pointedly looking down and then back up.

The confusion was evident on Jihoon's face. -'' What are you talking about?''

Taehyung sighs and shifts his arm only a little. Jihoon gasps, eyes going round and glances down.

-'' I could have killed you already.'' – Taehyung's voice was cold as ice. He held a dagger right at Jihoon's left inner thigh, now pressing the steel at his femoral artery. – '' You move, I cut. Your choice. We shall see who bleeds out faster.''

Jihoon looks at him in horror. He was clearly bewitched since things like this never happen to him. He is a killer, a cold-blooded murderer, his attacks are sharp and lethal. He would not fail from Taehyung's hand. Never.

He grits his teeth, growling quietly, pulling his hand with the knife in surrender and steps back. If a stare could kill, Taehyung would be a dead man.

-'' What's going on here?'' – Came Namjoon's voice, who quickly asserted the situation and was there in three long steps. Jihoon moves back. He didn't want to fight with Kims today.

Taehyung snorts in a mock manner. – '' Oh, nothing. We are perfectly fine, aren't we, Jihoon?'' – The man meets his challenging look. Taehyung grins. – '' We were just reminiscing some old days.''

-'' Uh-huh. With knives?'' – Namjoon asks, still alert. His huge body was hovering over both Taehyung and Jihoon.

-'' Ah, well... we were just comparing who has bigger, you know.'' – Tae says nonchalantly.

Namjoon snorts at that, eyes never leaving the assassin.

-'' Besides, I've done what I came for.'' – Taehyung says, pocketing his steel and turning to leave. – '' Let's go. Hyung is waiting.'' – He makes a few steps, Namjoon at his heel, when Jihoon speaks.

-'' Better be careful Kim. Things are not going well for you.''

Namjoon began turning to face him, but Taehyung stops him by clasping his hand. – '' I would head you own warning if I were you, Jihoon. Just know that.'' – Taehyung chimes in, pulling Namjoon down the hall.

-'' One thing.'' – Namjoon says, halting his brother, and glaring in Jihoon's way. – '' I won't be so eager to threaten us.'' – He says, eyes narrowing, making him look like a dragon. – '' Not with all of those secrets of yours.''

Jihoon's nostrils flare, and he chuckles dangerously. – '' You have nothing.''

-'' I wouldn't say that.'' – Namjoon ignores Tae's tug on his arm. – '' Let's just say that Dong-Ho won't take lightly that hobby of yours. Pictures cuttings?'' – He watched with satisfaction how the blood drains from Jihoon's face. He smiles wickedly and continues. – '' And you ought to ask Taehyung for permission for that photos.''

-'' Come on, Hyung.'' – Taehyung tugs him again, not wanting this to escalate and Jihoon to attack.

-'' Have a nice day.'' – Namjoon tosses and allows to be dragged away.

Jihoon stayed behind utterly paralyzed.

___

Jin still sat at the meeting with Dong-Ho and his cronies. He felt so out of place in here. Everyone looked at him, the primp suit and cool posture like he was an intruder. He was, in a way. Still, Jin prevails. He had done it for years. He will do it today as well.

On his left, Jin notices a figure in his peripheral vision. It was Jihoon. He just came into the room, standing silently amongst the shadows, waiting for the meeting to end.

Jin knew Dong-Ho noticed him there, and since he did nothing to send him off, Jin realizes that he was accepted into an inner circle. Jin didn't like it at all. The man was dangerous, and according to the thunderous expression on his face, Jin guesses that he met Taehyung.

He could feel Jihoon's eyes on him. They were so much intense that Jin had to acknowledge them. They shined from the far, like on oil. He was satisfied with something, Jin could tell.

When the meeting was done, Dong-Ho sends his men off. – '' Seokjin, stay.'' – He orders.

Jin who was expecting this, didin't even attempt to move from his seat. Instead, he watches Dong-Ho signalling Jihoon, to approach closer.

-'' Is it done?'' – He asks and Jihoon bows.

-'' Yes, sir. Everything is set for tonight. You will have the news by morning.''

By that, he meant that in the morning guards will find Rim Kwon and Gyeong Hak-Kun dead in their cells. Jin thought. Damn, they work fast.

-'' You don't tell me it's done until it's done, understood?'' – He growls at the man. Jin had the desire to smirk, but he stayed motionless.

Jihoon blinks and then stammers. –'' Yes, sir. I will let you know as soon as I hear confirmation.''

Dong-Ho made a face, dismissing him with a wave of his hand. Jin knew that face, it was the one that usually complains about how incompetent people are.

-'' Is there something else you wanted, Jihoon?'' – Dong-Ho asked when the man didn't move.

Jihoon opens his mouth and then glances at Jin.

-'' Whatever it is, say in front of him, and stop wasting our time.'' – Dong-Ho barks.

Jihoon sighs, sending daggers to Jin.

-'' I have certain information about Park Jimin, that you might find interesting.'' – He says, and his eyes glistened with satisfied hate at Jin.

Dong-Ho arches an eyebrow. – '' Speak.''

Jihoon looks at the man, his features changing into ones of respect. – '' Him and Kim Taehyung are together.''

Dong-Ho's expression darkens. – '' Together how? Right now or?''

-'' As a couple.''

-'' And where does this claim come from?'' – Dong-Ho asks, and Jin is a bit surprised that he didn't just attack him about Taehyung's character. - I'm warning you..'' – The man continues. – '' I hate gossip, so unless you have valid proof...''

-'' I saw them.'' – Jihoon adds urgently. – '' I followed Kim and saw him drive to Parks's building.''

-'' So? Kims were his clients.''

Jin noticed how Dong-Ho used the past tense. They were clients, not are. He already cut Jimin away from them, which means that Jimin has no future here. He is as good as dead, in Dong-Ho's books.

The voice of Jihoon drags back Jin's attention.

-'' Kim stayed there until the next morning after which they shared a kiss in the garage and left their separate ways.''

At that, Dong-Ho's eyes fell on Jin, whose face didn't reveal anything.

Jihoon, you cursed motherfucker! Jin growls in his mind.

Jin understood the silence as his cue to speak, so he looks Jihoon dead in the eyes.

-'' Do you have any evidence to support your claim, Jihoon?'' – He asks seriously. – '' These are serious accusations about my family, and I don't take them lightly.''

Jihoon grins wickedly. – '' As a matter of fact, I do.'' – He says and went on unlocking his phone.

Jin watched with utter satisfaction as the smile on Jihoon's face disappeared into confusion, shock and then pure hatred. He raises his eyes to Jin. – '' You did something!'' – He growls. Jin was unmoved.

-'' Me? From here? Don't be ridiculous.''

I've done what I came for. Taehyung had said back in the hall. Jihoon's mind realized, eyes widening in realization and Jin felt that he need to counter whatever Jihoon is about to say. So he just uses the most obvious thing.

-'' Ah, yes, your hate for me and my brothers is well-known in the circles.'' – He says calmly. – '' You attacked Taehyung several times so far, and even Namjoon told me you had threatened him.'' – Jin clicks his tongue. – ''Your jealousy is silly, please stop making a fool of yourself, especially now.''

-'' This is bullshit! Your brothers cornered me just now!''

-'' Nonsense.'' – Jin cuts him off. – '' They are so bored with you that they would never spend a moment in your vicinity. Stop imagining it.''

Jin knew that was cruel, and it will make a dangerous enemy out of Jihoon, but there was no other way.

Jihoon turns his enraged face on Dong-Ho, trying to explain to him. – '' His brother is fucking that blond bitch of a lawyer, and he...'' – He points at Jin. – ''...knows all about it.''

Jin chuckles. – '' The only one who knows about bitches, Jihoon, is you.''

These words silence the man, and Jin felt the need to add the last nail to his coffin. – '' If things I've heard of you are correct, I would be extra careful not to go around talking trash of others.''

Jin's eyes flash a warning and Jihoon cut off anything else he planned to say. He was shaking from fury.

All that time Dong-Ho observed them silently. His face shows the high level of detest he had for drama, and he almost spits in Jihoon's direction. – '' Do you have the evidence?'

Jihoon shakes his head, bowing his head.

Dong-Ho's mouth twists into disgust. – '' Get away from my sight, then.'' – He snarls, making the young assassin disappear quickly.

Dong-Ho turns his wrath on Jin, who was still unmoved. – '' This better not be true, Seokjin.'' – He says. – '' If I discover an ounce of truth in this, your brother is dead.''

Jin meets his glare. – '' If you were to believe all the rumours and lies about my family, we would be dead a long time ago.'' Jin spoke flatly.

He held the man's glare for as long as necessary, not blinking and fidgeting, even though plenty of people didn't manage that. Dong-Ho used this gift of his to check who is telling the truth and who was not, and Jin was a champion of withstanding it like a pro.

Finally satisfied, Dong-Ho nods. – '' Good. Make sure to keep your sin of a brother on the leash. He wouldn't want to be caught with that snitch when we catch him. He can't hide forever.''

Jin nods in confirmation that he understood.

Never were the lines uttered with such venom and honesty as they were at that moment.

-'' You just placed massive targets on all of our heads.'' – Jin said in the car after they informed each other what happened between them and Jihoon. – '' It's never smart to antagonize Kang Jihoon.''

-'' He started it first.'' – Taehyung says, watching through the window utterly relaxed.

-'' Were you responsible for deleting Jihoon's data.'' – Namjoon asks curiously, nudging Tae's knee with his.

The smile spreads on Tae's face, and he glances at his brother next to him. – '' I used that device you gave me long ago, for deleting the data.'' - He said smugly. – '' Let's just say everything from Jihoon's phone was erased.''

-'' You know he could hold pictures on some other device.'' – Namjoon jumps in. – '' He had sent them from the internet café, so he could store them someplace else.''

-'' Naah, Jihoon would keep it close to him, so he could watch.'' – Taehyung retorts knowingly, returning his gaze outside again. – '' He would look at it so he could hate it and wank of it.''

-'' That guy gives me the creeps.'' – Jin chimes in from the driver's seat.

Taehyung meets his brother's eyes in the mirror and smiles. – '' Yes, he is an odious creature, isn't it? Oh, how I wish I could have seen his face when he discovered he had nothing.'' – Tae says dreamily.

-'' It was very satisfactory.'' – Jin says. – '' Although I had the worst inclination of the nervous breakdown moments before I saw his expression changes.'' – He admits. – '' I was already thinking of the excuse for you.''

-'' I do the work from my end, Hyungie, never worries.'' – Tae grins. – '' Jihoon is a fool.''

-'' Tae, don't underestimate Jihoon, please. He is much more dangerous than you think.'' – Jin warns.

Taehyung snorts. – '' And you give him more credit than he's worth. But don't worry I already infiltrated in again.''

Jin's eyes widen. – ''What do you mean?''

Taehyung licks his lips and sighs. – '' When my V mask was compromised, I went with a different disguise. I knew we would need eyes and ears from the inside.''

-'' Taehyung...'' – Jin sighs exasperatedly. – '' I don't want to argue with you.'' – He says with all the intention to argue with him, but Tae stops him.

-'' Then don't, and listen. No one trusts you in there, Hyung. They fear you, some even might respect you, but they don't like you. You need more of them on your side.''

-'' Why do I need them?'' – Jin asks.

-'' To overthrow Dong-Ho more easily in the end.''

-'' Taehyung, I already have a plan for that.''

-'' Then make this a plan B.'' – Tae retorts stubbornly. – '' And just imagine the look of Dong-Ho's eyes when he discovers that his own men betrayed him for you.''

-'' It does create a very pleasant picture.'' – Namjoon joins in.

Jin huffs a breath tiredly. – '' Fine, plan B. But be careful Taehyung, please.''

-'' I always am, Hyung.''

Both Jin and Namjoon laugh at that.

__________________

This chapter was calm, wasn't it? But not to worry, the next one will be juicy. You'll gonna love it!

Dong-Ho's empire is slowly crumbling, and Jin still has control over it. Do you know how things could build up slowly, only to crash or develop really fast at some point? Well, things are about to happen very fast after this one.

Stay tuned. Lots of love, darlings 💜💜💜