Jin looked around at all his brothers gathered around the table. Everyone looked like the light had gone out of their lives. There were still a few sniffles coming from Taehyung and Hobi, Yoongi looked stoic.

Jin's eyes turned to Jungkook who looked completely heartbroken. He was staring into space with a dead look in his eyes. His little brother, who was always full of life and happiness, looked empty. Jin had overheard his conversation with Taehyung earlier and if what he understood from it was true, Jungkook and Sua had spent the night together. So, it was understandable that  Jungkook was taking her disappearance harder than any of them.

He cleared his throat. "I know she asked us not to look for her but I want to let you all know, that I don't plan on sitting around and not doing anything."

Everyone stared at him.

"I let my sister down by not looking for her then. I can't do the same to Sua. I won't. I'm going to look for her" Jin continued. "I'll understand if any one of you would like to respect her wishes and not join me"

"But where do we start? For all we know she's halfway to America by now" Namjoon remarked.

"Why would she go to America?" Jimin asked confused.

"Because she's American" Tae answered quietly.

"You know?" Jin asked him.

Tae nodded. "I looked into her the day she woke up and told us her name. When there wasn't anything on her locally, I looked internationally."

"And you didn't think the rest of us deserved to know?" Hobi asked.

"I figured she would tell you whenever she was comfortable enough to do so. There was nothing wrong or untrustworthy in her background." Except her father being a political person, Tae thought. But he decided to keep that information to himself.

"She told me" Jin answered. "And I told Namjoonie"

"And I told Kookie" Namjoon interjected.

"She told me too" Yoongi answered quietly.

"Wow" Jimin scoffed. "Guess we weren't as close as I thought"

"Don't think of it like that Jimin-ah. I knew but she never told me this herself. I guess it's not something she was comfortable talking about" Tae tried.

Jimin looked away. "It doesn't matter anyway. It doesn't matter where she's from. What matters is where she is right now. I'm going to look for her, Jin hyung. I think she's gone to turn herself in to Boss Choi." He squeezed his eyes shut and pinched the bridge of his nose. His head was still hurting like a bitch. "I can't even imagine what he would do to her. It's making my skin crawl"

"I think the same" Jin agreed.

"You think she went to Choi? Why would she do that, is she nuts?" Yoongi but out.

"She wouldn't run away. She'd want to ensure that we were safe. The only way to do that, would be to give the man threatening us, what he wants" Jin answered.

"Then she's probably already been taken to Busan." Yoongi muttered.

"We need to start setting out feelers, gather information" Namjoon said rising. "I don't think we have much time" his voice shook.

Jungkook was trembling in his chair, barely listening to the conversation flowing on the table. If she had really gone to Boss Choi instead of running away, he didn't think he could take it. Tae was right, he was the one who had prompted her to take this step. He didn't need Jimin to voice these thoughts, his brain was capable enough to conjure the most horrifying scenarios in his mind. His eyes glistened again. If she's hurt...

"Jungkook-ah?" Namjoon called.

Jungkook jerked in his direction.

"Will you join us?" Namjoon asked him "I know you were willing to turn her over earlier but I just wanted to know for sure"

Jungkook's heart sank. Willing to turn her over? Is that what they thought of him? He looked around the table. Jimin and Taehyung were staring at him with such hatred in their eyes that it physically hurt.
"Hyung, I never meant to turn her over to Boss Choi. I wouldn't. Please believe me" his voice shook. "I was scared and angry when I saw Taehyung was hurt. I lashed out but I would never, I....."

I love her. He wanted to say it. But the words got stuck in his throat. They wouldn't understand. Heck, he didn't understand it either.

"I want to look for her too. I'll do whatever I can to help" he said instead and looked down at his feet.

"I'm glad Jungkook-ah. You've realised that she's part of this family and I...." Namjoon's voice trailed away as he stared at the cellphone in his hand which was buzzing. He looked surprised.

"What is it hyung?" Taehyung asked.

"Choi Kang- Dae" he barely whispered as the phone shook in his hands "Video call"

Taehyung rushed to him. "Answer it hyung and stay on the screen. I'll get my laptop." He ran out of the dining room.

"Yeoboseyo?" Namjoon said as he answered the call and Choi Kang-Dae's face appeared on his screen.

"Anneyeong old friend" he said in his oily, fake sweet voice.

"Anneyeonghaseyo. Choi Kang-Daessi" Namjoon gave a slight bow.

"Ah! Namjoonie. I wish we were speaking under better circumstances" Choi crooned. He grimaced dramatically and shook his head.

Tae had come back carrying his laptop, he set it up on the table as Namjoon remained silent and waited for Choi to speak further. Tae was carefully plugging the phone while Namjoon still held it up.

"Tell your techie boy not to bother tracking me. It won't work. You should know this by now Namjoonie" Choi boasted.

However Tae continued to connect the phone to the laptop. The phone's screen was now was reflected on the laptop screen. So everyone else could see what was going on. However, Namjoon continued the conversation on the phone.

"He wouldn't need to do it, would he? Why would we want to track you anyway? I can simply call you like you've just called me" Namjoon replied nonchalantly.

Choi chuckled at that. "Now Namjoon-ah, I must tell you, I'm extremely disappointed in you." He shook his head again. "When I said I wanted what was mine back, I meant intact."

Namjoon just looked at him with a slight frown.

"I must say, I was surprised. I didn't think you would give her up so easily. Not after the way your little pup defended her that night. I expected a fight. Imagine my surprise when she showed up at my door." He gave a mock surprised look and laid a hand on his chest.

Choi Kang-Dae shifted a little turning the camera. There was a collective gasp at the table. Behind him was Sua. Tied to a chair with her head hanging low down her front. Her hair had fallen forward hiding her face. All of them pressed close to the laptop screen.

"Then she told me she had run away from you and come to me. She begged me to stop hurting "her brothers" Choi laughed. "I thought, what a joke, after all the trouble you went through to keep her safe, here she is"

His face changed. He looked furious. "But the joke was on me, wasn't it?"

"I don't understand..." Namjoon replied.

"I wanted her intact. You not only stole, you opened, you used. You even marked her" Choi sounded deadly.

"What do you mean?" Namjoon asked, clearly disturbed at the sight of her still, unmoving form behind him.

Choi chuckled. "Wasn't it you then?"

Namjoon looked clueless.

"Then it's definitely your little pet who's responsible for the state in which she was returned to me. Get him on this call."  His voice had turned menacing now.

Namjoon gave Jungkook a sharp nod. Jungkook got off his chair and walked to him, peering into the phone, while the rest of them watched on Taehyung's laptop.

"There he is, the little pest. You think it's okay to steal from me?" Choi asked.

When Jungkook didn't answer, he continued "How dare you touch what's mine?" he growled. "You've ruined her"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Namjoon asked.

Choi walked to Sua, grabbed her hair and pulled her head back harshly, baring her neck for them to see. The small purplish marks stood out on her neck. Her eyes were closed and a gag was tied around her mouth. She had a bruise on her cheek. Jungkook's knees wobbled at the sight of her. A soft whimper broke through his lips and his vision blurred.

"You send her to me with bloody hickeys on her? Are there more, I wonder. Should we check?" He roughly grabbed at her shirt.

"Stop!" Namjoon screamed as the rest of them stood up, glaring at the screen.

Choi gave a sinister chuckle as he stared at Namjoon and Jungkook through his phone.

"I expected her to be returned still intact but it turns out the bitch has been broken into. She's worthless to me now." He roughly shoved her head away. It limply moved around, completely lifeless.

"Don't" Jungkook moaned. Namjoon pushed him away.

"Listen to me Choissi. I want her back and I'm willing to compensate you for her safe return to us" Namjoon negotiated.

"Safe? Oh you mean like you did?" Choi laughed. The disturbing sound echoed through the room.

"Come on, please. Whatever you want. I'll do it." Namjoon pleaded.

"I was going to keep her with me. I had promised her that she would be taken care of. But I guess that wasn't enough for her." Choi said. "Maybe I'll hand her over to my men. Let them have their fill. Then throw her in one of brothels." He said "If she's still alive by then" he sniggered.

Jungkook's mind reeled. "No!" He screamed and snatched the phone from Namjoon's hands.

"Yah! If you hurt her anymore than you already have, I swear to God, I will bathe her in your blood" Jungkook warned him.

Choi laughed again.

"She's worthless now but its funny how much you all want her" he chuckled again shaking his head "Idiots" he muttered.

Namjoon had taken the phone back. "Choissi she's worthless to you. So we are willing to take her off your hands. We will buy her if needed."

Choi seemed lost in thought for a moment "Keep your money Namjoonie." He answered after a few moments. "Well" he sighed "since I'm such a nice guy, I'll let you have her."

"Ghamsamnida" Namjoon bowed.

"If you find her, she's yours" Choi sniggered again and ended the call.

When the screen went blank, no one moved. They were all still processing what had happened.

Yoongi got off his chair and walked to Jungkook holding him by the collar. "What was he talking about? Did you do that to her?"

"Hyung... It wasn't like that" Jungkook tried.

Yoongi pulled a fist back intending to hit him.

"Enough!" Jin said coldly. "It was Sua's decision to spend the night with him, Yoongi-ya. I will not have any more of you boys attacking him. What happened is between the two of them. It's none of our business. Look at him, he's distraught."

Yoongi stared at Jungkook. His bambi eyes were wide in fear and brimming with tears. His face was pale and he was trembling slightly. He let go of his collar and Jungkook staggered back falling to the floor.

This was not how Jungkook had planned on telling his brothers. He had wanted to explain how his time with her had transformed his feelings. How much he loved her. How he had known he had been heading down that road since the moment he had seen in her in the alley and how sorry he was for treating her the way he had in the past.

The sight of Sua, lifeless and tied to the chair was eating at him. He just wanted her back where he could hold her and keep her safe by his side. He felt a set of strong arms squeeze his shoulders. He looked up to see Namjoon standing behind him.

"Come on Jungkook-ah, we have a lot to do." He encouraged. "Gear up everyone. We are leaving for Busan."

"Busan? Are you sure she's there?" Jin asked.

"Seoul is our turf. Boss Choi is aware of that. He wouldn't leave her anywhere we can find her easily. He's definitely taken her to Busan." Namjoon replied.

With that, everyone nodded and dispersed.

~~~~~~~~~~

They had reached Busan a day ago and yet they were no closer to finding Sua than they had been in Seoul.

Jimin let out a frustrated sigh. "What are we missing here?" He cried.

"I think we should all get some sleep. We have been working on this for over 48 hours. We need to rest." Hobi advised.

"I don't think I could sleep, not knowing if she's okay" Tae whispered. He looked haggard, his hair was messy and clothes crumpled.

"Hobi hyung is right" Jimin said yawning. "We would be able to work better once we are a little rested. Just a couple of hours."

"I think that would be best for now" Namjoon agreed.

They had booked two rooms in a motel in Busan. Jin, Yoongi and Namjoon retired to the other room while Tae, Jungkook, Jimin and Hobi settled in the one they already were in.

Jimin lay down on the bed. Hobi was lightly snoring on the other already. Jungkook and Tae were on the floor. He could see Jungkook turned away towards the wall. His body was shaking slightly and Jimin knew he was crying. Even though the sight of his obvious distress pulled at his heartstrings, he couldn't help feeling that they were all in this position because of him in the first place.

He could see Tae tossing restlessly in his makeshift bed. He was about to suggest that they switch places but Tae sat up and looked around. Instinctively, Jimin shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep. He could hear Taehyung shuffling around for a moment before he heard the door open. Jimin opened one eye slightly to see Taehyung creep silently out of the room and close the door behind him.

He got off the bed and followed him out. He saw Taehyung walk down the corridor with his head bent and looking into his phone. He turned around the corner and sat on one of the couches in the lobby.
"Anneyeong. It's me" Tae said quietly.

Jimin stood with his back to the wall remaining in the shadows and out of sight, listening intently.

"Can I talk to you for a moment?" Taehyung asked the person on the other end of the call.

"I really need your help." Tae said, his voice still trembling slightly. "That doesn't matter right now. Nothing matters."

"I need to find Sua. We are only coming up with dead ends and now we are running out of time." He took in a long breath.

"I know" he said softly as he shoved a hand through his hair. "But I didn't know who else to call. Please help me"

He seemed to be listening for a moment.

"Ah! Je-bal Do Jia-ya. I cannot lose her." He pleaded.

"You are my last hope. Just please" he cried.

"Do you know where she is?" His voice had risen "No, I understand. Tell me whatever you can, please." He begged.

"Okay. Gumawoyo, Aein." He said and paused "Bogosipoeyo" he whispered after a few moments.

Jimin stared. Aein? Tae was calling someone sweetheart and telling them he missed them? Did he have a girlfriend none of them knew about?

"Yes, still. I probably always will. Makes me the stupidest guy in the world, doesn't it?" He chuckled. "I don't know." He replied to something that Jimin couldn't hear and ended the call.

Tae was staring down at the phone in his hand. Jimin slipped away quietly. He didn't want to confront his best friend. He was sure Tae would share it with him in time.

He went back into the room and laid back down on the bed. Finally closing his eyes while his body succumbed to some much needed sleep.

~~~~~~~~~

Jungkook woke with a start. The room was empty and quiet. He quickly shuffled to his feet. His heart was thundering in his chest. Had they left without him? He wondered. He pulled on his tshirt and rushed out to the other room. His brothers were sitting in a circle on the floor pouring over plans, when he burst through the door.

"You look better. Did you sleep well?" Jin asked him.

"I'm sorry hyung. I didn't realise I had fallen asleep." Jungkook's insides were twisting with guilt and he avoided all eye contact as he sat down on the floor between Jin and Namjoon.

"It's okay Jungkook-ah. You needed it" Namjoon said kindly, patting his back.

None of the others looked at him. So he sat silently looking at the floor.

"Taehyungie found another of Choi's lairs. He's pretty sure, she's there." Namjoon explained to him.

"Taehyung hyung? How?" He asked.

"I have my sources" Tae answered mysteriously, still not looking at Jungkook.

"We have gotten a rough blue print. Yoongi is out with some of his men to scope the place out." Jin informed.

Namjoon's phone began to ring "It's Yoongi hyung" he informed. "Hyung?" He answered.

"Okay. That's great news" he said rising. "We will be ready" he hung up the call.

"Let's get ready boys. Yoongi has found Sua. He's captured one of their men there, who confessed. Good work Taehyung-ah" Namjoon said as he pulled out duffel bags from under the bed.

Everyone sprung into action. Buckling up with guns and daggers.

"We leave in ten minutes" Joon announced.

~~~~~~*~~~~~~*~~~~~~

A/n: Thank you ever for all the support you have shown this book.

Don't forget to hit that star below.

Translations:
Yeoboseyo: Hello
Anneyeong/ Anneyeonghaseyo: Form of greeting
Ghamsamnida: Thank you in formal tone
Je-bal: please in pleading or begging manner
Gumawoyo: Thank you in informal tone
Aein: Sweetheart
Bogosipoeyo: I miss you.

Disclaimer:
Any and all characters in this book are fictional, any resemblance to anyone dead or alive is purely coincidental.
Pictures/Audio/Video Credit goes to the original source/artist/owner.
BTS and its members belong to themselves and Bighit/Hybe. They do not belong to me.

Thank you so much for sticking with me.

Love,
Writeria29
23/04/2023