Irene stood outside, her hands clenching onto her clutch tightly as she walked further down an alley, her hair flowing in the wind as she looked around, grateful for the peaceful Friday morning it was. She looked back at the busy street ensuring she hadn't been followed before going further into another secret door that looked as inconspicuous as the previous one. She walked in, her footsteps soundless as she sat down on the bar stool, opening her purse as reassurance that she had a form of self-defence if necessary. She looked up at the man who came up wiping blood of his hands with a smug smile towards her. "Ahhh Ms Bae. What a pleasure." Irene smirks slightly up at him. "No,the pleasures all mine Mr Chang." She said choosing her words carefully. He places a drink down in front of her, Irene eyeing the liquid wearily. She shoots her gaze up the man, who smirked at her. An open challenge. She sips a sip of the liquid for his benefit and when he turns away it goes straight back into the glass. "So what did you need Ms Bae?" "I'm sure your aware of the case I'm handling at the moment." He nodded. "I need some extra men to help with the investigation, your the only one I could think off who has men who are capable of doing a job and leaving it at that. I came to ask for assistance." Mr Chang  looked at her. "Of course Ms Bae you know I would do anything for a family friend." Irene tenses at his words. "Be careful about how you use that Mr Chang, everyone who associates themselves with me is either dead or no longer in the country. Don't make me add you to the list." She can tell she got her point across by the way he gulps slightly. "I'm flying out tomorrow, I shouldn't need more then two. Here's the money." She shoves over a stack of money. "Think of this as the deposit, the rest will be in your bank by 6PM today." He nods. "I'll send my best." "That's all I ask." She stands from her position greeting him goodbye before leaving.

Irene walked back out the alley way, styling it out as gracefully as possible to make it look as if she hadn't just been down it. She settles her bag on her shoulder before placing her sunglasses back on before continuing with her walk. It was peaceful for once, the streets deserted and shop owners barely tending to any costumers. She crosses the road without any cars aimed to kill her before walking further into the park that lay on the other half of the road. A park where her memories sprang to life. She walks further, watching as people jogged past her minding their own business with relatively peaceful lives. A life which she wished she could have. She heaves a deep sigh before continuing. Without paying attention to her surroundings, immersed in her own thoughts she crashes into bare, hard,sweaty chest. She stumbles back slightly; an arm wrapping around her to pull her back in, her hands holding a set of shoulder blades as the physique helps to steady her. Irene's eyes rocket up into those of the stranger, her eyes widening as they meet a pair of familiar hazel eyes. "Jackson?" She questioned, her eyes taking in his form, sweat dripping from his body, with his shirt tucked into his form fitting work out pants. His hair set to the side just enough for her to see a droplet trickle from his forehead, down his chiselled jaw before trailing down his chest. She gulped as Jackson smiled warmly at her. "Ms Bae?" He asked back, taken by shock at the way fate had just played them. He was spending his morning jog thinking about her, just when she basically fell into his arms. He looked towards Irene. "Sorry about that." "No no no it was totally my fault, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, my mind was elsewhere. I should be apologising for interrupting your run. Sorry." She said offering him a smile. He waved her off politely. "Just so happens every time we meet I'm always trying to save you." She laughed slightly stepping out of his arms. "Hah I'm grateful for that." She spoke looking down at the floor. He looked at her. "It's not your job though." She spoke rather tensely. "I know it isn't but I still want to." "Want to what?" "Save you." "You don't know what your saving me from." "I do." She raised her eyebrow slightly. "And what do you want to save me from then Mr Wang?" "Yourself." They settled into silence. "You wouldn't know where to start." She looked up at him tenderly. "I told you before Jackson, stay away. I'm not yours to save. You can't save someone who's already fallen." "Maybe not, but I can stop you from falling further." "You don't know anything about me." She said laughing slightly, taking another step back, her arms coming out across her chest as a form of defence. "I don't need too, your eyes are telling me everything I need to know." Irene chuckled. "How many other girls have you used that line on?" "Only you." Irene rolled her eyes. "Smooth." He smirks, and she can swear for a second she's seen that smirk somewhere before. "Thanks for the words, but I don't need to be saved or protected." He raised an eye brow, his arms crossing over his chest in a similar fashion to hers yet she can see his muscles tense and her mouth goes dry. "Really?" He asks. "Yes." He takes a step forward brushing her hair away from her neck. Her eyes widen. How had he caught that? "You don't need protection?" "It comes with the job you learn to live with it." He flashes her a look of concern, and on Jackson's part it was not fake for a second, his eyes asking the questions. "I took up a case, quite a big one. Seems as if someone is trying to shut me up and destroy the evidence. They came after a video I have, basically wrapped a rope around my neck and left me to hang from my door." Jackson's eyes widen. "What?" He asked. She shrugs her shoulders casually, "it's fine, I had a knife strapped to my thigh, managed to cut myself free. No biggie." "No biggie? You could have died-" "But I didn't. Look it's fine. It comes with the line of work I do. You don't need to worry your pretty little head about it." She ruffled his hair slightly and Jackson can see that queen like aura as she does.  "Do you know who it was?" "I have my suspicions." "And your not going to do anything about it?" "It's too early. Always play with your cards close to your chest Jackson, because the minute you slip your opponent will use that against you. Everything works in its own time, and if my suspicions are correct, well let's just say it's going add a bit of spice to things." He watched as a smirk plays on her lips. "I stand by what I say Irene, everyone needs protection." "Not me." "Yes you, you probably need it the most."  "You can't protect me Jackson, no one can." "You haven't even let me try." "Because I don't want to get you caught in the crossfire. Stay on your line Jackson, it's safer." "For who you? Or me?" "For us both." She snapped. "I want the price you promised." He spoke. Irene's eyes widening. "Your bound by your word-" "I'm leaving." she cut in. "I have some work related stuff to handle and I'm going to be gone for awhile." She spoke, watching his reaction carefully. "How long?" "As long as I need." Was her response. "Where too?" "Can't tell you." "And why not?" "Because I don't know anything about you." "Well we could have changed that if you weren't so goddamn stubborn." She laughed, her laughter ringing out and captivating him. "Stay safe Jackson." She begun turning around to walk away. "And when I get back we can schedule that date." Jackson's eyes widened. "What?" He asks, startled. "I promised after the third encounter that I'd let you take me out, and I mean I'm not a great mathematician but I suppose this is number three. So wait for me." She winks slightly laughing before walking away, with a smirk on her face. And Jackson stands there with a smile dazzling his features, she was something else.

Hours later Irene stood in front of the mirror, her lips coated in sharp red, and eyes highlighted with deep eye liner and mascara. Her dress hugged her form tightly, with her shoulders on display her hair tied int a low voluminous messy pony tail, with strands left out to frame her face. A black choker rested on her neck, covering up the injury that lay beneath it. She smirked at herself in the mirror before leaving for her destination. She had left the preparations for the event in the hands of joy and Wendy and the two girls alongside Seulgi and Yeri had out done themselves, everything was phenomenal, from the decorations to the overall mood and tone they had set for the evening.

Irene stood up on the balcony sipping her wine whilst looking down and waiting for an announcement of her arrival. Tonight was a big night, their clients were present and to add to the spice of her last evening in Korea she had invited both Park and Kim industries, a bold statement to make. Yeri nodded to her signalling her to come down, everyone's eyes turning to watch the Mafia Queen as she walked down the red stairs of La rouge, her head held high, and from the corner of her eyes she spotted him. Her masked enemy. She paused momentarily, as he turns to watch her, a smirk playing on his lips as he eyed her body, she suddenly feels self conscious but brushes the feelings aside and focuses on getting down the steps. She catches him bringing a alcohol glass to his lips, the brownish liquid swirling in the cup. 

She is swamped by guests the next moment as she tries to push forward to the bar. She manages to get there after an hour of talking and being polite. She sits in her seat, eyeing the bartender who knows her order of by heart. He hands her the glass watching as she chugs the liquid down with no hesitation before signalling him for another one. "That was quite the entrance." She freezes at the deep voice, failing again to pinpoint it, and she swears at herself for drinking the alcohol. She turns to meet him, her eyes deadly as she rolls her eyes. "Now come on Babygirl that's no way to greet a past lover." Her manicured finger tips graze over the rim of her glass as he leans down to her ear. "Not after the fun we had." She smirked. "It was one time, are you still hooked?Wow you clearly desperate for some pussy." He watches her with a dead look. "Yeah yours." "Awwww to bad I was a one time offer only." He laughs at her. "Let's see if your saying that by the end of the night." "Hate to break it to you but I'm off work tonight, there's no need for your presence or for you to sleep with me." "Even better." She smirks slightly. "I've told you before your playing with fire." "And I've told you I like it." "You'll get burned." "Like you care." "Your right I don't." She stands up her feet planting against the floor as she takes her drink in her hands. "You won't have me tonight." He leans forward. "Is that a challenge?" "No it's a promise." She takes a step backwards, eyes locked with his as she downs the remainder of the drink. "The nights still young." He played, "Well I might just have an early night." "Ooo, what If I keep you up?" "Your a bore you won't be able too." He smirks, tipping his imaginary hat. "I'm warning you. If you know what's best for you stay out of my way. I've played this game longer then you. You don't stand a chance." "I thought you never judge an opponent until you've fully engaged with them." She looked up at him. "This time I did my homework. Are you going to mark it?" She smirked pushing his chest back. "I'm going to fail you." She says, walking towards her girls as she looks back, no longer seeing him behind her.

Irene moved around her clients with ease, talking causally about business and other less formal things, and he can see how she has everyone wrapped around her finger. As he listens in, he is thrown off guard wandering if she was telling the truth when she said she wasn't working tonight, he looked over to Kim's and the Park's who glared at each other, a spur starting and he realises how she has set them up. She intervenes in the dispute, getting the answers she needs by simply tipping them towards the scales, gently prodding them for answers, and it's partial discovered who's responsible for the plane crash. Only Irene and himself hear it though, and before it can escalate she bids them adieu. She settles back slightly enjoying her last night in Korea with her girls until she hears a beat change and the seven mysterious men are seen take to her stage again.

The vibe is different from the last, and she can already see people making their way to the dance floor.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Where are you
여긴 어디일까
I'm drifting
난 표류 중인 미아
Above the black sea
검은 바다 위엔
It's just you and me
너와 나 둘뿐이야
Huge waves are driving us
거대한 파도가 우릴 몰아치고

She looks at him from the side, his eyes meeting hers winking at her as he walks towards her. Irene changed her direction to turn away from him.

The burning sun is shining
불타는 태양 내리쬐고 있어
Broken paradise
부서진 파라다이스
(Dream Paradise)
(꿈의 파라다이스)
In the darkness without light, you have to trust me more
빛이 없는 어둠 속에선 더욱 나를 믿어야만 해
Here on the battlefield, you only have to rely on me hoo
전쟁터와 같은 여기선 오직 내게 의지해야 해 hoo
Don't let us separate
우릴 갈라놓지 못하게

She is dragged to the dance floor by the girls as she loosens herself under his watchful gaze.

You can go over obstacles
장애물 따윈 넘어서면 돼
Don't let us separate
우릴 떼어놓지 못하게
You can ignore the stinging gaze oh bebe bebe
따가운 시선 무시하면 돼 oh bebe bebe
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love

She feels an arm wrap around her waist, turning her flush against his chest, he moved a strand of hair away from her face as his hands trial over her form. She makes the mistake of shuddering under his touch and it's too late. She can see his smirk.

I just want you
I just want you

She tries to walk away, the attempt fruitless as he wraps his arm around her wrist to pull her back, his front pressed to her back.

Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love, yo
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love, yo
A poisonous word without black shape
까맣게 형체가 없는 독 같은 말이

They move to the beat, her hips swaying as she rolls her head back, his lips ghosting her neck.

I hold onto your ankle, hold my hand and quickly
너의 발목을 붙잡네 내 손을 잡아 빨리
Head light that brightens the narrowed field of view
좁아진 시야 환히 밝혀주는 head light

She separates herself from him, and he walks away, pinning her with a smirk.

I'll protect you all night 24/7 The streetlight is on
지켜줄게 all night 24/7 켜진 streetlight
Succession of hardships and hardships is fine
역경과 고난의 연속 괜찮아
I keep standing next to you all the time
나는 쭉 계속 너의 옆에 서있어

She seems him with another woman, hands trialing over her body, and Irene can feel herself become repulsed at the sight. He turns his attention to blonde in his arms as she is now up against another.

I am your rescue boat
나는 너의 구조선
The sacrifice for you is joy
널 위한 희생은 기쁨인걸
In the darkness of ebon, your fears grow
칠흑 같은 어둠 속에서 너의 두려움은 커지네
You have to eat your heart firmly, now you have to trust me hoo
맘을 굳게 먹어야 해 이젠 나를 믿어야 해 hoo
Don't let us separate
우릴 갈라놓지 못하게
You can go over obstacles
장애물 따윈 넘어서면 돼
Don't let us separate
우릴 떼어놓지 못하게
You can ignore the stinging gaze oh bebe bebe
따가운 시선 무시하면 돼 oh bebe bebe
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love

He's back on stage with his mates and Irene has long ditched the man who was with her choosing to stand by her girls as they party carefree together.

I just want you
I just want you
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love (oh, oh, oh, oh)

They respective seven jump off the stage choosing their prey for the night and once again she's trapped in enemy arms. He leans closer in, whispering words, his breath fanning her now hot skin.

Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love (oh, oh, oh, oh)
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love (oh, oh, oh, oh)
I don't care
어디든 상관없어
You can ignore the stinging gaze oh bebe bebe
따가운 시선 무시하면 돼 oh bebe bebe
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love
Trust my love, trust my love, trust my love

He looks at her as she composes herself. She walks away with him following behind her, but she's already in the corridor. He slams her up against the wall, his chest rising and falling against hers, as one hand lays on the wall, and the other on her waist to hold her in place. His lips meet hers with no word of warning and she's giving in the next, taking her fill. She flips them pushing him back and slamming him into the wall, as his hands rest on her hips pulling her closer. He feels her smirk, as she continues before biting his lower lip. She moves away, raising an eye brow. "I told you not tonight." He stares at her blankly from under the mask, and he can see the satisfaction on her face. She steps back into his embrace, pushing herself up on her tiptoes to whisper in his ears. "As for your homework  i can mark half off it now, the rest I'll have to take a look at when I'm back." She takes his ear into her mouth, her teeth pulling it gently in a teasing way, and Jackson is begging his heart to shut the hell up. She drops her head to the crook of his neck, sucking on his pulsing point as he rolls his eyes back her hands sprawled across his chest. She steps away to admire her work. "Till next time." She whispered. Leaving him to steady his heartbeat. He gulps slightly. As he feels a slight pain to his neck and he realises the Mafia Queen had just marked her territory.

TBC

Authors note:
Hey guys hope you enjoyed this one. This story will hopefully be getting more attention soon so you won't have to wait a full week for an update as battle scars will be finished next week. Let me know what your thoughts are on this chapter. Lots of love. Stay safe x