Warning ⚠️ Nudity

***

This was more than a mere upscale brothel; it was a bustling bar adorned with bikini-clad dancers, right in Jackson's neighborhood. He had paid a hefty cover charge to conceal his identity, ensuring that he and his Mafia associates could enjoy themselves after closing a significant deal.

Seated somewhat slouched, legs slightly apart, Jackson observed the nearly naked women, some attractive and some not, performing seductive dances on stages and then moving through the floor to entice customers for overpriced drinks and private dances, costing $1,000 or more a pop.

Jackson motioned for his Sottocapo, Lucas. "Tell that lady to come dance for me," he said, indicating one of the lingerie-clad girls. Having recently made a multimillion-dollar deal, he now wanted to let loose. "I want her to give me a private lap dance in the VIP lounge," Jackson stated as he took a long drag of his cigar. He assessed the woman's curves, appreciating her beauty. When he mentioned a private lap dance, it meant he wanted her to strip down to a G-string and pasties, or maybe fully naked if the management allowed it, grinding against him to the rhythm of a top-40 song. But it irked him that touching a stripper was against the law.

Lucas leaned in to speak to Jackson, given the loud music. "Which of the strippers would you like, boss?"

"The one in the red sheer lace lingerie," he replied. "She's attractive. Speak to the management. We have plenty of money to spend. Tell her to come to me immediately."

The chosen stripper was brought to him promptly, and Jackson's reputation as a generous spender ensured the process went smoothly. Nevertheless, the rules remained clear: stripping without physical contact or taking the woman home – everything else was illegal.

However, under the table arrangements could be made as long as no one got caught. They could engage discreetly outside work, but it was a risky endeavor, as it was punishable by law. It all depended on the woman's choice, as no solicitation for sex outside work was allowed.

Jackson's fellow Mafia members left him as he entered the VIP room to await his chosen stripper.

Rossi Sofia, under her alias Sheba, arrived in Jackson's private room. After her performance, she had freshened up and donned a two-piece outfit, as the job required her to strip down in front of Jackson Wang. She cursed Park Chanyeol for entangling her in this mission. Her espionage work was often perilous, and if Jackson discovered any connection to Chanyeol, she would be in deep trouble.

Jackson appeared experienced in these situations. He didn't make any physical advances, and Sofia only needed to undress slowly to the rhythm of the music playing on the media player in the VIP room. She then sat on his lap, performing a few sensual lap dances. Eventually, she rose to her feet, reclining on the table in front of him, offering a glimpse of what he had paid for, and more than her stage performance.

Sofia's beauty thrilled Jackson, but he attempted to conceal his excitement. He watched her every move with dark, scrutinizing eyes. A shiver ran down her spine under his intense gaze. Unable to withstand his piercing stare any longer, she finally spoke. "I'm not a prostitute, in case that's what you're thinking," Sofia managed to say, her cheeks reddening as Jackson's scrutiny bore down on her.

Jackson smirked upon hearing her words. "I don't recall calling you one. Are you?" he asked, casually sipping his whiskey.

Sofia twirled sensually around the pole, showcasing her curves, and then returned to stand before him. "Your eyes seem to suggest it. I wanted to make it clear that I do this for the performance and enjoyment, not for engaging with clients."

"What kind of performance are you suggesting, Sheba?" Jackson inquired, with a suggestive glint in his eyes. Sofia remained silent, continuing her pole dance, allowing his imagination to run wild.
...

"For a beautiful woman like you, I bet you've lost count of how many men have watched you dance," Sofia remarked, leaving the pole and walking toward him while ignoring his comment. Once she stood in front of Jackson, he pulled her onto his lap, hoping for more intimate contact. However, Sofia sat facing him, straddling his lap. She wrapped her hands around his neck, and deliberately teased him by moving her breasts closer to his face, aware that he wasn't allowed to touch her. "Do you want to touch?" she teased, biting her lower lip afterward.

A lump formed in Jackson's throat as he stared at her bouncing breasts. "Am I allowed to?"

"I can allow you if you'd like, Mr. Wang." Sofia took his hands, guiding them to her breasts with consent. After this brief moment, she proceeded to give him an arousing lap dance, causing Jackson to gasp and frown slightly. It was only a matter of seconds playing with her breasts that he realized what she had called him. Had she just used his last name? "You know me?"

"Who doesn't know a generous man like you?" Sofia responded with a soft smile. She gently held his nape and leaned in close to whisper, licking his earlobe as she did so. "You're the talk of the town, baby, and I'm lucky you chose me."

Jackson felt a surge of excitement due to her seductive moves. "I see..." he managed to say. "Where are you from?"

"Rome, Italy," she replied, grinding herself against his now erect, clothed arousal, moaning and kissing his lips, even sucking on his neck. As their passion flared up, Jackson couldn't wait to respond. As he moved to kiss Sofia, she pulled away and hopped down from his lap. "My time is up, sir."

"What?! Hey, pretty, we barely started," he protested.

"This session is limited to an hour, sir. I apologize," Sofia said as she promptly began dressing, starting with her undergarments.

"Can I at least see you the next time I visit? Let's say tomorrow?"

"You visit the strip club daily?" Sofia inquired to confirm the effectiveness of her seductive tactics.

"If that's what it takes to see you, then yes."

"Very well, Mr. Wang. Until then. And thank you for the money," she grabbed two bundles of $10,000 bills, amounting to $20,000, from the side table and left.

"What just happened? My money is gone just like that?" Jackson muttered to himself, blinking in surprise.

~
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~

Upon arriving at his mansion, Wang Jackson was greeted by a mysterious package. "Who delivered this?" he inquired as he exited his car, spotting one of his security guards hurrying toward him with the parcel.

"Boss, a delivery person we didn't recognize left it at the entrance. It had your name on it, so we decided to bring it inside for inspection-"

"You didn't see his face?"

"No, boss. He drove off before we reached there."

"And you brought that thing into my compound? What if it's a time bomb?" Jackson scolded the security guard, who flinched, fearing the anger of the Mafia boss. "Open it," he ordered, making the guard shake in his boots.

"Are you deaf? I SAID OPEN IT!" With trembling hands, the guard opened the package, revealing the charred ashes of one of Jackson's associates. "What the hell!" The package even bore a country code of origin, and Jackson's anger grew, as he immediately recognized the sender. He needed no further confirmation of how deviously Park Chanyeol operated, deepening their long-standing rivalry. He despised Chanyeol for always trying to outmaneuver him, having stolen from him multiple times and even appropriating his ideas.

Annoyed, Jackson stormed away, and Lucas quickly took the package from the security guard, following his boss into the mansion. Without hesitation, Jackson grabbed his phone and dialed Park Chanyeol's number to convey the message that he had received.

Chanyeol answered after the fourth ring, "What have you been up to, Park Chanyeol? What is this?" Jackson demanded through the phone.

"That's not how you address an old friend, Wang."

"Don't patronize me, you piece of garbage!" Jackson snarled, exasperated by what he had received. The ashes of one of his made men and a charred middle finger on top? Unbelievable! "What did you send me? Ashes?"

"Of Kim Ji-hun? Yes! Hope you like it?"

"Fuck you! Go to hell, you can burn there."

"Aren't we already burning in hell? Fuck me?" Chanyeol chuckled. "It's a shame, Jackson, you are not my type."

"You're wicked, Park Chanyeol. You've thrived so cunningly over the years, Park. You put on a facade for the public, but underneath it all, you're nothing but a snake and a demon in human form."

Chanyeol fell silent for a moment, letting Jackson unleash his anger. "My silence isn't agreement, Wang. It's a testament to the astonishing extent of your foolishness. You were my teacher, remember?"

The polite insult incensed Jackson. He clenched his fist, his anger simmering within. "You better watch your back, Park!"

"No, you've got it backward, Wang," Chanyeol retorted with a snort. "I'd say it's you who should be keeping a close eye on your own back. Let me caution you, Jackson. Stop sending your dogs my way, because if you do it again, you'll receive a severed head."

"Excuse me, are you threatening me?"

"Amico, listen..." Chanyeol's sinister laugh echoed from the phone, which was on speaker. "I don't make threats. You, of all people, should know me well. I follow through on my promises, and believe me, you don't want to fuck with me, bro."

"Listen here, Park Chanyeol," Jackson retorted defiantly, "I'm coming for you, and I'll deal with you. I swear, I'll make you suffer. I'll burn you alive, got it!" Unbeknownst to Jackson, the call had already ended. By the time he realized it, he angrily hurled his phone against the wall, screaming in fury. "AISHH! DAMNED SON OF A BITCH! I DESPISE YOU!" He stormed over to his dining table, violently knocking everything off, shattering it into pieces.

"Boss, you need to calm down," Lucas offered in an attempt to console him.

"How can I calm down, Lucas? Did you see what he did to Ji-hun? That bastard killed him and burned him to ashes! So tell me, how can I possibly calm the hell down, huh?"

"I understand your pain, but trust me, we'll get back at him. This can't be the end."

"If I catch Chanyeol, I swear I'll give him a gruesome end. I'll stuff him into a Chicago overcoat—lock him in a coffin and set it on fire. I don't care if it's the last thing I do before I die, but I will ensure he has a slow and agonizing death. And that will only happen after I strip him of every last possession he owns. I'll ruin him completely, I swear."

~
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~

After the intense conversation with Jackson, Chanyeol tossed his phone back onto the table, exhaled deeply, and massaged the bridge of his nose. He couldn't stand noisy individuals like Jackson, and at this point, he felt completely drained by the events of the past few days. He yearned for things to return to normal. His mind was craving a brief escape, perhaps a week of solitude.

Just as he was getting comfortable in his chair and closing his eyes for a quick nap, the door to his chamber slowly creaked open. Minseok entered, using a pass card. "Apologies for disturbing you, Don. I have something to give you."

Chanyeol opened his eyes as his Underboss approached. "What's in that envelope?" he inquired, referring to the item Minseok held.

"Baekhyun received another pass today," Minseok informed him, extending the envelope to Chanyeol, who responded with a wry chuckle. "As if you'd allow him to fail, considering the consequences, right?" Minseok laughed gently, aware of the Don's stance. While Chanyeol was amused, he knew they had to keep Baekhyun alive if they hoped to find Jongin. "That's not the issue, boss."

Suspicion filled Chanyeol's eyes as he leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "It's not the issue? Then tell me why I shouldn't throw him into the dungeon to suffer and die slowly, Minseok."

Quickly pulling out a chair and taking a seat, Minseok was eager to present his perspective to the Don. "Should I be frank with you, boss?" he asked, earning a smirk from Chanyeol. "Have you been hiding things from me all this time?"

"Ugh, no, Don, if that's what you think," Minseok replied, "I haven't concealed anything from you, and you know I never will. But-"

"But what, Minseok?"

"What I mean is that you're not the type of man to do that, Don."

"What kind of man do you think I am?"

"Given everything that's happened, I believe there's a unique bond between the two of you," Minseok explained. Chanyeol squinted his eyes in response, prompting Minseok to clarify. "I don't mean that in a strange way. What I'm saying is that, while you're capable of taking lives, you're not the kind who'd want to kill Baekhyun."

His words triggered a hearty laughter from Chanyeol. The Don couldn't contain himself and laughed heartily, almost bringing tears to his eyes. This response took Minseok by surprise. "And why do you think I can't kill Baekhyun if I wanted to?" Chanyeol inquired, still chuckling. He clapped his hands together with a mocking grin. "You always manage to amaze me, Kim Minseok," he muttered, wiping away tears from his eyes with a tissue before tossing it into a bin. Then he leaned forward with his elbow on the table. "You see, Minseok, it's amusing. You've been by my side for years, but you still haven't grasped the kind of person I am. I could have Baekhyun killed right now, but I choose not to because you recommended that he undergo these drills you're advocating for his sake."

"I'm not—"

"Let me finish!" Chanyeol asserted firmly, raising a warning finger that caused Minseok to fall silent. "Do you believe I'm unaware of your efforts with Sehun to paint him as an angel and me as the villain? I lost a substantial amount of money due to this very Baekhyun, and it was your suggestion that I repay Cosa Nostra from my own funds until we locate Jongin. And you know," Chanyeol stood up, pacing calmly across the room, making his way to Minseok's side of the table and leaning on it. "You're aware that Jongin will never resurface, don't you?"

"Boss, on that subject, we're holding a meeting tonight to discuss the hijacking plan we previously discussed."

"Bravo!" Chanyeol sarcastically applauded Minseok. "And you believe the police won't become suspicious? Do you think the authorities won't turn to the Mafia? You ought to know better, Minseok." Chanyeol rolled his eyes, shaking his head in disappointment, and began walking out, leaving Minseok behind. Yet, Minseok wasn't ready to abandon his hijacking scheme and trailed after Chanyeol.

"Don, trust me this time. I assure you, we can cover our tracks. We can make a charitable donation to the less privileged a few days before the heist. They won't suspect a thing. After all, why would a man willing to donate a substantial amount of money to the needy suddenly turn to theft?" Chanyeol came to a halt upon hearing Minseok's unexpected suggestion. He shot Minseok a stern glare, causing the older man to take a step back.

They both entered the meeting room, where all the Capos were already seated, awaiting the Don's arrival. As Chanyeol entered, Minseok announced his presence, and they all rose, bowing their heads in respect. During such meetings, only Capos and the underboss had the privilege of sitting with the Don for discussions. Ordinary soldiers were not allowed in the vicinity unless specifically summoned.

Chanyeol took his place at the center of the room, sitting on the designated chair for the Don.

Throughout the meeting, various proposals were raised for executing their plans. Minseok favored a hijacking approach, while Sehun and several other Capos expressed concerns over its potential risks. They suggested hacking into a bank's system to steal the money. "No one will suspect us," they argued.

Chanyeol showed a keener interest in the idea of hacking a system rather than hijacking a container of unknown goods, which would be cumbersome to dispose of. "How do you intend to carry out this hacking?" Chanyeol inquired, leaning forward, signaling his interest.

"I have a friend who specializes in creating malware. All we need to do is let him design perfect replicas of various banks' apps, complete with a Trojan, and upload them to third-party websites."

"So, once these apps are created, what's the next step?" Minseok inquired, casting a skeptical glance, given that his hijacking proposal had been rejected.

"Once users download these apps, they will unwittingly enter their usernames and passwords, which are then transmitted to my friend, the hacker," Sehun explained with a self-assured grin.

Your friend is the hacker, huh? Chanyeol mused silently. He had no intention of allowing any of his associates to involve outsiders in their operations when he had a wealth of connections at his disposal. He had no desire to repeat the mistakes he had made with Jongin, Sehun, or anyone else.

"So, you're suggesting that this plan will succeed?" Chanyeol inquired after careful consideration, to which Sehun nodded eagerly, prompting Minseok to roll his eyes in response.

"Boss, trust me. This could be a game-changer. When it detects a user launching a banking app, the malware will instantly display a window that perfectly mimics the opened app. If executed smoothly, the user won't realize the switch and will enter their information on the counterfeit login page. I may not know much about hacking in detail, but he'll explain it better when he arrives," Sehun asserted.

A hush fell over the room as Sehun shared his plan. The group appeared increasingly confident that this approach would outperform hijacking, a sentiment that Minseok fully endorsed.

~
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~

Baekhyun completed his shower and decided to head to the kitchen for dinner, prepared by Kyungsoo. He found it surprisingly easy to leave his room, as Minseok had disabled the room's password, allowing him to move freely within the mansion. The only constraint was that he couldn't exit the mansion unless it was for drills. Fortunately, he had acquired another pass for the day.

After donning the clean pajamas provided by a maid earlier, he slipped into flip-flops and proceeded to the kitchen to meet Kyungsoo for dinner.

Baekhyun's room was at the end of the hallway, and he couldn't help but notice the unusual silence in the corridor as he walked through. As he neared the stairs, his curiosity was piqued by a door at the far end of another hallway, directly opposite his room. The door was consistently locked, and Baekhyun had often wondered about its contents.

Could there be someone like him, another captive perhaps? Or was it a separate wing, a secret room, or something that might hold a clue to his escape from this pass-dependent existence?

Baekhyun couldn't resist the temptation. He looked around cautiously, searching for signs of anyone or hidden cameras. He knew surveillance was omnipresent, but it seemed like no one was in the hallway at the moment. There was no sign of Minseok, Sehun, or even the Don, whom he had been avoiding. He wanted to quench his curiosity, and he convinced himself that a brief glimpse wouldn't hurt. It was just an exploration, he reasoned.

Approaching the mysterious door, Baekhyun softly gripped the doorknob, and with a gentle turn, he pushed it open, his excitement mounting. As he peeked inside, he was left in awe by the room's stunning interior, causing him to unconsciously place a hand over his lips.

Simultaneously, Chanyeol's phone received two notifications. One was from Sofia, informing him that Jackson Wang was falling into her trap as intended and wanted to meet her again. The second notification, however, was from his bedroom's CCTV camera. Chanyeol swiftly unlocked his phone to identify the individual captured by the camera. It was no surprise to him that Baekhyun's face appeared on the screen, caught by the CCTV camera as he peered into the doorway of the Don's bedroom. Chanyeol had chosen not to lock the bedroom door, deeming it unnecessary as he was still within the mansion.

Furthermore, no one had authorization to enter his bedroom without his consent. But with each passing second, Baekhyun was testing his patience.

Chanyeol's face contorted into a frown, his brows knitting together. He remained engrossed with his phone, watching Baekhyun and closely monitoring his every move, even while the meeting continued.

Back at the mansion, Baekhyun had successfully opened the bedroom door, allowing himself to enter the room he had long been curious about. An astonished "Woah" slipped from his lips as he gazed around the spacious room, which felt like a house within a house. It featured a private sitting area, a generously sized bathroom, and a large balcony offering an extensive view of the entire Mafia estate. The bedroom was exquisitely decorated with a minimalist yet elegant design, and the room's air conditioning sent a chill down Baekhyun's spine within moments. Fortunately, he was clothed in enough layers to keep himself reasonably warm, despite the persistent cold. The room was also filled with a delightful fragrance.

No photographs were present to offer clues about the room's occupant, but Baekhyun was captivated by what he saw and had a strong urge to explore further. Consequently, he decided to check out the bathroom.

Another "Woah!" of amazement escaped his lips as he stepped into the expansive bathroom. "This bathroom is so stunning; I could eat and live here without a care in the world," Baekhyun exclaimed to himself, chuckling excitedly as he traced his fingers along the marble countertop in admiration. He then stood before the mirror to assess his appearance.

In a manner as if he had been rudely awakened from a dream, Baekhyun hurriedly exited the bathroom and closed the door behind him. However, his exploration was far from over, and his curiosity led him to the closet. An intuitive feeling suggested that this might be the Don's bedroom, and although he dreaded the consequences if the man discovered his intrusion, Baekhyun couldn't resist his nature as a curious cat. He reached the closet, finding a substantial electronically controlled transparent glass door that slid open to reveal a walk-in closet.

Chanyeol's jaw clenched tightly as he watched the closet doors slide open. Seeing Baekhyun violating his privacy sent a searing anger coursing through him, making him unable to restrain it any longer. He promptly informed Minseok of his decision to leave the meeting and asked him to wrap things up in his absence.

Heading towards his bedroom, he intended to confront Baekhyun, who was rapidly pushing his patience to its limits. He harbored doubts about how long he could tolerate the younger man.

As Chanyeol re-entered the mansion, he paid no heed to the greetings from Kyungsoo and a few soldiers congregated in the kitchen, who had hoped to partake in Kyungsoo's culinary offerings. His long strides carried him up the stairs with determination, and he proceeded straight to his bedroom, his temper simmering.

Inside the room, Baekhyun had already gone through Chanyeol's collection of watches, perfumes, bracelets, rings, and cufflinks. He had scrutinized the assortment of shoes and belts before reaching the bottom drawer, where he discovered his broken phone. With trembling hands and a heavy sigh, Baekhyun retrieved the phone, contemplating using it to call the police and reveal his location while requesting assistance.

Just as he was about to open the front door, it abruptly swung open, revealing a furious Chanyeol. Baekhyun froze in place, his breath quivering, and his eyes nearly bulging from their sockets as he came face to face with his worst nightmare.
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~To be continued ~
Author's note 📒

Happy New Year 🎉🥰 to you my lovelies, Thank you for 2k reads🙏😊❤️. I have been studying a course on affiliate marketing and I have an exam in a few days that's why I could not update. I decided to drop the first half of the chapter I had written. I will drop the other when I finish my exam. Please wish me luck🙏

I hope you like the chapter though?🥺 tell me what you think.

Q: What do you think will happen with Chanyeol and Baekhyun?😂 curiosity they say kills the cat, right?

Q: Also, do you think Sehun has an ulterior motive? 🤔

I will see you in the next chapter.