THE EARLY ACESS CHAPTERS HAS BEEN POSTED IN SCROLLSTCKME! LINK IN BIO.

"These are the positions Kyung-min's men plan to take," Jungkook says, pointing to red Xs on the map. "Approximately thirty of them."

I frown. "What are you going to do?"

A predatory smile curves Jungkook's lips. "We're going to outsmart them."

Jimin chuckles. "Oh, yeah, this is gonna be fun."

Jungkook outlines their plan, explaining how he intends to deploy a fake shipment to draw Kyung-min's men out while the real weapons are moved via a boat bearing a commercial cannery's logo. The owner owes Jungkook a boatload of money, no pun intended, and he has graciously volunteered the vehicle. I doubt it's all that gracious, and the plan is clever but dangerous.

"I don't like it," I say when he finishes. "What if something goes wrong?"

Racy raises an eyebrow. "Getting cold feet already?"

I bristle at her tone. "No. I'm just concerned."

"Your concern is noted but unnecessary. We know what we're doing," Jungkook says.

I want to argue, but I bite my tongue. I'm new to this world. What do I know about planning covert operations? It just seems dangerous, and the idea of losing my husband makes my stomach clench. I shouldn't be reacting so strongly to the idea considering the circumstances of our marriage, but yesterday showed me a different side of him, and I want a chance to know that one better before he gets himself killed.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" I ask instead.

Jungkook studies me for a moment. "Actually, yes. We need someone to coordinate communications between our teams. Someone Kyung-min's men won't instantly recognize."

"Me?" I ask, surprised.

He nods. "You're quick and adaptable. I think you can handle it."

I'm stunned but pleased at his confidence in me. "Okay. What do I need to do?"

For the next hour, they brief me on the operation. Jimin shows me how to use their secure communication system, and Racy drills me on code words and protocols. Gradually, her subtle disdain seems to fade as I absorb it all like a sponge.

As we wrap up, Jungkook's phone buzzes. He checks it and frowns.

"Problem?" asks Racy.

"Possibly. I need to take this." He steps out of the office, leaving me alone with Racy and Jimin.

An awkward silence falls. I fidget with the tie of my robe, unsure what to say, and stunned to realize I still haven't gotten dressed. I was too engrossed.

Jimin breaks the tension. "So, Y/N, you like video games?"

I blink at the non sequitur. "Uh, yeah, actually. Why?"

He grins and holds up his tablet. "I've got the latest 'Call of Duty' on here. Wanna play?"

I laugh, grateful for the distraction. "Sure, why not? Just let me change first." I dash back to my room, quickly throw on real clothes—a fitted black t-shirt and jeans—and return. We settle onto the couch, and soon, we're absorbed in the game. Jimin trash-talks good-naturedly as we play, and I give as good as I get, the playful competition easing the tension coiling in my stomach.

"Nice shot!" Jimin teases, leaning closer. "But you'll have to do better than that to beat me."

"Just wait until I unlock my secret weapon," I retort with a smirk, feeling the rush of friendly rivalry. Racy watches us with amusement, her earlier skepticism replaced by a hint of approval.

 "Children," she mutters, but there's no real bite to it. I suspect I've passed some unspoken test in her mind.

Just as I'm about to secure a victory, Jungkook strides back into the room, his expression grim. The playful atmosphere shifts, my heart dropping at the sight of his taut shoulders. "We have a problem. Our informant in Kyung-min's organization has gone dark."

Racy curses under her breath. "Do you think they've been compromised?"

"It's possible," Jungkook says, his gaze locking onto mine. "We need to assume our plan has been exposed."

My stomach twists with anxiety. "What does that mean for the operation?"

Our gazes lock, and I see a flicker of approval at my question. "It means we need to adapt. Quickly."

He turns to Jimin. "I need you to get into Kyung-min's systems. Find out what they know."

Jimin nods, all traces of playfulness gone as he immediately pauses the game and sets aside the controller to turn back to his laptop. "On it, boss."

"Racy, contact our people at the port. Make sure they're on high alert."

"Consider it done," she says, already pulling out her phone, her fingers flying over the screen.

Jungkook looks at me, his expression serious. "Y/N, I need you to memorize these new codes. If our original plan has been compromised, we'll need to switch to Plan B on short notice."

He hands me a sheet of paper covered in seemingly random words and phrases. I scan it, committing each one to memory, the pressure mounting around us.

The stakes are high. This isn't just a game anymore. My heart races at the thrill of being entrusted with something so crucial.

I look up to find Jungkook watching me, his gaze piercing and unreadable. "I won't let you down," I say softly, the weight of his expectations heavy on my shoulders. "What's Plan B?"

He gives me an assessing look. After a moment, he nods. "We'll use the underground tunnels to move the shipment. It's riskier, but Kyung-min won't expect it."

"Underground tunnels?" I ask, surprised, my curiosity piqued amidst the tension.

"Remnants from Prohibition," says Jimin without looking up from his keyboard. "Pretty cool, right?"

I nod, trying to absorb this new information. "So, how does it work?"

Jungkook spreads out a new map on the desk. "We'll split the shipment into three parts. Each will take a different route through the tunnels, converging here." He points to a spot near the docks, his finger steady despite the chaos swirling around us.

"What about Kyung-min's men?" I ask, my anxiety creeping in.

"That's where you come in," says Jungkook, his voice firm. "You'll be our coordinator, moving the teams from a safe location."

My heart skips a beat. "Okay, I can do that, but... I want to be there. On-site."

Jungkook's expression hardens, a shadow crossing his features. "Absolutely not."

"Why not?" I challenge, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "I can handle it."

"It's too dangerous," he says flatly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"I'm already in danger. At least this way, I can be useful," I retort, my voice rising.

Racy and Jimin exchange glances, clearly trying to stay out of our brewing argument, but the tension crackles in the air, thick and electric.

Jungkook's jaw tightens, his irritation simmering just below the surface. "You're not trained for this kind of operation. You could get hurt or worse."

"Then train me. I'm a quick learner, remember? You said so yourself." I step closer, the space between us narrowing. The heat of his body draws me in, and I can feel my pulse quickening, caught in the storm of his fierce gaze.

"This isn't a game," Jungkook snaps, his eyes narrowing. "These are hardened criminals we're dealing with. They won't hesitate to kill you, and that kind of training takes time."

"I know that," I say, my voice rising with each word, "But I'm not some helpless damsel. I can contribute more than just sitting in a safe room, relaying messages."

His frustration is palpable as he bares his teeth, a flash of something more raw lurking beneath the surface. "My decision is final. You'll coordinate from here, where it's safe."

"Safe?" I laugh bitterly, the sound harsh in the charged atmosphere. "Nowhere is safe. Kyung-min's already tried to kill me once. What's to stop him from finding me here while you're all out there?"

"We have security measures in place," Jungkook says, his tone clipped, but I can see the worry behind his bravado.

"And what if they fail? I'd rather be with you, where I know I'm protected." I take another step closer, my heart racing, the tension between us almost suffocating.

Jungkook slams his hand on the desk, making me jump. "Enough. You're staying here, and that's final."

"You just don't understand," I say, my voice softening with urgency. "I want to be part of this—I can't just stand by and watch while you put your life on the line."