JUNGKOOK'S POV

 
I stand on the tarmac, watching the private jet taxi toward us. The wind whips my hair, and I brush it off my forehead absently, mainly focusing on the task at hand. As the plane comes to a stop, I signal my team to approach.

The door opens, and Isabella Valanza emerges first, her dark eyes wide with fear. She clutches Tony's hand tightly as they descend the stairs. The boy looks around with curiosity, seemingly oblivious to the tension surrounding us.

"Welcome to Seoul," I say, keeping my voice even as I step close enough for her to see me. "I'm Jeon Jungkook. You're safe now."

Isabella nods stiffly. "Thank you for your... hospitality."

I notice her hesitation and try to soften my expression. "I understand this is difficult. We'll make sure you're comfortable."

Tony tugs on his mother's hand. "Mama, when can we go in the plane again?"

Despite the situation, I smile at the boy's enthusiasm. "Do you like airplanes, Tony?" I ask, looking down at him.

He nods vigorously as he cranes his neck to see me. "I want to be a pilot when I grow up."

"That's a great dream," I say, crouching down to his level. "Maybe we can arrange for you to see the cockpit sometime."

Tony's face lights up. "Really? Can we, Mama?"

Isabella's grip on her son's hand loosens slightly. "We'll see."

I stand up and gesture toward the waiting SUV. "Let's get you settled in. We have a secure wing prepared for you in our penthouse with everything you might need."

As we walk to the vehicle, Isabella seems to be relaxing slightly. Tony's carefree chatter inevitably eases some of the tension. I help them into the car, then slide in beside them. "I know this is a lot to take in," I say as we pull away from the airstrip, "But you're under my protection now. No harm will come to you or Tony."

Isabella meets my gaze. "Why are you doing this? We're nothing to you."

I consider my words carefully. "You're family, and family protects its own."

She scoffs. "Family? Is that what you do for family? Kidnap us and bring us to another city?"

"I understand your anger," I say, keeping my voice calm. "This was necessary for your safety. Kung Min failed to—"

"Don't speak his name," Isabella hisses, her expression revealing a flash of fury. "He's done everything he could to keep us safe."

I nod. "I apologize. The situation in Busan was becoming too dangerous. We couldn't risk your lives any longer."

Tony looks between us, confusion was evident on his face. "Mama, why are you mad? Is this a vacation?"

Isabella's expression softens as she turns to her son. "No, my love. We're staying with some new friends for a while."

I decide to change the subject, sensing the tension. "Tony, do you like ice cream? There's a great shop near our home. Maybe we can stop there sometime this week."

He grins. "Yes, please, though we call it gelato, and it's a bit different from ice cream."

I nod, pretending not to know that. "I'm impressed that you know so much at your age."

He giggles before looking at Isabella. "Can we get ice cream today, Mama?"

Isabella hesitates, then nods. "Perhaps. If Mr. Jungkook thinks it's safe."

"Call me Uncle Jungkook," I say. "And I'll make sure it's safe. We can even have the ice cream delivered to the house if you prefer."

As we near the penthouse, the SUV slows, and Isabella tenses up again. I try to reassure her. "The wing we've prepared for you is completely private. You'll have your own entrance, and no one will disturb you without your permission."

She nods stiffly. "And how long do you intend to keep us here?"

"As long as necessary to ensure your safety," I say diplomatically, not addressing the other possible reason we might need to keep them—leverage. "I know it's not ideal, but that's the nature of the situation."

"Not ideal?" Isabella interrupts. "You've taken us from our home, our life, and Tony's first year at his new school. How is this keeping us safe?"

I remind myself to stay patient. "I understand your frustration, but this is temporary. We're working on a long-term solution that will allow you to live freely and safely."

Tony tugs on my sleeve. "Uncle Jungkook, will there be other kids to play with?"

The innocent question catches me off guard. "Not right away, but we'll figure out something. Maybe we can set up some playdates once we're sure it's safe." Some of my captains have children, and they're already vetted, so interaction will be safe.

As we pull up to the penthouse, I notice Isabella eyeing the security measures—the cameras and the guards discreetly positioned around the perimeter—cataloging them as though planning her escape route. She pulls Tony closer to her side.

"Come on," I say, opening the car door and making no mention of the futility of trying to bypass my security. "Let's get you settled in. I think you'll find the accommodations comfortable, and my wife is eager to meet you."

We enter through a side door, bypassing the main entrance. I lead them down a hallway to a set of double doors.

"This is your wing," I say, pushing open the doors.

The space beyond is elegantly furnished, with large windows letting in plenty of natural light. There's a spacious living area, a fully equipped kitchen, and several bedrooms branching off from the main space.

Tony immediately runs to the windows, pressing his face against the glass. "Wow. We're so high up."

Isabella walks the perimeter of the room, glancing from corner to corner. I can see her registering exits and assessing potential threats. It's a habit I recognize all too well.

"The windows are bulletproof," I say quietly. "And there are panic buttons throughout the apartment. You're safe here."

She turns to face me, her expression still wary. "Thank you. It's a lot more than I expected."

I nod. She was probably expecting a prison cell or a damp cellar. "We want you to be comfortable. Both of you."

Tony bounds over to us. "Can we explore the rest of the house? Is it all this big?"

I chuckle. "Not all of it, but there's plenty of space. We'll give you a tour soon, but first, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Isabella tenses again. "Who?"

"My wife. She's looking forward to welcoming you."

At the mention of Y/n, a flicker of worry crosses Isabella's face. I understand her concern if Kung Min has mentioned any of his attempts to harm my wife to his lover, but I hope that Y/N's warmth and kindness will put them at ease.