I sat alone on the plush sofa, wrapped in Jungkook's coat that still carried his distinct scent—a mix of wood, leather, and a hint of smoke. Regret and confusion gnawed at me over what had just happened. How could I have fallen for him? It felt pathetic to have let myself develop feelings for someone deeply involved in something so dangerous and deceitful.

As I stared into the dimly lit room, the falling snow outside obscured my view of the world beyond. Jungkook had shown care and attention, but now I wondered if it had all been a facade to hide his true intentions. Uncertainty and fear gripped my heart as I thought about the web of secrets and danger that seemed to surround me.

With every passing moment, I felt trapped in a life I couldn't comprehend, with a man whose motives remained unclear. If Jimin hadn't interrupted us, things might have gone further. I felt exposed, having allowed Jungkook to explore me in ways I'd never experienced before. Emotions clashed within me—desire, fear, vulnerability, and regret battled for control.Memories of our balcony encounter played vividly in my mind. His eyes had burned with longing, his touch leaving a lingering heat on my skin. I blushed at the memory of how vulnerable I had been, physically and emotionally.

Absentmindedly, I traced where his mouth had roamed on my neck. But I forced myself to face reality. Jungkook had kept me close to use against his enemies. I was just a pawn in his dangerous games. Could he genuinely care for me after all? I couldn't let myself be deceived by our passionate moments. It was all part of his calculated strategy, and I needed to stay vigilant, not let my feelings cloud my judgment.

Jungkook's POV

I rolled my eyes at Jimin's teasing gaze beside me in the car. All I wanted was to wipe the smug off his face and push him out of the moving car. But I remained calm, wrapped in the warmth of Moon's presence, her scent still lingering on me like a sweet, addictive fragrance mixed with the scent of her skin. Despite trying to stay composed, thoughts of our recent intimate moments flooded my mind, replaying vividly.

I groaned inwardly, recalling Moon and our intense encounter on the balcony. Jimin, my personal secretary who occasionally assisted with both business and gang affairs, noticed my discomfort.

"You okay, bro?" Jimin smirked beside me. I shot him a glance and shook my head."Just thinking about what my father wants this time," I replied, my thoughts consumed by the upcoming meeting.

Jimin nodded knowingly. "Your father keeps things mysterious, but you'll handle it, like always."I appreciated Jimin's support, but this time felt different. Moon's presence had tangled my desires with the dangerous world I was born into, complicating everything.

***

My father's demeanor was unusually serious as he gestured for us to sit at the dinner table. Jimin and I exchanged uncertain glances, unsure of the purpose of this sudden meeting.As we settled, my mother entered with a tray of bamboo soup, wearing a warm smile. I was puzzled by the casual meal in the midst of what seemed like an important discussion. Before I could ask, my father silenced me with a raised hand.

"I've received updates from the Kims," he began, causing an uneasy silence to fall. Did he know about Moon being with me? Anxiety gripped me.

"The Kim's daughter has slipped away, as expected," my father continued, his voice steady but tinged with frustration. "She was last seen with a regular at her workplace, a man who often flirted with her. Now, both are missing."

My father's expression turned puzzled as he shared this information. Jimin and I exchanged glances again, bewildered by my father's unexpected disclosure. Moon's disappearance with another man added a new twist.

He took a sip of soup before continuing, "The Kims are worried and ready to negotiate for her return. Their concern for her safety outweighs their animosity towards us."

I furrowed my brows, conflicted by this news. On one hand, it offered a chance to resolve things peacefully. On the other, trusting the Kims wasn't easy.

"What do they want, Father?" I asked cautiously.

"They're open to a truce and cooperation," my father explained. "They want their daughter back and are willing to make concessions."

Jimin and I exchanged another glance, silently sharing our doubts. My father's resolve was clear, viewing this as an opportunity to gain leverage.

"What if it's a trap?" I voiced my concerns. "What if they're using her to lure us?"

My father's gaze turned cold, unimpressed by my doubts. "Since when do you entertain 'what ifs'?" he retorted firmly. "You're the future of our Jeon Empire. I trust you completely. After dealing with the Kims, you'll be in my place, leading the Jeons."

His words carried weight, reminding me of my responsibilities and the family legacy. Jimin nodded solemnly, acknowledging the burden I carried.

But beneath it all, I felt conflicted. I was hiding Moon, the Kim's daughter, from my own father, risking our trust. It was a dangerous secret that could fracture our family bonds irreparably. The path I chose was fraught with peril, and I wondered if I was making a grave mistake.

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Chapter 17 has been updated in stckme. [link in bio}