84

Jungkook

"They're coming," Jimin simply said after he took out his phone.

With that, we stared at each other.

Taehyung was back.

My heart suddenly felt a hundred times lighter, Jimin helped me out of the bed, we walked down the stairs together. As I reached the last landing, I saw Taehyung coming through the main doors. He came in first, looking big and fierce, his stance exuded dominance. Behind him, to his left, Seokjin and Hoseok walked closely.

Namjoon was to his right, his most trusted men flanked his sides as they walked inside the house. They all had the same dark aura surrounding them, their expensive suits did nothing to make them look less dangerous. My feet took me forward, moving me toward Taehyung before I could stop myself.

We met in the middle, our bodies moulding together.

His breathing was ragged as he stared down at me with intense blue eyes, Taehyung held the back of my neck, his fingers wrapped around my hair, pulling me close. His lips descended toward me and my heart hitched when his mouth met mine.

Taehyung kissed me roughly, demanding access, I opened my lips, surrendering to him.

I surrendered to my King.

My monster.

His tongue swirled around mine in a fierce battle, he gripped my hair at the nape of my neck, giving it a sharp tug. He kissed me desperately, almost savagely. I returned his kiss with the same fervour, my hands going to his shoulders to hold on.

His lips moved over mine, never once breaking our kiss.

His kiss turned deeper, more aggressive.

I was drunk on his kisses while he seemed lost in me.

Taehyung claimed me in front of everyone, I heard a roar, from the driveway, the courtyard, the whole mansion exploded. The men roared out their victory, they clapped, joining this joyous moment.

Taehyung and I kissed as our people celebrated.

The proud screaming continued, I knew it wouldn't end soon.

After all, the war just ended.

The Ganpeh had lost and the Vante's won.

My heart drummed in my chest as the realization settled around my shoulders.

Taehyung's kisses didn't slow down.

He continued to claim my lips in a possessive kiss, making my heart flutter with so much love. I returned his kisses with the same fervour as if we were starving for each other. Maybe it was the adrenaline of winning, his fingers tightened in my hair as he bit on my lower lip.

"I'm home," he muttered roughly.

I pulled away, smiling up at Taehyung, leaning up for another kiss.

"Welcome home, my love," I whispered against his lips.

He groaned, his arm growing tighter around my waist, "Say that again," he demanded.

"Welcome home, my love."

"The last part. Say it again," he ordered, kissing my lips.

I let out a small laugh, feeling my cheeks heating up.

I was blushing.

How was that even possible after everything we had done together?

My fingers caressed the back of his neck as I gazed into his blue eyes lovingly.

"My love," I whispered again, loud enough for only his ears.

Taehyung smirked and pulled his head back, roaring with happiness, "We have won!"

I laughed, holding him to me.

Yes.

We have won.

I swallowed past the lump around my throat.

My father was gone.

Byungchan was gone.

The Ganpeh were under the Vante's.

Under my monster.

Under my Taehyung.

I didn't think this day would come, but here I was, seeing it with my own eyes. Experiencing it, I should have been shattered that my family, the Ganpeh, had lost. But I wasn't.

Simply because the Jeons weren't my family.

They never were.

My real family had won and I was going to celebrate with them. The guys came and clapped Taehyung on the back, then they hugged me. There were many hugs and laughter and huge smiles. They treated me and pulled me in as their own.

When the roars of victory finally settled down, Taehyung bent his head to my ear. "I have to take care of some things. I'll see you tonight."

My eyes found him, and I pouted, "Do you have to go? You only just came back."

Taehyung's intense blue eyes glowed fiercely at my words.

Almost possessively.

"I have to, Angel. It's important. Now that he is gone, I have to clean up his fvcking mess. Get everything straightened out under new rules."

The way he sneered the words out, it was on the tip of my tongue to ask Taehyung how he killed Byungchan. How he ended it but I refrained myself at the last second. Maybe it was better that I didn't have the details, Taehyung placed another quick kiss on my lips before pulling away.

I couldn't help myself, my lips pursed in another pout and he sighed before kissing my pout.

Hard.

A bruising kiss that had his dominance all over it.

"No pouting. You're making it harder to leave," he growled low.

That was the plan.

Not that I was going to say it out loud.

Taehyung sent me a wink before walking upstairs, the guys following behind him.

A sigh escaped past my lips when Jimin came to stand beside me.

"A little less PDA next time, babe. It would be highly appreciated. Thank you very much," he teased with a raised eyebrow.

I closed my eyes tightly, feeling my cheeks burn under his gaze.

"Oh! Now you're blushing! Look at you all red. What about when Taehyung was practically mauling you in front of twenty other people?"

I heard a smack, my eyes opened to see Hae-sook glaring at Jimin.

"Behave."

Jimin laughed and winked at me, while we headed to the kitchen. I took my seat at the stool, watching Jimin get us some lunch.

"Do you need any help?"

He shook his head.

"Nope. Just sit down. Do you want Kimchi Jjigae?" Jimin paused, shaking his head. "Never mind, that's what we'll eat."

Jimin brought two plates and the dish to the counter and before he could take a seat, my hand gripped his wrist.

"We're not eating until you talk to me, Jimin."

My voice was firm yet gentle, he needed to talk to me. Jimin was holding everything inside, I knew it was slowly eating him alive.

His haunted eyes found mine, he shook his head.

"Jungkook."

I ignored his warning tone and pressed on.

"What are you hiding? Why don't you want to tell me? I know that Yoongi hurt you, I know that it's hard to imagine. I couldn't believe it at first either. He betrayed Taehyung, he betrayed you too. You're hiding something else."

Jimin snatched his wrist from my hand, "Stop it, Jungkook!"

I stood up so I could hug him. My arms wrapped around his shoulders.

"You know you can tell me anything, Jimin. I'll be there for you. I can't see you like this. You remind me of myself. How I used to be before. It's not easy to see you like this."

Jimin struggled out of my arms, his glare intense. I had seen him angry before but never angry at me. This time his glare was directed at me.

"You don't know anything!" he screamed.

"Because you won't tell me," I replied softly.

His chest was heaving with each breath he took. I saw tears filling his eyes, he sniffled, taking another step away from me.

It broke my heart, seeing him like this.

"I lost him!" he hissed.

My shoulders sagged.

"I know. I'm sorry, Jimin. I'm so sorry he turned out to be a traitor," I replied, my voice broken too.

"No! You don't understand, he knew and helped Byungchan. He knew where you were for months!"

Jimin's tears freely ran down his cheeks, his knees gave out, he sank to the floor soundlessly. He hunched over my body, hugging me tightly. His sobs were loud and heart-wrenching, he knew where you were for months.

I stared at the kitchen's wall speechless.

What?

My heart stuttered, I felt suddenly weak in my knees.

My hand instinctively went to my mouth to stop my sobs.

Tears blinded my vision as his sobs made their way straight to my heart. His words kept ringing through my ears. I looked at Jimin so heartbroken and my heart ached for him. I couldn't imagine being in love with his previous lover, the same person that betrayed not only him but your entire family.

It would break me beyond repair.

"He shot me… he fvcking shot me… he tried to kill me because I knew he was a traitor. How could he do that, Jungkook? Why?" Jimin wailed.

My arms went around his shoulders, pulling his shaking body to mine. Jimin buried his face further in my neck, his tears an endless flow.

"He tried.. to.. k-kill me."

I knew little of what Yoongi had done but I didn't know the extent of the damage. My arms tightened around Jimin as we cried, he cried for his loss and regrets while I held him. His pain seeped into my pores as if I was feeling it for myself.

"I'm sorry, Jimin. I'm so sorry," I whispered.

They were the only words I had for him.

What could I say?

"I didn't know," I continued, I squeezed my eyes shut, "I'm sorry."

My chin wobbled with the effort to hold my tears in.

I had to be strong… for Jimin.

"Jimin," I soothed.

We stayed silent for a few minutes, both of us lost in thought. His tears soaked my neck and dress shirt, my tears left a wet trail down my cheeks.

How did Jimin hold all of that in for so long?

My heart was hurting for him.

"Promise me we won't ever speak of this again. You wanted to know so I told you but I don't want to talk about it anymore. I want to bury it behind me and move on. Please, Jungkook. Promise me."

I couldn't do anything but nod.

We hugged our hold tight on each other.

"I love you," I whispered.

"Love you too, babe. We got this."

I nodded, "Yeah. Just promise me though. Don't hurt yourself by keeping it inside. When it gets too much, talk to me. I will be there for you. Sometimes just talking makes everything easier."

"I promise," Jimin said, pulling away.

We gave each other a tearful smile, our hands holding each other.

"What's going on here?"

A loud, angry growl caused my head to snap up in surprise.

I met Taehyung's eyes as he stalked toward us.

"Why are you hugging?" he demanded, coming to stand beside me. He towered over us, his face angry but worried. His eyes raked over me protectively, "Are you hurt? Shit. Are you in pain?" He started to panic.

Taehyung bent down and grabbed my arm, Jimin went to stand up, holding my other arm. They both helped me up, Taehyung pulled me into his embrace. His hands whispered over my body, looking for any type of injury.

I shook my head, "No. I'm not hurt. Calm down, Taehyung."

"Then what were you.." he questioned, his accusing eyes going to Jimin.

"Calm down, Taehyung. We were talking," Jimin retorted, crossing his arms.

"On the floor?" Seokjin jumped in. He was leaning against the doorway, watching all of us, "Your eyes are red. You were both crying."

Great.

He just added fuel to the fire.

Taehyung's eyes turned to slits.

Placing my hand over his chest, I tried to calm him down.

"I'm fine. Really. We were talking. It got emotional, that's it. Now stop growling."

He sighed, his shoulders sagging in relief.

"You are not hurt."

Taehyung didn't pose the sentence as a question.

It was mostly a relieved statement.

Giving him a sweet smile, I placed a kiss on his lips.

It was instinct… I couldn't stop myself.

He kissed me back.

More than what I had planned.

I heard a groan behind me, I pulled back, feeling a deep red blush make its way to my cheeks.

"You need to be in bed. Promise me you'll rest while I'm gone," Taehyung said in my ear, his arms a band of steel around my waist.

"Okay. I promise," I readily agreed.

I knew there was no point in arguing with Taehyung, he would simply carry me upstairs himself and put several guards at my door to stop me from

leaving.

Taehyung gave me a fierce stare.

"Have you eaten yet?"

I nodded toward the food, "I was going to."

His lips were feather-light on my forehead. Placing his last kiss, he pulled away, "Good. I'm leaving now and will be back tonight."

I hummed into his chest before stepping out of his embrace, nodding at Jimin before turning around to leave while Seokjin smiled at me before following Taehyung.

From the corner of the doorway, I saw Hae-jin. His hands were in his pockets as he stood there watching me, he had a strange look on his face.

It was not the first time I noticed him watching me from afar. When he caught my stare, I saw him swallow hard before quickly leaving.

A strange feeling went through me at the encounter.

I didn't have a chance to think about it before Jimin was breaking into my thoughts.

"Let's eat, babe."

I nodded, turning to the stool.

"Let's eat, babe."

I nodded, turning to the stool.