"This had better be good." Jae Hyun bit out.
He was just beginning to make progress when the man interrupted him. That was his chance to get Minho to obey. He had been trying to crack him for the last few days, and he had to admit that it was satisfying to watch him practically piss himself.
The man didn't even blink. "Sir, we have a situation, it's urgent."
Jae Hyun looked at him with intent. In their line of work, urgent could mean anything. However, the man's tone suggested that it wasn't a minor matter.
He turned to Minho. "Don't do anything stupid." and then the man. "Keep an eye on him."
The man gave Jae Hyun a curt nod as he walked into the room. Minho, still slumped on the wall shook his head like he was trying to recollect himself. Minho watched Jae Hyun flicker his eyes at him coldly.
Surely, this man had audacity. Who did he think he was running around ordering people everywhere?
Satisfied that Minho couldn't dare get away, or even try to, Jae Hyun went outside and received a call that seemed to startle him. He walked back into the house, looking like he was contemplating something.
Jae Hyun walked over to the table where Chan lay. "How's he doing?"
"Not bad, he'll survive."
"Alright, take him back to the quarters. Make sure he's comfortable." He turned to the rest of the men in the living room. "You, with me. The rest of you, get ready. We're soon riding."
None of them dared to question him. They had probably gotten used to the clock-and-dagger nature of this job. Just orders, and locations, no questions asked. They snapped into action, leaving in pairs.
Minutes later, they were back at Park residence, busting up with activity preparing for whatever next mission they were going to.
Jae Hyun walked about and as usual, commanded immediate attention or else.
"Everybody, listen up." He ordered. "We're leaving in an hour." He turned to Minho, who was looking around sheepishly wondering how things worked here, obviously confused at these vague instructions. At least, the first time he got a heads up from Tsu Kai. This time, he was tagging along blind, having no clue in the world what he was walking into.
All because Jae Hyun wouldn't leave him alone.
***
A little caravan cut through the streets, drawing attention from everyone around. Not that it mattered anyway―unless any of them was foolish enough to provoke them, but they knew better than to become the next casualties. The Park family had quite a reputation in the streets, so everyone stuck to their lanes.
Finally, the convoy came to a slow halt. And the men stepped out so casually like they weren't in a rush or anything. Jae Hyun came out last, imposing like he usually did.
It was the complete opposite of what Minho had expected, because this time, there were no woods, no clearings, no forests, no rival gang to meet. Nothing. It was almost as if they were taking a break―because why were they just leaning on their cars chattering and looking around?
"Easy, pretty boy, relax. It's nice getting fresh air once in a while, no? I mean… look at this place, don't you like it?"
Jae Hyun wasn't wrong. It was a quiet place, with a warehouse surrounded by nothing much, just a few buildings around it. It wasn't as great, but at least it was better than that damned mansion.
Jae Hyun draped around Minho's shoulder. "See that warehouse?" he said, angling Minho's head as if to get a proper look at it. What exactly was so important about this warehouse? It was just a building. Minho narrowed his eyes.
"Trust me, you're gonna want to watch this," he said, turning Minho's head gently until he was facing it.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion. A huge cloud of smoke raining down debris, shrapnel and everything in between. The men were hollering, giving each other high fives and tapping each other's backs with wild enthusiasm.
What the hell just happened?
And just how were they happy blowing up buildings? And were there people inside? And why did they even blow it in the first place?
"Not a big fan of barbecue, I take it... yeah? You look a little green on the gills. I know, the smell can be a bit overwhelming for a newbie."
Minho could only watch in dread as huge orange flames billowed, then locked on Jae Hyun's cold stare. He felt nausea roll in his gut. Dragging a raspy breath, he stared blankly at the man. How could Jae Hyun have no trace of remorse, did he even have a conscience?
Jae Hyun smirked. "Stick around long enough and you'll get used to it. Which reminds me…"
He eased his grip on the boy, and Minho slumped, gasping. "I've worked one hell of an appetite, you're hungry?"
Minho yanked his head up. His eyes went wide in disbelief at Jae Hyun's indifference. How could this man be so unmoved right after blowing up a building?
Jae Hyun's grin only widened as though Minho's shock amused him. He let out a harsh laugh, tapping the stunned boy on his shoulder.
Jae Hyun Park was as crazy as people said he was. There were always rumours spreading everywhere about him, that he was a murderer who enjoyed tormenting people while at it. But people like to make people out to be more than what they actually are, especially some good-looking rich guy who glared way more than he smiled.
"C'mon pretty boy, don't look at me like that. You've got to admit, that was satisfying though, right?" He laughed. "That was hilarious…" his facial features hardened. "No need to look so stricken pretty boy, whoever was inside there had it coming. I'd tell you, but I have a feeling the gory details will be too much for you."
"Oh, come on, quit gawping and talk to me," Jae Hyun was relentless, while Minho froze, too stunned to process a response. "Yes, or no? Are you hungry? Because right now I could really use some grilled…"
He let out a sickening laugh, almost as if he found some twisted sense of humour in tormenting Minho―which sounded diabolical, like the howls of a devil from the deepest pits of hell. Minho wondered what was so hilarious that had Jae Hyun roaring like that.
It was at that moment that Minho felt he could see everything and nothing at the same time. He was truly done for, being trapped in the clutches of a raging psychopath who had nothing remotely close to sympathy or morality.
He would never escape him, not when his dear life totally depended on Jae Hyun's mercies. One wrong move, and he would find himself on the receiving end of the same mercilessness, or even worse.
Minho swallowed hard, as he met Jae Hyun's sneer with hopelessness. It was expected. There was nothing else to do but to accept his grim fate― he was this barbaric madman's new favourite. Any ideas of escaping were now a long shot.
He nodded back mutely, a whimper escaping underneath his breath. He was already a dead man walking―it was only a matter of time.