53. X Marks the Spot, Part 1

Armed with the information given to us by In Su—that Hyukjae is the Sparked Mafia leader and seems to be psychotic—the four of us make our plans for raiding day.

"Okay, let's go through the plan one more time. Kyung Mi, you'll be going with the cops and protected by Jimin through the Sparked Mafia headquarters. Namjoon, two other officers and I will be waiting in vans outside, guiding you though walkie talkies. Namjoon has hacked into their system and we have a view of the layout of their building, and we can tell you with the cameras we got into when there's goons near you." Hye looks around at all of us for confirmation, and we in turn give it to her in nods.

"Hye, you stay inside the car at all times, do you understand me? I don't want you running out to save us in case things go south." I remind her and she nods.

"Namjoon, put the child lock on if I try to escape." She grins at him and he chuckles before agreeing.

"Damn, I guess we're doing this." I say, almost unable to wrap my head around it. I'll finally get my closure, finally get to end this terrible group. I'll be free.

I glance at my bodyguard, who, after this event, I won't need anymore. I smile at him sadly and he confidently beams back at me. My heart pangs at the thought of him not being around me all the time anymore. He squeezes my hand.

"Kyung Mi, just so you know, I won't leave you alone after I'm not your bodyguard anymore." He mutters. "Better get used to me cuz I'm going to see you a lot." He winks and I don't stop the wide smile that overtakes my face. I wrap my arms around him loosely.

"Well, that's nice for you isn't it?" I say with a smirk. "But I have to deal with you so I'm getting the shorter end of the stick."

He pulls away. "Uh- hello? The gorgeous Park Jimin wants to be friends with you after he is no longer obligated to be by your side and you're complaining?!"

"Shut up." I say warmly before shoving him away. I look over at Hye and Namjoon, who are staring at us knowingly.

"You two are just so cute." Hye scrunches up her nose before turning back to Namjoon. "Hey, be honest, do you think we can pull this off?"

He slides his glasses off his face before playing with them, heaving a sigh. He pauses before replying. "Honestly? I have no idea what we're up against. I mean, obviously we're prepared and all, but I don't know the capabilities of the Sparked Mafia."

"I do," Jimin pipes up, "Or I used to anyway. All I can say for sure is a lot of the members are working due to their own motivations, but they value their own lives above all. As such, if someone is surrendering let them go, and only shoot if and when someone threatens to shoot you. The cops will deal with them once we infiltrate the base and find Hyukjae. He's our priority."

I nod, dread suddenly pooling at my gut. I guess the reality of the situation is finally settling in. We are throwing ourselves into danger, at the very people who are targeting me. It's not unlikely that we'll get into a hazardous situation.

"Once we find Hyukjae, we'll securely hold him down and tie him up, fishing for information until the cops can properly arrest him. When Hyukjae is down, the operation is over." I finish, finding my confidence back again.

+++

When we reach the white building gleaming in the sunlight, my heart is doing gymnastics in my chest. At first glance, it just looks like another tall establishment, but the knowledge of the kind of people inside makes me neurotic.

Jimin squeezes my hand. "I'm going to be by your side the whole time, okay?"

I nod back at him a little unsurely. "Yeah. Right." I gulp down another fit of nausea before the other cops come in touch on the radio.

"You guys ready?"

Jimin looks at me for confirmation, and I nod. "Yessir." He says back.

"Good. Stand by the door and be ready to open and go." We shuffle to the van door, waiting for further instructions. They come after a couple moments. "Alright, on 3...2...1!"

The door slams open and before I know it, we're stampeding through the day's beating warmth into the dark doors. An alarm blares, but we keep running, clumped together like a flock of sheep.

No, like a group of stallions, bolting through the halls.

We reach the first group of Sparked Mafia members and some of the cops stray to deal with them, but Jimin and I and others continue on.

We're going to Hyukjae and we're taking the asshole down.