Chapter 21

As my men and I drew closer to the penthouse where we believed Risha and Takeru were being held, I noticed the building was on high alert. Guards patrolled the perimeter with dogs, and the entrances were blocked by barricades. It was as if they were searching for something or waiting for someone. The situation was too dangerous to proceed with a frontal assault. We needed a new plan.

Just then, I saw a group of men running away from the building, clutching a sobbing little girl.. Without hesitation, I ordered my men to follow me. We gave chase, our hearts pounding with a mix of relief and apprehension.

As we closed in on the fleeing group, a fight broke out. The men protecting Risha put up a fierce resistance, and several of my soldiers were injured. Amidst the chaos, Jin, Takeru's brother, emerged. Holding onto Risha.

"Takeru sent me" Jin yelled over the fighting. Everyone stopped in their tracks and looked at Jin.

"Im suppose to take Risha to Jun-Myeon, I assume you work him? Take me to him please" Jin pleaded.

I finally revealed myself feeling relieved.

"I'm Jun-myeon." I said removing my face covering. Jin then released Risha, who immediately ran into my arms. I held her tight, her sobs mingling with my own tears of relief. 

"Ru-Ru….Ru-Ru" Risha said sobbing uncontrollably. I then looked up at Jin who looked full of guilt and regret looking for an answer.

"We were seen by my other brother Kwan. Takeru and Kwan were fighting and Takeru yelled for us to run while he handled Kwan. As I freed Risha I turned to seeing Kwan drugging Takeru and carrying his body away" Jin said calmly as tears fell from his eyes.

The world seemed to stop as I thought about Takeru being in danger. But I knew I had to focus on getting Risha to safety. Her life depended on it. With a heavy heart, I promised Jin that I would come back for Takeru. Then, with Risha clinging to me, we made our escape.

As we ran, I couldn't help but look back at the building. The penthouse windows glowed ominously in the dark, a stark reminder of the danger Takeru still faced. But I had no choice. Risha needed me now.

In the days that followed, I worked tirelessly to find a way to rescue Takeru. I scoured the city, looking for any sign of him. But Kwan was cunning, and Takeru was nowhere to be found. I felt a constant knot of anxiety in my stomach, knowing that every moment Takeru spent in captivity was one moment closer to him being lost forever. 

Sebastian changed our location and Jin returned to the Syndicate in hopes of gathering any information on where Kwan could have taken Takeru. Risha was finally getting back to normal and not having nightmares every night, but she asks everyday if we found Takeru yet. 

"Young master" Sebastian asked softly.

"What is it?" I asked as I stared out my office window trying to figure out how Kwan just disappeared from the earth without a trace taking Takeru with him. Were they even still in the city?

"You must eat something, how can you keep your promise and bring Takeru back home if you do not care for yourself? Even Risha is worried about you" Sebastian said sitting a tray of food on my desk. As I looked at the food my stomach twisted and I felt sick, nothing mattered if Takeru was still missing. We don't even know if he is dead or alive, for all we know he is being tormented by kwan. 

"I'll take better care of myself Sebastian, thank you." I said calmly as I walked to my desk grabbing the cup of coffee and taking few sips knowing that Sebastian would never leave the room if I didn't at least try to drink or eat anything. I sat at my desk and pondered on where Takeru could be while trying to uphold my public reputation.