CHAPTER 25

YI-JUNG'S POV:

I'm worried. We haven't heard from Woo Bin or Ji-Hoo in almost a week. It's been hard for the four of us. We have stayed in contact but finding out that our two best friends faked their death and didn't tell us has been a very bitter pill to swallow. We grew up together. We depended on each other. We have always been there for each other. But they just left us in the dark.

I never would have believed for one second that Woo Bin would do something like that and not involve me. We told each other everything. We are partners in crime so to speak. Yet he took Ji-Hoo instead of me. I mean, I get that he more than likely did it because of GaEul but he still should have told me. I feel hurt and a bit betrayed.

I know JunPyo is feeling the same way. The time we spent with Woo Bin and Ji-Hoo before they left for Italy was awkward. We talked about what they had missed out on and they told us what was going on. Ji-Hoo is engaged to Saia and Woo Bin is head over heels in love with Boo Ki but more than that, they have changed. They have become people I feel like I don't know anymore. Woo Bin is more serious and Ji-Hoo is more outspoken. Physically, they both are built like soldiers now. I can't even fully comprehend what they have gone through this past year.

I didn't like the idea of us splitting up again but I knew it was for the best. Jun Pyo and I will be a good distraction for the Maengs and Angiolo. As long as Ga Eul and my son are still safe in London, I don't care what I have to do to make sure they stay safe.

My phone rings and I look at it curiously. I don't recognize the number and look at Jun Pyo in curiosity. He shrugs his shoulders and I reluctantly answer it.

"Hello?"

"Yi-Jung-ah!"

"Woo Bin-ah?"

"Listen. I don't have much time but as soon as I text you an address, I need you to contact the local authorities and have them meet us there. Things are about to go down and it's going to get crazy. We are going to need all the help we can get. Understand?"

"Arasso. And Woo Bin-ah."

"Yes?"

"Be careful."

He chuckles and I can't help but smile. "I'm Song Woo Bin, bro! I'm indestructible!"

He hangs up the phone and I shake my head in amusement. At this point I'm beginning to believe he is truly indestructible.

(^_^)

WOO BIN'S POV:

I listen to Boo Ki through my earpiece as I hold my position. Mo Nae gave Ji-Hoo and I a task but we have to stay out of sight.

We are on a rescue mission. Apparently Boo Ki's father has been Mo Nae's eyes and ears within the family but she hasn't heard from him since they reached Italy. She believes he's been captured and wants us to rescue him if he's still alive. Personally, I have a grudge against that son of a bitch for allowing his daughter to be raped and beaten. But if he's truly been protecting her all these years then I do at least owe it to him to save his life. I'll kick his ass later.

Boo Ki, Saia, and Ji-Yong don't know we are doing this. They think we are safe at their apartment. It's better that they don't know so that they can focus on what they need to do.

I motion to Ji-Hoo to follow me as the Maeng's swarm around Angiolo Botticelli's lifeless form. One in particular catches my eye. He's older than the others and looks the meanest as well. That has to be her grandfather and the Leader of the family. I hesitate for a moment, wanting to go after him. I am so close… But that's not what I am here for. Clenching my jaw, we make our way past them as the cars Ji-Yong set to detonate explode on both ends of the street.

Angiolo's men have turned on the Maeng's. With all the fighting and confusion going on, it isn't hard to slip past the chaos and into the building. MoNae believes her brother is being held here but we don't know for certain. Ji-Hoo leads me through the hallways, closely keeping an eye on his tablet to lead us where we suspect he is being held. Most everyone cleared out of the building when they heard the commotion so we are met with little resistance. The few we do encounter I am able to bring down easily.

The first few rooms we search we come up empty handed but once we round a corner, a door guarded by two men is our best bet. Two shots from my gun and they are down. As much as I hate the damn thing, it's safer than taking these fools head on with my fists. I have to make sure I get Ji-Hoo out of this alive.

The man inside the room I'm not sure can even be classified as such as I stare at him in disbelief. I've seen torture before, hell I've even tortured people myself but this is unlike anything I have ever seen. Ji-Hoo's face is grim as he examines the man.

"It's him and he's alive but he's in bad shape. He needs immediate medical attention. I can't do anything for him here." He takes his jacket off and wraps it tightly around his torso to try and keep his skin in place.

"Is he conscious at all?" I ask.

"Barely. I doubt he will be able to walk. I'll have to carry him."

I nod and pull out my cellphone to send Yi-Jung our location.

I check the hallway carefully to make sure no one is coming. Ji-Hoo lifts Seung Joon over his shoulder and follows me out the door. Carefully we make our way back the way we came when suddenly a body slams into me. I hit the wall but I quickly retaliate and my fist connects solidly with his face. He stumbles back but I'm not quick enough to block his foot before it hits my head and I see stars as I sink to the floor.

I can hear Ji-Hoo fighting him before I hear him hit the wall with a grunt of pain.

"You didn't think you could actually take my father and get away with it did you?" a voice sneers.

(^_^)

SAIA'S POV:

Everything is in chaos down there. After Ji-Yong set off the explosions, Angiolo's men panicked in the confusion and turned on the Maeng's. It's ironic really.

I lay down cover fire for Boo Ki, Ji-Yong, and Mo Nae as they make their way through the fighting towards Boo Ki's grandfather. A part of me aches at the thought that I am killing people, especially when a new life is growing inside me. But how many people have the Maeng clan killed? How many families lost a loved one because of these people?

I check through my scope for where Ki, Ji, and Mo Nae are while also keeping an eye out for Seok-Hwan, the head of the Maeng family. He has taken cover somewhere out of my line of sight.

As I lay down cover as best I can for the others, I spot someone I didn't expect to see: Ji-Hoo. He slips past the fighting towards Angiolo's warehouse. I'm pretty sure I saw Woo Bin with him too. What concerns me though is seeing Boo Ki's oldest brother, Seung Ri following them inside.

"Fuck!" I hiss angrily. Quickly gathering my gear, I head downstairs and out of the building. I manage to avoid confrontation with anyone as I make my way towards where Ji-Hoo went. I reluctantly leave my rifle behind some cargo hoping to come back for it later. It's too bulky and slowing me down. I pull one of my pistols out and sneak inside the building. I keep to the shadows and keep my ears open for any movement. I hear a scuffle ahead and a groan of pain as someone is thrown against a wall.

Racing towards the noise, I see Seung Ri reaching for his gun. I tackle him to the ground and we both manage to roll to our feet, guns drawn and pointing at each other's heads. His eyes are dark and cold as he looks at me before a smirk crosses his face.

"Well, look who it is? Boo Ki's little friend is all grown up. And trained in our skills too, I see."

I keep my face blank and my gaze unflinching, ready for any move he may try to make.

"I see you still haven't changed. You are still the coward you always were, leaving everyone else to fight while you run away. No wonder your grandfather always favored Boo Ki as his successor over you." I calmly reply. He clenches his jaw in anger and his finger twitches against the trigger. I smirk as a gun fires and he stares at me in shock as he sinks to the ground.

Woo Bin lowers his gun and shakes his head in disgust.

"Stupid son of a bitch." He murmurs.

Seeing Seung Ri lying dead at my feet makes my stomach turn and nausea claw at my body. Ji-Hoo is at my side instantly with his arms around me. I can tell he is talking but I can't hear what he's saying. I'm too focused on trying not to be sick. It's not that Seung Ri is dead that bothers me. It's the realization that it could have been me instead.

Shaking myself out of my stupor I look at the two of them. Ji-Hoo looks at me worriedly and reluctantly lets me go.

"What the hell are you two doing here?"

"It's a long story. We need to get out of here." Woo Bin says as Ji-Hoo examines a man I hadn't noticed before. It looks like he's either been tortured or been in a bad fire, maybe both.

We make our way back towards the chaos outside and I realize that I hear sirens approaching. Once we exit the building, Woo Bin points us towards an oncoming ambulance.

"Go and take care of Seung Joon. I'm going after Boo Ki."

"I'm coming with you." I say but Ji-Hoo grabs my arm with his free hand.

"Saia. Don't. Please." He pleads.

"Stay with Ji-Hoo. Protect Boo Ki's father."

"Her father?" I look in disbelief at the mangled man over Ji-Hoo's shoulder but before I can say anything more, Woo Bin is gone.

(^_^)

BOO KI'S POV:

Everything is a blur as I rely on my instincts to bring down one person after the other. My focus is on reaching one man, my grandfather. I have to destroy him once and for all. The other members of my family I'll deal with later but if I can take down the head of the beast first, the rest will easily follow.

Botticelli's men are making my job so much easier since they turned on the Maeng's and started attacking them. They are no match for my family but they are putting up a good fight. Enough to keep them busy at least. As I take down another Maeng, I come face to face with someone I didn't expect.

"It's been a long time, princess." He sneers. Park Sang Hee, my ex-boyfriend. The one that would do anything to join my family, including dating me. When I told him I wanted out, I thought he would help me but instead he told my grandfather and I was "reconditioned" for three weeks. From the looks of it, Sang Hee is still only just a thug and not a part of the Maeng clan. I despise this man. He's a rat.

He raises his gun at me and I smirk at him. Does this fool honestly think he can take me on?

"I bet your grandfather would do anything to have you back. If I bring him you, he will finally acknowledge me and give me what I want."

Rolling my eyes at him, I do a roundhouse kick and send his gun flying. Before he can react, I have my hand on his throat and my knife in his shoulder. He gasps in pain as I pull the knife out and plunge it into his thigh.

"You are still as pathetic as you always were." I murmur as he collapses to the ground in pain. I step over him and continue towards my grandfather.

Maeng Seok-Hwan is still as deadly and powerful as ever. His skill is far greater than anyone else even at his age. Do I stand a chance? Probably not but I don't plan on going down alone. If I die, I am taking him with me.

His eyes finally meet mine and the anger burning in his cold eyes only fuels my determination. I no longer fear this man. He is evil and cruel but he isn't invincible.

"So you've finally come back." He says.

"I've only come to stop you."

"Do you honestly think you are ready to face me? After all the time you've spent growing soft and weak, you think you have what it takes to defeat me?"

"We shall see how 'weak' I've become." I smirk.

I lunge at him and he tries to dodge but I know that he will go to the left and adjust so that I slam into him. My fist connects with his face but he grabs my arm and swings me around, slamming me into a car. As his heel moves towards me, I roll away and back onto my feet. No sooner am I standing than his fist slams into my gut. I manage to block his next blow but as the battle between us continues I am mostly on the defensive, only landing a handful of blows on him. I can't help but be proud of the fact I can at least be a challenge against him. Very few can say the same. Not my father or my brothers or even Mo Nae have ever been able to last this long against the "great" Seok-Hwan.

I have to do something to get the upper hand on him though and fast. My strength is beginning to drop.

As I dodge another blow and land a solid kick into his torso, I hear sirens approaching our location. Knowing that I am out of time I reach for my gun and fire, landing a shot in his shoulder as he tries to dodge. A blinding pain blossoms in my chest as I stare at my grandfather's gun in shock. We both fired at the same time.

"Too slow, granddaughter."

A/n: I haven't forgotten this story, I promise. This chapter has literally been a work in progress since I finished the last chapter. It's been a long hard struggle and I'm finally happy with it. I hope it was worth the wait. I love my readers and I hope you will continue to show this story your love and support. ^_^