Dongmin's uncle leaned back against the doorframe, a crooked smile stretching across his lips.
"I heard," he drawled, "that you've been working with the police. Is that true?"
Dongmin froze. His breath caught in his throat, sweat breaking out across his forehead.
"U-Uncle… I was going to tell you. I swear, I was going to come to you myself…"
The man chuckled, a cruel glimmer in his eyes.
"Really? Oh my God… so it is true."
Dongmin's hands trembled. "Uncle, I don't want to do this work anymore. Please, I'm done."
The smile vanished from his uncle's face. His expression hardened into cold steel. "So you know," he said, his voice low, "about my routes. About how I move the goods in the shadows. Do you really think I'd just let you walk away?"
With a sudden motion, he drew a dagger and pressed the blade hard against Dongmin's throat. Dongmin's knees buckled, his entire body trembling as his voice cracked.
"Uncle, please… I swear on my life, I won't tell anyone. Not a word."
The knife lingered for a moment, then lowered. His uncle's lips curled again.
"You'd better be telling the truth." He patted Dongmin's cheek mockingly, before turning toward the door. "Get some rest. I'll be back."
Dongmin exhaled shakily, thinking the nightmare was over—until his uncle's voice sliced through the air again.
"Oh… by the way. How's your little boyfriend?"
Dongmin's eyes widened. He staggered back. "W-what?"
His uncle smirked. "Why so shocked? Everyone in the gang knows. You've been hiding him here, haven't you?"
Dongmin's heart thundered. "No, no, he's not here—"
But his uncle had already motioned to his men. "Bring me the boy. Tonight, I'll have some fun right in front of you. You'll watch."
"NO!" Dongmin dropped to his knees, clutching at his uncle's leg, his voice breaking into pitiful sobs. "Uncle, please! Don't touch him! Don't do this!"
But moments later, Zeng was dragged into the room, struggling, his face streaked with fear. The guards forced Dongmin back, pinning his arms while he screamed and thrashed.
His uncle's eyes glinted as they fell on Zeng. "Well, well. Handsome. Prettier than I imagined."
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Dongmin howled, tears streaming. "If you touch him, I'll kill you!"
Ignoring the threats, his uncle ripped at Zeng's clothes, the fabric tearing under his grip. Zeng's body trembled, his eyes filling with helpless tears. He could do nothing but endure, while Dongmin's screams filled the room.
"Hold him tighter," the uncle ordered. One of his men smirked and rammed a knife straight into Dongmin's stomach.
A guttural scream tore from Dongmin's throat as blood soaked through his shirt. His body convulsed against the guards' grip, his eyes rolling back in pain.
The uncle licked his lips, turning back toward Zeng. "Now… where were we?"
Just as he reached for Zeng, a thunderous gunshot shattered the air. The main door burst open, splinters flying, and Marcus stormed in, gun raised.
Another shot rang out—straight into the uncle's left arm. He dropped the knife, clutching his bleeding hand, his scream echoing through the hall.
"EVERYONE, RUN!" he shrieked to his men. Chaos erupted.
But they didn't get far. Marcus's team poured in behind him, tackling the guards, forcing them to the ground. In moments, handcuffs clicked into place. Even the uncle, writhing in pain, was subdued and thrown against the wall.
Marcus ripped off his coat and draped it over Zeng's trembling body. Zeng's face was wet with silent tears, his hands clutching the fabric as if it was the only anchor keeping him from falling apart.
On the floor, Dongmin lay pale and unconscious, blood pooling beneath him. "Dongmin!" Zeng screamed, rushing to his side, his hands desperately trying to stop the bleeding.
Marcus grabbed his phone, barking orders. "Get an ambulance—NOW!"
Within minutes, paramedics stormed in with a stretcher, lifting Dongmin's limp body. Zeng clung to his hand as they wheeled him out, his tears falling like rain, his voice breaking.
"Don't leave me, please… don't leave me…"
And for the first time, Marcus wondered if this was the end—for both of them.
To be Continued.....