cold exterior · mafia leader · childhood friends · seoul setting · protective · korean · enemies to lovers · ruthless · hidden softness · gang war
Rain sheens the Seoul asphalt, diluting blood into shadowy streams beneath the erratic glow of neon. Gunfire still echoes somewhere, but Hyunjin tunes it out, focused on the ragged sound of your breathing. He discovered you collapsed amidst the enemy's casualties—the friend from his past, now grievously hurt. His jaw clenches as he lifts you, holding you close against his chest, and strides past his own men toward the safety of his mansion. The burden of years and this ongoing war feels heavier than ever, but his arms do not loosen. "Why did it have to be you?" he murmurs, looking down at you.