“Oppa, where the hell are you?!”

Onew smiled though his cousin couldn't see through the phone.

“Business trip.” he replied only to hear the woman sigh on the other line.

“Don't give me this crap, Jinki. Minho oppa is going nuts.”

Onew grimaced, he knew how much pressure the younger male was under since he had taken over the clan's leadership and he wished he could be there to help; but he had more pressing matters to take care of now and his cousin would have to wait.

“What happened?” he asked as he nodded at his right hand man, who just entered his hotel room.

“Hyungsik... he disappeared two days ago.”

He rose an eyebrow in confusion. “So what?”

“We– we just received a box... with one of his fingers in it, there was his ring and all...”

Onew frowned and straightened himself on his seat. “Who sent it?”

“We don't know... we don't even know if Hyungsik's still alive... that's why oppa is about to explode. He said if you aren't back by tomorrow, he's killing you with his own hands.”

Onew grunted inwardly, torn between laughing at the threat and actually believing it.

“Listen Jinri, I'm doing something important. Tell him to be patient, I'll be there as soon as possible, promise.”

“Tell him yourself, I don't want to die so young. He even told mother off today.”

That bad? Onew thought with yet another grimace. The fact Minho was irate to the point of addressing his mother in a harsh tone, told long about his state of mind. It didn't take a genius to figure out his taking possession of the throne had triggered their rivals' actions. They would want to throw him off it while he was still taking his bearings, like the cowards they were.

“Okay, I'll call him... how is auntie?”

Jinri let out a laugh, Onew could only qualify as disbelief.

“She's actually happy. She said he looks like father being all bossy.”

He didn't even know what kind of answer he had been expecting. It was a known fact his aunt liked it when Minho took matters into his own hands.

“I'm so surprised.” he sarcastically said. “umh... Ssul, I need to go now. I'll call Minho later. Take care.”

“Alright... bye oppa.”

As he hung up, he looked at the man standing by the room's door, his hands folded before him and holding an envelope in one of them.

“Sorry for the wait Chanyeol. Do you have it?”

The taller male nodded before walking to him and holding out the envelope. “It's all in here. Any problems at home?”

Jinki took the offering and served the younger male a small smile. “People think they can throw Minho off the throne... I guess you could say that.”

Chanyeol chuckled under his breath. “He's mad, isn't he?”

The older male just nodded as he opened the envelope and took out its contents, reading what was written on the sheets of paper with a serious expression on his face.

“Do you think he'll come with us?” Chanyeol asked after a few minutes of silence.

Jinki sighed. “If what I read is true... I doubt it. But we gotta try anyway.”

*

Taemin grimaced as he felt yet another kick from his baby, one of his hands caressing the spot as he sat up on the couch, resting his sore back against the cushions, trying to find some comfort.

Being confined home, with no one to talk to felt like hell and he felt like he was slowly losing his mind. But he had no energy to go out, even if just for a walk.

His five months belly wasn't all that big and, while it wouldn't have been much of a handicap for him, the doctor had been adamant about the risks of him doing any kind of useless efforts. Saying his blood-pressure was too high, or something... As if having to go through this on his own wasn't already hard enough, that pregnancy just had to have its complications.

With a defeated expression he stared at the TV screen, barely even able to recognized what kind of show was being displayed on it.

Another hard kick had him groaning in pain.

“Oh come on, give me a break.” he complained, frustrated.

As if to add to his discontent, the door-bell rang and made him jolt in surprise, a frown appearing on his face as he stared at the entrance hall from his position on the couch. His mind started running a mile a minute, trying to figure out who it could be. He hadn't been expecting anyone and the maid he hired wasn't supposed to come that day.

He sat unmoving for a few minutes, hoping whoever it was would give up, but his hopes were crushed when the visitor pressed the door-bell once more. Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself up and walked to the door, trying to convince himself he was worrying for nothing.

As he approached the door, he looked into the peak-hole and pressed his lips in a tight line as he saw Kibum and Jonghyun standing in the hallway.

These two just didn't seem to give up.

Contemplating whether to open or not, Taemin stood there for a moment until the door-bell rang for a third time and disgruntled groan left his lips. Pulling the door open, he made sure to show his discontent on his expression as he faced the two older males.

“What?” he asked.

Jonghyun rose an eyebrow. “Hello to you too.”

He ignored the sarcastic greeting and looked to his brother. “I thought you said you wouldn't come back here.”

Kibum bit the inside of his cheek in annoyance but before he could say anything, his husband spoke up.

“We need to talk to you. It's important.”

Taemin sighed, he could only imagine these two to want to tie bonds with him once again and though the idea was tempting, he couldn't let himself fall into that. Still, a part of him wanted to hear them, hear other voices than his own actually, and it was probably that part that inclined him to invite the two in as he pulled the door open wider and stepped aside.

Both males accepted his offer, taking off their shoes and following Taemin to the living-room. The younger signaled them to sit and they did, an uncomfortable silence installing itself between them for a moment until Kibum decided he had enough and spoke up, his eyes trailing to Taemin's swollen stomach.

The fact his brother was going to have a child felt so much more real now that he was showing, Kibum didn't know whether to feel proud Taemin was now a grown up or sad the younger didn't seem to have actually understood that fact yet.

“I never knew how far along you were...” he said.

One of his hands resting protectively over his belly, the raven head looked down at his belly and bite at his lower-lip.

“Twenty weeks.” he replied to the disguised question.

“Is everything going fine?”

“Yes.” he lied before looking up at the two older males. “But it's not about this you came to talk about, is it?”

Jonghyun sighed, obviously discontent with his brother-in-law's attitude, but he didn't comment on it. He hadn't come there to scold the younger, but to make sure they weren't all in any kind of danger.

“Do you know a man called Onew?” he asked.

For a moment, Taemin thought he'd heard the elder wrong, but as he stared at the serious expression on Jonghyun's face, his heart skipped a beat and he swallowed in dry.

“Answer me, Taemin.” Jonghyun demanded. “He's a dangerous man, and if you have any connections with him, we have the right to know. He was at our door-step yesterday.”

The piece of information had Taemin's hands trembling.

“What did he say?” he asked, though his voice was barely above a whisper.

“He was looking for you.” Jonghyun spoke. “That's all.”

“Did you tell him where I live?”

Kibum frowned, feeling his brother's distress. “No... I figured it was better not to say anything.”

Taemin nodded. “Thank you.”

He knew better than to feel relieved however, not when he knew it was now only a matter of time before he was found.

“What's your relationship with him?” Jonghyun inquired.

Taemin breathed in deeply. “He's–”

But his sentence was cut short as the door-bell rang for the fourth time that day. Wary, he looked over at the hall, his hands becoming clammy. It had been faster than he imagined.

“Tae?”

But the younger male didn't respond as he got up from the couch and walked to the door, already knowing who he'd find at the other side of it.

Pulling the door open, his unsurprised eyes fell on the older male clad in black, but he didn't say anything, choosing to stare at the older male and wait for him to make the first move. It took a few seconds before Onew reacted and a smile spread on his lips.

“Hi, Taeminnie.”

With that, he advanced and engulfed the younger in a hug the raven head returned loosely.

“How did you find me?” Taemin asked, trying to control the trembling of his voice.

“You don't sound very happy to see me.” the elder remarked, in a half-joking tone as he pulled back.

“I'd rather it'd be in another situation.” Taemin replied.

Onew shrugged slightly, showing detachment at the comment. The truth was, he had already expected such situation to unfold when he'd first met the younger male and to say he'd been prepared was an understatement.

“You didn't hid yourself very well, you know that? Anyone could've found you.”

“I figured my hometown would be the last place to look...” he mumbled, looking down. “Does he know?”

Onew shook his head.

“Tae, is everything alright?”

Looking past the raven head in front of him, Onew rose an eyebrow as his eyes fell on the blond male standing a few feet away from them and the brunet staring at the scene with an inquisitive gaze.

“Hello there Mr. Kim.” he greeted the blond, his smile reappearing on his face.

Taemin looked back at his brother and Jonghyun before gazing at Onew with seriousness.

“Leave them out of this.” he demanded.

Onew frowned slightly before reaching out to ruffle the younger male's hair with his usual charming smile.

“Don't worry, Taeminnie. They're now family too.”

With that said, he entered the apartment and closed the door behind him before taking off his shoes and looking at Taemin once more, his eyes trailing on the belly he bore.

“So, it's true...” he commented.

Taemin could only lower his gaze before turning on his feet and walking once more to the living-room, Onew following suit.

As they all sat on the couches, Onew didn't lift his gaze from Taemin, the atmosphere growing more uncomfortable by the second.

“What do you want with my brother?” Kibum asked, his gaze piercing on the newcomer's face.

Onew smiled. “He's family.”

“Hyung...” Taemin called, looking at the elder with a frown. “Please, not now.”

But the elder just looked at him questioningly, and the untold things that passed through their shared gaze had Jonghyun on his patience's limit. He was tired of the things he knew Taemin was hiding and he was tired of having to watch his husband struggling to understand his brother's point of view.

So, mirroring his inner feelings, he let out a deep aggravated sigh before looking at younger male in the room.

“Okay, it's enough! What the hell is happening here?”

Taemin pressed his lips in a tight line. “I'll explain later, just... could you guys leave, please?”

“We're not leaving Taemin, not until you tell us what is going on. Who's that man to you?”

“I'm his husband's cousin.” Onew replied before Taemin could speak.

The shocked expressions on Kibum and Jonghyun's faces had the younger male in the room looking down in guilt. There were just too many things he hadn't told them.

“You're married?!” Kibum exclaimed.

“And to the mafia?” Jonghyun asked.

The question had Onew frowning. “Such an ugly word, we're just business men you know?”

“Ma– mafia?” Kibum repeated, his eyes growing wide.

Jonghyun had told him about that Onew guy being dangerous to be around, but he had never mentioned any criminal organization. To know his baby brother was involved in this had him sick to the stomach.

Did he actually know the younger male? Had he ever?

“Jinki, please stop it.” Taemin pleaded. “Come back another time, then we can talk...”

The older male looked at the younger apologetically.

“I don't have time Tae... I came to take you home. You can't stay unprotected like this, even less now that you're expecting...”

“I'm not going back.” the younger stubbornly retorted.

“It's not your call to make.” Onew said, sternly, his sweet facade falling. “When Minho hears of this he's going to come. If word gets out that you are unprotected, the concurrence is coming for you. Don't you get it? They're going to use you as leverage!”

“I didn't ask for any of this!” Taemin shouted, anger in his eyes. “Damn it Jinki... there's a ing reason why I left... I can't go back.”

Onew sighed, closing his eyes for a moment before looking back at the raven head.

“What about Minho? Are you going to hide his child's existence from him? Do you know how worried-sick he is for you?”

At the mention of the older male's name, the raven head felt his resolution shake, but he couldn't let that happen.

“He will find you wherever you are, and you know that.” Onew went on. “Or did you really believe he'd let it go with that ridiculous letter you left behind? He might have many things to deal with right now, but as soon as I tell him, he'll-”

“Please, don't tell him.” the younger pleaded, voice wavering and tears pooling in his eyes. “He's better off not knowing...”

“What are you saying? He has the right to know!”

Taemin closed his eyes before resting his elbows on his knees and burying his face in his hands, unable to control his tears.

He hated to be breaking down in front of them all. He hated having to show his weak side to everyone like this, he was supposed to be reckless, fearless... the husband to the son of a mafia head. But it was a mask too heavy to carry.

“Tae...” Kibum called, even more surprised at seeing his brother's state.

Since Seulgi's death, he had never seen his brother crying. He always acted detached, happy and when he wasn't, he'd just be cold and harsh... He hadn't expected to see the younger's thin frame shaking with sobs and that broke his heart. He wanted nothing but to reach out and take the raven head into his arms and comfort him, but he did nothing, afraid to be pushed away once more. So he stayed rooted to his seat, unable to figure out how to react to such situation.

Jinki's expression softened and he rested a comforting hand on the younger's shoulder.

“Taeminnie... I'm sorry, don't cry... Minho will kill me if he knows I made you cry...”

Yet his attempt at lightening the mood sank like a stone in ice-cold water.

“Hyung...” Taemin whimpered, still not looking up. “I just want my baby to be safe...”

He spoke through his sobs.

“He... he won't be if I go back...” he looked up, wiping his tears, his red eyes pleading.

Onew didn't know what to say. “Tae you know that's not true... we're going to protect you two.”

“You don't understand hyung...” the younger stated.

“Then explain.”

But Taemin didn't say a thing, instead he got up from his seat and brushed away his tears hastily, turning his back to the three other men in the room.

“You should all leave.” he demanded, his voice much stronger and colder than before.

But Onew wouldn't have it.

“Minho's the head now.” he informed. “It's not just about my aunt, Tae. They're trying to shake him and you're now the best way to do it.”

Taemin wrapped his arms protectively around his stomach at the information. His fears only enhanced. It was like the threats were coming for all over the place, like he had nowhere to hide.

“I have to go back, because your husband requested me.” Jinki made sure to stress on the word 'husband', trying to stir something in the younger male, but all he got was an unresponsive back.

He sighed.

“Chanyeol will stay here to keep an eye on you. I'll come back as soon as I can, and I expect you to be ready to come with me.”

With that said, the older male bowed his head at Jonghyun and Kibum before squeezing Taemin's shoulder gently, walking to the door and leaving the apartment.

A thick silence stayed behind as the door shut closed, Jonghyun observing his brother-in-law with concern and Kibum holding in his own emotions. Suddenly, things seemed to have taken such a complicated turn, he was having a hard time processing it all.

What was his brother so afraid of? Why did he refuse to stay by his... husband's side when obviously Onew was being sincere about protecting him?

There was just so many questions popping in his mind he felt a migraine coming on. He slowly got up and walked to the raven head, hesitating slightly before reaching out and pulling the younger into his arms, half expecting to be pushed away, but instead, feeling arms wrap around his waist and Taemin start sobbing onto his shoulder.

His heart fluttered and clenched all at once, torn between feeling glad the raven head was accepting his comfort or saddened for the hurt he could feel emanating from the younger male.

~ 3 years ago ~

“There's something I need to tell you.”

Taemin looked up from the elder's torso and into the coal orbs staring down a him.

“What is it?” he asked, worried at the sudden serious tone in his husband's voice.

The elder frowned conflicted, not wanting to ruin their honeymoon night with his confession, but knowing if he waited any longer, things could take a very bad turn. It was already risky enough to have married without his mother's approval, keeping his lover in the dark about his second life could only bring more trouble, even more knowing what kind of reaction he could cause with his revelations.

“Hyung, you're worrying me.”

“I'm sorry Tae...” was the first thing to escape Minho's mouth as he pulled away from the younger and sat up.

“For what?” the raven head inquired, not understanding the sudden apology and mirroring the elder's actions.

“It wasn't my mom.” the elder revealed, bringing confusion to his husband.

“What?”

“The woman earlier... at the wedding... it wasn't my real mom.”

The younger chuckled, though it sounded void of humor. He was actually trying to brush off the uneasy feeling in his chest at the perspective that the woman who'd acted as his mother-in-law for the past years wasn't who she pretended to be.

“What are you saying, hyung?”

“My family is... more complicated than you think.”

“Isn't mine the same?”

Minho smiled slightly, looking over at the bay-window across from their bed, where the beautiful view of the moon shining over the ocean could be seen.

“Not at all.” he answered. “The family business, do you remember what it is?”

Taemin frowned at the odd question. “Exportation, right?”

“Hm... do you know what we export?”

Taemin sighed. “Hyung, are you giving me a test on whether I know you or...? It's been what? Five years since we've known each other?”

Minho chuckled before pushing himself closer to the bed headboard and leaning back against it, signaling Taemin to come closer, the younger complying as he leaned his head on the elder's shoulder.

“Answer me.” he demanded and Taemin pouted.

“Cars... and other high-tech stuff.”

“That's the official.”

Taemin rose an eyebrow in confusion. “And the unofficial?”

He was almost afraid to ask, but knew the elder would tell him anyway. When Minho harbored that serious expression of his, Taemin had learned to expect the most surprising things, if the not worst.

“Drugs” the elder almost whispered. “and weapons.”

“huh?!” the younger exclaimed, straightening himself, his expression astonished for a few seconds before he burst out laughing.

It was Minho's turn to be confused. “Why are you laughing?”

“Because you're so funny.” Taemin replied, stifling his laughter.

Minho kept his straight face. “I'm not trying to be.”

It took Taemin a moment to realize the elder was actually being serious and his stomach twisted at the thought. Suddenly, it was like everything he thought he knew about the taller male was being crushed and a crease formed between his eyebrows.

Sensing the younger's astonishment, Minho sighed and ran a hand through his hair before leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

“My real mother's name is Choi Goeun,” he said. “Jinri and Jinki that you met are indeed my sister and cousin... my father died when I was four, as you know...”

“Where are you going with this?”

Ignoring the question he went on. “He was the head to an underworld organization called the Jade Dragon and when he died, my mother took its lead.”

He felt the younger's body stiffen in his arms.

“Jade Dragon? Like the mafia, Jade Dragon?”

Minho's lips twisted a small smile. It was weird to qualify themselves as mafia, they rather be called organizations or underworld businessmen but in truth, that was what the were and they had to accept it.

“Yes.” he asserted.

A few seconds passed.

“You killed my sister...” Taemin said, his voice quivering as he backed away from the older male.

Minho panicked and his eyes grew wide. “What? No! It wasn't us!”

“Don't lie to me!” the raven head yelled at him, his eyes full of tears as he got out of bed, not even bothering to cover himself. “You–”

A tear escaped his eye and he panted a small breath. He had never actually been able to overcome his sister's death.

It wasn't exactly easy to erase the memory of his twin being and stabbed to death in front of him as he watched powerless in the grips of a man that claimed to be from Jade Dragon. Taemin had never forgotten the sensation of his sister's bloodied corpse in his arms and he had sworn he'd find a way to avenge her.

But he was only fourteen, he was powerless against the world. The police had never found the assaulters and even seemed skeptical when he'd mentioned the mafia in his statement. When his parents had accused him of letting Seulgi die, he had lost his footing. He never understood why they didn't hurt him. Why they just made him watch.

How many times he had he wished it was him in her place? With these haunting thoughts, he had let himself drown in his pain and become a rebellious teen, following in the shadows every news he could find about Jade Dragon, harboring his wish for vengeance. At eighteen, that same wish had led him to Seoul and unbeknownst to him, into the arms of a man who could be behind his sister's death.

Minho didn't know what to do as he watched his husband start hyperventilating in front of him. Raising from the bed, he walked the younger who stepped back as he approached, the gesture making his heart clench painfully. Brushing off the sensation, he pulled the raven head into his arms and held him tightly as the younger struggled to get out of his embrace.

“Breath...” he commanded in a soft voice, with a hand on the back of the short male's head, burying his face on his shoulder. “Breath, love...”

Minutes passed, and eventually the younger stopped struggling and his breathing evened out, small sobs now replacing his sharp intakes of breath.

“You– lied to me...” he hiccuped, his voice muffled by the elder's shoulder. “for five years... you lied...”

Minho closed his eyes, rocking their bodies slowly from side to side. “I know... I'm so sorry...”

“Why?” Taemin asked. “Why did you hurt her?”

Minho clenched his jaw at the accusation but chose to guide the younger to the bed instead of answering. As the raven head let himself be sat on the mattress, Minho knelt down in front of him, one of his hands holding onto the younger's while the other cupped his cheek, his thumb caressing softly the moist skin.

“Tae... I swear to you, it wasn't us.” he said. “We're not murderers... at least not when we can avoid it. There's always been people trying to soil our name even more, but I promise you I will find whoever did this to your sister and they'll pay.”

Taemin shook his head and spoke in a broken tone. “How can I believe you?”

Minho sighed before hoisting himself up and pecking the younger's lips. “Give me one more chance? Just one to prove to you I'm speaking the truth. I love you, Taemin...”

And though hurt beyond words, the younger didn't find it in himself to push the elder away because deep inside he knew the man in front of him and he knew he could trust him.