"Serpents were a small-scale mafia organisation eight years ago," Taeryn said. "Papa didn't want anything to do with them. No client wanted them erased. It was too much risk of starting a war."
He spoke calmly, like he was reciting a shopping list. Rihan just stared at him.
"The boss back then was filthy rich," Taeryn continued. "A chaebol. Crazy. Think Gil-Woo, but with more money. More reach. He wanted Papa... promised him everything. When Papa refused, he kidnapped me."
Rihan was still gaping as Taeryn's expression was stripped of softness. Rihan's hand lifted before he realised it, his thumb brushing Taeryn's cheek.
They were parked along a quiet road, the city thinning into green. The wind moved softly through the leaves of the trees lining the fence that curved around a massive field of crops.
"Did they hurt you?" Rihan asked, carefully.
Taeryn pressed his lips together, thinking. "His son tried."
Rihan's breath hitched.
