weakness of queens - Chapter 12: Chapter 12

The tension in the penthouse was palpable. The news of Blackwood's dead men had spread quickly, and though we knew we weren't behind it, the rest of the underworld wouldn't see it that way. The streets whispered of war, and if we didn't act soon, we'd be dragged into one we had no interest in fighting.
Jennie's POV
I sat in my office, staring at the city lights through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The skyline looked peaceful, an illusion I could never fully believe. My fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk, a subconscious habit I had developed over years of dealing with crisis after crisis.
The truth was, I didn't like feeling cornered. And this? This was a perfectly crafted trap.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Come in," I called, already knowing who it was.
Lisa entered, her expression unreadable as she took a seat across from me. "You're doing that thing again."
I arched a brow. "What thing?"
"Thinking too much."
A smirk tugged at my lips, but it faded quickly. "We need to act fast, Lisa. If Blackwood retaliates, it'll be an all-out war. We have too many people under our protection to risk that."
Lisa leaned back, her fingers tapping against the armrest. "Then we make the first move."
I sighed. "It's not that simple. Whoever did this wants us to strike first. If we do, we'll be playing right into their hands."
Lisa was silent for a moment before nodding. "Then we find them first."
I met her gaze. "Exactly. And I think I know where to start."
The underground club was loud, packed with people who had no idea just how many criminals stood among them. Music thumped through the speakers, neon lights casting eerie shadows along the walls. It was the kind of place where information was traded like currency.
Jisoo, Rosé, and I moved through the crowd with practiced ease, our presence going unnoticed by most, save for those who knew exactly who we were. We had contacts here-people who owed us favors, people who would talk if the right price was paid.
A man sat in the corner booth, nursing a drink. His eyes darted up when he saw us, recognition flickering across his face. He knew why we were here.
"Ladies," he greeted, though his voice lacked confidence. "Didn't expect to see you tonight."
I slid into the seat across from him, crossing my legs. "Cut the pleasantries, Mark. We need information."
Mark's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "I don't know much. Just rumors."
"Start talking," Jisoo said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.
Mark exhaled, glancing around as if making sure no one was listening. "Word is, someone's been making moves in the shadows. A new player-someone with power but no face. They're pulling strings, making people disappear. No one knows who they are, but they're dangerous."
Rosé leaned forward. "And what do they want?"
Mark hesitated before answering, "To take you down."
Silence fell over the table.
I clenched my fists. "Then they just made the biggest mistake of their life."
Back at the penthouse, we gathered everyone in the main lounge. Irene stood at the center, her expression unreadable as she addressed us.
"We have a ghost enemy," she stated simply. "Someone powerful, someone smart. They're hiding behind the chaos they've created, waiting for us to make the wrong move. We can't let that happen."
Seulgi, who had been leaning against the wall, nodded. "So what's the plan?"
I took a deep breath. "We smoke them out. If they want to play in the shadows, we drag them into the light. We start hitting the streets, talking to every contact, flipping every rock. Someone knows something."
Lisa grinned. "Now this sounds fun."
Irene's gaze hardened. "We don't take unnecessary risks. We do this smart. We do this our way."
Rosé smirked. "The way of the Mafia Queens."
A dark smile tugged at my lips. "Exactly."
We had been targeted.
Now, it was time to remind the world who we were.