11

The ride to the old warehouse, where the Aydin Gang has secured the weapons, is tense and silent.

Nani checks his gun again, his expression serious, making sure the weapon is fully functional in case anything goes wrong.

In another vehicle, Sky puts on his earpiece, listening carefully to the instructions relayed by the leader of the henchmen, Kay Lertsittichai.

"We need to make sure the exchange goes smoothly with no mistakes," the man says, and everyone nods in unison.

When they arrive at the designated meeting point with the Kla Gang, Sky is the first to step out.

He moves quickly to the vehicle transporting Nani, which pulls up beside his own.

"We leave as soon as the gold is secured," Nani instructs firmly, and the team responds with nods.

Sky remains close behind him, eyes sharp as he watches Nani button up his long coat.

Nani walks forward, chin held high, the picture of control and authority.

His henchmen follow closely, scanning the area for any signs of danger or a potential ambush.

The warehouse doors creak open slowly, revealing a dimly lit interior.

A few men from the Kla Gang stand waiting near a row of metal crates, their hands casually resting near their weapons.

The tension in the air is thick, and the silence between the two groups far by more dangerous than words.

Nani doesn't flinch. His steps are steady, his expression serious as he approaches the center of the space.

Sky walks at his side, one hand near his holster, eyes flicking over every corner of the room.

A tall man with a scar across his left cheek steps forward from the Kla Gang as instructed by their boss.

His suit is spotless, his presence commanding.

"You're late," the man says coolly.

"We're here," Nani replies. "Let's get this done."

The crates open on one side, revealing neatly stacked gold bars.

On the other, a cache of high-powered weapons gleams under the warehouse lights.

The exchange is meant to be simple.Clean and quick.

One of Nani's men steps forward to inspect the gold, while the Kla Gang's representative does the same with the weapons.

But Sky doesn't relax.

His gaze lingers on a figure in the shadows.Someone who hasn't moved, hasn't spoken.

"It's all here," one of Nani's men announces, giving a brief nod before turning to look at the Kla Gang's boss.

The older man appears relaxed, taking a slow puff from the cigarette held between his fingers as he studies Nani.

"I kept my word," the mafia boss says.

Nani returns his gaze with a tense expression. "Does the Chakrit Gang know about this transaction?"

The man shrugs. "Probably. I canceled our agreement to supply the gold shipment at the last minute. I decided to take a risk, so you'd better clean this up. I don't want any part in whatever mess you're dealing with."

Nani gives a curt nod.

The Aydin Gang begins loading the crates while Nani watches closely.

The Kla Gang has already left, and once the transfer is confirmed successful, Nani and his team move to leave the warehouse.

Just as they step through the door, something shifts.

The first shot strikes the henchman to Nani's left, hitting him square in the chest.

"Get down!" the henchman leader shouts as chaos erupts.

Sky moves fast, immediately shielding Nani with his body.

"Get in the van!" he barks, pulling out his gun and pushing Nani toward the parked vehicle.

"Go! Move with them!" he orders firmly.

Nani hesitates, eyes fixed on Sky, but after a heartbeat, he obeys, running toward the van with his heart pounding and mind racing.

Gunfire echoes through the warehouse, bullets rebounding off metal and cement.

Nani dives into the van, gripping his gun tightly.

The back doors slam shut just as the engine roars to life.

"Where's Sky?" Nani shouts, peering through the small rear window, breath ragged.

"He's covering the rear with Kay!" one of the henchmen yells over the gunfire, already returning shots through a crack in the door.

Outside, Sky and Kay move smoothly.

Bodies low, guns raised, eyes sweeping for shooters hidden in the shadows.

They fire back in sharp, controlled bursts, taking down two attackers without hesitation.

"Go, go, go!" another voice yells from the front of the van.

With a screech of tires, the vehicle lurches forward, speeding away from the ambush.

Nani's hands tremble.

Not from fear, but frustration. Every part of him wants to be out there, making sure Sky is okay.

"Follow the crates. Someone might try to steal them!" Nani orders.

One of the henchmen quickly relays the message through his earpiece.

Nani waits impatiently for a response until the henchman finally looks up.

"Kay and Sky are following the shipment. No suspicious activity so far, but I heard one of them's injured."

Nani's face goes pale.

He opens his mouth to ask who, but before he can speak, a sudden crash rocks the back of the van, jolting everyone inside.

"Keep driving! Don't stop until we're back at the villa!" Nani orders, voice sharp, jaw clenched as he looks out the rear window.

Whether it's the Kla Gang betraying him or a sneak attack from the Chakrit Gang, Nani doesn't know yet.

But one thing is certain, someone isn't happy with the deal.

***

The gold has been transported safely to a secure location in the villa by the time Nani rushes in, tearing off his coat.

"We were attacked," he announces breathlessly as he steps inside.

Joong hurries toward the main door to meet him.

"I told you to stop getting involved in this mess. I can handle it!" Joong snaps, frustration boiling over.

Nani flinches at the harsh tone.

Seeing the panic in Nani's eyes, Joong's expression softens.

"Are you hurt?" he asks, checking Nani over quickly.

Nani shakes his head. "One of our men was killed at the scene. Maybe more," he says, swallowing hard.

Joong's eyes narrow. "Where's Sky?"

Nani's gaze shifts nervously. "I told him to follow the shipment. One of the henchmen reported the gold made it to the basement under the villa, but Sky and Kay still haven't returned."

His voice trembles as panic creeps back in. "Something's not right."

Joong's jaw tightens. He pulls out his phone and tries Kay's number.

No answer. He tries Sky. Still nothing.

"Damn it," he mutters under his breath. "If something happens to them..."

"I'm going to look for him," Nani says suddenly, turning toward the door.

Joong grabs his arm. "You're not thinking straight."

"I told him to go," Nani snaps, voice cracking. "If anything happens to him, it's on me."

Joong's grip loosens. He understands that kind of guilt all too well.

"Fine," Joong says after a pause. "But you're not going alone. I'll send two of our best men with you. Stay in contact. The moment you find them, report back."

Nani nods, already halfway out the door.

He doesn't stop to change clothes or arm himself. He just moves, fueled by a single, desperate thought.

Nani is just about to step into the car again when Kay appears, carrying a half-unconscious Sky on his back.

"He was stabbed," Kay says breathlessly, a smear of blood on his cheek as he hurries toward the villa.

Nani freezes for a split second, then bolts after them, heart pounding.

"H-How?" Nani demands, crouching beside Sky as the man groans and coughs weakly while Kay carefully lays him on the floor.

Without hesitation, Nani presses his palm against the bleeding wound in Sky's abdomen, trying to stop the blood flow.

"One of the attackers snuck into our van while I was driving," Kay explains, panting heavily.

Joong has already barked an order for someone to call their personal doctor.

"Sky was fighting him at the back. The door swung open mid-fight. He told me not to stop, and just as the guy stabbed him, Sky managed to kick him out."

Kay looks pale, yet steady.

Nani's hands tremble as he applies more pressure to the wound. Sky's eyes flutter open, barely focused.

"You idiot," Nani whispers, voice cracking. "Why'd you let yourself get stabbed?"

As their personal doctor arrives to attend to Sky's injury, Nani steps back, his eyes never leaving Sky.

"I told you, this world wasn't made for him," Nani says quietly, turning to Joong.

The mafia leader doesn't respond, remaining silent beside Nani as they watch the doctor work.

"The stab wound isn't too deep," the doctor informs them. "But I need to move him to the treatment room for minor surgery."

Two henchmen step in to help carry Sky toward the treatment room located in the basement of the villa.

Nani and Joong follow closely until the doctor holds up a hand, stopping them at the door.

"I need space to work. You can see him once it's done," the doctor says firmly before disappearing inside.

The door to the treatment room closes with a dull thud, leaving Nani standing frozen in the dim hallway.

He stares at the closed door, fists clenched, heart pounding in a way that feels painfully out of sync.

Joong leans against the opposite wall, arms crossed but eyes trained on Nani.

"You care about him more than you admit," Joong says quietly.

Nani doesn't answer right away. His jaw tightens as he exhales slowly through his nose.

"He threw himself into danger to protect me," he mutters. "And now he's the one bleeding."

Joong steps closer, voice gentler. "It wasn't your fault, Nani. Sky made a choice. His own choice. Just like you've made yours."

Nani turns his head slightly, eyes sharp. "It feels like my fault."

The hallway falls into silence again, only the faint echo of footsteps somewhere above breaking the stillness.

Minutes stretch.

Then the doctor steps out from the treatment room, removing his gloves.

"He's stable," he announces. "The wound's been treated and stitched. He lost some blood, but he'll recover."

Nani's knees nearly give out. He takes a steadying breath.

"Can I see him?"

The doctor nods. "Only for a few minutes. He's still unconscious."

Without another word, Nani walks into the room where Sky lies still beneath the white sheet, his breathing slow but steady.

Nani sits at the edge of the bed, gently brushing Sky's damp hair from his forehead.

"You idiot..." he whispers.

He looks down, voice trembling.

"Don't you dare leave me behind," Nani mutters before getting up from his seat. He gives Sky one final look, then turns and leaves the room.

Joong is still waiting outside, arms crossed, his expression serious.

"From today onward, you're not to attend any deals or events until I say otherwise," he says firmly.

Nani groans in protest. "But Joong, Dunk is still missing!"

Joong shakes his head, unmoved. "The damage you caused tonight is more than enough. We secured the gold, and that's all that matters right now."

He steps closer, voice firm. "I'll handle the Dunk situation. And don't even think about leaving this villa. Not to return to your private suite. Nowhere."

It's not a suggestion. It's a final decision.

Nani sighs and rubs his temples, muttering a quiet curse under his breath.

If Joong has made up his mind, there's nothing he can do to change it.

Nani wanders the halls of the villa, restless and heavy with guilt.

His fingers twitch with the urge to light a cigarette, but he doesn't.

Not now.

Not when Sky is lying unconscious, stabbed because of a decision Nani made.

He ends up outside, leaning against the railing of the villa's balcony.

The moon hangs low in the sky, casting a silver sheen across the manicured gardens.

But none of it brings him peace.

"Are you mad at me?" Joong asks as he joins Nani, leaning against the railing.

Nani doesn't respond with words, only a silent shake of his head.

"It's for your own good," Joong presses gently.

"You and Dunk always act on impulse without consulting me first. And now look at what's happened," he adds, voice calm but firm.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know it was going to get this dangerous," Nani mutters, guilt creeping into his voice.

Joong turns, gazing up at the night sky.

"Our lives have always been filled with danger and threats, Nani. You know that damn well," he says.

Nani hums in agreement, then asks quietly, "Did I just put Dunk in an even worse position?"

Joong exhales. "Who knows? But if it's true that Fai desperately needed that gold, we might be able to use it to negotiate for Dunk."

"We stole from him," Nani says, frustration thick in his tone. "That gold was supposed to go to him until I decided to make a deal with Kla Gang instead."

"He doesn't deserve the gold," Joong replies calmly. "That makes us even."

Nani stays quiet, letting Joong's words settle in the heavy silence between them. The night air is cold, brushing against their skin, but neither moves.

"I just—" Nani hesitates. "I didn't want to feel powerless again."

Joong glances sideways at him, his expression serious.

"You think power is about all this?" he asks. "Sometimes it's knowing when to stop. When to pull back."

"I don't know how to stop," Nani confesses, voice low. "Not when Dunk might be out there, suffering because of a choice I made."

Joong nods slowly. "That's why I'm here. To stop you before you burn yourself out trying to save him."

A beat passes.

"And Sky?" Joong adds, looking back toward the villa. "You've changed since he came into your life."

Nani's gaze drops to the floor.

"He didn't deserve any of this," he says. "He was just there. Wrong time, wrong place."

"And yet he stayed," Joong points out.

Nani nods faintly.

There's a quiet understanding between them. Then Joong gives him a light pat on the shoulder.

"Get some rest. I'll handle things from here for now."

Nani doesn't argue this time. He just stands there, watching the sky and praying silently that things settle down.