21

Joong reads the address sent by the Chao Gang's leader several times before typing it into the maps app.

"I'm riding with Sky," Nani suddenly announces, appearing out of nowhere.

He looks striking in a dark turtleneck that hugs his lean frame, paired with tight leather pants that leave little to the imagination as he strolls toward the second SUV.

Sky watches him, the confident sway of Nani's hips is undeniably distracting.

"Why did you bring him?" Sky sighs.

Joong turns slightly, glancing at him. "He insisted. Said if I didn't let him come, he'd turn himself over to Chakrit."

Sky scoffs, shaking his head. "Of course he did."

Grumbling under his breath, Sky opens the car door while Nani slips into the passenger seat, far too pleased with himself.

"You're lucky I don't tie you up and leave you in the villa," Sky mutters as he adjusts the mirrors and starts the engine.

"That's oddly specific," Nani replies with a smirk. "One of your fantasies, maybe?"

Sky shoots him a glare. "Keep talking and I'll make you walk to Phetchaburi."

Nani chuckles and leans back, stretching out comfortably. "Relax. I'm not here to mess things up. I just want to be part of this."

His expression turns serious.

"This involves Dunk. I'm not just going to sit back and watch."

Sky reaches over and clicks Nani's seatbelt into place before securing his own.

He starts the car and follows the lead SUV, where Joong, Kay, First, and Tew are already seated.

"Dunk means that much to you?" Sky asks, glancing sideways at him.

Nani hums. "He's like a little brother to me."

"Then why did he leave? Weren't you both taken care of well by the Aydin Gang?" Sky presses, clearly wanting the truth from Nani himself.

"He confessed to Joong," Nani says, eyes fixed on the flickering streetlights outside. "He'd been in love with him for years. They started a stable relationship after that. Dunk basically became Joong's entire world."

A small smile tugs at Nani's lips, the memory softening his features until it fades again.

"But Fai wouldn't stop. He kept trying to hurt Joong in every possible way. Then one day Joong was shot. He had to go overseas for a long recovery," Nani continues, his voice quieter now.

"That's when everything changed. Dunk and I were devastated. We blamed ourselves, felt like we were the reason Joong got hurt. The gang started fracturing. People fought over who should lead while Joong was gone, and in that chaos, I stepped up."

Nani finally looks at Sky.

"I'm not Joong. I did what I could. Secured alliances, expanded into weapons, even got involved with corrupt cops. I was in and out of jail more times than I care to remember," he adds with a humorless chuckle.

"And then Dunk disappeared. No message. No warning. Nothing. Joong came back, but Dunk was already gone."

Sky's gaze softens. "Is that why you attend the auctions?"

Nani nods. "Yeah. I kept hoping I'd find Dunk and bring him back to Joong."

"Maybe Dunk thought staying away would stop Fai's obsession with you both," Sky says. "Maybe he believed leaving was the only way to protect Joong."

"I've thought that too," Nani murmurs. "But Fai didn't stop."

"He won't," Sky says, jaw tight. "Even if he had both of you again, it wouldn't be enough. He won't stop until the Aydin Gang is destroyed. He's a psychopath."

"That's why it's not just us anymore," Nani says. "The Kla Gang, Chao Gang finally they've realized the threat. Fai's trafficking operation is too dangerous. They want him gone."

Sky exhales slowly. "Then what about tonight? Do you think it's safe to proceed with the Ghost Gang meeting? Fai won't go down quietly."

"I doubt he'll interfere now. Joong's had meetings with nearly every gang to lock in support. Fai wouldn't risk acting rashly, not with so many eyes on this," Nani answers.

"Let's hope the Ghost Gang's support tips the balance," Sky says, focusing on the road.

Nani nods, and after that, the ride falls into silence.

Tension hangs between them. Quite and heavy as both drift into their own thoughts, wondering how the night will end.

Whether in relief or in disappointment.

***

Sky closes the door as he steps out of the SUV, adjusting his cap.

"This looks more like a regular house than a hideout," he comments, glancing at Nani.

In front of them stands a modest single-story home, flanked by forest on both sides.

The surrounding area feels peaceful.Quiet even comforting.

Completely opposite of what they expect.

Men in black stand nearby, and sleek SUVs are parked in clean rows as Joong leads the group toward the front door.

It feels like a home.

Warm. Still. Far removed from danger.

Joong gives a small nod, and Kay steps forward to knock.

Once.No answer.Twice.Still silence.Only on the third knock does the door creak open.

A young woman peeks out, her wide eyes scanning the strangers in black. But instead of fear, she offers a soft, welcoming smile.

"Aydin Gang?" she asks, confirming their identity.

Kay nods silently, his expression serious.

She opens the door wider, and Kay scans the interior quickly before motioning for Joong to enter.

"We were just about to have dinner," the woman says, gesturing toward the small kitchen where the scent of food fills the air.

Nani steps inside next, followed by Sky, who instinctively hovers a hand near his jacket.

Again, everything feels too normal.

Wooden furniture. Floral curtains. A small shelf stacked with books and porcelain figurines.

A pot simmers on the stove, the smell of garlic and herbs wafting through the house.

It doesn't feel like a gang negotiation base.

It feels like someone's grandmother should be here, stirring soup.

"Is this the right place?" Sky murmurs.

Nani shrugs, still alert, his eyes subtly sweeping the room.

While they're busy looking around, neither notices a figure slowly stepping into the living room, supported by a young man.

When they finally turn, Sky freezes.

Standing there is his uncle. Sunny.

He looks weak, yes, but alive. Healthier than the last time Sky saw him.

"U-Uncle?" Sky breathes, disbelief and emotion crashing through him. "What are you doing here?"

He steps forward, shouldering past the others.

Joong's eyes flick past Sunny to the man beside him.

Dunk.Alive. Safe.

Nani looks between Sky, Dunk, and Sunny, his brows furrowed.

The pieces don't quite fit yet.

"It's time to reveal everything," Sunny says, his tone calm as he lowers himself onto the small couch. "We've been hiding the truth for too long."

He motions for Joong to sit, but Joong doesn't move. His gaze remains locked on Dunk.

Dunk meets his eyes without flinching, his expression hard.

Silence fills the room.

"Dunk," Joong finally whispers, his voice barely there.

"I'm here," Dunk replies quietly. "I've been here for awhile."

Joong steps forward, disbelief still shadowing his face. "You left without a word. No message. No warning. Why?"

Nani watches quietly from behind, jaw clenched. Sky stands beside him, still reeling from his uncle's appearance.

Sunny leans forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Let him speak," he says softly, nodding to Dunk.

Dunk inhales slowly. "I left because I had to. After what happened to you after the shooting, I couldn't stay. Fai made it clear we were both targets. If I stayed near you, I would've been the perfect tool to break you again."

"You could've told me," Joong says, his voice cracking. "You could've trusted me."

"I did trust you," Dunk says. "That's why I left."

The room grows heavy with silence again. Only the faint bubbling sound from the stove remains.

"You disappeared for months," Nani says, voice sharper than intended. "Do you know the hell you left behind?"

Dunk turns to him, guilt in his eyes. "Yeah. I know. I'm sorry. It was a stupid decision."

"I'm not strong like you, Nani. I was scared."

He lowers his head.

"When Joong had to leave not for days, but for weeks, it tore me apart. I couldn't follow him. That would've made it worse. The Chakrit Gang still had their eyes on us. I felt like I didn't deserve to be with someone I couldn't even protect."

Joong stares at him, wanting to reach out but staying frozen in place.

"You stepped up. You trained. You led the gang. And me? I just sat there, useless."

His voice cracks. Nani flinches.

He's been so focused on revenge, he hasn't realized just how much Dunk had suffered.

"And then I heard whispers in the mansion about the Ghost Gang," Dunk continues, wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes.

"I pretended to return to them, but I was planning. I needed a way to stop Fai. But the more I dug, the clearer it became, he wasn't letting go. And all this time, his target was you, Nani."

His voice steadies as he turns to Sky.

"And during that search, I found out about you."

Sky looks back at him, still confused.

"The Ghost Gang was founded by two best friends," Dunk explains. "But a conflict tore them apart. One left, trying to live a normal life. The other kept it going."

He looks at Sunny.

"I escaped from Chakrit's men during one of his planning phases. Fai thought I was not a dangerous threat as he was busy scamming Nani. I used that chance. I followed you, Sky. For days. That's when I found out your uncle was at the hospital. And I saw it, Fai's men were watching him."

"I warned him."

Sky's jaw clenches, still processing.

"After his surgery, I followed him to a rest house. That's when I found out Joong had arranged the place for his recovery."

He turns to Joong again, eyes soft with emotion. "I visited quietly, pretending to be the boy who delivered milk every morning. One day, I told him the truth. I knew he was the boss of the Ghost Gang."

Joong's head whips toward Sunny. "You knew?"

Sunny nods. "Dunk told me everything. Fai's reach had gotten too wide. The Ghost Gang was one of the last groups capable of silent, effective assassination. I kept Dunk close. I hid him when he said he needed help."

Sky finally speaks, voice low and hurt. "What about me, Uncle? You told me nothing."

Sunny looks at him, eyes filled with regret. "I promised myself I'd never drag you into this world."

He lowers his head.

"But fate had other plans. I found out you were working with the escort service. That it eventually connected to the Chakrit Gang."

His gaze shifts toward Nani, who now stands silently next to Sky.

Sky clenches his fists. "You've been hiding this from me for years."

"I never meant for you to find out," Sunny says, slowly rising to his feet. His steps are unsteady as he approaches.

Sky steps back slightly, avoiding his touch. "Is that why you made me box as a kid? Why you begged that gym owner to train me for free near our rental?"

Sunny says nothing. But the guilt on his face says enough.

Nani reaches out and places a hand on Sky's shoulder.

"Is that why my parents abandoned me?" Sky asks, voice trembling.

No one dares look at him. For the first time, the loudest man in the room is the most broken.

"They didn't want you," Sunny says gently. "They were afraid. You were born into this bloodline. You were next in line to inherit the Ghost Gang. They thought you'd bring danger into their lives."

Sky's lips tremble. He struggles to absorb the weight of those words.

"I promised I'd make them regret it," Sunny continues. "By raising you like a normal kid. I chose to be your uncle, not a mafia boss."

Sky turns his head, tears slipping down his cheek. He wipes them away roughly, trying to stay composed.

"I never meant for you to find out like this," Sunny says. "I know how hard you worked to pay for my treatment. I know the sacrifices you made."

Sky exhales shakily. "I worked like hell for that money."

Nani's hand remains steady on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," Sunny whispers. "I should've seen the signs. I should've protected you better. But you kept everything hidden, and I played along because I'm afraid you'd discover the truth."

He looks Sky in the eye. "You were never supposed to be part of this world."

His voice trembles now. "But you came here anyway. Without knowing. Without being forced. You found your way back to this life. And maybe fate wanted that."

Sky shakes his head slowly, then lifts his eyes.

"I'm here now," he says, voice firm. "And I don't regret any of it."