19

The car tires screech against the road, coming to an abrupt stop as they reach their destination.

An old building stands before them.Run-down, clearly abandoned.

Kay steps out first, both hands raised in the air. Sky follows, mirroring the gesture.

"Who sent you?" Kay demands, eyes burning into the masked man who brought them here.

The man doesn't answer. He simply motions for them to move forward.

Sky walks beside Kay, both of them being forced toward the building's entrance. Neither drops their guard.

Their eyes sweep the area, cataloging every detail, every possible exit.

Inside, more figures wait.

Silent. Watching.

The tension thickens. This place feels too organized to be random and far too quiet to be safe.

The air is stale, heavy with dust. Flickering lights hum faintly above, casting long shadows against cracked walls.

Sky's jaw tightens as his eyes scan the room.

Five men. Armed. Watching their every step.

"Keep walking," the masked man behind them says, nudging a weapon into Kay's back.

They're led to the center of what looks like a long-abandoned warehouse floor.

Rusted machinery sits in the corners like forgotten ghosts. A single metal chair rests under a dim overhead light.

"We thought smashing up the café door and stabbing you would've been enough of a warning," one of the men says, seated casually in the chair with a gun resting in his hand. "But I guess you didn't learn."

Sky's eyes narrow. "Fai sent you to finish the job?"

The man arches a brow, amused. "Fai was right about one thing, you're not as dumb as you look."

He signals his men to shove Sky forward.

Sky hisses, resisting, but one of them slams something heavy likely a steel rod into his back.

He staggers.

Kay moves instinctively, but Sky quickly shakes his head, warning him to stay back.

Sky drops to one knee, breath catching in his throat as pain pulses across his back.

Still, he keeps his gaze locked on the man in the chair, refusing to show weakness.

"You think breaking me's gonna stop what's coming?" he says through gritted teeth.

The man laughs, dry and low. "We don't need to break you. We just need to make sure you don't go back."

Another thug steps forward, pulling a blade from his belt. The steel glints under the dim light.

Kay steps forward again, fists clenched, but a gun barrel rises toward his head, freezing him in place.

"Easy," the gunman warns. "Unless you want a bullet through your skull."

Sky raises a hand slightly, voice calm despite the tension. "This isn't how you want to play it. You kill us, Joong will know. And so will Nani."

The name hangs in the air like a loaded threat.

The man in the chair leans forward, eyes narrowing. "And you think we're scared of Nani?"

"You should be," Kay says flatly. "He's already pissed off. When he finds out you touched Sky, no one in your gang will be left breathing."

A sudden police siren blares outside.

The armed men panic, scattering in all directions. One of them points a finger at Sky and Kay in warning before vanishing into the dark.

"You okay?" Kay asks, rushing to Sky, who's slightly bent from the pain.

"Y-Yeah. Didn't hurt that much," Sky mutters with a faint smirk, forcing himself upright.

"Let's go before the cops show up," Kay urges, motioning toward the exit.

But before they can move, three figures step out from the shadows.

Sky and Kay squint toward the entrance and freeze.

"What the hell?" Sky breathes. "Nani?!"

There stands Nani, phone held high with a fake siren still blaring, a smug grin on his face.

Tew and First flank him, trying and failing to look innocent.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Sky snaps, storming toward him.

Nani silences the siren and slips his phone into his pocket, one hand resting lazily in his hoodie. "Our little trick worked," he says proudly.

Kay stares in disbelief. "You faked the siren?"

Nani winks. "You looked like you needed saving. I thought I'd make a dramatic entrance."

Sky groans, dragging a hand over his face. "You're insane."

"And you're welcome," Nani says with a smirk.

Just as they start to move again, gunfire cracks through the air.

"Get cover!" Kay shouts, diving for the weapon stashed at his ankle.

Tew and First duck immediately, scrambling behind a nearby wall.

Sky grabs Nani, pulling him toward the opposite side of the entrance, shielding him with his body.

"How the hell did you find me?" Sky growls, drawing his gun from beneath his shirt.

"Chao Gang tipped me off about the negotiation. You left twenty minutes ago," Nani says, crouched beside him as bullets whiz past.

"I unblocked your number. And, oh! Remember that tracker I put on your phone while you were asleep?"

Sky exhales sharply. Of course Nani did. He's probably the only one who could touch his phone.

"Stay close," Sky orders. "There's only five of them."

He fires with one hand, the other wrapped tightly around Nani's waist.

Bullets rip through the air, slamming into the walls as dust clouds bloom. Sky moves fast. Nani keeps pace, eyes sharp, returning fire when he can.

"Kay! Where are you?" Sky calls out.

"Holding them off!" Kay yells back. "But we need to push!"

Sky nods to Nani, then sprints toward a nearby corner, dragging him along. Gunfire intensifies.

"We need to get out now," Sky hisses.

Nani follows without hesitation.

A bullet whizzes dangerously close. Sky throws his arm across Nani, shoving him against the wall, shielding him again.

Nani grins despite the chaos. "Told you the tracker was a good idea."

"Next time, don't block my number," Sky mutters, his breath warm against the mafia's lips as he pants for air.

Two men down. Three to go.

"We're almost out," Sky says, checking both magazines. Then his eyes flick toward the SUV park not far from them.

"We make a run for the car. I'll signal the others."

Nani nods, ready.

Sky lets out a sharp whistle, the retreat signal.

They sprint. Nani slides into the passenger seat as Kay dives into the back. Moments later, Tew and First rush out of the building and jump in.

Sky jumps behind the wheel. The tires screech as he hits the gas, bullets pinging off the metal as they speed into the night.

The SUV roars down the dark, winding road, skimming the edge of control.

No one speaks at first. Just the sound of panting breaths and the gunfire fading behind them.

"Everyone okay?" Sky asks, eyes locked on the road.

"I think my heart left my body," Tew mutters, clutching his phone. "What the hell was that?"

"A setup," Kay says, still catching his breath. "They knew we'd be isolated. That gas stop, it was too convenient."

Nani leans back, face flushed with adrenaline. "Joong needs to know now."

"I already texted him," First says. "Told him everything the moment we escaped."

Sky glances over at Nani. "And you? What the hell were you thinking, showing up like that?"

Nani turns, completely unbothered. "You think I'd sit around while you're out there having fun without me?"

"It was a negotiation. Nothing dangerous," Sky snaps.

"That wasn't nothing!" Nani fires back.

The SUV hits a bump. Everyone jolts.

Kay sighs, glancing between them. "You two wanna flirt or fight? Pick one. Not both."

"Shut up, Kay," Sky and Nani snap in unison.

Tew snorts. "Yeah. They're definitely married."

Sky's grip tightens on the wheel but a faint smile pulls at his lips.

***

Once they reach the villa and Joong checks on everyone's condition, Sky drives the SUV back into the garage.

He's carefully parking the vehicle when a figure suddenly appears in front of the car, making him slam the brakes.

Sky scoffs, irritated.

"What the hell do you want now?" he asks, rolling down the window.

Nani stands there, arms crossed, expression serious.

"We're not done yet," Nani says, casually motioning for Sky to unlock the passenger door.

Sky, ever the obedient bodyguard when it comes to this mafia boss, exhales sharply and unlocks the door. Nani slides in without another word.

"You left me without a word," Nani starts the moment he gets comfortable.

Sky rubs his temple. "You blocked my number."

"We live in the same damn villa," Nani shoots back, one brow arching. "Why didn't you come check on me in my room like you always do?"

Sky sighs. "Fine. The whispers going around the gang, they were getting to me. So I stayed away."

Nani turns in his seat, locking eyes with him.

"So what? You thought if you stayed away, they'd stop?"

Sky doesn't answer right away. His fingers tighten slightly on the steering wheel.

"I didn't want to make things worse for you," he mutters. "I thought if I kept my distance, maybe they'd back off."

Nani scoffs, leaning closer. "You think I care what they say? What those idiots whisper behind my back?"

Sky turns to him, serious. "You mean that?"

"In this world, people sleep with each other all the time," Nani says, voice flat. "It's not a big deal. They're probably just jealous I didn't sleep with them."

He pauses then smirks.

"Or should I go ahead and do that so you'll stop keeping your distance?"

Sky glares at him, jaw tight. "Stop with your stupid fantasies or whatever the hell's going on in your twisted mind, Nani."

But Nani, clearly enjoying himself, pushes further.

"Do you have a list? Should I start with someone specific?"

His voice turns smug.

"Maybe I should try being the submissive one for once. Since I've always topped until now."

Sky snaps.

In one swift motion, he grabs Nani and yanks him forward. Nani lands on his lap with a surprised grunt.

"Say that again," Sky growls, voice low and dangerous.

Nani's eyes widen slightly. He shifts, trying to wriggle free, but Sky's arm wraps tight around his waist.

His other hand comes up firm, closing gently but possessively around Nani's throat.

"You're really testing me tonight," Sky mutters, his breath hot against Nani's cheek.

For a split second, Nani's grin falters.