Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Nani hirunkit

The black SUV hummed softly as it sped along the winding road, the dense forest looming on both sides. The moonlight barely pierced through the thick canopy of trees, casting shifting shadows across the windshield. Inside, the tension was suffocating.

Dew sat behind the wheel, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. He hadn’t said a word in the past fifteen minutes, and the silence was grating on my nerves.

“You know,” I said, trying to break the quiet, “you sitting there all broody isn’t exactly helping me feel better.”

Dew’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, the leather creaking under his grip. “Good. You should be on edge.”

I huffed, sinking further into my seat. “Gee, thanks. Excellent bedside manner, as always.”

Dew ignored me, his focus unyielding, but I caught the flicker of irritation in his eyes. It wasn’t like him to be this tense—this quiet. Normally, his control was unshakable. Tonight, though? Tonight, it felt like every unsaid word in the car carried the weight of a thousand warnings.

“You don’t have to be so tense,” I muttered, glancing out the window. “I can handle this.”

“No, you can’t,” Dew said bluntly, his voice sharp. “This isn’t your world. And whether you like it or not, your safety depends on me right now.”

“I know it, even if I didn't ask any of this to happen,” I said softly, i can feel the pressure now. “I didn’t ask to be dragged into any of this.”

“You think I don’t know that?” he softened a bit looking at my face. “But you are in it. And if you don’t take this seriously, you’re going to get yourself killed. Do you have any idea what that would do to Sky?”

His words struck me, and for a moment, I was silent.

“I know what’s at stake,” I said softly, “I know what this plan means. Maybe I just… I need to believe it’s going to work.”

“It will,” Dew said firmly, his gaze flicking back to the road. “It has to.”

---

Win metawin

“Shift the second patrol closer to the eastern side,” I barked into the radio, my fingers flying over the keyboard. The monitors in front of me flickered between camera feeds of the two safe houses. The decoy was quiet—just as planned—but the forest surrounding the real location made me uneasy.

Sky stood behind me, arms crossed, his glare burning a hole into the screens. He’d been pacing earlier, but now he was rooted in place, a storm brewing just beneath the surface of his composed exterior.

“Boss,” I said without looking back, “you’re going to wear the floor out if you keep pacing.”

“I’m not pacing,” he growled.

I smirked, glancing over my shoulder. “Sure you’re not.”

His glare could’ve melted steel, but I didn’t back down. Not tonight.

“How’s the decoy looking?” he asked, his voice clipped.

I pointed to one of the feeds. “Quiet. The mole’s already passed along the intel. Hong’s people will take the bait.”

“And the real safe house?” Sky’s gaze flicked to the screen showing Dew’s location.

“Locked down tight,” I said confidently. “Dew’s got his team in place. No one’s getting in without us knowing.”

Sky didn’t look convinced. His hand ran through his hair, his tension palpable.

“He’s not just another asset, Win,” he muttered, his voice low and edged with something raw.

“I know,” I said, meeting his gaze. “Believe me, I know.”

---

Nani hirunkit

The safe house was cold and eerily quiet. The small team of guards patrolled outside, their footsteps crunching softly on the gravel path. Inside, the air felt too still, too heavy, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

Dew stood by the window, his rifle slung across his chest. His silhouette was sharp against the pale moonlight, his posture rigid, his gaze scanning the darkness outside.

“How much longer do we wait?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Until Hong makes his move,” he replied, his voice clipped.

“Helpful,” I muttered, pacing the small living room. “You know, for someone who’s supposed to keep me calm, you’re doing a terrible job.”

“I’m not here to make small talk,” he said flatly.

I stopped pacing, folding my arms as I glared at him. “You’re lucky you’re intimidating. Otherwise, you’d be unbearable.”

For a brief moment, the corner of his mouth twitched. “You should rest,” he said after a beat. “It could be a long night.”

“I’m not sleeping,” I said firmly. “Not when…” I gestured vaguely around the room. “This.”

Dew didn’t respond, his focus already back on the window.

I sank onto the couch, tapping my fingers against my knee, the minutes dragging by. The silence was maddening, every creak of the house and rustle of the forest outside setting my nerves on edge.

Then Dew’s voice cut through the stillness. “Something’s wrong.”

My stomach dropped. “What?”

He moved to the door, his hand on his earpiece. “Perimeter team, report.”

Static crackled through the radio. Then, a voice: “We’ve got movement on the western side. Could be animals, but—”

The line went dead.

Dew’s entire body tensed. He turned to me, his voice sharp. “Stay here. Don’t move.”

“Dew—”

Before I could finish, the first gunshot rang out, followed by the unmistakable sound of shouting.

---

Sky wongravee

“Win,” I barked, my eyes glued to the monitor. “What’s happening at the decoy?”

Win’s voice was sharp. “Movement confirmed. Hong’s people are moving in fast. The mole’s intel worked—they’ve taken the bait.”

I nodded, my eyes flicking between the decoy feed and the real safe house. Shadows darted through the trees near the decoy, their movements quick and coordinated. But something about it felt… wrong.

“Switch to Dew’s feed,” I ordered.

Dew hesitated but complied, the screen flickering to show the real location. The forest surrounding the safe house was quiet—too quiet.

Then the gunfire started.

The sound was faint but unmistakable. My blood turned to ice.

“That’s not right,” I growled. “Hong wouldn’t split his forces. If his people are at the decoy, then he’s at the second site.”

Win’s eyes widened. “You think he’s there in person?”

I didn’t answer. My gut already knew the truth.

Grabbing the radio, I barked into it. “Dew, report. What’s happening?”

Static crackled, followed by muffled shouts and more gunfire.

“Win, get backup to the real site now,” I ordered, my voice like steel.

Win grabbed his headset, issuing commands to the nearest teams. “On it.”

But I couldn’t wait.

“I’m going,” I said, heading for the door.

“Sky—” Win’s voice stopped me for a moment, his tone urgent. “You can’t just—”

I turned back, my expression deadly. “I can. And I will.”

Before he could argue further, I was gone.