Chapter 10: Chapter 10: No safe place

Chiang mai safe house

Sky stood at the second-floor window, eyes locked onto the two black sedans idling at the far end of the block. Their engines were off, but their presence was deliberate.

Joong stood beside him, rifle angled low but ready. “They’re just sitting there.”

Santa exhaled, arms crossed. “They’re not here for a fight. They’re watching.”

Dunk, tapping his fingers against his gun holster, muttered, “More like waiting.”

That was what unsettled me.

They weren’t moving. They weren’t trying to hide.

They wanted us to notice them.

Perth’s voice crackled over comms from the surveillance van, “They arrived five minutes after you entered the safehouse. No backup. No radio signals. Whoever they are, they’re careful.”

Sky exhaled slowly.

Then, he moved.

He reached for his sidearm, adjusted the hidden comm in his cuff, and without a word, headed for the door.

I stiffened. “Sky. Wait.”

He didn’t.

Santa raised an eyebrow. “Shit. He’s really going.”

Dunk whispered, “This is so hot but also terrifying.”

Joong smacked the back of his head.

I gritted my teeth and moved to follow, but Sky’s voice came through the earpiece.

“Stay inside.”

My breath caught.

I didn’t like this.

I didn’t like not being in control of the danger.

---

The front door clicked shut behind Sky, leaving the rest of us watching from the shadows.

He stepped into the dimly lit street, posture relaxed but commanding.

At the far end, one of the sedans’ back doors opened.

A man stepped out, dressed in a black suit, movements slow and deliberate. No visible weapons, no aggression—just presence.

Sky didn’t stop.

He walked right up to them, standing five feet away.

The tension thickened like smoke.

The man studied Sky, tilting his head slightly. Then, in a smooth, measured voice—

“Captain Wongravee.”

My stomach dropped.

Sky’s tone was lethal in its calmness. “You know my name. I don’t know yours.”

A ghost of a smile. “Not yet.”

Sky’s fingers twitched slightly at his side. A subtle sign he was calculating threats.

“You’ve been following us.”

The man’s gaze flickered toward the safehouse. “We were meant to be noticed.”

Sky didn’t blink. “Why?”

The man let a slow smirk curl onto his lips.

“Because soon, you’ll have to make a choice.”

That single sentence sent an uncomfortable chill down my spine.

Sky’s voice darkened. “Is that a threat?”

The man took a step back, not answering.

Then, smoothly, he turned and got back into the sedan.

The engines roared to life, and within seconds, both cars were gone.

No gunfire. No fight.

Just a silent message.

Sky stood there for a moment, watching the spot where they had been.

Then, he turned sharply and walked back toward the house.

---

The second Sky stepped back inside, I grabbed his wrist.

Not hard. Just enough.

Enough to make him stop.

His eyes flicked to mine—cool, unreadable.

I forced my voice to stay even. “What the hell was that?”

Sky didn’t pull away. Didn’t move.

“Observation,” he said simply.

I clenched my jaw. “They knew your name.”

Sky exhaled, low and steady. “I know.”

Dunk, sitting on the couch, exhaled dramatically. “That was some alpha male shit right there.”

Santa, rubbing his temple, muttered, “Shut up, Dunk.”

Joong sat down, expression unreadable. “Whoever they are, they weren’t just watching the safehouse. They were watching Nani.”

Silence.

Sky turned to me. “You still think this is nothing?”

I forced my expression to remain neutral. “I told you, I don’t—”

Santa cut me off, his usual smirk gone. “Don’t lie, Nani.”

Dunk, for once, was quiet. “If they were watching us, we’d be dead by now.”

Sky spoke last. His voice was softer—but sharper.

“They weren’t watching us.”

“They were watching you.”

And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t know what to say.

-----

Back at Bangkok

The rooftop of HQ was quiet except for the distant hum of Bangkok’s nightlife. The warm air carried the faint scent of rain, but up here, away from the streets, it was just us.

I leaned against the railing, arms crossed, staring at the city lights that flickered in the distance.

I should have been processing everything. The unknown group. The way they spoke Sky’s name like they already knew him. The fact that I was now officially under government protection for reasons I didn’t even understand.

But all I could focus on was how close I had come to watching Sky walk into something he couldn’t control.

I hadn’t hesitated in the club. Hadn’t hesitated in a decade of working undercover.

But when Sky stepped into danger instead of me—

I had hesitated.

The thought unsettled me.

The door behind me clicked open. I knew who it was before he even spoke.

Sky.

I didn’t turn. Didn’t need to.

I felt him before I saw him.

His presence was steady, like the weight of a gun holstered against your side—always there, always within reach.

I exhaled. “You’re bad at letting people be alone.”

Sky didn’t respond immediately. Instead, I heard the soft scrape of fabric as he stepped beside me, his hands sliding into his pockets.

Then, finally—

“You’re not used to this.”

I tensed slightly. “Used to what?”

Sky’s voice was calm, controlled, but there was something underneath it.

“People protecting you.”

The words hit harder than I expected.

I scoffed, glancing at him. “I don’t need protection.”

Sky didn’t blink. Didn’t argue.

Instead, he turned his head slightly, eyes locked on mine.

Too close.

My pulse jumped before I could stop it.

“You hesitated back there,” he murmured.

I forced a neutral expression. “I don’t hesitate.”

Sky tilted his head slightly, watching me too carefully. “Then why did you stop when I walked out to them?”

I swallowed. “Because it wasn’t your fight.”

Sky exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “That’s not how this works.”

I clenched my jaw, looking away. “Maybe it should be.”

The silence stretched between us.

Then—the touch.

Light. Barely there.

But I felt it.

Sky’s fingers brushed against my wrist, a brief, grounding touch. Not to restrain me.

To steady me.

I inhaled sharply, startled at how effortless it was for him to reach me.

“I know you’re used to handling things alone,” he said quietly. “But you don’t have to.”

I wanted to argue.

Wanted to push him away before I got too used to this.

But instead—

I didn’t move.

Didn’t pull away.

Sky’s touch lingered for a fraction longer than necessary.

Then, just as smoothly as it came, it was gone.

“Come on,” he said finally, stepping back, voice cool again. “We have a meeting to get to.”

I let out a slow breath, forcing my heartbeat to settle.

I turned, following him inside.

But even as we walked back into HQ, I was still thinking about the way his fingers had felt against my skin.

And that?

That was a problem.

----

The air inside the Special Operations briefing room was heavier than usual.

The blinds were drawn shut, the lights dimmed, and the only people present were Sky, Chief Sakda, Chief Peeta, and Head Chief Thanawat.

And me.

I sat at the far end of the table, next to Sky, as Thanawat reviewed a classified file in front of him.

His expression was unreadable.

Finally, he looked up, his sharp eyes flickering over all of us.

“Effective immediately,” he said, “Captain Sky Wongravee and his squad are assigned to protect Nani Hirunkit.”

No preamble. No discussion.

Just a direct order.

Sky’s jaw tightened slightly, but his voice remained calm and professional. “Sir. With all due respect—why?”

Thanawat met his gaze evenly. “That information is classified.”

I saw the flicker of frustration in Sky’s expression before he masked it.

Chief Peeta exhaled, tapping her fingers against the table. “At least tell us what level of threat we’re dealing with.”

Thanawat was silent for a moment.

Then, finally—“High.”

One word.

It was enough.

Sky didn’t react visibly, but I knew him well enough now.

He wasn’t happy about being left in the dark.

Chief Sakda, arms crossed, leaned back in his chair. “And if we refuse?”

Thanawat raised an eyebrow. “Are you refusing?”

Sakda sighed heavily. “No. But my squad doesn’t take blind orders.”

Thanawat’s gaze turned slightly sharper. “This is bigger than your squad, Sakda.”

Sky leaned forward, elbows resting against the table. “Bigger how?”

Thanawat’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Then, he closed the file in front of him, locking it shut.

“I can’t answer that.”

A sharp silence filled the room.

The tension between Thanawat and Sky settled like a drawn blade.

Thanawat’s tone remained calm, but firm as he addressed the room.

“You don’t have to understand the reason. You just have to follow orders.”

Sky didn’t break eye contact. Didn’t blink.

Then, finally—

“Understood.”

The meeting was over.

But I knew this wasn’t the end of it.

Not even close.

---

As the others began to leave, I stood up, preparing to follow.

But before I could, Thanawat’s voice stopped me.

“Hirunkit. Stay.”

I stilled.

Sky hesitated by the door, his gaze flicking back toward me.

I gave him a slight nod. It’s fine.

Sky’s jaw tensed slightly before he turned and left.

The door clicked shut behind him.

Thanawat leaned back in his chair, watching me. “Sit down, son.”

I sat slowly, my pulse steadying.

For the first time tonight, Thanawat’s expression softened.

“It’s been a while.”

I exhaled, leaning back. “Yeah.”

Thanawat tilted his head slightly. “How do you feel?”

I forced a smirk. “Like I’m being babysat.”

Thanawat chuckled—a rare sound. “You always were a pain in the ass.”

The warmth in my chest caught me off guard.

Because this wasn’t Thanawat the head of Special Operations.

This was Thanawat, the man who had saved me three years ago.

The only person who had ever pulled me out instead of pushing me deeper.

I swallowed. “…You knew this was coming, didn’t you?”

Thanawat’s smile faded.

Then, quietly—“I hoped it wouldn’t.”

Something inside me tightened.

“…Then why am I still alive?” I asked.

Thanawat’s expression shifted—something unreadable in his gaze.

Then, finally—

“Because someone wants you to be.”

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

Thanawat leaned forward, resting his elbows against the desk. “Listen to me, Nani. There are things you don’t remember. Things you might never remember. And if you do…”

He exhaled slowly.

“It might already be too late.”

I clenched my fists beneath the table.

Thanawat’s voice softened. “Let them protect you.”

I swallowed. “Even if it gets them killed?”

Thanawat didn’t answer.

That was answer enough.

--------

Faces the Truth

The air inside the squad’s briefing room was heavier than usual.

For the first time in months, no one was joking.

Santa sat at the edge of the table, arms crossed, watching me with his usual sharpness, but there was no amusement in his expression now.

Joong leaned against the wall near the whiteboard, his fingers tapping against his bicep—a steady rhythm of frustration.

Perth stood near the monitors, silent but intensely focused. He wasn’t the type to react loudly, but the slight furrow in his brows told me he was processing everything.

Dunk was the only one sitting, but even he wasn’t his usual dramatic self. His elbows were on the table, hands clasped together like he was waiting for an answer he already knew he wouldn’t get.

And Sky?

Sky stood beside the door, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

The weight of their stares settled on me like a vice.

Sky spoke first. "Orders from above. This unit is now responsible for protecting Nani Hirunkit.”

Silence.

Then—

Dunk blinked. “…I’m sorry, what?”

Santa scoffed. “Protect him from what, exactly? Bad decisions?”

I exhaled. “It’s not like I asked for this.”

Joong, ever the level-headed one, cut in. “And we’re just expected to follow orders without knowing the reason?”

Sky’s voice was flat, controlled. “That’s the situation.”

Dunk let out a low whistle, leaning back in his chair. “So let me get this straight. We’re supposed to guard Nani like some VIP package, but we don’t even know who the hell is after him?”

Santa raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like a shit deal to me.”

Perth, quiet until now, finally spoke. “That’s because it is.”

A heavy pause.

Then Santa turned to me, his sharp gaze locking onto mine.

“So?”

I frowned. “So what?”

Santa gestured vaguely. “You gonna say something, or are we just gonna keep playing ‘Guess Who Wants Nani Dead’?”

I clenched my jaw. "What do you want me to say?"

Joong’s voice was quieter, but firmer. “The truth.”

I hesitated.

And that was enough to set them off.

Santa let out a short, humorless laugh. “Fucking hell, Nani.”

Joong exhaled sharply. “You knew something was wrong before any of us, didn’t you?”

Dunk muttered, “The way you reacted in Chiang Mai… The way you handled Wasan… You weren’t surprised by any of this.”

Perth looked at me. "So, tell us. Who’s after you?"

My fingers tightened slightly.

I had always known this moment was coming.

The moment where I either told them or walked away.

I licked my lips, then finally forced the words out.

“…Three years ago, I lost my memory.”

The squad froze.

Perth, usually calm, actually blinked in surprise. “What?”

I leaned against the table, my hands curling into fists.

“My last undercover operation. I was pulled out after an injury. I don’t remember most of what happened.”

Joong narrowed his eyes. “But you remember something.”

I hesitated.

Then, finally—“I remember someone trying to kill me.”

Silence.

Then—

Dunk exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. “So, to summarize—some unknown group wants you dead, we don’t know why, and now we’re all on their hit list by association?”

Santa muttered, “Fantastic. Just fantastic.”

I exhaled. “I didn’t want any of you involved.”

Joong folded his arms. “Too late.”

Santa smirked, but there was no humor in it. “You realize how messed up this is, right?”

I sighed. “Trust me, I’m aware.”

Dunk rubbed his temples. “And we’re just supposed to act normal? Like we’re not being dragged into some government-level conspiracy?”

Perth, ever the logical one, spoke calmly. “There’s no way we avoid this now. If someone wants Nani dead, they won’t stop just because he has protection.”

Sky, still watching me, finally spoke.

“You should’ve told us sooner.”

I flinched.

It wasn’t a reprimand.

It wasn’t even anger.

It was disappointment.

Somehow, that was worse.

“I didn’t want you involved,” I said quietly.

Sky’s jaw tightened.

Then, before I could react, he stepped closer.

Too close.

I swallowed. “Sky—”

His voice was low, steady, and terrifyingly sure.

“You don’t get to decide that anymore.”

My chest tightened.

I wanted to argue.

Wanted to push him away.

But looking around the room, at Joong’s quiet frustration, Santa’s calculating stare, Dunk’s exasperated acceptance, and Perth’s resigned focus—

I realized I had already lost that battle.

I wasn’t alone anymore.

And that?

That scared me more than whoever was hunting me.