Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Shadow beneath the surface

The squad room was alive with activity, the air thick with tension and purpose. Maps covered the desks, files were spread out across every available surface, and the faint hum of computer monitors provided a steady backdrop to the flurry of movement. Dunk and Perth argued over potential recon routes, Santa scoured through reports.

Sky stood by the doorway, arms crossed, his sharp gaze cutting through the chaos. His team was working hard, their focus unshakable. Yet, his attention drifted—again—to the far corner of the room, where Nani Hirunkit sat silently at his desk.

Unlike the others, Nani wasn’t shouting across the room or huddled with a teammate. He sat hunched over his keyboard, typing with calm efficiency. He always stayed on the edges, quiet and unnoticed. Too unnoticed.

Sky’s jaw tightened. Hirunkit... You’re too good at disappearing, even when you’re right in front of me.

“Hirunkit.”

Nani flinched slightly, his fingers pausing over the keyboard as he looked up. His dark eyes briefly flickered with unease before settling into calm indifference. “Yes, Captain?”

Sky stepped into the room, his boots clicking against the floor. “Don’t fall asleep on your keyboard. I don’t need drool all over your report.”

Nani blinked, momentarily confused. “I wasn’t—”

“It’s a joke, Hirunkit,” Sky said dryly, smirking faintly. “Relax.”

Before Nani could respond, Joong burst into the room, waving a file triumphantly. “Captain! We’ve got something big!”

Sky turned sharply, his smirk vanishing. “What is it?”

Joong slapped the file onto the nearest desk and opened it. “That runner we caught? He cracked. Turns out he wasn’t just a low-level grunt—he was one of Thupa’s couriers. He handled border shipments and drop-offs for years.”

Sky’s eyes narrowed. “Did he give us anything useful?”

Joong nodded. “He mentioned a warehouse in Nakhon Pathom. Says it was one of Thupa’s old storage sites. It’s abandoned now, but he swears there might still be records there—shipment logs, contact lists, maybe even names of Thupa’s remaining inner circle.”

“Why would Thupa leave records behind?” Dunk asked, frowning.

Joong shrugged. “The runner said the place was cleared out in a hurry. Something might’ve been overlooked.”

“Or it’s a trap,” Sky said coldly.

The room fell silent. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Everyone in the squad knew how dangerous Thupa was. Fifteen years of running the drug trade had made him untouchable. He didn’t leave loose ends.

Sky grabbed the file, scanning it quickly. “Dunk, Perth, Santa—gear up. You’re on recon at first light. I want eyes on that warehouse before we make a move. No mistakes.”

“Yes, sir,” Perth said with a nod, already heading toward the armory.

“And Joong…” Sky handed the file back. “Find out if this runner has any connections still active in Nakhon Pathom. I want to know if anyone’s watching that site.”

“Got it, boss,” Joong said, grinning. Then, with a mischievous look, he added, “Hey, maybe let Nani tag along. He could use some fresh air.”

Sky shot him a glare so sharp it could cut steel. “Or maybe you could stop joking and actually do your job.”

Joong raised his hands in a mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No need to bite my head off.”

“Don’t tempt me,” Sky muttered, turning back toward the file.

The sound of the door swinging open interrupted him.

“Well, this is a lively bunch,” a smooth, confident voice said.

Sky froze, his irritation growing instantly. He didn’t even have to look up to know who it was.

“Dew,” Sky said flatly as his older brother strolled into the room, grinning like he owned the place.

Dew Wongravee, captain of another district and Sky’s elder by three years, exuded effortless charm. His sharp suit and warm smile contrasted sharply with Sky’s cool and intimidating presence.

“What are you doing here?” Sky asked, his tone clipped.

“What? A guy can’t visit his little brother’s squad?” Dew replied, spreading his arms dramatically. “You should be flattered.”

“Captain Dew!” Dunk said excitedly, waving from across the room. “Did you bring snacks? Advice? Gossip?”

“I brought myself, which is better than snacks,” Dew quipped, flashing a wink.

As Dew’s gaze swept across the room, it landed on Nani, who had instinctively shrunk into his chair.

“And who’s this?” Dew asked, tilting his head with interest.

“Nani Hirunkit, sir,” Nani said quietly, standing up and bowing slightly.

Dew’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he approached. “Hirunkit, huh? Nice to meet you. How long have you been working with my brother?”

“About a year,” Nani replied, his voice soft.

“And how’s that going?” Dew asked, a teasing grin spreading across his face. “I imagine he’s not the easiest boss to work for.”

Joong smirked, unable to resist. “Oh, you have no idea.”

“Joong,” Sky snapped, glaring at him before turning to Dew. “Why are you here?”

Dew ignored him, his attention still on Nani. “Don’t let Sky scare you off, Hirunkit. He barks a lot, but he doesn’t bite.”

“I wouldn’t count on that,” Nani muttered under his breath, surprising everyone.

Joong and Dunk burst into laughter, and even Santa cracked a grin. Dew raised an impressed eyebrow. “I like him,” he said, glancing at Sky. “You’ve got an interesting one here.”

Sky’s jaw tightened. “He’s fine.”

Dew gave Nani one last smile before turning back to Sky. “I just came to check on you, little brother. And now I’m glad I did. Oh don't forget to call mom, bro” he said while waving to Nani.

As Dew left, the room fell into an awkward silence. Joong leaned toward Nani, grinning. “Man, Captain Dew likes you. Think Sky’s jealous?”

“Joong,” Sky growled, his voice low and warning.

Joong just laughed, raising his hands in surrender.

Sky’s eyes flicked back to Nani, who had already returned to his desk, his head bent low. But something about the younger officer nagged at him. What does Dew see in him? What am I missing?

---

Later That Night

Nani walked home in silence, his shadow stretching long under the dim streetlights. The cool night air wrapped around him, but it did little to clear his mind.

He lived close to the office—a small, simple flat in a quiet neighborhood. He didn’t own a car. He preferred walking. It gave him time to think.

Inside, his apartment was almost empty. A single couch, a desk, a bed. No decorations, no clutter. It was functional, impersonal. Temporary. He’d lived there for nearly a year, but it still didn’t feel like home.

He sat down at the small table in the corner, opening the plastic bag he’d picked up on his way back. Chicken rice from the uncle downstairs—simple, cheap, filling.

If the squad was a family, Joong was the overbearing older brother. He was always watching out for Nani, teasing him, buying him food. Joong’s kindness made Nani uneasy sometimes. It reminded him of what he’d lost.

Nani sighed, picking at his food. He’d been allowed to go home tonight while the others prepped for the stakeout. Sky hadn’t said why, but Nani knew. Sky didn’t trust him.

And he’s right not to, Nani thought bitterly.

If they knew the truth about him—who he was, what he’d done—they wouldn’t want to be friends with him. They wouldn’t want to protect him. They’d see him for what he was: a danger.

His phone buzzed on the table, the screen lighting up with a message.

“The usual place. 50k. Be here in an hour.”

Nani stared at the message, his chest tightening.

He couldn’t go tonight. Not with the squad watching. Not with Sky’s eyes on him.

He typed a quick reply: “Can’t make it. Reschedule.”

The fighting ring. He hated it. The blood, the noise, the crowd—it all felt too close to his old life. But he needed the money. Desperately. His salary as a cop its not enough. He want to run. To safe his life.

Nani leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting to the ceiling. Three years ago, he almost died. Twelve years undercover in the international drug trade had shattered him in ways he couldn’t even put into words. He was supposed to be safe now. Head Chief Thanawat had placed him in the squad to protect him, to hide him in plain sight.

But sometimes, he wondered if it was all worth it. The lies, the danger, the loneliness.

The face of the man who haunted his nightmares came unbidden to his mind—Thupa. The drug lord whose empire Nani had spent years infiltrating. The man whose identity only Nani knew.

If Thupa ever found out where he was, it would all be over.

Nani closed his eyes, his fists clenching. The shadows of his past loomed over him, and no amount of walking home in silence could chase them away.