9
Becky POV
My eyes flitter between Nat who’s passed out in my arms and Freen who diligently answers Nam’s questions.
“Would you tell me what you are able to remember about the event?”
Freen answers in a low, hushed tone. I see Nam straining her neck to catch what Freen says.
“What are you able to tell me about what was happening before/during/after the event?”
I turn away from the two of them to spot Little Nat’s eyes peering up at me.
He grabs onto my arm to sit up, slipping into the seat beside me.
“Why'd you leave with Mae, BecBec?”
BecBec? I smile at the nickname.
“I needed her help. I’m sorry for taking your Mae with me without asking.”
“That’s ok. Auntie May told me that Mae works for you.”
“That’s right.”
“Good.” He nods seriously.
“Good?” I tilt my head.
“Mae smiles a lot with you.”
I grin. “Does she?”
“Yep. She thinks you’re funny.” Nat reveals, cupping his hands around his mouth. Poor boy doesn’t realize that he isn’t whispering and the others present in the room can hear him. “But you’re cool too.”
“Thanks Nat.” I beam at the little boy’s compliments. Doesn’t hurt to get into his good graces..
“It’s different from before. At Mae’s other job.”
“Her other job?”
“When Mae worked at Yai’s job-”
“Nat!” Freen interrupts, finished with her check up.
Freen POV
“Mae?” Nat turns to me, wide-eyed. He looks me up and down, searching for something. “Aunt Nam.”
“Yes Nat,” P’Nam turns her head toward him while she packs up her medical instruments.
“Is Mae ok now?” He hops down from the chair and picks up my hand. He rubs it evenly with both hands, the way Mae used to.
“She’s ok,” P’Nam ruffles his hair then she crouches down to his eye level. “She should get a lot of rest and drink water. Can you make sure she does that?”
Nat preens with being entrusted this very important task. “I promise, Aunt Nam!”
“Thank you P’Na-”
Nat yawns loudly, interrupting Becky.
I gently squeeze his hand and cover my own yawn with my free hand.
“Mae’s tired.” Nat says, scrunching his eyebrows. He tugs on my hand and reaches out for Becky’s hand. “C’mon BecBec…”
P’Nam snickers under her breath, loud enough for me to pick up. “Seems like Nat’s a shipper too.”
I flush, turning to glare at her.
…
We head back to the party and say our goodbyes to BillyBabe and the others.
“That’s right,” Billy nods, thoughtfully. “It’s getting late. Time for my favorite nephew’s bedtime.”
“Hmm, he may be your favorite nephew but I’ll always be his favorite uncle,” Babe teases him, lifting up Nat for snuggles. His squeals bounce around the room when Billy encircles them in a bear hug, lifting the two of them off the ground.
May is insistent that she and Fay leave with us. “Let’s have a big sleepover at the apartment.”
“Oh that’s fine-”
“It isn’t fair that only Babe got to meet all of Nat’s toys!” May whines, pulling on my arm. “Hey Nat! I want to meet them too!”
“Ok. But in the morning because the little ones need to sleep.” Nat tells her, sternly. May is all smiles as she excitedly chats with Nat about how tomorrow’s gathering will go. I roll my eyes playfully.
My friends are so silly.
Rebecca POV
Fay sidled up to me while the rest were distracted with May’s antics.
“P’Gun is doing a sweep of the area and I’ll check the apartment.”
I hum in acknowledgement.
“Don’t worry,” Fay adds, catching my gaze. “They’ll be safe and P’Gun will be nearby if anything happens.”
“I want you to organize a discreet security detail inside and outside of the office.”
Fay nods. “Yes boss.”
“It can wait till tomorrow. Your priority is the sleepover,” I can’t help the bitterness in my voice. It would be weird if I insisted on going to the sleepover. And Nam would surely give me shit for even making the request.
…
Freen POV
When Nat falls asleep, I tell Fay and May what happened earlier that night.
“That asshole!” May huffs under her breath. “I’m glad you aren’t hurt.”
“Yeah.” I nod absentmindedly. If Becky wasn’t there…if P’Gun didn’t find me in time…
I shudder thinking about how different the night could have gone.
“He had pictures of you and Nat.” May continues, balling her fists. “I’m worried he might try again now that he’s on the run..”
I place my hand over hers, giving it a comforting pat. May is worried about our safety. It’s reassuring to know I have friends in my corner.
“May’s right.” Fay whispers. She glances down at Nat, checking for any signs of him waking up. “Make sure you’re aware of your surroundings, Phi. Always be on alert in public spaces. If something looks off, call me or P’Billy.”
“Thank you, Nong.” I smile, blinking back the tears springing to my eyes. What good did I do in my past lives to deserve these people?
“And send me those messages and images.” Her voice taking on a serious tone. “I’ll look into their origins. He might have enlisted outside help.”
She isn’t a cybersecurity specialist for nothing.
“We’ll get through this.” May flips her hand to give me a squeeze.
“We’re in this together.”
I’m not alone.
I put on a brave face as I stroke Nat’s head.
We’re not alone.
May and Fay bid whisper their goodnights, turning in for the night.
I lay awake beside Nat, staring up at the apartment ceiling.
With every breath I take, I can feel my heartbeat in my throat. I swallow my worries, trying to force down my anxieties about the situation.
“…He’s lived here his whole life and the Jintakoson family has a lot of influence.”
What am I going to do?
Rebecca POV
I pull up to the nondescript building with another biker. We hop off our respective motorcycles and remove our helmets.
Sunshine grins manically as he twirls hands. “Ready?”
Crazy bastard.
I roll my eyes, slipping on a black cap and mask. “Let’s go.”
I let Sunshine take the lead as we walk into the compound. The other mafia members jump out of the way when they catch sight of his tattoos. He’s certainly earned his reputation as the Mafia Mad Dog.
Two armed subordinates roll back the heavy steel doors leading to the interrogation chamber.
“RELEASE ME!”
Gon sits chained to a solitary chair under a dingy lightbulb, the only source of light in the dank room.
“Gon Worrapon Jintakoson.” Sunshine says in a singsong voice. “You’ve been very bad, boy.”
“WHO ARE YOU!” Gon screams, his fearful eyes darting around the room.
Sunshine glances back at me with a pout, the question shimmering in his eyes.
I nod, crossing my arms.
He grins, stalking up to the chair. “Shut up.”
The temperature in the room drops considerably as Sunshine sheds his jacket, casually draping it across the back of Gon’s chair.
He waves his hand in the air with a flourish and a black suit rolls in a cart filled with questionable objects. The black suit wais to Sunshine and then bows toward me.
“Let’s play a game.”
Gon stares blankly at him. “Crazy bastard. I’m not- ARGGGHHHHHH”
Sunshine socks him in the gut, grabbing a fistful of his hair.
“Careful.” His voice took on a dark tone. “I don’t want to ruin you.”
Gon’s screams and pleas echo throughout the empty room. My eyes harden as Sunshine “works” on him. He deserves twice over what he’s getting for threatening Freen.
“Now let’s go over this again.” Sunshine twirls the blade in his hand.
“I’m innocent. Please please. I’m sorry. I never did those things. I don’t know. Please. I don’t know.” Gon drones on like a broken record. His face awash with tears and blood.
“If you’re innocent, why are you here?” Sunshine cackles, dropping the blade in favor of another tool.
“I’m sorry- SORRY. I’m sorry..Please, no. Please. I don’t know. Why am I here? I’ll do anything. Please!”
“Tell me what I want to hear.” Sunshine walks behind him, laying his hands atop his bloody shoulders.
Gon flinches at the touch, whimpering. “Please. I didn’t. I don’t know. I didn’t- I don’t know. I-I don’t know!”
“I don’t like that answer.” Sunshine frowns, digging his fingers into Gon’s shoulders.
“UUURGHHH!” Gon garbles out, hanging his head. “Please..please. I’m sorry. I didn’t- please. I don’t-”
“Are you broken?” Sunshine tilts his head, raising an eyebrow. “That’s no fun.”
I uncross my arms, approaching from the shadows. Sunshine backs away, sulkily.
Gon watches the interaction silently. “Please! I promise I don’t know anything about what this psycho is saying.”
“…”
“I don’t even know how to do my job! How could I embezzle!?!”
“…”
“I swear I don’t know anything. I’ll move. I’ll do whatever you want. Please.”
I study him a moment longer. Gon used to be fresh-faced when he first started at AGI before Dad stepped down as CEO. It’s disappointing to see how low he’s fallen.
I pull my gun on him with practiced ease.
“WAIT!” Gon cries out in fear. “PLEASE! Spare me..”
I lower the gun slightly, taking in the relief on his face.
A smirk forming beneath my mask. Too bad.
I quickly swipe my right leg, pivoting on my left as my shin connects with his arm.
CRACK
The sickening sound echoing as he topples over. Gon yelps in shock before the pain registers and he’s back to screaming in pain.
Sunshine hoots and hollers, clapping his hands excitedly.
“Wow. Wow.” He whistles, impressed. His deft hands hauled Gon back upright.
He groans, slumping back into the chair. His eyes flutter once-
Then I swing my left leg, rotating my hips, sending another precise kick his way.
CRACK
Gon screams, choking back tears as he tips over.
“UuuhAHHA-”
The room falls quiet when he lands on the floor for the second time tonight.
Sunshine laughs gleefully. “I think he blacked out.”
Good.
That first kick was for Freen. The second one was for my own satisfaction.
“I’m leaving.” I say, gruffly. I glance down at Gon. “Have fun.”
“Sure thing, Becs!” Sunshine brightens at the prospect of no audience to interrupt his playtime.
I walk toward the door and rap my knuckles rhythmically against the smooth surface. I step out once there’s an opening and the door rolls shut behind me.
I dial the one phone number I’ve committed to memory. “We need to talk.”
“What do you want?” Richie answers drowsily. “It’s like…2 am? You better be shot or on death’s door.”
“Our enemies are striking.” I speak in code, weary of whoever’s listening in.
“Ok. Usual place.”
“Meet in 15.”
I end the call and motion for a nearby subordinate.
“Yes boss.”
“Drop him in front of a rural hospital. 100 kilometers away.”
“Yes boss.”
Only two thoughts running through my mind as I hop on my bike. Sunshine is crazy. Which isn’t anything new.
And…
Gon is a pawn.