The drive up the mountain was long and quiet.
Jay sat in the back of the armored SUV, flanked by Jeff and two of their best shooters. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the handle of his gun. Cold. Controlled. But his mind wasn't on the mission.
It was on Jack.
He hadn't seen him since the meeting. Not really. Not without an audience. Not without their fathers watching like snakes waiting to strike. Jay hasn't had a decent sleep since after their meeting, his mind was always on Jack, thinking about him, hoping they would see, even if it's just very briefly. Even though it was a business meeting, he was still glad that he would get to see Jack once again and the thought of this meeting clouded his mind. The night before their assignment, Jay could barely sleep,he exercised, he rolled and rolled on his bed, looked at his phone severally, as though he was expecting a call. When he was finally able to fall asleep, he dreamt about Jack throughout. In one of his dreams, he saw Jack wearing just boxers and was shirtless, lying seductively on his bed,calling him to come give him a kiss. He was excited but woke up immediately. Jay was disappointed because it was a dream , "even though it was a dream, i should have kissed him before waking up, he muttered to himself".
The night before their meeting, Jack had Rin give his clothes to the maid for a good iron. Rin even teased him about how he was preparing like he was going on a date. Apparently, Jack spent hours trying to pick the perfect outfit for this meeting, he even had Rin help him pick out an outfit because he was confused on what to wear. He said he couldn't wait to take down the koreans. You just want to see Jay, otherwise you won't go over and over board to dress up so well, Rin teased him. Jack chuckled and didn't say anything. He just wanted the night to go by very quickly so he could see Jay.
Now, they were being sent to the same target, under the same moon.
A Korean hideout on the outskirts of Chiang Mai. Intelligence said it was heavily armed, well guarded, and temporarily occupied by the remnants of the cell that had orchestrated the betrayal.
It wasn't just a retaliation.
It was a message.
Sent not with words, but with bullets.
Jack stepped out of his car the moment they arrived. His face unreadable. His posture military-sharp.
Jay's heart stuttered in his chest before falling back into rhythm.
They didn't speak.
Didn't nod.
Didn't smile.
But when their eyes locked…
The world stilled.
Just like it did in the vault.
Just like it did when lips met lips and guns burned in their hands.
Jack looked away first. Jay clenched his jaw.
They weren't alone.
Jeff watched Jay like a hawk.
Rin stood by Jack, arms folded, sharp eyes tracking every twitch between the two heirs.
And there were twitches.
A moment too long spent staring at a map together.
A shoulder brushing against another and not pulling back.
A loaded silence after Jack muttered, "Watch your left," and Jay replied without thinking, "You too."
Jeff squinted.
Rin frowned.
Something wasn't right.
But the mountain air didn't give them time to think.
A crack echoed from the warehouse ahead. A signal. A warning.
Then, glass shattered.
A flash.
Then fire.
"MOVE!" Jay shouted.
The Koreans had spotted them.
Gunfire tore through the night, and chaos erupted.
Bullets flew like rain. Flames exploded from the side of the warehouse. Screams, commands, running footsteps. Shadows blurred in the firelight.
Jay didn't think, he acted.
One of the Koreans aimed at Jack from the rooftop.
Jay tackled him sideways, firing two shots over Jack's shoulder.
Jack cursed, rolled, returned fire—one clean shot through a sniper's skull.
They moved like a machine.
Not two leaders.
Not two rivals.
But one force.
Jay's shoulder burned where he landed on his old wound. Jack noticed.
"You okay?" he asked, breathless.
Jay looked at him. "I'm fine. You?"
"Better now," Jack said, then immediately looked away.
But Jay saw it.
The heat.
The honesty.
They moved through the outer buildings side by side. Kicked down a rusted door, eyes scanning every corner. Shots cracked behind them—Jeff and Rin's units holding the perimeter.
Then—
"Behind you!" Jack shouted.
Jay spun, out of bullets. Jack fired over his shoulder, killing the gunman instantly.
Jay blinked. "That's twice now."
"Keep count," Jack said. "I'll beat your score."
Then it happened.
They were separated from the rest.
Smoke everywhere.
Gunshots echoing like thunder.
Jay reached for Jack, Jack grabbed his wrist
And their hands locked.
Not by accident. Not out of fear.
Deliberately.
In the middle of hellfire.
And they ran.
Through the side of the burning warehouse. Over bodies. Over debris. Chasing the remaining Koreans into the dark.
They didn't let go.
Not even once.
Meanwhile, Jeff tackled a fleeing Korean near the delivery trucks. Gun to his head.
Rin cornered another against a chain-link fence, blade to his throat.
"Two alive," Rin called.
"Rest escaped!" Jeff added.
The gunfire faded. Smoke drifted. Sirens wailed faintly in the distance.
Jay and Jack stepped out from the side of the building, hands finally parting as they emerged into view.
They were covered in soot.
Bleeding from shallow cuts.
Eyes wild.
But something else hung between them. Something no one could name.
Jeff noticed the way Jay's hand lingered a second too long.
Rin saw the look in Jack's eyes when Jay winced from pain.
Something cracked inside both of them.
Later, as the prisoners were being loaded into vans and reports filed, Jeff pulled Jay aside.
"You were reckless," he said coldly.
Jay lit a cigarette. "We got the job done."
"That's not what I'm talking about."
Jay didn't answer.
Jeff's voice dropped. "You protect him like he's family."
Jay looked up slowly. "Maybe I just don't like watching people die."
"Then you're changing," Jeff said. "And I don't know if that's a good thing."
Across the clearing, Rin said nothing to Jack.
Just looked at him.
Then looked at Jay.
Then back at Jack.
Jack met his gaze.
And Rin shook his head once, barely a movement, but full of meaning.
They'd all felt it.
The chemistry. The rhythm. The fire that wouldn't die.
No matter how much blood got spilled.