Arm POV
"We can dock on this island and look for help. It appears to be a private island. There's water in the canteen. Good thing we found it on the boat. Drink some water."
"Thanks."
"Let's leave the boat on that side. It will be more hidden if the kidnappers are here."
"Right."
"Any problem, Macau?"
"Uh? No... none."
Macau's been very quiet the entire way, lost in his thoughts.
"You're worried, aren't you? Pete must be on one of those islands. Even on this one. We need to warn Khun Kinn and Khun Vegas to send help. Everything's gonna be allright."
"My brother will not rest until he finds us. I know that. And P'Pete is very skilled. I know he's fine. I have faith in both of them."
"So what is bothering you, Macau?"
I'm worried about this boy. On the outside he tries to be tough and cool like his brother. But inside...I've been by his side long enough when Vegas was hospitalized to know that Macau needs attention and care.
"What I want but I can't have."
"And what do you want? Tell me. Maybe I can help you."
He looks insecure.
"Never mind...Did you manage to fix your wire?"
Better not force him to say anything. When he feels like trusting me, he can open up to me.
"Not completely. In case we can't find help here on this island, I hope that with the adjustment I made, this wire will transmit a signal via satellite to the main family mansion's terminal. There is no more fuel in the boat for us to come back. Besides, I asked Pol to monitor a tracking device for me. I hope the signal is enough for him to detect us here. The boat radio doesn't work at all."
"Good. I knew you were like the pocketknife guy from a TV show. I've told you."
"Hmm... And was he handsome like me?"
"Uh?...yes...I guess..."
Haha, he got shy.
"Don't mind me, I'm just kidding."
"You are really very handsome, Arm!" Macau blushes. "...and strong...and smart...and kind... and that's why my brother wants to kill you."
"Hmn...and that's why you came to protect me..."
"..." He averts his gaze to the sand.
Macau is such a nice kid. No wonder Pete is so fond of him.
"...but there's no reason for Khun Vegas to bother with me. Don't worry so much about me either. I don't want you to risk yourself this way."
"But I do!...I mean...you are also very dear to me. I don't want you to die."
I stroke his head to show my appreciation and make him feel more comfortable.
"Come on, Macau. Let's try to find help or shelter...it will be dark soon."
...
Pete POV
"Let's stop here, behind these rocks. I wish we had found a cave, but that's enough for now."
"What are you doing?"
"Lighting a fire so we can roast these fishes. It has to be small fire, otherwise it might draw attention."
"Can I help with something?"
"No...rest your leg".
I picked up some large leaves that I've found on the floor.
"We can sleep on top of them to avoid crawling insects."
"Where are you going now? Do you know how to climb trees too?"
"Of course I know. I've done this so many times in my childhood. Now that it's darker, it'll be harder for anyone to see me. Wait here."
"Wow, coconuts! But how do we open them?"
"Haha...you really are a city boy." I laugh. "There's a way of hitting the coconut against the rock. You see? It opens the right way."
"Amazing!" Sanya claps his hands, excited. "It's not that easy though. You really know your stuff, Pete!"
"Drink some of the coconut water. It will keep you hydrated. Taste the fish."
"So tasty. I feel like I'm at a feast."
"Hahaha...You're just hungry!"
"For real. If I hadn't been kidnapped and you nearly killed, I'd say this is almost a vacation in paradise. Starry skies, good food...great company! Cheers, my friend!"
"Cheers!"
We toast with our coconuts. It's good to laugh a little. Sanya is such a nice guy. Quite different from the refined businessman, CEO of an upscale hotel and heir to an influential mafia family. I like him...a lot more than Nong Yim.
And he is right. It could be a nice occasion. I told Vegas that we would travel to a desert beach after the mission. Let's say I fulfilled part of my wish. But the most important part is missing.
"Hey! Don't let this beautiful smile of yours fade away."
I smiled again.
"It would be so nice to take a bath before sleeping."
"Hmn...I think we can try to go to the beach for a little while, behind the rocks."
...
"I found it!"
"What is it? It smells so good!"
"Use these herbs to wash yourself in the sea. They have a good scent for the body. And rub a little over the wound. That way it won't burn. And use these roots to rub yourself"
"You are an expert of life in nature, Pete! Who would have guessed? Won't you come to the water? I don't mind."
"Okay, let's go fast. We can't be exposed for long."
...
Vegas POV
"Hey Macau! Don't go too far." Macau is a 7 years old boy playing in the sand. He is building a castle. I'm looking from afar.
Two hands close my eyes from behind. I feel tender kisses on the back of my neck.
I gently remove his hands. I turn my face to see the most beautiful smile in the whole world. I'm greeted by a warm kiss.
"I missed you, Pete. Where were you?" I feel happiness. I feel cozy.
He keeps kissing me...wet kisses...deep kisses. My desire for him grows inside me.
"SCREAMS"
I turn my face forward, startled.
"Macau? Macau? MACAU!" He is no longer there. "Pete...help me..."
Pete is not there either.
I feel fear and despair.
"SCREAMS"
I wake up frightened.
"It's been hours since you said you found something!" Tankhun is yelling at Pol.
"Fuck, Tankhun! You scared me! I get up from my chair towards Tankhun, Pol and Nop are in front of several computer monitors. "Why did you let me fall asleep?"
"Because you looked like shit.... And woke up even worse." Tankhun is so annoying.
I don't have the strength to retort. That nightmare sucked my strength. I feel distressed.
"Nothing yet? Tankhun turn to Pol.
"I'm sorry, Khun Noo. The device had identified a signal but before I could trace the route, it was gone. But I'm sure it was a signal from some main family GPS device."
"Look, Pol! The signal...returned to the monitor!" Nope draws attention.
We look closely at the monitor where a signal appears and disappears.
"Damn... the signal is weak. The device can't pinpoint exactly where it is, but it comes from a cluster of islands in this region! I'm sure it's from Arm. It had his identification number."
"He's trying to contact us, right?" I smile.
"I knew my bodyguards were too smart to die easily...haha"
Tankhun jumps for joy along with Pol and Nop. I almost jumped along. Although the scene is silly, I feel hopeful. Maybe Pete and Macau are with him.
"They are far from the national coast. Almost in international waters. These islands are far away."
"We have to direct the searches to that extention. I' m going there. Nop..."
"Wait...on this other monitor I'm receiving another broadcast from the same region, Khun Vegas." Pol turns his attention to the monitor where he was looking for the location of my rebroadcasted videos."
"Is that Pete, maybe?" I get excited.
"Let's see the pictures...the signal is weak too."
Pol directed the images to the big screen in the meeting room.
"The images are a little dark and without sound"
"I'm sorry Khun Noo, I can't get it any better."
I look carefully.
"OMG! It's Pete! It's my Pete!" Tankhun says hysterically. Pol and Nop hug each other.
I can't stop looking at him. My heart fills with joy again... watching his beautiful smile. I smile together.
Wait a moment. Why is he smiling?
"Ow...looks more like a romantic dinner than a kidnapping." Tankhun comments curiously while we see Pete and Khun Sanya eating and smiling at each other. "Wow, Pete looks SO SEXY in that outfit. I have great taste."
Nop and Pol look at me apprehensively.
"Khun Noo...please...shup up..." Pol whispers, trying to silence Tankhun.
"Pete was raised on an island. It is natural that he is doing well in those conditions. Taking good care of Khun Sanya" Tankhun keeps talking
"Pete looks wounded in the head. That's what worries me." I say dryly.
I try with all my inner strength to focus on the fact that Pete is safe and sound. And I feel grateful for that....still...
"Khun Sanya seems to be injured as well." Tankhun points.
As far as I know, he could be dead. I wouldn't mind.
"It looks like they're being filmed by some sort of drone." Nop commented.
The image disappears. The signal disappears.
"They must have managed to escape the kidnappers and are waiting for us on one of these islands. As they are being watched, they are in danger. Can you tell which island these images come from, Pol?
"I'm sorry, Khun Vegas. I can't either."
"Send these coordinates to the rescue teams. I will join them."
...
Porsche POV
Kinn and I rushed to the minor family's mansion.
We enter the meeting to define with Vegas what we have to do to find Pete, Macau, Arm and Khun Sanya. They told us about Arm's wire signal and some images of Pete from some distant island.
"OMG!" Tankhun yells.
We turn our heads.
"Khun Noo!!" Pol despairs.
"Is the transmission back? Vegas rushes to the big screen but Nop tries to stop him.
"Better Khun Vegas hurry up to find Khun Pete! Why waste time with silly images?" Nop says nervously.
"Get out of the way, Nop." Vegas seems to be running out of patience.
He already looked sinister when we arrived. Which was not expected, as there is a high chance that we will meet Macau and Pete soon.
The image is bad, but soon we can see...Pete and Khun Sanya are naked, bathing in the sea...together...They're rubbing each other's backs. They seem to be talking joyfully.
"OMG" I cover my mouth with my own hand.
We all watch those images in silence.
"I'm sure there's a good explanation for this...again." Kinn hastens to say.
"Why are they sniffing each other's necks?" Tankhun makes a confused face.
"Tankhun...shut the hell up!" We all yell to Tankhun, except for Vegas.
He remains silent. Oh Lord...I've seen this before. And Arm almost died. This is not going to end well.
"Vegas, give me your gun." I extend the palm of my hand to Vegas.
There is no expression on his face. He hands me his gun without protest. Perhaps the unfair situation with Arm served as a lesson to this jealous demon.
"Nop, get the helicopter ready. I'm leaving."
"I'll go with you"
"No Porsche, I will." Kinn stops me.
"Kinn...my trade...my responsibility."
"Okay... But don't do anything crazy!"
"I'm leaving first." Vegas approaches the door.
"Don't you dare locking us in here, Vegas!" I warn him, holding his gun.
Vegas raises his hands in the air and smirks.
I hate when he smirks.
...
Vegas POV
"Give me my other gun and the automatic rifle, Nop"
...