Atikom's eyebrows lifted as he spotted Atid walking alone into the Red Sun pub—a dive bar that clashed with the clean-cut young man's polished appearance. Atid's shoulders sagged, his eyes vacant as he stared into his drink like someone who'd lost faith in living.
Tonight, fellow officers celebrated promotions—his own, along with Thanin and Pakorn. The usual crowd had gathered, including Awoot as always.
Atikom's jaw tightened when Awoot brought up Anupap. His old friend had seen the young man jogging all the way to the lighthouse at the fishing village—the same place Atikom had taken him to his seaside house.
Awoot's eyes had lit up describing Anupap: excellent runner, charming personality, brilliant mind, beautiful smile. Then he'd leaned closer with a knowing grin. "Don't throw him away like the others. Quality like that doesn't come easy."
Atikom's chest constricted. Too many rivals circling the young man he'd fallen for.
Atid topped the list, followed by Trin. Even Tongrob, his friend, couldn't be fully trusted. And that mysterious man from last night—his brooding expression suggested he might leap to first place ahead of Atid. Now Awoot was showing interest too.
How many more are there that I don't know about? The young police major's paranoia gnawed at him.
Maybe karma's catching up—payback for all the hearts I've broken.
A familiar thought flickered back to life—the creative solution he'd once considered. One bullet, two birds.
Atid sat hunched over his drink, the handsome young man radiating loneliness. Clean-cut, untouched by anyone's hands. Exactly Tongrob's type.
Yeah. Tongrob can do something about this.
Eliminate Atid first, then Trin. As for that mysterious man, he'd save him for last—still gathering intel. Just pray Awoot didn't join the competition, or he would become his most dangerous enemy.
Confusion and suspicion swirled through Atikom's mind. Too many men drawn to Anupap, plus Asanai's issue that he was still persistently after him . His own past lovers lurked in the shadows, ready to resurface and complicate everything. Breaking his playboy habits was proving harder than expected.
Atikom rushed upstairs, looking for Tongrob to share the good news.
"Hurry up, Tong. Fresh prey won't wait around. I guarantee he's your type, if not, I'll let you kick my ass."
Tongrob raised an eyebrow. "Can I not kick your ass but doing something else."
"Cut the crab, dam it."
Both men positioned themselves at the staircase, close enough to observe Atid spinning his glass at the bar, amber liquid swirling as he stared into it with distant eyes.
"There—the cute one. Name's Atid. I guarantee on my honor as a police officer, this suspect just turned criminal. Arrest him or I'll question your skills."
"How do you know him? Why not handle it yourself?"
"Can't. Khun Nu would kill me."
Tongrob smirked, studying his friend sideways. The fierce tiger had become a house cat.
He turned to appraise the handsome target and his knees nearly buckled. Atid embodied his ideal type—fair skin, narrow eyes, dark brows, prominent nose, slender red lips begging to be kissed. Atikom's endorsement only boosted his confidence.
Lately, the actors, singers, and models he'd been with had all been jaded. Even the young men he'd assumed were innocent turned out experienced once he got close. Boredom was setting in.
He craved a challenge.
"Come on, you know the drill. Introduce yourself, say you need someone for an advertisement."
Tongrob's eyes widened in understanding. "Ah, that pretty boy. I've been wondering when you'd pull this move. Getting so paranoid you're nearly neurotic, my friend." He chuckled with delight. "You owe me big time for this one. Don't forget."
"Just get it done first, you flagpole."
Atikom clapped his friend's back and returned to the private party upstairs, grinning with satisfaction.
Last night, he'd made a small impact on Anupap's heart. He'd do whatever it took to clear all obstacles from his path to love.
Soon, he'd close this love case.
***
Anupap powered down his computer and pushed the stack of documents aside, slumping against his chair with exhaustion. Enough work brought home for tonight. Everything was nearly ready for the soft drink commercial starring the popular singer. Next week they'd be shooting at southern beaches—just hoping Bank Nitinai wouldn't have scheduling conflicts.
He reached for his water glass when the phone's sudden ring made him jump.
Usually when working at home, he silenced his phone. Tonight he'd forgotten.
Who would dare call this late? Before, he would have known immediately—either Atikom or Sombat. Now he feared it might be Chavis… or Atid.
He grabbed the phone. Atikom's number, but a different voice.
"Khun Nu? This is Police Captain Tongrob." The slurred voice carried through the line. "Are you listening?"
"I'm here, Captain. What's wrong?"
"Help me pick up Kom—uh, Police Major Atikom. He's passed out cold. Totally wasted. Sorry, didn't mean to be crude."
Tongrob sounded equally drunk.
"Why can't you take your friend home?"
"Can't drive. Too drunk myself. Gonna crash at a hotel nearby."
"Then take Police Major Atikom with you."
"No good, no good. People might gossip. Two men sleeping together looks bad." The drunk man quickly refused. "I have a mission."
Anupap's brow furrowed. What mission could a drunk man possibly have?
"Khun Nu, hurry over. Someone might steal Kom away before you warn them."
"Call his younger brother instead."
"Don't have his number. You're his boyfriend—you collect him."
"I'm not his boyfriend."
"But Kom says he's your boyfriend."
***
The young officer with the important mission wiped his face roughly with a damp cloth, glancing between the handsome 'criminal' swaying beside his car and Atikom slumped on the bench outside the pub.
This drinking contest had ended like all others—Atikom and friends losing to him. He held the eternal championship for the strongest head.
"Khun Nu, if you don't come get him, I'll leave Kom to sleep with the mosquitos."
"Put him in a taxi home."
"No taxis left. Hey... hey... hey..."
The line went dead. Anupap heard only rustling sounds as Tongrob rushed to catch his pretty target, who was about to collapse beside the car. He pushed the young man against the vehicle, face-first like arresting a suspect.
The police captain couldn't resist looking down at the young man's firm backside. Perfect curves that made his mouth water. He allowed himself a gentle squeeze as testing.
"Khun Nu, pick up Kom at Red Sun pub on Vibhavadi Road. I can't wait anymore."
Tongrob couldn't delay—much longer and he wouldn't be able to drive home either. Anupap tried to protest but Tongrob cut him off, eyeing his friend and new prey.
The decision came easily. He'd abandon his friend to cage this criminal first. This pretty criminal wouldn't be found easily again.
In the past, whenever he and Atikom got wasted, Awoot would carry both of them home. But tonight their old friend had left at seven. Only he, Atikom, and three others remained for the drinking contest until closing time, all barely able to walk. Thanin's girlfriend had waited since 1 AM before storming off in anger, so the half-blood detective with sharp features got whisked away by a sassy girl he'd picked up. Captain Kowit's wife was coming to collect him. Pakorn's girlfriend had sat vigil all night and just dragged him to their car before Tongrob could help Atikom out of the pub.
Tongrob had an important mission, so he had to abandon Atikom here.
Hope Khun Nu comes for you, Kom. Otherwise, it's up to fate.
Tongrob arranged his suspect on the back seat, then returned to Atikom, stuffing the phone in his friend's pants pocket and tapping his cheek lightly.
"Hey Kom, I called Khun Nu to pick you up. Wait right here, friend. Don't let anyone carry you off first."
Atikom lifted his head, eyes unfocused but seemingly aware, before his head lolled forward again.
Tongrob straightened up and called to the security guard. "Hey, watch the detective." He pointed at the slumped figure and waved a five-hundred-baht note.
The young guard's face lit up as he jogged over. Tongrob was a regular with a reputation for generous tips.
"Watch the Land Rover and black Mercedes carefully. No scratches or you'll lose your tip and maybe end up in jail." Then he strutted back to his car with obvious satisfaction.
Tonight would be fun again.
***