Part 8

Tawan read the stalker's manifesto three times.

The letter contained the same delusional nonsense as the dressing room version, with the added twist of deranged jealousy. Beneath it all lay an unsettling level of desperation that made every instinct in Tawan's body hum with alarm.

The bastard had outdone himself.

He'd waited until Ira was out of the house, knowing that a good portion of her security team would be out with her. He'd clearly planned for that.

He'd bypassed the cameras and security at the front gate, maneuvering around every measure Tawan had put in place to keep the house secure.

All of it, without tripping an alarm.

Without getting caught.

Weeks of planning. Layers of security. Round-the-clock surveillance.

And the bastard had gotten past it all with a few tampered wires and goddamn pizza.

The urge to smash something surged in Tawan's chest. She found herself clenching the letter so tightly her knuckles turned white, as though she could crush the malice out of it with sheer force.

I'm going to provide you with the perfect home. It's private and beautiful, and it's all for you.

Tawan's grip tightened even more. No, you fucking won't.

The fire in her chest blazed brighter. She wasn't going anywhere. Even if she were technically fired, she wasn't leaving this case. Not now. Not with the stakes higher than ever.

"Tawan?" Ira's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, soft but filled with tension.

She forced herself to loosen her grip on the letter, taking a slow breath to steady her nerves. Turning toward Ira, she kept her tone measured, calm. "Let me see that." She gestured toward the photo Ira was clutching. If she'd held onto that one, it likely held significance for the stalker.

Ira handed over the photo, her fingers trembling slightly before she turned her attention to the ones still strewn across the bed. "What does he mean by 'dealt with'?" Her voice cracked at the edges, tight with barely contained fear.

"I don't know." Tawan smoothed the crumpled photo between her fingers, her mind already racing.

The image showed Ira on Thirakorn's shoulders at the pool party.

Tawan studied it, her gaze sharpening as she stared through the vicious black marks slashed across Thirakorn's face and hands.

Thirakorn Saengthong. Rising star. Known for his easy charm, impeccable smile, and five upcoming projects slated for release.

The letter's implication, paired with the obsessive defacement of Thirakorn's image, was clear. He wasn't just jealous. He was escalating.

And if this stalker had gone as far as to say Thirakorn had been "dealt with," it was a bad, bad sign.

"Come with me." Tawan placed the photo carefully back onto the bed but slipped the letter into her pocket. She couldn't afford for it to get lost—or worse, taken—amid the chaos that was about to ensue.

For once, Ira didn't protest.

Tawan rested a gentle hand on her back as she guided her to the security room, a small gesture meant to remind her she wasn't alone. Anchoring her in the present was crucial—something Tawan had learned through years of navigating trauma and fear.

They paused at the living room, where the night shift crew waited like a team of guilty schoolkids caught skipping class. Tawan's sharp eyes scanned the group and landed on the team lead, a former rugby player built like a reinforced brick wall. He'd been on Tawan's radar for future assignments, but his performance tonight had left her questioning his readiness.

"Lock the house down," she ordered, her tone clipped but steady. "Sweep the grounds in pairs. Every shadow, every corner. I want it cleared. Report back only when you're sure we're alone."

The team dispersed with urgency, though Tawan couldn't help but think it was like closing the gate after the fox had raided the henhouse. The intruder had likely vanished, but she wouldn't rest until it was verified beyond doubt.

When they reached the makeshift command center at the front of the house, Tawan motioned to the couch. "Have a seat."

Ira sank into the cushions and wrapped her arms around herself, her body trembling despite the warm night air. The signs were clear—shock had set in.

Tawan watched her for a beat, then pulled out her phone and dialed Wei.

He picked up on the second ring. "Tawan? Everything good at teardown?"

"No," she replied bluntly. "We've had a breach. I need you and Lin here. Now. Bring the kit."

Wei's usual chipper tone turned serious. "On it. ETA?"

"Ten minutes."

"Make it fifteen," he corrected, though she could already hear him moving on the other end. "What else?"

"Start with Thirakorn Saengthong. Check the hospitals."

There was a beat of silence, then Wei muttered, "Got it. We'll call en route."

Tawan ended the call and slipped her phone into her pocket. She glanced back at Ira, whose pale face and tightly clasped hands gave away the battle raging within her. Her knuckles were white, and her body shook, as though she'd just walked out of an icy storm.

Tawan knelt in front of her, lowering herself to Ira's eye level. "Hey," she said softly. "You're safe. I promise you."

Ira didn't respond, her gaze fixed somewhere far away.

Tawan pulled a throw blanket from the back of the couch and held it out. "Here. It'll help."

When Ira didn't move, Tawan gently placed the blanket across her lap. The soft fabric seemed to ground her. She clutched it to her chest like a lifeline.

"Do you think Thirakorn's okay?" Ira's voice wavered, the question pulling at something deep in Tawan's chest.

"We're checking on him now," Tawan said, her tone steady and reassuring. "Try to stay positive."

In truth, her instincts whispered otherwise. The stalker had been too calculated, too precise. The message wasn't empty—it had teeth. But Tawan kept those thoughts to herself. Ira didn't need the weight of her worst fears on her shoulders tonight.

Tawan rubbed at the knots of tension building in her neck.

The night had started so well. Tawan had thought the concert would be the prime target, which was why she'd focused so much attention on it. The satisfaction of a job well done evaporated the moment they arrived at the broken gate, replaced by mounting irritation and a heavy dose of frustration.

Zig one way, and the stalker zagged the other.

The security had been solid, the team in place. It should have been fine. She'd planned for every contingency except for a Trojan horse disguised as a midnight snack.

The guy wasn't just smart; he was damn devious to have used a pizza delivery as the perfect distraction.

The ultimate goal was always to keep the principal out of harm's way, and while Ira Suwannathat had never been in physical danger, her safe space had been violated.

That was unacceptable.

Ira curled into a ball on the couch, her arms wrapped tightly around the blanket like it was the only thing holding her together. She stared at nothing, her usually bright eyes glassy and vacant.

Tawan clenched her fists, forcing herself to remain calm. It was no longer a question of if they should relocate—it was a matter of now. The longer she waited to settle the point with Ira, the harder it would become.

"Ira," she said, keeping her voice low but firm. "We need to talk."

Ira's gaze shifted up, but Tawan had a sinking feeling she wasn't really seeing her.

"Did you put together a go bag like I asked?"

A faint frown tugged at Ira's lips.

"I'll take that as a no. Doesn't matter." Tawan pivoted toward the door. "Lin?"

The front door banged open, and Ira flinched, letting out a high-pitched gasp of terror.

"Ira!" Nene's voice boomed from the hallway.

Tawan stiffened. The last thing they needed was an overly emotional, overly zealous, over-the-top reaction from Ira's personal protection.

Ira's shoulders sagged, and she let out a shaky breath. "Here," she whispered, barely audible.

Nene's footsteps thundered down the hall like someone was about to be tackled. "Ira!"

"In here," Tawan called, her tone flat but commanding.

Nene burst into the room, her head swiveling from side to side. When her eyes locked on Ira, she closed the distance in two strides, dropping to her knees in front of her. Concern and fury battled for dominance on her face.

Nene took Ira's hands in her own, her touch firm but gentle. "Look at me, Ira. Look at me. Are you okay?"

Tawan's jaw tightened. She could see the problem crystal clear now.

Nene was too close. Too emotionally involved. She'd lost the objectivity necessary for her role.

This wasn't going to work anymore.

Ira needed to be taken off the grid immediately, and Nene couldn't be part of the plan. The woman's attachment was a liability, and Tawan knew she wouldn't take that decision lightly.

Worse, Ira wouldn't like it either.

"I'm fine," Ira said, shaking her head as if trying to clear it. Her voice cracked. "It's just a letter. Just words. But..." She hesitated, her eyes darting to the photos scattered across the bed. "I don't know if Thirakorn is hurt. I don't know."

"Thirakorn who?" Nene's voice sharpened, her gaze snapping to Tawan. "Where's the letter?"

Tawan wasn't about to hand the already agitated woman the letter and feed her rage. She kept her voice calm and measured. "Thirakorn Saengthong. The man who was with her at the pool party."

Realization dawned on Nene's face. "Right. The tall dude. Thirakorn. Is he okay?"

Tawan summoned all her patience and kept her tone even. "We're checking on it."

Nene was no longer acting as protection. She was acting as a friend. And friends often made situations worse. Their concern could lead to anger, and that anger could infect the protectee like a virus, heightening fear and making reason impossible.

Nene turned back to Ira, her tone firm. "Girl, we've got to get you out of here."

It was exactly what Tawan had been trying to tell Ira before being interrupted. But Tawan knew Nene didn't have the same destination in mind. "Yes. I do."

"I..." Ira hesitated, her eyes flicking to Tawan. They seemed clearer now, more focused. "I don't want to go anywhere until we know what... if Thirakorn's okay."

Quick footsteps announced Lin's arrival. She still wore the black roadie outfit, which made her look like a thief ready to break into a bank.

"I thought I would find you in here. Hello, Nene." Lin radiated the calm efficiency of someone used to putting out fires, and her tone was soft and steady, as though trying to soothe a skittish animal. "Hello, Ira. Rough night, huh?"

"Yeah." Ira sniffed, the sound small but audible in the tense room. "Is Thirakorn okay? I know Tawan told you to check. Did you?"

Nene shifted to stand next to the couch, her hand resting protectively on Ira's shoulder. "If she didn't, I'll find out for you."

"Yes. I checked on him." Lin exchanged a significant glance with Tawan, then moved past Nene to sit next to Ira.

She had news, and it wasn't good.

"He was jumped in the parking lot behind Club 64 just after ten tonight," Lin said in a calm, matter-of-fact voice, the kind used to soften hard truths.

Nene swore under her breath, her grip on Ira's shoulder tightening. Ira didn't seem to notice.

Ira inhaled sharply. "Is he..."

"He's alive," Lin said gently, placing a reassuring hand on Ira's knee. "And stable. I'll get more details after we finish up here and let you know what I find out."

"Stable." Ira's voice sounded detached, as though the word didn't quite register. "What does that mean?"

"It means he's probably going to be okay," Lin explained. "He has a broken nose and jaw, and a nasty dent on one side of his head. But lucky for him, it wasn't a direct hit. He's a big guy and held his own. His attacker was shorter and lighter. From what I saw, I'd bet the guy who attacked him is dealing with a busted shoulder right now."

"Don't worry, Ira," Nene said in a throaty tone, her protective instincts on full display. "That guy isn't getting anywhere near you. Not while I'm here."

"How'd you get all that?" Tawan asked Lin, crossing her arms. "The crime sheet doesn't usually include specific injuries. Hospitals don't, either."

"I know one of the bartenders." Lin smirked slightly as she pulled out her phone, navigating quickly through the screen. "And their security footage is backed up to the cloud."

Tawan's phone dinged with a new alert. She opened it to find the link to the footage, courtesy of Lin. She clicked on it and started skimming.

"I want to see it," Ira said, her voice faint but insistent.

"Nah, you don't," Nene said, patting her shoulder gently. "Trust me, you don't want to see something like that."

"There's not much to see," Tawan said, squinting at the screen. "The guy's face is in shadow the whole time."

Ira pushed herself upright, shrugging off Nene's hand. She tossed the blanket aside and sat straighter. "I want to see it."

Her voice held more resolve now.

Tawan hesitated, glancing at Lin, who gave a small shrug. "She might catch something we missed," Lin said reasonably. "Like I said, she might know this guy. Could recognize the hoodie or his posture."

Ira extended her hand, waiting. "Let me see it."

Tawan gave Ira the phone, impressed with her bounce-back. She was handling this better than expected.

Ira watched the video with wide eyes, but when the figure in the hoodie slammed a long metal rod into Thirakorn's face, her sharp intake of breath made Tawan's jaw tighten. "I don't recognize him. I can't see...I don't think I know him. Do you, Nene?"

She handed the phone to Nene.

"He could be anybody," Nene said after studying the footage. "Seen that hoodie on dozens of people. His size isn't anything special. That's not just a shadow on his face, though. It's paint. Looks like the stuff rugby players use under their eyes to stop glare from the sun."

She handed the phone back to Tawan.

Tawan looked at the frozen image more closely. The angle only revealed part of the guy's cheek and nose, but Nene had a point. Even in the shadows, there should have been some highlights, but this guy's face looked flat—like someone had erased his features.

"He knew he'd be on camera," Tawan said. "Good catch, Nene."

This wasn't random. It took planning, patience, and persistence. The stalker couldn't have known exactly when Thirakorn would visit that particular club.

Or could he? Did the stalker know Thirakorn personally?

She made a mental note to have Lin dig into Thirakorn's recent movements and connections.

"I'll round up the detail and move out," Nene offered. "We can have her in a hotel in fifteen minutes."

Tawan shook her head. "I have something else in mind. And we can't leave until we report this. That means interviews and statements to the police."

There was also Tan to consider. She'd promised to inform him immediately if anything happened. The room was already crowded, and the night was far from over, so she tapped out a quick, no-frills message: Stalker infiltrated house during concert. Ira is safe. Will send details in the morning.

"It's my fault," Ira said, her voice trembling. She bit her lip, her eyes misting as she looked at Tawan. "You were right. He was here. I invited him in. I did that. I was everything you said. Now Thirakorn is hurt and it's my fault."

"No, Ira," Lin said firmly, standing to face her. Her voice was sharp but filled with a protective warmth. "None of this is your fault. Get that in your head right now because if you don't, he wins. You did nothing to cause this. You did nothing to attract his unwanted attention. He stalked you. He attacked Thirakorn. Not you. Got it?"

Ira blinked up at Lin, her lip quivering, and slowly nodded, though the guilt still lingered in her eyes.

Lin shot Tawan a glare that promised all kinds of discussions during the after-project wrap-up.

"He attacked Thirakorn because he saw him. Here." Ira stared at the wall that separated them from the pool. "I'm the one who had the party. If I hadn't, this wouldn't have happened because he never would have been here to get those pictures. He attacked Thirakorn because of me. Because he saw me having a good time with him. Because I was—"

Ira put a hand over her mouth like she was going to be sick.

"Come on, now. I got you, girl. I got your back." Nene put her arm around Ira's shoulders. "You're safe here with me."

"It's not about me..." Ira didn't look comforted. If anything, Nene's presence seemed to make it worse.

"Sit down. Come on, Ira. Sit with me. Lean forward and put your head down." Lin gently pulled Ira out of Nene's arms and guided her back onto the couch. "Breathe. Just breathe. We will get this all sorted out. We'll find this guy and make sure he doesn't bother you or hurt anyone else. Come on. Breathe for me. In and out. Slow and steady."

Lin kept up the mantra until Ira's breaths steadied.

Finally, Ira raised her head to look at Tawan, like she hadn't tried to fire her less than an hour ago. Like she fully expected her to fix this. "What do we do now?" Her voice was shaky but not broken. Not yet.

The weight of that look settled heavily on Tawan's shoulders. She stood a little straighter.

"I take you away from here, that's what," Nene said firmly.

"You don't. I do." Tawan stressed the I part. "I take Ms. Suwannathat to an undisclosed location. You, Lin, and Wei track this guy down. Then work with the police to stop him. If we connect the dots, we have him for trespassing, plus assault and battery at the very least."

"She's my responsibility," Nene said through gritted teeth, clenching her hands into fists.

"She stopped being your responsibility the second someone snuck into her dressing room." Tawan squared her stance and held her ground.

"You're not leaving me behind," Nene growled, stepping into Tawan's space.

Feral instincts warned Tawan to brace for a hit, but she didn't move. Didn't even flinch.

Nene was smart and strong, a reliable protector in most situations. But this wasn't just about brute force—it was about seeing the bigger picture. It would take someone who hadn't already compromised their objectivity with personal feelings.

"You're too close to this," Tawan said firmly.

"You mean to her," Nene replied in a low drawl.

"Yes."

"Screw you, Tawan." Nene's anger was palpable, her words sharp. "You don't care about her. You don't care about what she needs. Can't you see she's wrecked? You can't just take her away from everyone she knows. You can't take her away from me."

"Ladies," Lin, the voice of reason and calm, interjected, stepping between them. "Don't you think a dramatic display of emotions can wait until after we figure this out?"

Nene clenched her jaw, but she took a step back and looked away.

"That's it?" Ira's voice cut through the tension, rising enough to command the room's attention. "That's all you've got? You'll just make it stop? Just like that?"

"Yes." Tawan watched Nene until she was sure the woman wouldn't press for another confrontation, then turned her full focus to Ira. "What he did tonight wasn't just wrong—it was a big mistake."

"How?" Ira challenged, her eyes narrowing. "You can't see his face on that video. He got in here, past everything. He's like a ghost." Her stare burned with defiance. "How are you going to catch a ghost?"

Tawan held her ground. "He committed actual crimes tonight. Breaking and entering. Trespassing. Assault. He left evidence—where he's been, what he's done. We now know he was here on the day of the pool party. That's a lead. We'll analyze where he was standing when he took those photos, how he got them printed, and cross-reference every face from the social media posts. Somewhere in all of this, we'll find him. It's a big break."

Ira stared at her, trying to gauge if Tawan's confidence was genuine or just for show. "And then what?"

"We catch him," Tawan said, her voice steady. "The police will take it from there."

"Our primary concern is keeping you safe," Lin said gently. "We do that by moving you somewhere he can't find you. If you go with Tawan, Wei and I can focus on finding this guy."

Tawan expected an argument. Ira hadn't wanted to stay put in this house. She'd made her contempt for the entire strategy abundantly clear for the past five weeks, refusing to give an inch.

Ira looked from her to Lin with a rare flicker of resignation. "Where?"

Tawan gave her a nod of approval, hiding her surprise. Maybe there was an ounce of self-preservation in there somewhere after all.

"She can stay with me," Nene said instantly.

"No," Tawan said firmly.

"Why the hell not?" Nene's voice rose, filled with defiance.

Tawan kept her tone calm, cool, and firm enough to discourage any further argument. "You've been on her detail for years. The stalker likely knows who you are. Where you live. If you're in the way, you'll be the next target."

Nene snorted. "He could try."

"You want to help her? Then help Wei track this guy down and keep him from slipping through our fingers," Tawan said, her tone brooking no argument.

"Couldn't Nene and I just go stay with Ying or Wisanu?" Ira asked, her voice laced with hope. "Ying has that island. It's remote. We could take the whole team."

"No," Lin said with quiet regret. "You shouldn't go anywhere he expects you to be, and Ying's wedding would be too easy for him to infiltrate. There'll be too many unknown people coming and going."

Ira nodded, but her gaze grew distant. "If he followed me to Wisanu's... Oh God. This is impossible. This is—"

"Bullshit," Nene interrupted sharply. "You can't just erase her like she doesn't exist. You can't do that. She's Ira Suwannathat, for crying out loud. You can't make her live like this."

"You're right." Tawan spread her hands, trying to radiate practicality instead of authority. "I can't make her go somewhere she doesn't want to go. But do you really think she'd be safer hiding out with you in that tiny apartment with the broken lock on the back door?"

"What the..." Nene's eyes narrowed into furious slits. "You spied on me?"

"Yes."

"Fuck you." Nene's glare was pure venom. "You waltz in here for two seconds, run one concert, and think you're in charge?"

"Yes." Tawan's response was steady and matter-of-fact. Nene didn't have to like it, but she did have to accept it.

"Nene..." Ira reached out, placing a calming hand on Nene's arm. Her voice was softer now, tinged with exhaustion. "Maybe she's right."

"No, she ain't right. She's full of shit." Nene knelt in front of Ira and took her hands in hers. "You saying you want to fire me?"

"No. Of course not." Ira looked at her with soft, apologetic eyes. "Tan hired Tawan because she's good at this. I think we should do what she says."

"Girl...you're killing me." Nene rubbed the back of her neck, but the anger was fading. "You sure this is what you want?"

Ira bit her lip and nodded.

Nene shook her head. "I don't like it."

"Me either," Ira admitted. "I hate everything about this. But I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me."

Nene huffed out a breath, then glanced at Tawan, her expression resigned. "I guess you win this one. What do you need me to do?"

It felt like a breakthrough. Maybe Nene's friendship with Ira would be an asset after all. "Get with Wei and help him document the evidence before the cops get here. You know a lot of these people. Any background you can provide will help."

Nene nodded and patted Ira's shoulder. "You need me, you call. Got me?"

Ira offered her a soft, sad smile. "Thanks, Nene. It won't be forever. Right?"

"Won't even be a blink," Nene replied before stalking out of the room.

Tawan turned to Lin. "Did you bring the kit?"

Lin gave her a be-serious look. "Plan B?"

It really sucked that it had come to this, but Tawan didn't see another way forward. "Plan B."

"Fun," Lin said, her voice full of hidden meaning that caught Ira's attention.

"Fun?" Ira glanced from Lin to Tawan and back.

"I'll be right back," Lin said as she left the room.

"What kit?" Ira stood, her brows furrowed.

Since Lin pretended not to hear the question, Tawan answered, "First, we give you a new look. Then we relocate."

"Okay." Ira nodded slowly, as if trying to talk herself into the idea."Okay. New look. That's...okay. I guess. Where are we relocating to?"

Tawan thought of her hometown of Kalasin, Thailand—a small town of just 23,000 people, nestled in the rural heart of the country. She knew every corner of the place, from the quiet side streets to the surrounding rice fields. It was the last place anyone would think to look for Ira Suwannathat.

Ira tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her tired eyes. "Where?"

Tawan replied. "It's somewhere nobody would expect you to be."