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Chapter 73
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2024-12-30 18:00:36Masahiro sat at the edge of the cluttered table, staring down at the map that had consumed weeks of his life. Lines, symbols, and marks swirled in front of his eyes like a chaotic mess, leading them to dead ends. Every lead they had chased down in Cleveland led nowhere, or worse, to random locations that had nothing to do with Mr. K.
"Another waste of time," Masahiro muttered under his breath, dragging a hand through his hair.
Lewis, seated next to him, furrowed his brow as he sifted through another set of potential coordinates. “We’re missing something,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “Nothing adds up. It’s like the map is purposely designed to mess with us.”
Masahiro could sense the weight on Lewis too, but the pressure wasn’t going to get them anywhere. The two had been at this for days, and every route they mapped had collapsed.
“Anyway… what if those symbols aren’t random places? What
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Gold & Sand Chapter 74
The moonlight streamed through the blinds, casting faint patterns across the floor as Masahiro sat on the edge of the bed, his head buried in his hands. The map was burned into his mind, every twisted symbol, every seemingly random line. No matter how many angles he considered, it didn’t add up. How could a public venue, one used by government officials, be connected to Mr. K’s underworld?The bed shifted slightly as Matthew sat down beside him, silent at first. He reached out, placing a hand on Masahiro’s back, a rare gesture of comfort. "Still stuck on that map?"Masahiro sighed, lifting his head. "I just can’t wrap my head around it. It doesn’t make sense. Why would the map lead to a public building? How could someone like Mr. K be tied to something so... visible?"Matthew leaned back, arms crossed as he considered Masahiro’s frustration. His gaze was sharp, filled with that quiet wisdom he’d gained from a lifetime na
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Gold & Sand Chapter 75
The police station buzzed with a quiet intensity as Masahiro and the team gathered around a map of Cleveland, their eyes scanning over the newly marked locations. Weeks of frustration had started to fade, replaced by a sense of unease as they began to uncover the dark reality behind the public venue they’d zeroed in on.Lewis, tapping a pen against his notebook, leaned forward. "The venue has a strange history. It’s hosted countless high-profile events, but there’s hardly any record of who attended. It’s all kept under wraps, like there’s something they don’t want anyone digging into."Masahiro frowned, glancing at the timeline laid out before them. "And you’re sure this isn’t just coincidence?"Lewis nodded, his expression serious. "I thought it might be at first, but there’s a pattern. Every few months, they host private events. The guest lists are always confidential, but whenever these events happen, poli
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Gold & Sand Chapter 76
The night of the event arrived with an air of opulence that felt almost suffocating. Masahiro adjusted his tie in the reflection of a polished marble pillar, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Dressed in a tailored suit, he blended seamlessly into the world of wealth and power. Beside him, Matthew looked every bit the part in his own high-end ensemble, exuding a confident charm that was hard to ignore.As they stepped through the grand entrance of the gala, the atmosphere enveloped the… a luxurious ballroom bathed in soft golden light, chandeliers sparkling overhead like a constellation of stars. The scent of expensive perfume mingled with the aroma of gourmet hors d'oeuvres wafting from the catering stations. Yet beneath the glitz and glamour, an undercurrent of secrecy throbbed, sending a shiver down Masahiro’s spine.“Keep your eyes peeled,” Masahiro murmured, his voice low as he scanned the room.Matthew no
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Lewis sat in the van, his attention divided between scanning the scene outside the tinted windows and listening to the hum of conversations around him. Ethan, focused on the laptop in his lap, had been silent for a while, working through the data they had received. The van was filled with the faint sound of the radio crackling with occasional updates. Officers sat nearby, tense but waiting for the next move.Ethan, with a sharp look on his face, leaned forward suddenly, eyes narrowing as he clicked open a file on his screen. "Lewis," he said, his voice low but urgent.Lewis barely glanced up, still absorbed in his thoughts. "What’s up?"“We've got something," Ethan responded, his tone serious now. "Matthew and Masahiro sent something… photos and videos. We’ve got a clear picture of everything.”Lewis straightened up, curiosity piqued. He pulled up the files, noticing a jumble of images and spreadsheets opening before him. Hi
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The precinct buzzed with the kind of energy that only came after a long-fought victory. Mr. K, one of the most elusive figures in the criminal underworld, was finally behind bars. The officers who had worked tirelessly on the case stood around a central table, passing around champagne bottles and takeout containers, laughing and recounting their roles in the night's events.Masahiro sat in the corner, watching the team celebrate. It wasn’t just any case… they had arrested Kenneth Hartman, the Minister of Trade and Economic Development. The shockwaves from his arrest hadn’t even begun to settle.“Can you believe it?” David was saying, shaking his head in disbelief as he recounted the moment, they realized Mr. K’s true identity. “A minister, involved in all this… We knew this case went deep, but this? A full-blown mafia baron right under our noses.”Evelyn, standing nearby, added, "It's insane. I’ve bee
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The door clicked shut behind Matthew and Masahiro, the hum of the outside world fading into the background as they stepped into the quiet of the apartment. The weight of the night, of the victory at the precinct, still hung heavy on both of them.Masahiro didn’t waste time. He reached for Matthew, pulling him close with a force that made Matthew’s breath catch. There was no more talk, no words to break the electric silence between them. Their lips crashed together, hungry, desperate, a culmination of everything that had been left unsaid.Matthew's fingers gently tugged at Masahiro's hair, guiding him as they continued their kiss. Slowly, he backed towards the bedroom, their lips never parting, the desire between them intensifying with each step. Masahiro's hands slid down Matthew's sides, leaving a trail of goosebumps as they made their way under the fabric of his suit jacket.As they reached the bedroom, Masahiro guided Matthew onto the bed, their k
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The room was quiet, save for the soft rustle of the sheets and the faint hum of the city beyond the window. Matthew was already asleep, his breathing deep and steady, sprawled out on the bed like he didn’t have a care in the world. His body was relaxed, the exhaustion of the night finally taking its toll on him. Masahiro watched him for a moment, his heart a strange, tight feeling in his chest—something he couldn’t quite name, but something real nonetheless.He gently pulled himself away, careful not to wake Matthew. Slipping into loose pants, Masahiro padded silently toward the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of water, the cool liquid a small, simple comfort in the quiet of the apartment. When he finished, he returned to the bedroom, water in hand.Matthew lay on the bed, his hair spread across the pillow. Masahiro paused at the foot of the bed, watching him for a long moment. He felt a strange, almost possessive tenderness in the way Matthew look
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The raid on Mr. K's operation had not only dismantled a criminal empire but had also ignited a media firestorm that engulfed Cleveland. News outlets raced to cover the shocking discovery of the trafficking ring, the corruption that had seeped into the highest levels of government, and the arrest of Kenneth Hartman, the Minister of Trade and Economic Development. Headlines screamed for attention, each vying to present the latest angle on the scandal that had rocked the city.Masahiro could hardly keep up with the barrage of notifications on his phone, each ping signaling another story breaking. “Minister Arrested in Shocking Trafficking Ring,” one headline blared. “Corruption at the Highest Level: Who Else Will Fall?” Another speculated about the fallout, naming high-ranking politicians who had been seen mingling at the gala just hours before the raid.As Masahiro sat in the station, the weight of the media scrutiny settled heavily on his shoulde
Last Updated : 2025-01-03
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The couch wasn’t new to this.It creaked like it recognized the weight—Clark’s spine pressed to the cushions, Adam’s knee between his legs, files forgotten beneath them like collateral damage.Clark didn’t gasp.He groaned.“Tch—Adam.” Half-warned, half-melted. “I just organized those.”Adam didn’t give a damn.“Then you should’ve organized your schedule better, counselor.”He said it at Clark’s throat, teeth barely grazing the skin just beneath his jaw. The kind of contact that wasn’t meant to hurt—but to remind.Clark exhaled through his nose. Calm. Infuriating.“You are dangerously obsessed with making me moan over prosecutorial misconduct.”“That’s ‘cause you sound better screamin’ than lecturin’.”Clark chuckled darkly—head thudding back into the cushion. He pushed his glasses up with two fingers, then slid them off entirely and dropped them onto the table.“You’re so fucking predictable.”Adam smirked. “And you’re so fuckin’
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The crowd around the grave began to thin.Some officers lingered. Others drifted toward their cars in small clusters, the quiet murmur of uniforms brushing against one another, badges catching the sun one last time before vanishing into the afternoon.Masahiro and Matthew stepped forward.The woman stood at the edge of the burial, veil now lifted, her eyes rimmed red but dry. She looked like someone who had cried enough before the funeral ever started.Masahiro approached her first.“Mrs. Doyle,” he said gently, dipping his head. “I’m… I’m sorry for your loss.”Her expression didn’t shift much. But her voice was calm. “Thank you.”There was a steadiness in her grief—one born from surviving years beside a man who chased death for a living.Masahiro gave a small nod, then turned toward the young man standing just beside her.Doyle’s son.Closer now, Masahiro could see the resemblance. The jawline. The way his eyes watched everything. Guarded, te
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It had been five days since Allan Doyle’s body was found behind Barrow Lane.Five days since the call. Since the silence that followed it. Since Masahiro had driven into the night with blood in his chest and Matthew’s voice at his back.Now, the sun was too bright for a funeral, but they buried him anyway.The car rolled to a stop at the edge of the cemetery.Beyond the windshield, the canary was crowded—rows of law enforcement officers in black, lined up in silent formation. Uniforms everywhere: pressed blues, starched grays, polished medals that caught the morning light. Detectives in tailored coats stood among beat cops and field agents. The air was stiff with order and unsaid things.Canopies had been set up above the grave site, a futile attempt to shield the mourners from the pale spring sun. The wind tugged at coat hems and tugged hair loose from buns and slicked styles. But no one moved. No one left.Masahiro turned off the engine.They sat for a
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It was midnight.Matthew’s face was buried against Masahiro’s chest, his breath warm and steady, rising and falling like waves breaking against stone. The bedroom was cloaked in dim gold—just the faintest light slipping through the cracked door, catching on the curve of Masahiro’s bare shoulder.Masahiro lay still, one hand in Matthew’s curls, the other resting against his side. He hadn’t slept.Not really.The weight of six weeks hadn’t left his chest since he’d closed his eyes.Then the phone rang.A sharp vibration on the nightstand. No ringtone—Masahiro never let it ring. Just the buzzing thrum of urgency in the dark.He reached without waking Matthew, answering in one fluid motion.“Payne.”The voice on the other end was clipped. Low. Shaken.“Sir… it’s Doyle. Allan Doyle. He’s dead.”Masahiro didn’t breathe.His hand froze mid-motion. The ceiling above him went quiet.The voice continued. “They found his body in the alley behind Barrow Lane. Gunshot. Close range. No witnesses.”
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The car rolled to a stop in front of Arthur’s building. The street was dim, washed in the orange flicker of old lamps. Arthur hesitated for a second before unbuckling. “Thanks for the ride,” he said quietly, eyes a little too wide, hands still trembling from the night. Masahiro nodded once. “Goodnight, Cooper.” Matthew gave him a small wave from the passenger seat. “Text Masa if anything weird happens, yeah?” Arthur nodded and got out, closing the door softly. He walked up to the building, pulled his keys from his pocket, and glanced back just once. They waited. Arthur opened the gate, disappeared inside, and only when the door shut behind him with a faint click, did Masahiro start the engine again. Silence. It stretched for blocks. Then Matthew let out a sigh, dragging a hand through his hair. “This whole thing’s a mess.” Masahiro didn’t respond immediately. He kept his eyes on the road, jaw tight. Matthew kept going. “Six people. And somehow we’re all tangled up
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The lock hissed. The panic room door creaked open.What greeted them wasn’t relief. It was aftermath.A wash of chemical air hit first—smoke and industrial sanitizer, sharp and sterile. Lights flickered overhead, the hallway still recovering from whatever scramble had unfolded outside.Armed officers lined the corridor, weapons lowered but eyes tracking every movement. No one moved until Masahiro stepped out first, calm as a blade.Cassidy followed, still cuffed, but upright. Arthur stayed tucked at his side, blinking against the hallway light like he’d forgotten what outside air tasted like.Behind them, Clark adjusted his tie. Adam stepped beside him, hand loose on Clark’s back without thinking. Matthew emerged next, yawning. He still looked smug.At the far end, a prosecutor and a city official waited. Legal cleanup."We’ll need statements," the official said.Masahiro didn’t even pause. "Not now."The man sputtered, but Masahiro was already wa
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The panic room had gone quiet.The gas had settled. The lock was still sealed. But for the first time in an hour, no one was yelling, bleeding, or threatening to kill someone over sarcasm.Clark sat near the far wall, his head resting on Adam’s shoulder, tie loosened, wrist still trembling.Adam didn’t say anything.Just held a water bottle in one hand, and Clark in the other.He glanced down. “Drink.”Clark sighed, voice hoarse. “You’ve said that three times.”Adam pressed the bottle into his hand. “And I’ll say it a fourth.”Clark took it. “You’re very annoying.”Adam’s smirk was faint. “You like annoying.”Clark: “I like expensive wine and emotional distance.”Adam: “And still end up in my bed. Funny how that works.”Across the room, Cassidy had planted himself against the wall, legs stretched out, one arm wrapped around Arthur, who was tucked against his chest. Arthur hadn’t spoken in ten minutes.Cassidy ran a hand through Art
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The courtroom was colder than usual.Not from temperature. From tension.Cassidy sat at the defense table, cuffed but unmoved. Clean suit. Straight spine. His eyes drifted, slow and knowing, over the faces present—not the jury, not the prosecution. The others.Arthur was in the gallery, near the back, shoulders squared but not at ease. He hadn’t looked at Cassidy since entering. But he hadn’t looked away, either.Clark stood at the defense bench, immaculate in gray. Composed. Watching. Reading the room like a surgeon reads skin.Adam leaned against the wall at the rear of the courtroom, arms crossed, one boot tapped into the tile like a metronome of violence barely restrained. He clocked everything. Every whisper. Every eye shift.Matthew sat beside him, chewing gum he wasn't supposed to have, scrolling his phone without looking. But his free hand rested near Adam’s, just enough to ground him.Masahiro sat two rows ahead of Arthur. Silent. Controlled. The
Gold & Sand Chapter 286
Arthur returned to the precinct in silence.His boots clicked over tile, shoulders tighter than when he’d left. He hesitated at the office door.Masahiro was stiil inside. Alone. Leaning against the edge of the desk, arms crossed, unreadable.Arthur opened the door anyway.He didn’t speak. Just shut it behind him.Masahiro watched him for a moment.“You left without a word.”“I know.”Masahiro’s tone didn’t rise. “During work hours.”Arthur nodded.Masahiro tilted his head. “Wanna tell me where you went?”Arthur didn’t flinch. “To see Cassidy.”A pause. Not surprise—just confirmation.Masahiro’s voice was calm. “What did you go there to do?”Arthur swallowed once. “I asked him not to retaliate.”Masahiro blinked slowly. “That’s what you think your job is now?”“I asked him to wait,” Arthur said. “To give us a chance to fix this through the system. I told him I’d do everything I could… by the law.”Masahiro looked at him for a long beat. Then pushed off the desk and walked toward the
