Page 80 of Damian & Jun, Episodes 13-16

“No.” Ellisandre’s tone was measured. “I’m going to tell Jamal and the hallway security to get distracted for a moment. Let the Merchari think he’s got you alone.”

Ellisandre would have eyes and ears on him. Jun nodded to himself. “Let’s do it.”

“Just go back to what you were doing,” Ellisandre said. “I’ll have Jamal start moving away now.”

Jun let out a long sigh and relaxed into his chair, letting his eyes close. It didn’t take much acting. That bone deep tiredness was right there, just under his skin. Maybe he could just go to sleep, let Ellisandre make the arrest, wake him up after.

The air shifted over Jun’s face. He opened his eyes and flinched. The Merchari agent had entered the room. He hadn’t even heard the man approach.

The man studied Jun with something almost like regard.

“You’re stressed.”

“You know why.”

“We value our investment. Now that we know, we won’t let him touch you.”

Jun shoved his hands in his pockets. “How am I supposed to trust that? The Merchari didn’t know he was rogue, let alone here.”

“I’ve called in reinforcements. Believe me, Mr. Gang, the Merchari consider this night a success. You’re a valuable investment. We’re not about to let a rogue actor poach you.”

Jun laughed, harsh and low. “Investment. Yes. Not a human life, just money.” He gave the man his back. “You said you were going to make some calls. Have you found him?”

“No. But I’ve called in security. You won’t see them, but they’ll be watching you.”

“I already have security.”

The door opened and Jamal entered, followed by two more men in suits.

“I’ll leave you to your next session,” the Merchari said.

Jun met Jamal’s eyes and then looked back to the Merchari. “No. You are my next session.”

The Merchari frowned. “As nice as your voice is, I’m not interested in karaoke.”

“This isn’t karaoke.” Jun nodded to Jamal. The two men with him moved in, taking the Merchari agent by the arms.

“Sir, you’re under arrest.”

“Whatever they want to know,” Jun looked the startled Merchari in the eye, “I suggest you tell them. Every conversation we’ve ever had, they already have. You were never playing against me. You were playing against The Residency. Maybe the courts will offer you a better deal than you offered me.”

He walked out of the door, leaving the arresting officers to do their job.

Back in the main room, the party had matured and settled. Groups had formed and people were in conversation. Su-jin was charming a circle of prominent producers and distributors. Geun, Yohei, and Jaewoong were still in the back doing karaoke. Another round of sessions were due to start in half an hour. Everything was running at it should.

Perhaps they would come out of this unscathed.

Mi Hi stopped beside him, her tablet clutched to her chest as always.

“How’s it going?” he asked.

“Good. We’ve had a few questions about whether someone left, but so far nothing major. No one suspects anything.”

Jun pinched himself to stop a yawn from forming. His feet hurt. His eyes burned. Every part of his body was asking for the evening to be over.

“Is there any way to move up the next round?”

Mi Hi grimaced. She looked significantly towards an undercover police officer. “One of the rooms had to be shut down.”