Page 21 of Damian & Jun, Episodes 13-16
Rei looked up towards Sevastyan, so like Collin to Richard. It was like that. Rei looked back at Jun, then dropped his gaze, his fingers stirring against the fabric of his pants. “I think you know…the why. And the how.”
“I think so, too.”
Jun lifted his hand, pausing just a centimeter from Rei’s unmarred cheek. Rei tilted his head, accepting the touch for only a moment.
“I want to make a deal,” Sevastyan said. “Rei’s life for Junseo’s.”
Episode 14
Jun
Jun gripped Rei’s shoulder, looking up at Sevastyan. What kind of deal was this? Rei gripped Jun’s wrist in return, just once, as if saying ‘don’t be afraid’. But how could he not be afraid?
Sevastyan flicked his fingers; Rei let go of Jun, rising on his knees and placing himself between Sevastyan’s thighs, facing him. Sevastyan caged Rei in with his legs. Rei went willingly, putting his head down against Sevastyan’s waist. Rei’s hand came up and rested against Sevastyan’s hand, his fingers open. He was purposely relaxed, letting Sevastyan do what he needed to feel in control.
How long had they been together?
Sevastyan’s eyes moved across the room, his hand on Rei. “I work for a cartel known as the Merchari. They hold Bak Gyeong's debts. Bak Sahyuk is one of their operatives. Years ago, Bak Gyeong put Gang Junseo and the rest of 5N up for collateral for both favors and monetary loans. When he couldn’t meet a recent payment, the Merchari auctioned off access to Jun to pay the interest. I was there to verify the payment.”
“And Rei?” Jun whispered.
“Was payment for an earlier debt.” Sevastyan’s tone was acidic with disapproval.
Jun stood and stepped back. “But you helped me escape.”
Sevastyan pressed his lips together. “After that press conference, the Merchari wanted me to make you disappear. Bak Gyeong was in agreement. He would have received a hefty payment for your permanent sale. I had other objectives.”
Jun moved back towards Damian on the couch. “What do you mean?”
Sevastyan glanced towards Ellisandre. Ellisandre raised an eyebrow. Sevastyan went on. “An associate and I have been working for over a decade to bring the Merchari down from the inside. We think you can help us do it. Not just you, but Sathers, Reevesworth, and Moreau.” He looked at Damian, Richard, and Émeric as he spoke.
Jun glanced towards Ellisandre. Their eyes were carefully blank. Probably not Sevastyan’s associate.
“What’s the deal you want to make for Rei?” Richard said, soft and low.
Sevastyan glanced between the different people in the room. “We need help to take the Merchari down and I need to guarantee Rei’s safety.”
No one said anything for a long moment. Jun ran Sevastyan’s words back and forth in his head. The Merchari didn’t sound Korean. How significant were they?
Sevastyan went on. “The Merchari will offer Jun a deal after they’ve set up their threat: pay a yearly protection payment as well as assume responsibility for all of Bak Gyeong’s debts, since 5N was used as collateral. They will also demand he return all property to Bak Sakyuk bought under Jun’s U.S. identity. This is what I’m supposed to approach you with once news of the warrant arrives in the U.S. If Jun agrees,” Sevastyan’s eyes were trained on Richard, “then the coming order for his arrest will disappear for as long as he continues to make payments.”
“Why do they think he will agree to that?” Collin said.
Sevastyan’s lips thinned. “The threat of selling off friends into sexual slavery and being sentenced for murder is usually sufficient motivation.”
“Then they’ve miscalculated,” Richard said, voice deadly soft. The hair went up on the back of Jun’s neck, even as his stomach loosened with the reminder of just how strong his community was. “Jun is under my protection.”
Fear and fierce pleasure flooded over Jun’s skin. He met Damian’s eyes, then Richard’s and looked back to Sevastyan. “Once I give them anything, they’ll want more, forever. My answer is no. So how do we take them down?”
Sevastyan’s eyes sought Ellisandre. “My associate and I have tried, at various points, to contact different agencies, to take the cartel down by traditional means. The most we’ve ever been able to do was eliminate a branch for a while. The Merchari have deep influence in multiple governments. But you,” Sevastyan included the entire room with his gaze, “have as much reason to want to take them down as we do, and possibly the influence to orchestrate the kind of traps required. If nothing else, you could protect Rei while I do as much damage as possible.”
Rei gripped Sevastyan’s wrist, squeezing hard.
“You’re not secondary in this negotiation,” Ellisandre said, voice low. “The deal is for you, as well.”
“Rei comes first. He’s my responsibility.”
“And ours,” Jun said. “He’s 5N. That makes him ours.”
