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“And it’s just you that would be helping?” Robin pushed.

“He doesn’t want anyone else to see what his house looks like after the withdrawal,” Jun said, an edge creeping into his voice. “He trusts me because I already saw it.”

“But why you specifically?” asked Robin gravely. “I mean, I’m just being real here. Since Covey’s house is huge, why would he only ask you to help him set up? Wouldn’t he need multiple people when you’re just his driver?”

“Dude, why are you so concerned?” Alex interjected, holding the phone’s speaker closer to his lips. “If the big man said he just wanted Connor, then he just wants Connor.”

The reassurance behind Alex’s gray eyes and small smile gave Jun a slight breath of relief. Despite their huge differences, he was glad Alex was on his side. He couldn’t help but smile back, whether Alex noticed or not.

“I can handle it,” he said. “I’ll keep you guys updated if I find anything.”

The tension in the room eased. Everyone seemed to exhale at once, the plan taking shape. Everyone except Robin. Their silence sat like a stone in the middle of the conversation. Jun stared at the phone, waiting for something that didn’t come.

“Then we’ll leave you to it,” said Hal, flashing a grin at Jun.

“Hey,” Snowy said, “not to break the moment and be a ‘wise-ass pony,’ but if we are about to prepare this plan of ours, I think it would be a lot easier if I were uncuffed.”

Everyone looked at Alex. He let the silence stretch, studying Snowy’s face. She held his gaze—tired, mascara-smeared, but steady. Jun knew from the twitch between his brows that he didn’t trust her as far as he could throw her. But she’d played along.

For now, that had to be enough.

“If you think about burning any of us,” he growled, leaning down to her level, “you answer to me. We clear?”

Snowy didn’t blink. “Crys—tal.”

Alex jerked his chin at Ken. “Uncuff her.”

Kana moved to help, but Ken was already behind the chair, working the cuffs.

Robin’s voice cut through. “I gotta go, but keep me posted.”

Jun’s shoulders stiffened. Alex spoke with raised eyebrows. “Okay, dude. Talk to you later.”

Jun headed back towards the Vanquish when he heard Alex say, “Yo.” It wasn’t until he stopped in his tracks that he heard Alex call for him barely above a whisper, “Jun.” It was just loud enough that only the two of them could hear it.

He didn’t turn around.

Footsteps scuffed across the concrete. Then Alex was beside him, shoulder to shoulder, hands in his pockets. “You good man?” he asked in a hushed tone.

“Yeah? Why?”

Alex sighed, kicked his feet a little. “Not sure why Robin is being a dick right now but”—he looked up at Jun, keeping his voice low—“did something happen between the two of you?”

Jun traced back through every interaction with Robin. The only thing that surfaced was the morning at Covey’s house, when Robin had questioned whether Jun was hurt. That was the last time they’d spoken privately.

“Not that I’m aware of,” he said carefully.

Alex shook his head. “Look, I don’t know what the fuck is going on with them. But whatever it is, don’t get too attached.” He paused, watching Jun’s face. “Sure, they hired us. But we don’t know this person. We don’t even know what their actual voice sounds like.”

He slung his arm around Jun’s shoulder and pulled him close. “Just do what you’re supposed to do. Fluff Covey up. Keep us posted. And whatever happens—you tell us, and we’ll be there.” He gave Jun a small shake. “Yeah?”

Jun didn’t look up. He laughed at himself instead. From surviving high school drama to becoming roommates to this—a job that could cost them their lives. Alex would never say it out loud, but Jun knew: He was doing this for Ruki too. Tomorrow morning at Covey’s could be the closest either of them had gotten to the truth. Jun blinked the sting out of his eyes and exhaled.

“Bro, you good?” Alex asked, shaking him again.

Jun wanted to tell him he was so grateful for their friendship, but he only responded with a genuine smile and a nod.

***