Logan
The security office at the venue was quieter now, the chaos of the night finally winding down. The concert had gone off without a hitch, Nova was safely backstage, and the fans were starting to clear out.
I should have felt relieved.
But I wasn't done yet.
I stood near the window, arms crossed, my focus still locked on the night outside. The adrenaline had faded, but my mind was still running through every possible angle.
The Brotherhood was still out there.
And I wasn't leaving without getting some answers.
The door behind me opened.
I turned just as Lee Jung-hwan, CEO of JP Media, stepped inside, flanked by a few of his executives and his son, Lee Min-hyuk.
Min-hyuk looked as smug as ever, though there was something in his expression—a simmering irritation, barely contained. Like he'd rather be anywhere but here.
I didn't bother acknowledging him.
Instead, I turned to Lee Jung-hwan.
"Is Han Si-woo alright?" I asked.
Lee's gaze sharpened. "He's stable. He was taken to a private facility for treatment. It'll take time, but he'll recover."
Good. Si-woo was a professional, and his absence would be felt. But at least he was still breathing.
Lee's attention shifted, and I followed his gaze to the envelope sitting on the table.
He picked it up, turned toward me, and extended it. "This is for you."
I didn't take it immediately. Instead, I met his gaze.
"You already have a contract with Archangel Protective Services," I said evenly. "This wasn't part of the deal."
"This isn't for your company." His voice was firm. "It's for you—a personal thank-you for ensuring Nova's safety."
Min-hyuk scoffed. "It's absurd. He was just doing his job."
Lee didn't even glance at him.
I let the silence stretch, then finally reached out and took the envelope.
It was heavy.
A hell of a lot more than I expected.
I didn't count it, but I didn't have to. I had enough experience to know this was life-changing money.
Lee watched me carefully. "This isn't a bribe, Mr. Carter."
I nodded. "I didn't think it was."
"It's an acknowledgment," he continued. "You saw what happened tonight. You saw how close we came to disaster. Nova is one of JP Media's greatest assets. I take their security very seriously."
Min-hyuk let out a laugh, shaking his head. "And yet, it was his security that failed. If you'd had better people from the start, this wouldn't have happened."
I turned to him slowly.
Min-hyuk met my gaze, smug and entitled.
"I was in charge of venue security," I said, my voice measured. "Nova's personal security was your responsibility."
His smug expression faltered, just slightly.
Lee didn't say anything, but I could tell he wasn't impressed with his son's attitude either.
I shifted gears. "You saw the footage," I said to Lee. "So tell me—what do you know about the Brotherhood?"
That got his attention.
Min-hyuk stiffened slightly, but Lee remained still, watching me with calculated interest.
"What makes you think I know anything?" he asked.
I held his gaze. "Because you've been in this industry long enough to know what happens behind the curtain. You knew the moment you saw that footage that this wasn't just an isolated incident."
He exhaled slowly, and for the first time, I saw it—the flicker of something behind his eyes.
Recognition.
Understanding.
And just a little bit of concern.
"The Brotherhood isn't just a cult," he admitted. "They have money. Influence. They're organized."
Min-hyuk scoffed. "It's an online conspiracy. Some fringe group of losers playing vigilante."
Lee shot him a sharp look. "Do you think what happened last night was nothing?"
Min-hyuk didn't answer.
Lee exhaled. "Fanatics or not, they were able to penetrate our security, take down trained special forces and based on what I saw they fully intended to take Ji-an and hurt the others."
I nodded. "The cops are already involved here in the US. It's probably time to get the Korean authorities involved as well "
Mr. Lee considered this. Then nodded his head in approval.
At that moment, my phone buzzed.
I pulled it out, glancing at the screen.
Sonya: New lead. Brotherhood's Seoul operations linked to a building owned by Chairman Kang of Apex Holdings. Call me.
My grip tightened slightly around the phone.
Apex Holdings. Another one of those massive Korean conglomerates.
I looked up, meeting his gaze. "Have you ever done business with Chairman Kang?"
Lee's jaw tightened. "We move in the same circles, but no. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him."
"Well," I said, slipping my phone back into my pocket. "Looks like the Brotherhood is operating out of one of his buildings."
Lee went still.
Min-hyuk frowned. "What?"
I nodded. "That's what I was just told. His company either owns it directly, or one of his subsidiaries does. Either way, it's a connection."
Lee muttered something under his breath, rubbing his temple. "This is bad."
Min-hyuk's frown deepened. "This is bullshit. Some foreigner sends a text, and you just take it as fact? We should have our people looking into this—not trusting some outsider."
I barely held back an eye roll.
Lee shot him a warning look. "Your attitude is unnecessary."
Min-hyuk scoffed, shoving away from the table. "This is a waste of time."
Then, without another word, he turned and stormed out.
I exhaled, shaking my head. "He's a real piece of work."
Lee sighed. "That's putting it mildly."
I refocused. "If we're going to keep Nova safe, we need more information. You should stay in touch with Sonya. She's the best at what she does."
Lee studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Understood."
I nodded back, slipping the envelope into my vest.
This was far from over.
But right now?
I had one last job tonight.
Make sure the rest of this night went off without a hitch