Neil takes Kevin and Andrew down the hall, leaving Abby staring after them, and gives the bedroom door a cursory knock on his way in. Jean startles awake at the noise and starts to sit up. Moving is a mistake, judging by the sound he makes as he sinks back to the mattress. Neil takes advantage of his distraction and surveys Riko's handiwork on his way to the bedside. Jean's face is pretty much a swollen bruise. Both eyes are blackened courtesy of a broken nose and stitches have patched his chin and cheek back together. Chunks of hair had been ripped from his skull, leaving bald and scabbing patches throughout. Neil forces back an unexpected rush of anger and sits on the edge of the mattress.
"Hello, Jean," Neil says.
"Go away," Jean says, voice raw with loathing. "I have nothing to say to you."
"But you'll listen," Neil says, "because I just told Ichirou where you are."
It is enough to get Jean's undivided attention. Kevin sits down on Jean's other side, white-faced all over again at the sound of Ichirou's name.
Neil looks back to make sure Andrew is listening, then tells them about Ichirou's visit: why he'd come, how he'd chosen to spare their lives, and what it will cost them to repay his favor. Kevin and Jean listen to all of it without saying a word.
"It's not a pardon and it's not really freedom, but it's protection." Neil looks from one shell-shocked face to the other. "We're assets for the main family now. The King's lost all his men and there's nothing he can do about it without crossing his brother. We're safe—for good."
Jean makes a terrible sound and buries his face in his hands. Kevin opens his mouth, closes it again, and flicks a haunted look down at Jean. Neil waits, but neither man seems able to react beyond that. Finally he slides off the bed and leaves them to each other's questionable comfort.
