"When were you planning to tell me you used to work for Valerius?"
Satomi's hand paused halfway to her glass.
For just a second, something flickered across her face… surprise, maybe, or the sharp recalibration of someone who'd just realized they'd miscalculated.
Then it smoothed out and she picked up the glass anyway, taking a slow sip before answering. "So Valerius found you."
"He was waiting in the lobby when I got back." Akira reached into his pocket and pulled out the matte-black card, setting it on the table between them. "He made an offer. Then, right before he left, he told me to give you his regards. Said you worked for him nine years ago and that the parting was 'unpleasant.'"
Satomi's eyes flicked to the card, then back to his face.
Her expression didn't change, but something tightened at the corners of her mouth. She set her glass down carefully. "Of course he did."
