Page 132 of Devious Knight

My eyes widen, and I stare back at him in shock. How the fuck did he know that?

“Don’t worry, no one else knows, and no, it wasn’t easy to find out. I just happen to have a similar skillset to our boy Dmitri.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“You never asked. Remember my cousin, Lucian, is a world-class hacker who’s interning for our weapons and technology company. Being able to hack a system and know what people are up to comes with being a Sokolov.”

He’s right. The Sokolov name is renowned for anything technological. “Where’s this going? Obviously, you want something if you’re telling me all this and following us.”

“I want you to remember that I’m part of the same group as you. When you shut me out, you stop me from getting the opportunities everyone else has. I didn’t come all the way from Russia and pass my trials to be put to pasture just because you and your boys have known each other since birth.”

“Fair point, but maybe I don’t want you to get in trouble. What I’m doing isn’t exactly sanctioned.”

“Maybe I don’t want you to get in trouble. I know what the Malina are like.”

That gives me pause. “How?”

“They attacked my family in Russia. They hijacked my aunt and uncle’s wedding and killed them along with close to a hundred people. My parents and I barely got out alive.”

My scalp tightens as I stare back at him in disbelief. “Fuck.”

“Yeah, exactly. So, believe me when I say I know them.”

“When did that happen?”

“Four years ago.” Sadness invades his eyes. “How long has it been for you?”

“Three.”

“They killed your parents.”

“Yes.”

“My family went through hell to find the guys responsible. It took them years. Those guys were from a different faction than Nikoli. He’s Odessa Mafia. The New York chapter of the Malina. But he’s the same breed.”

“You do know a lot.”

“Yes. I also know he’ll find you. And he won’t care that you’re from the Knights.”

“I’m not going to stop, Alek.” I shake my head.

He smirks, tilts his head, and regards me with surprise. “I didn’t think you would, but I thought you could use the help of someone who knows them a little more than you.”

I give him a thin smile. “Maybe I could.”

“Then let me help you. I know how to get past the firewalls blocking Dmitri.”

My spirit lifts. “Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“Can you get to all of Nikoli’s money?”

“I can do that and a whole lot more.” He smirks.

“Then you’re in.”

I put my hand out to shake his. He takes it and gives me a firm handshake.

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