Page 15 of Vicious Knight

“I have to do something. This is a serious matter. You and I will be running Ivanov Tech one day in the near future. My father can’t just suddenly pick his terms and conditions out of thin air.”

“Yet he has, and yes, he can. Don’t worry. I’ll figure it out. Right now we need to focus on the unit.” I tap the table. “That’s going to take up all our time. We don’t want to get in trouble for not doing our jobs, and this is something we’ve always wanted to do.”

With reluctance, he nods. “Promise you’ll let me know if I can do anything to help with my father.”

“Of course.” I sound like I’m truly making a promise, but I’m not. I already decided I won’t involve him.

Things are different for Caspian now that he has a wife. I can’t let him get involved in the shit with his father.

For now, I’m going to see how my dear uncle wishes to play this game he’s unleashed on me, then I’ll know what moves to make.

I straighten and rest against the back of the chair.

“So, who do you have in mind to join us?” he asks, changing the subject and glancing at the guys at the pool table. “Those three have been vying for our attention all week.”

“I know.” I plaster a cunning smile and stare at them.

Kade Gurkovsky, Dmitri Valneko, and Logan Konnikov have practically been crawling up our asses since they stepped on campus.

“I like them and Alek, Lucian’s cousin.” Caspian sounds certain.

I glance back at him. “Seems like you’ve already picked.”

“Just voicing my thoughts. They’re already top-notch with good careers in the making and they come from families who would make good business associates later down the line.”

He’s right. Kade and Dmitri are star athletes who will be joining the football team here. They have a very good prospect of playing pro in the NFL. Their fathers also own two NFL football teams and are business associates. Logan is going into business and investments. His family owns a hedge fund company. Alek’s family owns a weapons and technology company.

“They also all came out with top marks in the Reaping.” Caspian continues staring at them.

The Reaping is the rite of passage every boy of sixteen years of age must go through to join the Knights. That’s the first step.

Our forefathers who created the Brotherhood of the Knights were originally Vikings, so everything we do is based on the old Viking laws. The Bratva influences are mixed in, because of those who went to Russia and allied with the Vory when they began. That’s why the Knights own the Komarovski Bratva.

To become a full member of the Knights, men have to go through the Reckoning. This is the separation of the men from the boys, and that’s where I come in.

The group below looks as close as a wolfpack. I can imagine them preparing for this moment for years at the academy because they knew Caspian and I would be in charge.

As if Kade Gurkovsky can hear my thoughts, he glances up at me and we stare at each other, a silent conversation unfolding between us as if we’re equals.

I admire any man who can stare at me head on like that as if to challenge me.

He has some balls on him, so I give him a nod of approval. He nods back, then I look at Caspian, who seems fascinated by our exchange.

“Let them get through my challenges, then we can talk.” I give him a devious grin.

“Okay. Well, let the games begin. From here to Valhalla.”

“From here to Valhalla.”

This is all I can do to keep myself sane.

This, and fucking.

The sudden thought of fucking pulls the little deer back to my thoughts and I know I won’t forget the platinum-haired beauty as easily as I’d hoped.

Maybe sweet and innocent has become the new flavor of hot.

I’d certainly like to try it and see what she tastes like.

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