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I resist the urge to arch my brows. There’s a lot someone could glean about Kristoff’s business through what they see above the surface—quarterlies of publicly traded companies, earnings reports, stocks… that sort of thing.
But this is the Bratva we’re talking about. What you see above the surface is the merest glimmer of the massive iceberg lurking below. If the Tsavakov empire is doing that well publicly,and alsoworking alongside those three other enormous Bratva families?
Christ, that’s a business to rival most Silicon Valley dotcoms, Saudi families, or hedge funds.
“I’d ask how you knew I was in Manchester, but I’ve met your head of security. He’s a goddamn bloodhound.”
Kristoff lifts a brow.
“You know, I once tried to hire him away from you, a few years ago.”
“I do know. It bought him a raise.”
He grins.
“It’s good to see you, Noel. It’s been too long.”
“Agreed.”
“Well?” He steeples his hand on the counter. “What can I do for you?”
My brow furrows as I glance around the empty, grimy bar.
“Is there somewhere else we can speak a bit more privately?”
“Privacy is exactly why I chose this place.”
“It’s a dump.”
He snorts.
“It hascharm, Noel.”
“Yes, well the charm is sticking to the bottom of my shoes and probably giving me lung cancer.”
Kristoff chuckles.
“The owner is a friend to the organization. Not that it’s ever busy this time of day, but arrangements have been made. We won’t be disturbed, and the place is clean of listening eyes or ears. I can promise you that. So…” he clears his throat. “To what do I owe this pleasure, Noel.”
Kristoff is not an “ease into it” type of man. Neither am I, so I just rip the bandaid off.
“I need to hire the hacking collectives you employ.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I eye him coolly. His lips curl.
“However, ifwe didknow of any of those types…”
“I need you to dig into Prince.”
His smile fades instantly, eyes narrowing.
Back when we were all young, power-hungry would-be world-conquerors, when the Kings and Villains first came together, it felt like a brotherhood. But Kristoff really took that brotherhood aspect to heart—most likely due to his background growing up in the Bratva world.
I expected this push back on me asking him to dig into one of our own. And here it is.
“Fuck you, Noel.”
