But wehadto do this.
Vir’s done things like this before. Not exactly this—but close enough. He knows how to layer digital landmines.
Still.
“It’shighlyunlikely Mehul will actually be able to access any other client environments,” I say, quietly. “You’ll be embeddingfirewalls, redirectors, synthetic data. We will watch him like a hawk. We’ve got this, Dev.”
Dev’s breathing hard. But he’s quiet now.
Still seething.
Still processing.
And yet... still with us. Maybe?
“I have...” Dev swallows hard. “I have a twelve-year-old son. And a sixteen-year-old daughter.”
His voice cracks. “I’m sorry but... I can’t do this.”
“Dev—”
“They go to school here,” he pleads, hand trembling slightly. “Gauri just joined one of those IIT preparation tuitions. She’s excited. I just...”
“Devendra.” Advik’s voice cuts in, low but steady. “Look at me.”
Dev’s eyes slowly lift. Tired. Frantic. Like he’s bracing for some unavoidable horror.
“If we don’t stop Mehulthisway,” Advik says, calm but razor-sharp, “he’ll just findanotherway. You know that, right?”
Dev doesn’t answer. He doesn’t need to. We all know it.
Advik leans in, his voice firmer now. “So ask yourself this: would you rather help here, where you have control, where we’re watching his every move—and maybe saveyourkids... or sit this out while it keeps happening anyway?”
I nod quietly. This operation’s already in motion. The risk? Live. The outcome? Uncertain.
Advik glances at me, then back at him and adds, “You’re an expert in cybersecurity, Dev. We need you.Ineed you.”
Dev stares at him for a long beat. Then, finally, a nod. “I’ll personally oversee the security for all other clients. But keep me out of... of him. Of Mehul. I only care about his digital trail. I don’t want to see that man’s face again.”
“Fair,” I say softly. “We can do that.”
He leaves a moment later. Maybe to ground himself in something real. Somethinggood.
And then it’s just me and Advik.
Silence folds between us. Not the comfortable kind.
“I didn’t think he’d take it that hard,” Advik murmurs finally. “I mean... I get it. But Dev? He’s never angry.Never.”
“It’s a dangerous situation,” I reply, my voice quiet. “Makes anyone a little... unhinged.”
“But you’re not.”
His tone is careful. Almost hesitant. Like he doesn’t want to poke too deep.
“Yeah, well,” I sigh, looking down. “Part of the job. Can’t afford to get emotionally attached.”
But he doesn’t look away. He’s watching me. Tracking me.
