Captured by the Bratva (Sharov Bratva #3)

Chapter Seven - Violet

The Harrison mansion feels oppressively silent, the absence of my father casting a heavy pall over the grand, empty halls. The echoes of my footsteps sound hollow, and the once-comforting familiarity of the place now feels like a cold reminder of my isolation. I wander from room to room, the memories of happier times haunting me at every turn.

I eventually find myself in the living room, sinking into the plush armchair my father favored. It still holds a faint trace of his cologne, a bittersweet reminder of the man who is no longer here. The weight of my grief is almost unbearable, and the mansion, though large and luxurious, feels like a prison without my father’s presence.

Caleb stands nearby, his eyes watchful and filled with concern. He’s been a constant presence since the funeral, a silent guardian in the wake of my father’s death. I know he’s worried about me, but right now, I’m more concerned with the questions swirling in my mind.

“Caleb,” I begin, my voice barely above a whisper, “do you think Dad was scared of someone?”

Caleb shifts slightly, his expression guarded. “Why do you ask?”

I take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. “He was so concerned about safety lately. It’s like he was expecting something to happen. He was always talking about security, making sure everything was in place. It’s almost as if he knew….”

Caleb’s face tightens, and he looks away, clearly struggling with how much to say.

I lean forward, desperate for answers. “Caleb, please. If you know something, you have to tell me. I need to understand what was going on with him.”

He hesitates for a long moment, then finally nods, his shoulders slumping as he gives in. “Your father was receiving threats, Violet. Not just written ones, but actual experiences that made him fear for his life.”

A chill runs down my spine. “Experiences…. What do you mean?”

Caleb sighs, running a hand through his hair. “There were incidents. Cars following him, strange phone calls, an assassination attempt. He didn’t want to alarm you, but he was scared. He was taking it all very seriously, which is why he ramped up security and made all those changes around here.”

I feel a knot forming in my stomach. “Why didn’t he tell me? I could have helped, or at least been more prepared.”

“He didn’t want you to worry,” Caleb says softly. “He thought he could handle it, that he could keep you safe without burdening you with the details. That’s why he was so focused on security, why he was always checking and double-checking everything.”

I lean back in the chair, trying to process this information. “Yet he still….” My voice trails off, the lump in my throat making it hard to speak. “He still passed away. How could that happen if he was so careful?”

Caleb’s expression softens, and he takes a step closer. “Sometimes, no matter how careful we are, life takes unexpected turns. Your father did everything he could to protect himself and you. His heart gave out, Violet. It’s a tragedy, but it’s not something anyone could have prevented.”

Tears well up in my eyes, and I blink them away, refusing to let them fall. “He was so strong. He was always so strong for me.”

“I know,” Caleb says gently. “You have to be strong now, for him. He would want you to keep going, to be safe and live your life.”

I nod, swallowing hard. “I just… I don’t know how to do that without him.”

“You don’t have to do it alone,” Caleb reassures me. “I’m here.”

I look at Caleb, his loyalty and kindness a small beacon of hope in this dark time. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out,” he says firmly. “I promised your father I’d take care of you, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

I offer him a weak smile, appreciating his support more than words can express. “Dad trusted you, and so do I.”

The silence of the mansion seems to close in around us, but Caleb’s presence is a comforting anchor. As I sit there, trying to make sense of my father’s death and the fear that seems to have surrounded him in his final days, I realize that I need to be vigilant. Whoever or whatever scared my father isn’t gone just because he is.

For now, I can only take things one step at a time, leaning on Caleb and the others who offer their support. It’s a daunting path ahead, but I know my father’s strength lives on in me. And with that thought, I find a small measure of peace amidst the chaos of my grief.

“Caleb,” I say after a long silence. “Do you think the threats had anything to do with his death?”

Caleb’s eyes darken, and he takes a deep breath. “No, I don’t. Doctors said it was natural causes.”

“Are you sure?”

“Don’t overthink it. Grieving takes time, and you shouldn’t push yourself too hard.” He pauses, face twisting. “You need to be extra careful, though. Although it’s possible the enemy got satisfaction from Jeff’s death, you could still be targeted.”

I sit silently, absorbing his words. The idea that someone might still want to harm me is terrifying. After a few moments, I decide to voice another concern that has been gnawing at me since the funeral. “Caleb, there’s something else. The man who came to the funeral today, Kirill Sharov—who is he?”

Caleb’s expression darkens further, and he sighs. “Kirill Sharov is a Mafia boss. Your father collaborated with him a couple of times, strictly for business. They were never close. For Kirill to show up at the funeral like that… it’s… unusual.”

I shiver at the thought. “Why would he come, then? What does he want ?”

Caleb shakes his head, his face troubled. “I don’t know, but I have a bad feeling about this. Kirill Sharov is not someone you want to be involved with. He’s dangerous, Violet. You need to stay away from him if you ever come across him again.”

I nod, feeling a mixture of fear and confusion. The idea that my father had dealings with a Mafia boss is hard enough to swallow, but the fact that Kirill might have some interest in me is even more unsettling. “Why would my father trust someone like him?” I wonder aloud.

“Jeff was always careful,” Caleb says. “He wouldn’t have worked with Kirill unless he thought it was necessary. It’s possible Kirill saw an opportunity with Jeff’s death. You need to be vigilant.”

Just as I’m about to ask more questions, Caleb’s phone rings. He glances at the screen, his expression growing even more serious. “I need to take this,” he says, standing up. “Stay here, and don’t open the door for anyone you don’t know. I’ll be back soon.”

He steps out of the house, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The silence feels heavier now, filled with the weight of all the new information. I walk to the window and watch Caleb pacing outside, talking on his phone. His presence is reassuring, but the uncertainty of my situation is overwhelming.

I think about Kirill again, his piercing eyes and commanding presence. He left an indelible imprint on my mind, and despite Caleb’s warnings, I can’t shake the feeling that our paths will cross again. The thought both frightens and intrigues me.

As I stand there, lost in thought, I can’t help but feel grateful for Caleb. Without him, I would be utterly lost. My relatives have already started circling like vultures, eager to manipulate me and seize control of my father’s wealth.

Caleb finishes his call and returns to the house, his face set with determination. “Everything okay?” I ask, hoping for some reassurance.

“For now,” he replies. “We need to be cautious. I’ve got some people looking into things. We’ll know more soon.”

I nod, feeling a bit more at ease. “Oh. Okay.”

I try to focus on the small comforts. Caleb’s unwavering support, the memories of my father’s love, and the strength I know I have within me. It’s a difficult path ahead, but I’m determined to navigate it with the same resilience my father always admired in me.

I retreat to my room, the weight of the day’s events pressing down on me. The mansion feels empty and vast, but knowing Caleb is here makes it a little less daunting. I settle into bed, but sleep evades me.

My mind is a whirl of thoughts and questions about my father, the threats he faced, and the enigmatic presence of Kirill Sharov.

Just as I begin to drift into a fitful sleep, my phone buzzes with a notification. I sit up, my heart racing as I see a message from an unknown number. Hesitating for a moment, I open the message.

We need to talk. It’s important. – Kirill

I shiver. Kirill. Of course, he would find a way to contact me. My first instinct is to call Caleb, to have him handle this. Something stops me. He knows something. If he’s reaching out to me directly, it must be crucial.

I take a deep breath and sit back down on the edge of my bed, my phone clutched tightly in my hand. What should I do? Kirill’s message is short, but it implies urgency. I can’t ignore it, but I also can’t blindly trust him. My mind races with possibilities and dangers.

What do you want to talk about?

The response comes almost immediately.

There are things you need to know.

My heart pounds in my chest. What could he possibly know about my father’s death that I don’t already? The doctors said it was a heart attack, but given everything Caleb told me about the threats, I can’t help but wonder if there’s more to the story.

Why should I trust you?

A pause, then another message.

Because your father did.

I chew on my bottom lip, considering his words. My father trusted Kirill enough to involve him in his business dealings. And despite Caleb’s warnings, I can’t shake the feeling that Kirill holds pieces of the puzzle I need to complete the picture of my father’s last days.

Where and when?

Ten tomorrow morning. The Opal & Oak. Come alone. My fingers hover over the keyboard, hesitation making them tremble. Meeting him alone feels risky, but I need answers. I can’t rely solely on Caleb, as much as I trust him. There’s a part of this mystery that only Kirill can reveal.

Fine. I’ll be there.

I stare at the screen for a long moment after his last message, my mind racing with what this meeting could entail. The mansion feels even more suffocating now, the shadows of my thoughts closing in around me. I know Caleb will be furious if he finds out, but I can’t let that stop me. My father’s death, the threats, Kirill’s involvement—they’re all pieces of a dangerous puzzle, and I need to see the full picture.

As I finally lie back down, I close my eyes, trying to calm the storm inside me. Tomorrow will bring answers, I hope. But with those answers might come even more questions and dangers. I have to be ready for whatever Kirill has to say.