Captured by the Bratva (Sharov Bratva #3)

Chapter Ten - Kirill

Violet falls asleep, her fragile form curled up in the passenger seat, her breathing steady and soft. I keep my eyes on the road, my mind wandering to the events of the day. The sight of her breaking down, the fear and confusion in her eyes—it’s a stark reminder of the dangerous world she’s now a part of. Despite her defiance, she’s vulnerable, and that vulnerability stirs something protective within me.

As we reach her house, I gently park the car and turn off the engine. The sudden silence stirs her, and she begins to wake, blinking sleepily. The moment she realizes where she is, the events of the day come crashing back. She starts sobbing again, her shoulders shaking with the force of her emotions.

I turn to her, my expression stern but calm. “Violet, listen to me,” I say firmly. “If you want to remain safe, you need to follow my rules. There’s no other way.”

She doesn’t respond, her sobs the only sound in the car. I reach into my coat pocket and pull out the letter her father wrote to me. This is my last card to play, my final proof that what I’m saying is true. I hold the letter out to her, waiting for her to take it.

“Read this,” I tell her, my voice softer now. “It’s from your father.”

Violet looks up, her tear-filled eyes meeting mine. There’s a flicker of hesitation, but she takes the letter with trembling hands. She unfolds it slowly, her breath catching as she recognizes the handwriting.

Her eyes scan the page, and I see the moment realization hits her. Her expression shifts from confusion to disbelief, and then to a deep, aching sorrow. She clutches the letter to her chest, her sobs quieter now but filled with a profound grief.

“He… he really said this?” she whispers, more to herself than to me.

“Yes,” I say gently. “Your father wanted to make sure you were protected, no matter what happened to him. He trusted me to keep you safe.”

Violet is silent, her eyes fixed on the letter. I can see the conflict in her expression—the struggle between her fierce independence and the undeniable proof in her hands. She doesn’t want to rely on me, but now she knows she has no choice.

“I don’t want this,” she says finally, her voice trembling. “I don’t have a choice, do I?”

“No,” I reply honestly, “you don’t.”

She nods slowly, her fingers tightening around the letter. “Okay,” she whispers. “I’ll follow your rules.”

Relief washes over me, though I keep my expression neutral. This is just the beginning, but it’s a step in the right direction. I open the car door and step out, walking around to her side to help her out.

As she steps out of the car, I place a steadying hand on her back, guiding her to the house. Her steps are unsteady, but there’s a new resolve in her eyes. She’s still afraid, still grieving, but she’s starting to understand the reality of her situation.

We reach the front door, and she pauses, turning to look at me. “Thank you,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, my expression serious. “There are a few rules you need to follow, Violet. The first rule: don’t trust a soul. Not even those closest to you. Understand?”

“Even family?”

“Even family.”

She nods, her eyes wide and attentive.

I reach into my pocket and pull out a sleek, black digital watch. I hold it out to her, waiting for her to take it. “This is a GPS tracker. Wear it at all times. There’s a button on the side that will connect directly to my phone. If you’re ever in danger, press it. This is important.”

Violet takes the watch, her fingers brushing against mine briefly. She examines it, apprehension on her face. “Okay,” she says softly, fastening the watch around her wrist.

“Thirdly,” I continue, my tone unwavering, “I’m going to send some guards to the Harrison mansion. They’ll be there to protect you at all times.”

She opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off with a slight smile. “Or, you could move in with me,” I add, a hint of teasing in my voice.

Violet looks taken aback, her cheeks flushing slightly. “I think I’ll stay at the mansion,” she says quickly, a faint smile playing on her lips despite the tension.

I chuckle, the sound surprising even to me. “Those guards are there for your safety. Don’t try to dismiss them.”

She nods, her expression growing serious again. “I understand.”

“Good,” I reply, my tone firm. “We’re in this together now, Malyshka. Trust me, follow my rules, and we’ll get through this.”

Her eyes meet mine, a mixture of fear and determination shining in them. “I will,” she says, her voice steady.

“Now,” I say, stepping closer, “there’s one more thing you need to understand.” I take her wrist gently but firmly, pulling her a step closer. Her eyes widen, and I can see the exhaustion etched in her features, but there’s also something else—a spark of something deeper.

“You need to listen to me, and you don’t get to talk back anymore,” I murmur, my voice low. “Your safety depends on it.” I can feel the heat between us, the proximity making my pulse quicken. I let my eyes roam over her face, drinking in her beauty. Even in her exhaustion, she’s captivating.

“I’m the only one you can trust,” I say, my voice a mix of command and reassurance. “Do you understand?”

She nods, her breath hitching slightly. The spark between us is undeniable, a tension that’s both thrilling and dangerous. For a moment, I’m tempted to close the distance, to see if that spark ignites into something more. I pull away, the practical side of me winning out.

She looks up at me, a mixture of confusion and something else—something that mirrors the attraction I feel. “Got it,” she whispers again, her voice softer this time.

“Go inside,” I say.

She hesitates, her eyes darting toward the darkened interior of the mansion.

Impatience flares inside me. “If you have something to say, just spit it out,” I snap, the tension of the day wearing on my patience.

She hesitates, biting her lip before finally speaking. “I don’t want to go inside alone.”

Her admission catches me off guard, and for a moment, I’m tempted to stay with her. The thought of being close to her, of comforting her, is almost too enticing. I know myself. I’m not sure I could keep my hands off of her if I stayed.

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay focused. “I’ll send my men around tonight. They’ll keep watch on the mansion. Until they arrive, I’ll stay out here with you.”

Her relief is palpable, and she nods, stepping a bit closer to me. The night air is cool, and the silence between us is heavy with unspoken words and lingering tension.

I pull out my phone and call Dimitri. He picks up on the first ring. “Dimitri, I need our best men at the Harrison mansion tonight. We need a full watch on the place.”

“Understood, Boss,” Dimitri replies. “I’ll have them there within the hour.”

“Good,” I say, hanging up the phone. I turn to Violet, who is watching me with those wide, expressive eyes. “They’ll be here soon.”

She nods, wrapping her arms around herself as if trying to ward off the cold. I take off my jacket and place it over her shoulders, the gesture more instinctual than intentional. She looks up at me, gratitude and something deeper shining in her eyes.

“Thank you,” she whispers again, her voice trembling slightly.

I nod, my gaze steady on hers. “You keep saying that and I keep telling you. Just doing my job.”

We stand there in silence, the night wrapping around us like a protective shroud. Despite the danger, despite the fear, there’s a connection between us, a spark that refuses to be ignored. As we wait for my men to arrive, that spark grows, a promise of something more in the midst of the chaos surrounding us.

Minutes pass, each one heavy with the weight of our unspoken emotions. I’m keenly aware of her presence beside me, the warmth of her body close to mine. It’s a dangerous game we’re playing, one that could easily spiral out of control.

Finally, headlights cut through the darkness, and I see the familiar black SUVs of my men pulling up to the mansion. Relief floods through me, mingling with the residual tension of the evening.

Dimitri steps out of the lead vehicle, his expression serious as he approaches. “We’re here, Boss. The mansion is secure.”

I nod, turning to Violet. “You can go inside now. My men will be here all night.”

She looks at me one last time, her eyes searching mine. “Thank you, Kirill.”

“Go get some rest,” I say, my voice firm but gentle. “We’ll talk more in the morning.”

I watch as Violet walks inside, the light from the doorway casting her silhouette against the darkness. The door closes behind her, and I exhale a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. My men begin setting up their positions, their movements efficient and precise.

One man enters the house to stay with her, another stands guard by the main door, and five more spread out around the perimeter of the mansion, each taking a strategic position to ensure complete coverage. I supervise their setup, my mind still on Violet and the vulnerability she showed tonight.

Dimitri walks over, his usual smirk in place. “You’re getting soft, Boss,” he teases, his tone light. “All this fuss over one girl. Must be something special about her.”

I shoot him a cold look, not in the mood for his jokes. “She’s under my protection, Dimitri. That’s all you need to know.”

Dimitri raises an eyebrow, the smirk widening. “Right. Just protection. You have to admit, she’s got a certain… charm.”

“Enough,” I snap, my voice hardening. “This isn’t a game. Her life is at stake.”

Dimitri’s smirk fades slightly, though the amusement doesn’t completely leave his eyes. “I get it, Boss. Just saying, don’t let her make you soft. We need you sharp.”

I glare at him, annoyed by his casual attitude. “Go check on the men. Make sure everyone knows their positions.”

He raises his hands in mock surrender, backing away. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave you to your brooding.” He turns and heads back to his car, still chuckling to himself.

I watch him go, frustration simmering beneath the surface. Dimitri’s loyalty is unquestionable, but his tendency to joke about everything can be grating. I know he means well, but the situation with Violet is too serious for jokes.

With a final glance at the mansion, I turn and walk back to my car. The night is still and quiet, the only sounds are the distant hum of the city and the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. I get into my car, my thoughts still on Violet, and start the engine.

Dimitri falls in behind me as we drive back to our base. The ride is silent, my mind replaying the events of the evening. The fear in Violet’s eyes, the way she leaned on me for support—it’s a vulnerability I’m not used to seeing.

As we pull into the underground garage of the Black Orchid Club, I park and step out, my resolve hardening. I can’t afford to let my emotions cloud my judgment. Violet’s safety is my top priority, and I need to stay focused.

Dimitri catches up to me as we head inside, his earlier levity replaced by a more serious demeanor. “You know I’m just messing with you, right?” he says, his tone softer. “But seriously, she’s lucky to have you looking out for her.”

I nod, acknowledging his words without letting my guard down. “We’ve got a lot of work to do. Make sure everything is set for tomorrow.”

“Will do,” Dimitri replies, his usual confidence back in place. He heads off to brief the men, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I make my way to my office, the weight of the night settling over me. Protecting Violet isn’t just about fulfilling a promise—it’s become something more, something personal.