Captured by the Bratva (Sharov Bratva #3)

Chapter Fifteen - Violet

The silence in the car is deafening as Kirill’s words hang in the air. My jaw drops, and I feel my heart race. What did he just say? My mind struggles to catch up with the enormity of his statement.

“You’re marrying me,” he repeats, his voice calm and steady. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a cigar, lighting it with a practiced ease. The smoke curls around him as he exhales, his demeanor unnervingly relaxed given the gravity of his words.

I blink, trying to process what I’ve just heard. “That’s not possible,” I finally manage to say, my voice shaky. “Why… why would we get married?”

Kirill takes another drag from his cigar, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. “Because it’s the best way to ensure your safety,” he says, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “In a week, we’ll be married. That’s just how it’s going to be.”

I shake my head, the shock and disbelief swirling inside me. “Kirill, you can’t just decide something like that. Marriage isn’t a business transaction. It’s… it’s personal.”

He glances at me, his expression unreadable. “In our world, it’s both,” he replies, his voice calm and unwavering. “This isn’t just about keeping you safe now. It’s about long-term security. Being married to me will send a clear message to anyone who might think of coming after you.”

I feel a mixture of fear and anger bubbling up inside me. “You can’t just make decisions for me,” I say, my voice rising. “I’m not a piece of property you can claim.”

He takes another slow drag from his cigar, his gaze unwavering. “I’m not claiming you, Violet. I’m protecting you. There’s a difference.”

I stare at him, my mind racing. The thought of marrying Kirill, of being tied to him in such a permanent way, is overwhelming. “What if I don’t want to marry you?” I challenge, my heart pounding in my chest.

He looks at me, his eyes piercing through the smoke. “You don’t have a choice,” he says simply. “This is the best way to keep you safe, and it’s going to happen. Whether you like it or not.”

The finality in his voice sends a chill down my spine. I sit back in my seat, my thoughts a chaotic whirlwind. How did my life get to this point? Marrying a Mafia boss for protection was never part of my plan, yet here I am, faced with a decision that’s been made for me.

As we drive in silence, the reality of Kirill’s words sinks in. He’s not asking. He’s telling. I’m left with no choice but to follow along. The weight of his decision presses down on me, and I know that my life is about to change in ways I can’t even begin to imagine.

The silence stretches between us, thick and heavy. My heart races as I try to process Kirill’s declaration. Marriage? To him? It feels impossible, surreal.

Finally, he exhales a plume of smoke and turns to me, his expression unreadable. “It’s a fake marriage, Violet. Only for six months.”

I blink, my mind struggling to keep up. “Why six months?”

“That’s the exact duration of the deal I had with your father,” he explains calmly. “I was supposed to protect you for six months. Once you’re under the Bratva’s shadow, you will always be protected, no matter what.”

His words chill me. The idea of being under the Bratva’s protection feels like a double-edged sword. “So, after six months, what happens?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly.

He takes another drag from his cigar, letting the silence hang for a moment. “After six months, we can annul the marriage. You’ll be free to go your own way. During that time, you’ll be safe. No one will dare touch you.”

I swallow hard, trying to absorb what he’s saying. “What exactly do you get out of this, Kirill? Why go to such lengths?”

His gaze locks on to mine, intense and unwavering. “I owe it to your father. He trusted me to protect you. And beyond that, having you under my protection strengthens my position within the Bratva. It’s mutually beneficial.”

I shake my head, still struggling with the enormity of his proposal. “Why marriage? Can’t you just protect me without that?”

“Marriage makes it official. It ties you to me in a way that no one can dispute. It sends a clear message to our enemies and allies alike,” he explains. “In our world, it’s a bond that carries weight. It’s the safest way to ensure your protection.”

The logic in his words is undeniable, but my emotions are a turbulent mess. “I just… I don’t know, Kirill. This feels like too much.”

He leans forward, his eyes piercing into mine. “You need to listen to me. This is the best way to keep you safe. Think about it, Violet. Six months of security, and then you can go back to your life. Free from fear.”

I look away, staring out the window at the passing city lights. “What happens if I refuse?”

“You won’t refuse,” he says with certainty. “You’re too smart for that. You know this is the best option.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. “What will this fake marriage entail? What do I have to do?”

“Just play the part,” he says, his tone softer now. “We’ll live together, attend events together. You’ll be seen with me, and that’s enough to keep you safe. There’s no need for anything beyond that. It’s purely for show.”

The idea of living with Kirill, of being by his side for six months, feels daunting. The alternative—living in constant fear—feels worse. “You must think I’m crazy to agree to this.”

As we pull up to the mansion, Kirill’s men trail behind us, their presence a constant reminder of the danger lurking just out of sight. The car comes to a stop, and the heavy silence between us continues. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts.

We step out of the car, the cool night air hitting me like a wave. Kirill gestures for his men to stay back, giving us a moment of privacy. As we walk toward the entrance, I can’t shake the feeling of being trapped. Once we’re inside the mansion’s grand foyer, I turn to face him, my resolve hardening.

“I can’t do this, Kirill,” I say, my voice trembling with emotion. “I cannot be married into the Mafia, even if it’s fake and for my own protection.”

He steps closer, his intense gaze locking on to mine. “Well, how about this? With my backing, you’ll have the influence you need to secure your place in your father’s company. Without it, you might never get the chance.”

I shake my head, trying to make sense of his words. “I don’t want power through fear. I want to earn it, to be respected for my abilities, not because I’m associated with the Bratva.”

His eyes harden, and he takes another step closer, his presence overwhelming. “You will earn it, but the reality is, you need leverage right now. Your uncle is already making moves against you. You need to show the shareholders that you have the strength and support to lead. My power can give you that.”

I swallow hard, my mouth dry. “How do you know about all of this?”

He smirks. “People talk, if you apply the right pressure, and Dimitri is very good at finding information.”

I can imagine what he means by that, and my mood sours further.

“Marrying you… it’s too much. I don’t want to live my life under the shadow of the Mafia. Even if it’s just for six months, it feels like a betrayal of everything I believe in.”

Kirill’s expression doesn’t soften. He remains stoic, his gaze unwavering. “This isn’t about your beliefs, Violet. This is about survival. The world you’re stepping into doesn’t play by the rules you’re used to. It’s ruthless, and if you want to come out on top, you need to play the game.”

The intensity of his words make me tremble. “You’re asking me to give up my principles.”

“I’m asking you to protect yourself,” he retorts, his voice cold and commanding. “It’s six months, Violet. Six months of playing a role to gain the power you need.”

I stand there, torn between anger and fear. “You don’t understand,” I whisper, shaking my head. “I can’t just throw away everything I believe in.”

“Believe what you want,” he says coldly, his eyes boring into mine. “Know this: the world you’re in now doesn’t care about your beliefs. It’s about survival, and I’m your best chance.”

I turn away, heading toward the front door of the mansion. I feel his presence behind me, a constant, unyielding shadow.

“Kirill, leave,” I say, trying to muster the strength in my voice. “I need to be alone.”

He follows me inside, his footsteps echoing in the vast space. “I’m not going anywhere until you agree,” he states, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I whirl around, facing him, my anger flaring. “No! I won’t agree to this madness!”

His eyes darken, and a dangerous edge creeps into his voice. “You think you have a choice?” he asks, stepping closer. “I can force you if I have to.”

Fear spikes through me, but it’s mixed with an unexpected surge of arousal. There’s a darkness in him that’s both terrifying and strangely enticing. My heart pounds as he moves closer, his presence overwhelming.

“Kirill…,” I start, but my voice falters.

He pins me against the wall, his body pressing against mine. “You have no choice, Violet,” he growls, his breath hot against my ear. “You will agree. Do you understand?”

The intensity of his gaze, the raw power in his voice, sends shivers down my spine. I’m scared, but there’s a part of me that’s drawn to this darkness, this commanding force that is Kirill.

“Say it,” he demands, his voice low and dangerous. “Say you agree.”

My breath catches in my throat, my body trembling. His grip tightens, and I can feel the heat radiating off him, his dominance overwhelming.

“Yes,” I finally gasp, the word escaping my lips. “I agree.”

He holds me there for a moment longer, his eyes searching mine, ensuring the truth of my words. Then he steps back, releasing me, but the intensity doesn’t fade. “Good,” he says, his voice softer but still firm. “We’ll make the arrangements.”

I feel the intensity of his gaze boring into my soul. The heat between us is palpable, a dangerous mix of fear, anger, and something else—something electric.

My eyes dart to his lips, and for a fleeting moment, I want to kiss him. I want to give in to the raw, magnetic pull between us. Just as quickly as the thought comes, Kirill lets go, stepping back. Relief and disappointment flood through me, and I realize how close I came to doing something incredibly stupid.

The door swings open, and Dimitri strides in with a few men, their presence a jarring intrusion into the tense, intimate moment. I dart away, trying to compose myself, pretending like I didn’t almost kiss Kirill.

“Dimitri,” Kirill says, his voice returning to its usual calm and authoritative tone. “Everything secure?”

Dimitri nods, glancing between Kirill and me with a knowing smirk. “Yes, Boss. We’ve got the perimeter covered. No one’s getting in without us knowing.”

“Good,” Kirill responds, his eyes briefly flicking to me before returning to Dimitri. “Violet needs to be safe at all times. Make sure the men know their shifts and stay alert.”

Dimitri’s smirk widens slightly as he nods. “Understood, Boss. We’ll keep a close watch.”

I stand there, feeling a bit like a deer caught in headlights. The intensity of the moment still lingers, and I struggle to steady my breath. Kirill’s presence is overpowering, and I can feel the heat of his gaze even when he’s not looking directly at me.

Kirill turns back to me, his expression softer but still commanding. “Get some rest, Violet. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

I nod, trying to keep my composure. “Alright. Thank you, Kirill.”

He gives me a curt nod, then turns to Dimitri. “Make sure everything is in order. I don’t want any mistakes.”

Dimitri’s eyes flicker with amusement, but he remains professional. “Of course, Boss. Consider it done.”

With a final glance at me, Kirill heads toward the door, followed by Dimitri and the other men. As they leave, the tension in the room dissipates slightly, but the weight of what just happened remains heavy on my shoulders.

I take a deep breath, trying to clear my mind. I almost kissed Kirill. What was I thinking? The realization of how close I came to crossing that line is both frightening and thrilling. I can’t afford to get distracted. There’s too much at stake.

As I head upstairs to my room, I can’t help but replay the moment in my mind. Kirill’s intensity, his unwavering command—it’s all so overwhelming. I need to stay focused, to remember why I agreed to this in the first place. For my safety, for my father’s legacy, and for the chance to prove myself.

Lying in bed, I stare at the ceiling, my thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and determination. Kirill’s presence lingers in my mind, a constant reminder of the path I’ve chosen. This fake marriage, this alliance—it’s my best shot at securing my future.

Even if I hate it.