Captured by the Bratva (Sharov Bratva #3)

Chapter Eighteen - Kirill

The morning light filters through the curtains of the penthouse bedroom, casting a soft glow over the room. I wake up and glance over at Violet. She’s still asleep, her breathing steady and calm, her face relaxed and serene. The events of yesterday—our wedding, the tension, the unexpected desire—play back in my mind. I study her for a moment, her beauty captivating even in sleep.

Quietly, I slip out of bed and head to the bathroom for a shower. As the hot water cascades over me, my thoughts drift back to Violet. The way she looked in her wedding dress, the fire in her eyes during the ceremony, the way her body felt pressed against mine. Despite the circumstances, there’s an undeniable attraction between us, a chemistry that’s hard to ignore.

I imagine her joining me in the shower, the water streaming down her curves, her hands exploring my body. The thought stirs something deep within me, a primal desire that’s been simmering since the moment we met. I shake my head, trying to focus. There’s work to be done today, and I need to keep my mind clear.

After drying off, I wrap a towel around my waist and step back into the bedroom. Violet is awake now, her eyes following me as I move across the room. There’s a spark of something in her gaze—curiosity, maybe, or desire. It’s hard to tell.

“Good morning,” I say, my voice low and warm.

“Morning,” she replies, her tone soft but guarded.

I let the towel drop, standing naked before her. Her eyes widen slightly, but she doesn’t look away. Instead, she seems to be appraising me, her gaze lingering on the contours of my body. I move closer, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“You sleep well?” I ask, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

“Better than I expected,” she admits, a small smile playing on her lips. “Considering everything.”

I lean in, my hand cupping her cheek. “Well, that’s good.”

“I suppose it is.”

I kiss her, slow and deep, savoring the taste of her lips. Her hands slide up my chest, exploring, teasing. The chemistry between us is electric. I kiss her, sucking on her lower lip and enticing a low groan from her lips. We’re lost in each other, until the responsibilities of the day start to creep back into my mind.

Reluctantly, I pull away, my breath coming in short, heated bursts. “I have work to do,” I say, my voice husky. “I’ll make sure you’re safe while I’m gone.”

She nods, her expression shifting to one of concern. “What if something happens?”

“I have guards stationed outside the penthouse. You’ll be safe here,” I assure her, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

I dress quickly, my mind already shifting to the tasks ahead. Before I leave, I turn back to her, cupping her face in my hands. “Take care, Malyshka,” I murmur, brushing my lips against hers in a tender goodbye kiss.

As I head out, a thought lingers in my mind. Does she truly want this? The connection we’re building, the bond forming between us—or is she just playing the part, caught up in the circumstances we’ve been thrust into? It’s a question that will take time to answer, but for now, all I can do is protect her and hope that, in time, she’ll come to see this as something more than just an arrangement.

***

The office hums with activity, the usual bustle of my men handling the day-to-day operations of our empire. Yet, despite the constant flow of work, my mind keeps drifting back to Violet. I can’t shake the images of our wedding night—the way she looked, her fiery spirit, the unexpected tenderness that passed between us.

I run a hand through my hair, trying to focus on the reports in front of me. Numbers, deals, logistics—none of it seems to hold my attention the way thoughts of Violet do. The memory of her touch, her scent, the way her eyes flashed with defiance and passion, it’s all-consuming.

The door to my office opens, and Dimitri walks in, a serious expression on his face. He holds a folder in his hand, which he sets down on the desk in front of me. “Kirill, I’ve been looking into who could be targeting Violet,” he says, his tone grim. “I think we have a lead.”

I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms. “Go on.”

Dimitri opens the folder and pulls out a picture, placing it in front of me. The image shows Joe Harrison, Violet’s uncle, in an empty alley, handing over money to a group of men. The scene looks shady, like a secret transaction.

“It’s most likely him,” Dimitri continues. “Joe Harrison. He wants Jeff’s wealth for himself. He didn’t allow Violet to become the chairperson after Jeff’s death and took the role instead. Let’s not forget, he didn’t even come to your wedding. He was strongly opposed to Violet marrying into the Bratva. Why? Because he knew she would gain power.”

I study the picture, my mind racing. Joe Harrison. It makes sense, but the audacity of it still surprises me. “He’s been planning this for a while,” I say, more to myself than to Dimitri. “If he’s behind the threats, he’s willing to do anything to secure his position.”

Dimitri nods. “Exactly. He knows that with you by her side, Violet would become untouchable. He can’t allow that. His opposition to the marriage was more than just about family honor—it was about maintaining control.”

I feel a surge of anger at the thought of Joe manipulating Violet, using threats and fear to keep her in line. “So, what do we do?” I ask, my voice hard.

“We need to confront him,” Dimitri says firmly. “We can’t do it directly. Not yet. We need more evidence, something irrefutable that ties him to the threats. This picture is a start, but we need more.”

I nod, my mind already strategizing. “We’ll put more eyes on him. Follow his movements, track his communications. I want to know everything he’s doing, who he’s meeting, and what he’s planning.”

Dimitri smiles, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. “Already on it. Our men are tailing him as we speak. We’ll have a full report soon.”

I stand up, pacing the length of my office. The thought of Violet in danger because of her own uncle fills me with a protective rage. “What about Violet?” I ask, stopping to look at Dimitri. “Does she know any of this?”

Dimitri shakes his head. “You’d know more than me, Boss. We need to be sure before we tell her. She’s already under enough stress. Adding this without solid proof would only make things worse.”

I nod, agreeing with his assessment. “Keep her safe. Double the guards if you have to. I don’t want anything happening to her.”

“Understood,” Dimitri says. “Kirill, we need to tread carefully. If Joe gets wind that we’re onto him, he might escalate. We need to be subtle.”

“I know,” I reply, my mind already working through the possibilities. “He won’t get away with this. Not if I have anything to say about it.”

Dimitri’s phone buzzes, and he glances at the screen. “It’s one of our men. I need to take this.”

I wave him off, my thoughts still on Violet and the danger she’s in. As Dimitri steps out to take the call, I sit back down, the weight of the situation pressing down on me.

Dimitri returns a few minutes later, his expression grim. “Our man followed Joe to another meeting. Nothing we didn’t already know, he couldn’t get close enough to hear much.”

I huff. “Then what use are they?”

“It doesn’t matter. It all adds up, Kirill. Joe is orchestrating this.”

I nod, feeling a cold determination settle over me. “Then we proceed with caution. Gather all the evidence we can. When the time is right, we’ll confront him. Until then, we stay vigilant.”

Dimitri leans forward, his eyes sharp with focus. “Understood. We’ll keep tracking Joe’s activities. Our men will follow his every move, document every meeting, and record every transaction. We’ll get the proof we need.”

“Don’t let him harm a hair on her head. Got it?”

Dimitri nods, his expression mirroring my own resolve. “Got it.”

Dimitri stands, straightening his jacket. “I’ll keep you updated with any new developments. We’ll find out the truth soon enough.”

I rise from my chair, meeting his gaze with unwavering determination. “Violet’s safety is our top priority. We can’t afford any mistakes. Make sure the guards are on high alert, and double-check all our security measures.”

“Consider it done,” Dimitri replies, his tone resolute. “She’ll be safe, Kirill. I’ll make sure of it.”

As Dimitri turns to leave, I feel a surge of gratitude for his loyalty and competence. He’s been my right hand for years, and I trust him implicitly. With him on this, I know we have the best chance of keeping Violet safe and exposing Joe’s treachery.

Before he reaches the door, I call out, “Dimitri.”

He stops and turns back to me, waiting for my next instruction.

“Keep a close eye on Violet too,” I say, my voice softer but no less determined. “She’s strong, but she’s also vulnerable. She needs to know that she can rely on us, even if she doesn’t want to admit it. She won’t speak to me, but maybe you can get her to open up.”

Dimitri nods, understanding the unspoken layers of my request. “I’ll make sure she’s protected, Kirill. You have my word.”

With that, he leaves the room, and I’m left alone with my thoughts. The stakes have never been higher. Joe’s ambition threatens not just Violet’s inheritance but her very life. The thought of her being in danger fuels my resolve even further.

I walk over to the window, staring out at the city below. The world continues to move, oblivious to the silent war being waged in the shadows. I am acutely aware of the dangers lurking, and I won’t rest until Violet is safe and Joe’s treachery is exposed.

As I stand by the window, contemplating my responsibilities, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see Violet’s name on the screen. A mix of curiosity and concern washes over me as I answer the call.

“Violet,” I say, trying to keep my tone neutral. “Is everything alright?”

“I need to talk to you,” she says, her voice carrying a hint of urgency. “When are you coming home?”

Her question catches me off guard. She usually keeps her distance, maintaining a cold but polite facade. “I’m not sure. It’s going to be a late night. Can’t we talk tomorrow?”

There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and I can almost hear her weighing her words. “No, it’s important. I really need to talk to you tonight.”

I sigh, a mix of frustration and worry building within me. “Can’t you just tell me now? What’s so urgent that it can’t wait until tomorrow?”

“It’s better if we talk in person,” she insists, her tone firm.

A flicker of irritation sparks in me. I’m used to people obeying my commands, not pushing back. “Violet, I’m very busy right now. If this isn’t an emergency, it can wait.”

“It’s important,” she repeats, not backing down. “Please, Kirill.”

The use of my name, the plea in her voice, it all chips away at my resolve. impatience presses down on me, making me snap. “Damn it, Violet! I don’t have time for this right now!”

There’s a moment of stunned silence on the other end, and I feel a pang of guilt—a new and unwelcome sensation. I’m not accustomed to feeling remorse for my outbursts, but something about her vulnerability, her insistence, makes me feel it.

“Fine,” I say, my tone still harsh but softened by a trace of guilt. “I’ll come home as soon as I can, but it might be late.”

“Thank you,” she replies quietly, and I can hear the strain in her voice. “I’ll be waiting.”

She hangs up, and I’m left staring at my phone, the residual anger mingling with guilt. I don’t like feeling out of control, and Violet has a way of pushing my buttons like no one else. I shake my head, trying to focus on the tasks at hand, but her voice lingers in my mind.

As I return to my desk, the conversation settles over me. What could be so important that she needs to talk to me tonight? The possibilities swirl in my mind, each more troubling than the last. Despite my irritation, I can’t ignore the feeling that something significant is brewing.

I try to refocus on the plans Dimitri and I have laid out, but it’s no use. My thoughts keep drifting back to Violet, to the urgency in her voice. The mix of anger and guilt gnaws at me, making it difficult to concentrate.

I stand up and start pacing the room. I’ve faced countless threats, navigated treacherous alliances, but dealing with Violet feels different.

Finally, as the hour grows late, I decide I’ve done all I can for the day. I inform Dimitri of my departure and gather my things, my mind still preoccupied with Violet’s call. As I head out of the office, I can’t shake the feeling that tonight’s conversation will be a turning point—one that could change everything.

The drive home is filled with a tension I can’t quite place. As much as I try to focus on the road, my thoughts keep drifting back to her. What does she need to tell me? Why did it sound so important?

When I finally pull up to the penthouse, I steel myself for whatever awaits inside. I’m determined to keep my composure, to not let my frustration get the best of me. As I step into the elevator and press the button for our floor, I can’t help but feel unease in the pit of my stomach.