Captured by the Bratva (Sharov Bratva #3)

Chapter Twenty-Four - Kirill

As we step out of the car, the cold night air biting at my skin, I can’t help but feel a surge of annoyance. Bringing Caleb along was not part of my plan, but the stubborn bastard insisted too much, and Violet backed him up. Now, here we are, facing a potentially dangerous situation with an extra variable I didn’t need.

I spot Dimitri waiting for us outside the abandoned building. His silhouette is framed by the dim glow of a nearby streetlight, and the tension in his posture is unmistakable. As we approach, he strides forward to meet us, his face a mask of grim determination.

“Dimitri,” I greet him with a curt nod. “What’s the situation?”

Dimitri glances briefly at Caleb and Violet before turning his full attention to me. “We’ve got Joe inside. He’s been secured, but something feels off.”

I narrow my eyes, my annoyance momentarily forgotten. “Off how?”

Dimitri glances over his shoulder at the building, then back at me. “The way he was captured—it was too easy. No resistance, no backup coming to his aid. It’s almost like he wanted to be caught.”

Caleb, ever the eager interloper, steps forward. “Maybe he knew he couldn’t get away and decided to surrender.”

I shoot him a glare, but Dimitri responds, his voice measured. “Perhaps. It doesn’t add up. Joe isn’t the type to go down without a fight. He’s always been slippery, careful. This feels… orchestrated.”

Violet, standing beside me, looks worried. “What do you mean, Dimitri? Orchestrated how?”

Dimitri sighs, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not sure. Maybe he’s buying time, or maybe there’s something else in play we’re not seeing yet. We’ve got men posted around the perimeter and inside in case he tries anything, but I’ve got him tied pretty tight.”

I nod, processing his words. The sense of unease grows, but I push it aside. “Alright. Let’s go in and see what Joe has to say.”

Caleb, trying to sound authoritative, speaks up again. “If Joe’s playing some kind of game, we need to be ready.”

I can’t hide my irritation any longer. “No shit, Caleb. We’re not amateurs.”

Violet places a hand on my arm, her touch calming. “Let’s focus on Joe. We need to find out what he knows.”

Dimitri nods in agreement. “He’s in one of the back rooms. We’ve got him restrained and under guard. Kirill, be careful. There’s something about this that doesn’t sit right with me.”

I meet Dimitri’s gaze, seeing the concern etched in his features. “I’ll keep that in mind. Let’s move.”

We make our way towards the building, the sounds of our footsteps echoing in the stillness. Dimitri leads the way, his flashlight cutting through the darkness. The building is a maze of corridors and empty rooms, the air thick with the scent of decay and disuse.

As we approach the room where Joe is being held, Dimitri pauses, turning to face us. “Remember, we don’t know what we’re walking into. Stay sharp.”

I nod, my senses on high alert. “Understood.”

Caleb looks like he’s about to say something, but I cut him off with a sharp glance. “No distractions. We need to focus.”

“Fine, fuck. I was just going to say I’d stay by the door.”

I raise a brow. “You won’t come in?”

“If I have to look at Joe, I don’t know what I might do.”

I snort. On that, we agree. “Fine, stay here.”

Dimitri pushes open the door, and we step inside. The room is dimly lit, with Joe sitting in a chair, hands and ankles bound.

Joe’s eyes widen with genuine concern when he sees Violet. “Why are you here, dear?” he asks, his voice trembling slightly.

Violet’s composure wavers, and I can see the tears welling up in her eyes. “Why, Uncle Joe? Why would you do all this; was it just for wealth?”

Joe’s face contorts with what seems like genuine confusion and sorrow. “Violet, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I never wanted to hurt anyone.”

I step forward, my patience wearing thin. “Save it, Joe. We know about your meetings with the gangsters. Start talking, or I’ll make you regret it.”

Violet flinches at my harsh tone, her eyes pleading with me. “Kirill, please. Even if he’s done terrible things, he’s still my uncle.”

I glare at her, my frustration boiling over. “You knew what would happen if you came here, Violet. This is not the time for family sentiments.”

She steps in front of me, her voice rising. “This is about justice, not revenge.”

“Oh please, are you trying to say you don’t want revenge for your dad?”

Her eyes widen, tears pricking the corners. “Kirill!”

Before we can continue, Joe cuts in, his voice bewildered. “Now I may not be in a place to make demands, but could someone tell me what’s going on?”

I turn back to him, my eyes narrowing. “Cut the crap, Joe. How gullible do you think we are?”

Joe’s face pales, his confusion deepening. “Dealings? Betrayals? I… I don’t understand.”

I’m unconvinced, my anger barely contained. “Don’t play dumb with me, Joe. Start talking, or I’ll make you.”

Joe’s eyes dart around the room, settling back on Violet. “Violet, I swear, I didn’t do anything.”

I can see the conflict in Violet’s eyes, the uncertainty that my threats have done little to dispel. She steps back, her expression torn between doubt and hope. “Uncle Joe, if you’re innocent, then explain those meetings.”

Joe looks even more distressed, shaking his head vehemently. “Violet, it’s a misunderstanding. If you would allow me a minute to explain myself—”

“Stop lying, Joe. You’re hiding something, and I’m going to find out what it is.”

I watch him closely, every word he utters feels like a carefully chosen lie. He’s hiding something, either to protect himself or to spare Violet’s feelings. My patience wears thin, and I step forward, my voice cold and demanding.

Joe flinches at my tone but remains silent, his eyes pleading with Violet for understanding. I grit my teeth, the anger bubbling up inside me. “You think you can fool us? You think you can get away with this?”

I grab Joe by the collar, pulling him up from the chair. “Tell us the truth, Joe. Now!”

Violet gasps, stepping forward to hold me back. “Kirill, stop! This isn’t the way.”

I pause, looking into her eyes, but my grip on Joe doesn’t loosen. “He’s lying, Violet. He knows more than he’s telling us.”

Joe’s eyes dart between us, his fear palpable. “Fuck’s sake, let me talk!”

I release him, shoving him back into the chair. “I’ll let you talk when you say what I want to hear.”

Violet looks torn, her eyes filling with tears. “Uncle Joe, if you really don’t know anything, then who does? Who’s behind all this?”

Joe takes a deep breath, his voice trembling. “I don’t know. I’ve been trying to find out myself. I wanted to protect you, Violet, not hurt you. Your father; he passed of a heart attack. That doesn’t strike you as odd?”

I laugh, the sound hollow. “Suspicious, yes. You likely had a hand in it.”

“I didn’t, but—”

My anger flares, and I lean in close, my voice a dangerous whisper. “Shut up.”

Violet steps between us, her hands on my chest, pushing me back gently. “Kirill, please. There has to be another way.”

I look down at her, my frustration and anger battling with the need to protect her. “We don’t have time for games, Violet. We need answers.”

Joe looks up at us, his eyes wide with desperation. “I’ll tell you everything I know, I promise. Just… please, don’t hurt me.”

I take a step back, my fists clenched at my sides. “Start talking, Joe. This better be the truth.”

Joe takes a deep breath, his eyes flickering with a mix of fear and resignation. “Jeff did not die of a heart attack,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “It was murder.”

Violet’s face drains of color, her eyes widening in shock. “ Murder? ”

What the hell are you talking about, Joe?”

I stand there, my mind reeling. I had suspected foul play, but I always thought Joe was the culprit. The revelation is a twist I hadn’t seen coming. Even Dimitri, who usually remains unflappable, looks taken aback.

The room explodes into chaos. Everyone starts talking at once, voices overlapping in a cacophony of disbelief and anger.

“How could you keep this from us?” Violet cries.

“This changes everything,” I say, my voice cutting through the noise, but no one hears me. I shout louder, my voice booming. “Everyone, shut up and listen!”

The room falls silent, all eyes turning to me. I turn to Joe, my interest piqued. “Joe, you’re saying Jeff was murdered. Explain yourself, and make it good.”

Dimitri reappears at the door, catching the last part of the conversation. “Have you made any progress?”

I nod towards him, a grim expression on my face. “You’ll want to be here for this, Dimitri. Jeff was murdered.”

Dimitri’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise, and he steps fully into the room, closing the door behind him. The tension in the room is palpable as everyone turns their attention back to Joe.

Violet stands beside me, her hands trembling. “Please, Uncle Joe. Tell us the truth.”

Joe looks around, his eyes settling on each of us in turn. He seems to gather himself, preparing to speak, but he waits until he has everyone’s undivided attention. The room is silent, the weight of his next words pressing down on us all.

Violet is on the verge of tears, her body shaking with barely suppressed sobs. “Uncle Joe, please.”

I take a step closer, my voice low and demanding. “Start talking, Joe. We need to know everything.”

Joe swallows hard, looking down at his bound hands before lifting his gaze to meet mine. “Just… give me a moment to gather my thoughts. This is difficult for me too, you know.”

I doubt that very much.

Joe takes a deep breath, looking around the room to make sure everyone is listening. “Jeff supposedly had a heart attack, despite the fact that he was only fifty-eight. He ate healthy, was on no medications, and was in perfect health. Our family has always had a strong constitution, rarely suffering from major illnesses.”

Violet’s eyes widen with disbelief. “He was always so careful about his health.”

Joe nods, his face grim. “Exactly. It didn’t add up. Knowing that Jeff had many enemies, I became suspicious. I started digging, looking into his debts, the people he owed money to, and other potential enemies. I knew I had to find out if there was more to his death.”

Dimitri’s jaw tightens, his anger barely contained. “What did you find, Joe?”

Joe takes another breath, his eyes meeting mine briefly before shifting back to Violet. “I requested an autopsy, even after it was officially deemed a heart attack. I knew it was a long shot, but my hunch was right. The doctor found a drug in Jeff’s system. Digitalis. It mimics heart attack symptoms with a nearly one hundred percent mortality rate.”

The room falls into stunned silence. Violet’s hand flies to her mouth, tears streaming down her face. “Digitalis? I’ve never heard of it.”

Dimitri murmurs, “It’s expensive, and not a lot of people make it these days. Most people can’t get their hands on it.”

Violet sniffles. “So, it was murder. Someone wanted Dad dead and made it look like a natural cause.”

Joe nods solemnly. “Yes, it was murder. Whoever did this knew exactly what they were doing. They wanted to make sure Jeff didn’t survive.”

I feel a cold fury building inside me. “You’re saying someone in his circle, someone with access, poisoned him?”

Joe swallows hard, his eyes reflecting the gravity of his revelation. “Yes.”

I glance at Violet, who’s standing beside me, looking more fragile than ever. “Violet, maybe you shouldn’t be here for this. Digitalis is a dangerous drug, and you shouldn’t have to hear the details of how your father died.”

Joe nods in agreement. “Kirill’s right, Violet. This is hard enough already. You don’t need to hear this.”

Violet shakes her head, her voice firm despite the tears in her eyes. “No, I need to know. I need to hear the rest. Let’s untie Uncle Joe. He’s clearly not a threat.”

We untie Joe, his wrists red from the bindings. He rubs them, looking grateful but exhausted. Caleb remains silent, his eyes fixed on the floor, his jaw clenched.

As Joe settles back into the chair, I keep my gaze on Caleb. He hasn’t said a word since Joe’s revelation, and his silence is unnerving. I don’t trust it. I don’t trust him.

The room is quiet as we prepare to hear the rest of Joe’s story. The truth is out there, lurking just beneath the surface, and we’re on the verge of uncovering it. As we stand here, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to this than we’re seeing.