Page 20 of Captured By the Bratva

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.

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