Page 53 of Captured By the Bratva

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.”

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