Page 56 of Captured By the Bratva

There’s a slow, mocking clap that echoes through the room. Caleb steps out from the shadows, a grin spreading across his face. “Bravo, Joe. You figured it all out.”

My heart sinks, and I feel a cold dread spreading through my veins. “Caleb…?”

Caleb’s grin widens, his eyes gleaming with a malicious light. “Yes, Violet. I’m the one who went inside that night. I’m the one who killed Jeff.”

The room falls into stunned silence. I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Caleb, who has been like a brother to me, who I trusted implicitly—he’s the one behind all of this?

“I wanted to get rid of the Harrisons one by one,” Caleb continues, his tone dripping with contempt. “But now, I can do it all at once.”

As if on cue, men step out from the shadows, all armed with guns. There must be almost twenty of them, surrounding us, their expressions cold and menacing. How did they get in here without us noticing?

Kirill moves to step in front of me, his body tense, ready to protect me.

Caleb just laughs, a cruel, mocking sound. “Oh, Kirill. Always the protector. You’re outnumbered and outgunned. You can’t save her.”

I can feel the tears streaming down my face, the betrayal cutting deeper than any knife. “Why, Caleb? Why would you do this?”

Caleb’s grin falters for a moment, but then he shrugs. “Why not? Power, money, control. Your father was in the way, and so were you. You were too stupid to see it, Violet. You trusted me, and now you’re going to pay for that mistake.”

Joe looks devastated, his eyes filled with sorrow and guilt. “Caleb, you don’t have to do this. We can work something out.”

Caleb’s face hardens. “No, Joe. It’s too late for that. You figured it out, and now I have no choice but to eliminate all of you.”

The room is charged with tension, everyone on edge. I can feel Kirill’s body coiled like a spring beside me, ready to strike at any moment. But the odds are against us, and the danger is very real.

Caleb steps closer, his eyes locking on to mine.

I can barely breathe, the fear and betrayal choking me. I look at Caleb, my heart breaking, and find my voice. “You were like family to me, Caleb. How could you?”

The men surrounding us are a mix of hardened thugs, their faces cold and expressionless. Each one of them holds a gun, aimed directly at us. The metallic glint of their weapons catches the dim light, making my heart race even faster. I can feel the panic rising in my chest, my breaths coming in short, shallow gasps.

Dimitri and Kirill have their guns drawn, their eyes darting around the room, assessing the situation. But there are too many of them, and we are vastly outnumbered. Just then, a group of Kirill’s men rush in, their weapons ready, but they pause when they see the overwhelming number of guns aimed at Kirill and me.

“Stand down!” Kirill commands, his voice steady but filled with a dangerous edge. “I won’t have Violet or anyone else harmed on my account.”

Caleb’s smug grin widens, clearly thinking he’s won. “That’s right, Kirill. You know when you’re beaten.” He turns his gaze back to me, his expression almost mocking. “Violet, come stand beside me. I’ll tell you everything. You’ve earned that much.”

“No!” Kirill barks, his voice sharp and commanding. “Don’t move, Violet.”

I look at Kirill, my eyes pleading for understanding. “I have to,” I say softly, my voice trembling. “If I don’t, he’ll shoot. I won’t let that happen.”

Reluctantly, apologetically, I step away from Kirill and move towards Caleb. Every step feels like a betrayal, but I know it’s the only way to keep Kirill and the others safe. I stand beside Caleb, feeling his cold, triumphant gaze on me.

“There we go,” Caleb says, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “See, Violet? This is where you belong. By my side.”

Kirill’s jaw clenches, his eyes filled with fury and helplessness. He can’t make a move without risking my life and the lives of everyone in the room.

Caleb’s men keep their guns trained on us, their expressions unchanging, their fingers resting on the triggers. The tension in the room is palpable, every second stretching out into an eternity.

“You’re smart, Violet,” Caleb continues, his voice smooth and condescending. “I’ll give you that. You’ve figured out a lot. But there’s so much more you don’t know. Now, you’ll hear it all from me.”

I feel a shiver run down my spine, my heart pounding in my chest. I glance back at Kirill, silently apologizing for the position I’ve put us all in. I know that Caleb’s words are just the beginning of a twisted game, one where he holds all the cards.

Kirill’s eyes narrow as he raises his gun, aiming it directly at Caleb. “I’ll shoot you right here, Caleb,” he growls, his voice deadly calm. “What makes you think I won’t?”

Caleb’s grin doesn’t falter. “What would you do then, Kirill? You’re outnumbered, and even you can’t do shit now.”

The armed men surrounding us are like a suffocating presence. My heart races, my body trembling as I stand beside Caleb, feeling the weight of my decision. I glance at Kirill, his fury barely contained, and I see the helplessness in his eyes.

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