Kidnapped by the Bratva (Sharov Bratva #5)

Chapter Four - Sophia

I toss another dress into my suitcase, balancing my phone between my ear and shoulder as Jennifer’s voice fills the room. She’s been going on about our weekend getaway to Greece for the past twenty minutes, and I can’t help but smile at how excited she is.

“I’m telling you, Sophia, this trip is exactly what you need. Sun, beaches, and maybe a little something extra.” Her voice drops suggestively, and I roll my eyes, knowing exactly where this conversation is headed.

“Jennifer,” I chuckle, pulling a few more items out of my closet. “It’s a trip to relax, not to—”

“Not to what ? Get down and dirty?” she interrupts, laughing. “Come on, girl. You’ve been waiting for the right guy for, like, forever. Don’t you think it’s time to just… have a little fun?”

I smirk, shaking my head at her bluntness. “Maybe,” I say, a little teasingly. “Waiting for the right guy is just taking too long, anyway.”

“Exactly! Greece is the perfect place for a little fling. Who knows? You might meet some sexy Greek god who’ll make you forget all about waiting for Mr. Perfect.”

I can hear the grin in her voice, and it’s infectious. “Yeah, right,” I laugh. “We’ll see. I’ll probably end up just sunbathing the whole time.”

“Uh-huh, sure,” Jennifer teases. “I’m serious, though, Sophia. You deserve to let loose for once. I mean, when’s the last time you did anything remotely reckless?”

I open my mouth to respond, but before I can say anything, there’s a soft knock on the door. I glance up as the housemaid, Anna, enters, her eyes landing on the open suitcase with a concerned look.

“Hold on a sec,” I tell Jennifer, pulling the phone away from my ear. “What’s wrong, Anna?”

Anna hesitates, her hands clasped nervously in front of her apron. “Miss Preston, what is all this?” she asks, gesturing toward the suitcase. “Are you going somewhere?”

I smile, waving off her concern. “Yeah, I’m going on a trip to Greece this weekend with Jennifer.”

Anna’s lips press into a thin line, and she clears her throat before speaking again. “Mr. Preston wanted me to let you know that you should keep your schedule clear for this coming weekend.”

I raise an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Why, what’s going on?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Anna replies, her voice careful. “I believe it’s related to the Millers. Mr. Preston mentioned that you’d be meeting Jackson Miller over the weekend.”

My stomach drops at her words, and I feel my jaw slacken in disbelief. Meeting Jackson Miller? There’s only one reason why my father would set up a meeting like this, and the realization hits me like a ton of bricks.

“Wait,” I say, feeling the beginnings of panic stir in my chest. “Is my father setting me up with Jackson Miller?”

Anna gives me a sympathetic look, clearly uncomfortable. “I don’t know the details, Miss, but… it sounds that way.”

I stand there, frozen for a moment, my mind spinning as the weight of it settles in. A date with Jackson Miller; the guy who couldn’t keep his eyes off my chest the entire time we talked at that wedding? No. There’s no way this is happening.

“I’ll… I’ll be right down,” I mumble to Anna, turning away from the suitcase and bringing the phone back to my ear. “Jennifer?”

“What’s up?” she asks, clearly not expecting the serious tone in my voice.

“I think my dad is setting me up with Jackson Miller.”

There’s a pause on the other end before Jennifer’s voice comes back, sharp and concerned. “Wait, what… the guy from the wedding?”

“Yeah, him,” I reply, pacing the room now, feeling the frustration building inside me. “Apparently, I’m meeting him this weekend instead of going to Greece.”

“Oh, hell no,” Jennifer exclaims. “Sophia, you can’t let this happen. That guy’s a total slimeball! Does your dad even know what he’s like?”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “He probably does. You know how these things go. It’s about business, not personalities. I’m just… I don’t know what to do.”

Jennifer is silent for a moment before she speaks again, her voice softer. “Soph, you can’t just let them push you into this. You deserve better than Jackson freaking Miller.”

I nod, even though she can’t see me, the weight of the situation sinking in further. “I know. I just… I don’t know how to stop it without causing a huge fight with my dad.”

“Then fight,” Jennifer says firmly. “You can’t marry someone like that. I mean, are we still in the Dark Ages? He can’t tell you who to date.”

I let out a weak laugh, though it feels forced. “Apparently, he can.”

As much as I want to run away to Greece and forget all about this, I know I can’t. My father is stubborn, and once he sets his mind to something, it’s almost impossible to change it. I also can’t imagine spending my life with someone like Jackson Miller. The thought alone makes my skin crawl.

“I’ll figure something out,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “I’ll talk to my dad. See if there’s a way out of this.”

“You better,” Jennifer replies, her tone lightening slightly. “If he won’t budge, you’re running away with me to Greece. We’ll figure out the details later.”

I smile at her persistence, but the knot of anxiety in my chest remains. “Deal,” I say, though I know that running away is a last resort.

After hanging up, I stand in the middle of my room, staring at the half-packed suitcase. The excitement for the trip has evaporated, replaced by the dread of what’s to come. My father may have given me freedom in some aspects of my life, but when it comes to business and family alliances, his will is iron.

I glance at the dress I was going to wear in Greece, now folded neatly in the suitcase. It was supposed to be a weekend of freedom, a chance to escape from everything. Now, it feels like I’m walking into a trap.

I close my suitcase with a sharp snap, frustration bubbling up inside me as I think about the weekend that’s slipping through my fingers. My phone is still warm from my conversation with Jennifer, but now, all I feel is a growing dread. As I stand there, trying to figure out my next move, a knock on my bedroom door makes me turn.

It’s Anna, her expression anxious as she steps inside. “Miss Preston, you need to come downstairs. Your father is asking for you urgently.”

My heart drops further, a sinking feeling already telling me this isn’t going to be good. “Now…?” I ask, my voice tight. “Did he say what it’s about?”

Anna shakes her head, worry creasing her brow. “I believe it’s about your meeting with the Millers.”

Without another word, I grab my phone and follow Anna down the hallway, my mind racing with every step. I can hear voices filtering up from the living room, and as we approach, I catch a glimpse of my father, Kace, sitting on one of the leather couches, a smile plastered across his face. His eyes are bright, almost pleased, and my stomach twists at the sight. Something is definitely wrong.

“Dad?” I call out, stepping into the room.

Kace’s smile widens when he sees me, and he motions for me to join him. “Sophia, come sit with me.”

I remain standing, arms crossed, my heart pounding in my chest. “I don’t want to go on a date with Jackson Miller.”

The words spill out before I can stop them, my frustration leaking through. I don’t care if I’m being blunt—he needs to know how I feel about this.

Kace’s smile falters for a brief second, but he recovers quickly, his expression softening as though I’m a child having a tantrum. “Sophia, Jackson is a fine man. A perfect match for you.” He says it so calmly, so matter-of-fact, that I almost want to scream.

A perfect match for me ? He barely knows Jackson, and I know even less about him—except that he’s sleazy and only interested in what he can gain from this arrangement.

I narrow my eyes, refusing to sit. “This isn’t about me, Dad. You’re doing this for business, not because you think he’s a good match for me.”

His face remains smooth, but there’s a flicker of something in his eyes—annoyance, maybe. “We’ve always done things this way, Sophia. Family first. Jackson comes from a good background, and his family’s business will benefit us. You should think of it as securing your future.”

My pulse quickens. More like securing his business deals. My father has always been shrewd when it comes to power and alliances, but forcing me into a relationship with someone like Jackson? It feels like I’m just another part of his empire, a pawn he’s willing to use to his advantage.

He leans back, his hands resting on the arm of the couch as though the conversation is already settled. “In fact,” he says, his voice casual, “I was just discussing wedding plans with Mr. Miller. It’s time to start thinking seriously about this, and you and Jackson should also add your opinions.”

My mouth goes dry, and I stare at him in disbelief. This isn’t just some casual date. He’s planning my future without even consulting me, discussing my marriage with someone I barely know. The idea of being tied to Jackson, of being forced into a life with him, makes me feel trapped, suffocated. I feel the walls of the room closing in around me.

“You can’t be serious,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “A wedding?”

Kace looks at me, his smile fading, replaced by a calm, businesslike expression. “It’s the next logical step, Sophia. We’ve been talking about this for months, and the time has come to solidify the arrangement. You should be happy—it’s a good match.”

I feel my heart sinking deeper. I want to scream, to protest, but what good will it do? My father isn’t the kind of man who listens to emotions. He operates on logic, deals, and power. In his mind, he’s giving me the best opportunity possible, tying me to a wealthy, powerful family. He’s not thinking about what I want. He never has.

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to speak. “What’s going on, Dad, why now?”

He meets my gaze, his expression softening once again, though I can see the steely resolve beneath it. “Because it’s time, Sophia. You’re not a little girl anymore. You’ve been patient, and now it’s time to secure your future. This is how it’s done in our world. You know that.”

I shake my head, not trusting myself to speak. The weight of his words presses down on me like a stone, and I can feel the fight draining from me. How am I supposed to argue with him when I know he won’t change his mind? He’s already made up his mind, already set the wheels in motion.

My father stands, walking toward me with that same reassuring smile. He places a hand on my shoulder, squeezing gently. “You’ll see, Sophia. This is what’s best for you. Trust me.”

I nod slowly, even though every part of me is screaming that this is wrong. He doesn’t understand what this means for me, how much I don’t want this. Arguing with Kace Preston is like talking to a brick wall. The fight drains from me.

Kace takes a deep breath and steps closer to me, his presence looming. His gaze softens, but it’s not the kind of softness that offers comfort. It’s the calculated kind, the type meant to persuade, to make you feel like you’re part of something bigger. Something you can’t refuse.

“When I first saw you, Sophia,” he begins, his voice low but deliberate, “I knew you were going to bring me more than just peace. I saw honor in you. Strength. Fortune.” He pauses, letting the word hang in the air, heavy with implication. “I knew you would be an important part of this family, that you would elevate our name and legacy.”

My throat tightens as his words sink in. I’ve always known, deep down, that this was about more than just family. It was about what I could do for him, what I represented—a daughter who could solidify alliances, strengthen business ties, and secure power. It was never about love or care. It was about what I could bring to the table.

Kace places a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm but not harsh. He speaks with the same quiet authority that has always made me feel small in his presence. “You were meant for this. To bring honor to our name. To give me the peace I’ve sought for so long. It’s your duty, Sophia. It always has been.”

My chest feels tight, like I can’t breathe. There’s so much I want to say, a thousand words caught in my throat, but none of them come out. I stand there, my lips pressed together, my eyes stinging as the weight of his expectations crushes me. I want to scream at him, to tell him that I’m not some pawn he can use to broker deals or elevate his name. I want to tell him that I’m his daughter , not some bargaining chip.

I don’t.

I can’t.

I stand frozen, the fight draining out of me, my heart twisting with hurt. Kace’s words echo in my mind, and it feels like he’s already decided my fate. Like my life was always going to be this—serving his ambitions, fulfilling his plans, and sacrificing any hope I had for a future that I could choose for myself.

He gives me a small, satisfied smile, clearly pleased with his speech. “It’s time to embrace what’s meant for you, Sophia. You’ll see. This is the right path.”

I want to scream that it’s not. That it’s anything but the right path. Instead I just nod, my lips pressed into a thin line as the tears threaten to spill over.

“I need to go,” I say quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I need to… get ready.”

Kace steps back, his hand falling away from my shoulder. “Of course,” he says, his tone businesslike again. “I appreciate your understanding, Sophia.”

I don’t reply. I turn away, my heart pounding in my chest as I make my way back up the stairs, each step heavier than the last. The hallway feels endless, and by the time I reach my room, I can barely hold it together. The second the door clicks shut behind me, I press my back against it and close my eyes, feeling the sting of tears burn behind my eyelids.

Fortune. Honor. Duty. That’s all I am to him. Not his daughter. Not someone he cares about or loves. Just a tool.

I sink down onto the bed, burying my face in my hands as the tears finally come. Silent, bitter tears of frustration and hurt. I’ve been so careful all these years, trying to play the role he wanted me to, trying to find some semblance of love or warmth in our relationship. But now I see it for what it really is.

He never saw me as a daughter. He saw me as an asset.

I wipe my tears with the back of my hand, feeling the hollow ache settle in my chest. It’s like everything I thought I knew is unraveling in front of me. All those years of wondering why he accepted me so easily, why he took me in without hesitation, suddenly make sense. He didn’t bring me into his life out of love or responsibility—he did it because I was valuable to him. A way to build alliances. A way to grow his empire.

I glance at the mirror across the room, catching my reflection. My face is red, my eyes puffy, and my heart feels like it’s breaking. This isn’t the life I wanted. This isn’t the future I dreamed of.

I wanted love. Real love. A marriage built on something other than power and duty. That’s not what I’ll get. Not with Jackson Miller. Not with the life my father has mapped out for me.

I push myself off the bed, walking toward the window. The sun is setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the estate. It looks peaceful, almost beautiful, but all I feel is the weight of the cage around me. A cage made of expectations, obligations, and duty.

I place my hand against the cool glass, wishing there was some way out of this. Wishing I could find the strength to fight back. What would that even look like—running away, defying my own father?

I don’t know. And that uncertainty terrifies me more than anything.

All I know is that I can’t stay here much longer, trapped in a future I never chose.