Her Volkovs #Book 3
Chapter 17

Artan and Matushka Irene talking beside the swimming pool.

Irene: What was your plan with the newspaper announcement? The way she reacted, she obviously did not have any idea that she's even getting married to you. What's your end plan Artan? Artan: She told me that she's pregnant. I can't stand looking at her like that. She needs someone who will man up and take responsibilty.

Irene: And you just decided to take over her life because you think this is what she wants?

(Irene gestured Artan to look at Belle and Nikolai's direction. Belle has just landed a slap on Nikolai's face)

Artan: Do I have to remind you that Volkov is the very reason why she's in this situation?

Irene: True, but this woudnt have happened if you just minded your own business and not come in between those two. Didnt it cross your mind that you contributed to the pain she's going through? Artan: I wasnt the one who cheated on her. Volkov did. We both know that Yrina Yvanislov is Volkov's fuck buddy.

Irene: That is already behind Nikolai's past. You have your own demons that are now part of your past. So as my son. What's important now is he's trying to fix the mess he's made and I want you to back off. Artan: We should let her decide who she wants to be in her life. I'm not backing off.

Irene: Oh Artan, (palms Artan's face and looked him in his eyes all too proudly) I'm sure Artemis would have been really proud of you had he been alive today. You are one tenacious and fearless man. He has trained and taught you well. But even god himself knew when to rest his case when the time came. And your time has come Artan.

(Artan drank the scotch he's holding all the way down but did not respond to Irene)

Irene: After tonight I cannot promise your safety and the survival of the Albanian Mob. I have done everything I can possibly do to save you from Nikolai. He will have you killed, worst he will kill you himself if you don't back off.

Belle's POV

"If you don't want another slap on your face, you better let go of me at once Nikolai!"

"Slap me all you want Arabella but there's no way in fucking hell that I'm letting you out of my sight!"

Arabella? Really? He's calling me Arabella now?

"Okay then..." I'm already preparing my knees to hit him on his balls. Well somebody's gonna see stars up close tonight.

Just when I was about to do it, he pulled my knee to his side I instantly struggled to stand in one foot. I gasped when all of a sudden he grabbed my other knee as well, forcing me to wrap my arms around his neck so that I will not tumble down.

He grabbed my butt using both of his hands and pulled me up to his torso. My legs are completely spread and clipped to his body. He looked me in the eyes intently and inched his lips to mine. "You, me and our baby are going home. End of."

"Oh so now youre claiming this baby Nikolai? How convenient! Let go of me! Put me down at once!"

My ass is flying in the air as Nikolai manhandles me on his right shoulder.

Slap!

I parted my lips in disbelif, "Did you just slap me? Nikolai! This is abduction. You are holding me against my will!"

Nikolai halted and turned around to face Alexei. "Brother can you see anybody being held against her will?"

"None at all brother." Alexei answered.

I can't believe they are doing this to me again! Argh!

In my udpside down position, I saw Yuri open the door of the SUV for us. Nikolai carefully placed me inside and scooted over to my side. Alexei sat on my other side, effectively sandwiching me in between them.

I pulled my dress down because one more inch and my panties will definitely show. I intertwined my arms under my boobs and squinted my eyes, showing them that I am very upset! Mad even!

Yuri started driving the moment Boris got in and sat on the front passenger seat.

And then there's silence. A long and somber silence.

The only sound I can hear is the beating of my heart. The feeling of Nikolai and Alexei's body against mine is so intense, I could not contain the burst of emotion forming inside my heart. I miss them. I miss them so much.

My tears started to fall. I covered my face with my hands as I silently break down and cry. What has happened to me since the time I arrived in New York came rushing back in my head. Why am I even going through this hell? I know deep in my heart that I don't deserve this.

Nikolai tried to touch me but I could not replace it in my heart to forgive him no matter how much I miss him. What he did to me was beyond forgivable. He lied. Cheated. Had me fired from St Mary. Disowned me and our baby.

I thought love was supposed to be a wonderful and happy experience. I saw that first hand in my own parents. Sure they had problems but I could not recall my mother going through hell like this.

"Don't touch me Nikolai. Never ever touch me again."

He remained silent and did not attempt to touch me.

"I want to go home." I wiped the tears from my eyes as I speak.

"We are going home princess."

"You don't understand. I want to go home to Palawi. To my parents."

"You are not leaving. Not with my baby." Nikolai said firmly.

Another strike of pain hit through my heart. When will this man finally decide to stop hurting me? I hate myself for feeling this way but I would be lying to myself if I wont admit that it hurt me a lot to think that he only wants me to stay because of the baby.

"You cannot stop me if I want to leave. This is my life! This is my child! I don't have to answer to anybody, especially not to you Nikolai. You don't own me."

Nikolai did not answer back but instead ordered something to Yuri in Russian it made the man look to the rear view mirror as if asking his Boss to confirm what he just said. Nikolai almost yelled at Yuri in response, the poor guy did not have a choice but nod and agree to his Boss' order.

Moments later, Alexei and Nikolai are the ones talking to each other in Russian and it looks like Alexei have just lost an argument against Nikolai.

Boris called someone on his phone for a few minutes and then spoke to Nikolai about something.

Our SUV pulled over in front of a church. What are we even doing here? Nikolai stepped down first and reached for me.

"Out." He ordered.

I did not answer him back. I just looked straight ahead and remained in my position. How dare him order me like I'm just one of his men. This man keeps on forgetting that he doesnt own me anymore. "Either you step out of the SUV or I drag you out myself. Your choice Belle."

There's no hint of humour in Nikolai's voice. He looks seriously mad while looking at me like he can actually hurt me.

"No! I want to go back to Amy's!"

He sighed in frustration, impatiently took me from my seat and carried me in his arms going inside the church.

My eyes widened in horror when I saw a priest who is now being forced to wear what they usually wear when there's a church service. One of Nikolai's men is pointing a gun at him and pushing him towards the front of the altar. The priest looked scared to death, I'm afraid he's going to faint any moment soon.

"What are you doing Nikolai?! Why are you doing this?"

Nikolai did not answer. He helped me stand on my feet, took a boquet of flowers from one of his men and forced it to my hand.

Oh my god. I think I already know what's happening.

One of Nikolai's men pushed the gun to the priest's side telling him to start.

"We are now gath- gathered tonight to wit-witness" The priest is shaking and stuttering his words as he continues, "to..to..witness the marriage of Mary Arabella Galves and Nikolai Vyacheslav Volkov."

At this point, I feel like my eyes are being pinched by tiny needles. This is really happening. I am being forced to my own wedding.

A tear fell down my right cheek when I blinked while looking down the floor. This feeling is too familiar. This is exactly what I felt the night when Nikolai took my virginity. I wanted him to take the most precious thing I have been saving but he did it his way. The painful and heart wrenching way. The way that crushed my soul into tiny pieces. The Nikolai way.

The priest was about to read something from the booklet he just opened when all of a sudden, Nikolai impatiently pulled the gun from Yuri and pointed it to the priest's head.

"Cut to the fucking chase - the part where you say that she's mine."

"But that's not how-"

Bang!

My heart jumped from my chest when Nikolai shot the priest on his right leg it instantly paralyzed him.

"The next bullet goes to your head." He said without a hint of remorse in his voice.

There's blood gushing out of the priest's gunshot wound. Boris is now forcing the priest to stand up straight and continue.

I just stood frozen. I feel numb and trapped. This is Nikolai. A ruthless and merciless criminal. A god of his own. The man that I am about to marry.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride." The priest said hurriedly.

"Now I own you."‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒☐☐☐