Her Volkovs #Book 4
Chapter 12

Belle's POV

"Did we ever make you feel like those things that you said?" Alexei asked, taking my hand, holding it tight, and connecting the back of my hand to his lips.

Of course not, they never made me feel that way. But maybe I'm feeling this way because of my bottled up frustration over my so-called 'wedding'.

"I'm just saying. You don't even have rings on your fingers or anything to show that both of you are mine! That you are not available anymore because you are wed to me. These women just throw themselves at you because they are thinking that they can still bed the bachelor Volkov brothers of the Russian Mafia." I continued.

"Baby...I'm sorry okay? I can order new rings from the jeweler? Or maybe you want to go shopping for the rings later? Alexei and I will come with." Nikolai said as he grabs me by my waist with both of his hands.

"No it's fine. I'm sorry. I'll just go to the privy. Excuse me." I said, partly ashamed of myself for the meltdown and partly pissed that they think it's just about the ring. It's more than that.

"No one is leaving this table until we are finished talking about what you just said." Says Nikolai in a commanding voice, as if he's just talking to one of his men.

"I am your wife, not one of your men Nikolai."

"Damn right you're my wife! That's why you get to do things to me I normally would not let pass like shooting me, drugging me with a wrong fucking pill, and don't ever think I already forgot that you once clocked me in the head, I got stitches from it!" He answered in all conviction while pointing at his upper brow. "Who does that to Volkov? No one but you, my beautiful stubborn and moody wife."

Nope. Stop it Belle. Don't give in. Hold your ground. Stop recalling those terrible things you did to him that almost cost his life a couple of times.

I smack him on his shoulder as hard as I can and walked away because I'm on the verge of getting mad and giving in at the same time. Goddammit!

The night when Belle got away from Alexei in the pool and snuggled in bed with Nikolai until she fell asleep in his arms, soaking wet.

Alexei: (holding the pool chair to cover his crotch) I can't believe she just left me in the pool alone and naked.

Nikolai: She's shaking, she really thought you're mad at her.

Alexei: (Alexei puts down the chair and snuggled with Belle on the other side of the bed, kissing her nape and hair) She's hard to get mad at. She's my angel.

Nikolai: What did you say happened in the restaurant?

Alexei: It's Clara. I'll take care of it. I'll just shower.

When Alexei got out of the shower he saw Nikolai already waiting for him. He's wearing jeans, a white shirt, and a leather jacket. He's standing while using his cane as support. Yuri is also in the room, talking to Nikolai.

Yuri: The SUVs are ready. Boris will stay here to watch over Madame.

The boys went to the villa of one of the gangs aligned with the Cabana Cartel. Yuri and Dimitri together with five of their men took their guns out casually as they walk towards the entrance. This took the men guarding the villa by surprise.

Alexei went inside the house and took the Boss of the gang out of his room to the living room. He looks dazed out and still wearing his boxers. Alexei made him sit down while pointing a gun at his head. The wife of the Boss was begging for the Russian Mafia to let them go while Dimitri is forcing her to sit on the other chair. Yuri has Clara in his arms, manhandling her while pointing a gun at her head as well. As the whole villa comes down to the knees of the Russian Mafia, Nikolai majestically walks inside the house albeit limply. His cane making a thudding sound as he nears them. He slowly appears from the darkness and carefully sat down on the chair right across from the Boss of the other gang.

The fear on the faces of Clara and her mother were indescribable. It's as if they just saw the most horrifying sight in front of them and that they expected this to happen.

Oswald: What are you doing here Volkov? This is against the conglomerate rules. You cant do this! You know that! (Looking unfazed.)

Nikolai nods at Yuri as if signaling something. Yuri then grabs Clara and made her kneel in front of Nikolai.

Alexei gave his other gun to his brother. Nikolai then grabs Clara's hair whilst inserting the nozzle of the gun inside her mouth. Clara was screeching in fear and begging on Nikolai.

Nikolai: (Calm while sporting a sinister smile on his face) Mrs. Gustaf, why don't you tell your husband what your sweet sweet daughter did to my wife in the restaurant? I'm guessing she confided with you? Dimitri pointed the gun closer to the wife's head which made her flinch, her chest is heaving in shock. The woman told her husband what Clara did to Belle which changed his mood in an instant. They started arguing which irritated Nikolai even more.

Nikolai: Oswald, tsk tsk tsk. Spare me the fuckery of your family. I'm not interested.

Oswald: My stepdaughter is a fool for doing that to your wife but you still can't do this! The conglomerate will deal with this and not you!

Nikolai: Do I look like I fucking care Oswald? You should be thankful I paid you a visit myself. I just did you a huge favor. If I take this to a vote tomorrow night, you and your gang will not be able to see the light of day in the conglomerate, I assure you that. (Nikolai's attention is now focused on Clara whose tears are flowing down her face) Tomorrow morning, you beg for forgiveness from my wife. If she forgives you, you live. If not--

Alexei: (Inserts) I'm gonna fucking kill you myself.

Nikolai: You heard him. You and your friends do not cross my wife ever again or else--

Alexei: (Inserts) I'm gonna fucking kill you and your friends.

Nikolai: Mrs. Gustaf, I expect you and your friends to play nice with my wife tomorrow night in the wives' meeting?

Mrs. Gustaf: Yes. Of -- Of --- (Stutters in fear) Of course Volkov.

Nikolai: Good.

Mrs. Gustaf: But-- I-- I don't know if you know about this b--but some of the older wives are plotting against your wife.

Nikolai was somehow taken aback by this. He knows that the Mafia wives may not be too welcoming according to Matushka but he did not expect them to plot against her. Not when she's carrying the Volkov

name.

Nikolai: What are they plotting against her?

Mrs. Gustaf: All I know is that they are going to put her on the sideline.

Nikolai: That's it? What else? This is not the time to lie to me!

Mrs. Gustaf: I swear to god that's all I know Volkov. If I replace out anything else, I will let you know I promise.

~

Belle's POV

"I'm sorry for what I did to you last night. I was being a bitch. I hope you can forgive me." Says Clara, holding a Mcdonald's take away as a peace offering.

"Okay. Just don't do that again to any other girl. Us women should come together and not fight against each other, don't you think?"

She smiles at me faintly but I don't understand why she's all fidgety and anxious. She looks scared actually. "Are you okay?" I asked.

"Uh yah, of course. I just did not have a good night's sleep. Uh- well, thank you and I'll see you tonight at the ball and the wives' meeting?" "Yah, sure. See you."

Alexei and Nikolai are sitting on separate chairs beside the pool, looking in my direction and smiling like handsome devils. "What did she say?" Asked Alexei.

"She apologized and brought me Mcdonald's." I said, raising the takeaway.

"That's good." Says Nikolai while tapping his lap, gesturing me to sit.

"Wanna talk about what happened this morning?" He says while purposefully touching his mouth with his hand, showing me his ring finger with a shiny diamond band around it. Alexei is also wearing the same ring and holding another one, the female version of their rings, in his other hand. He then puts the ring on my finger and kissed the back of my hand.

"I have already contacted the wedding planner and Matushka is meeting them as we speak. We are going to get married in the presence of our family, the Mafia, the conglomerate, your parents and family from Palawi, and the whole of New York. We are going to exchange our vows without guns or a bleeding priest. I cant wait to see you walk the aisle in your wedding dress as I wait for you at the altar. And in the evening, you and Alexei will wed privately in a solemn ceremony."