Her Volkovs #Book 4
Chapter 21

Belle's POV

The rooftop of the blue sparkling building has two helipads. Each family was escorted one by one to the helicopters that are coming in, in intervals. They are like dragonflies just hovering around the building waiting for the Bosses and the Wives to take off-- one family at a time. I really thought that we are going to hold the Bosses' meeting in this building but apparently, we're about to be transferred to another location only Axel and Nikolai know of.

The Volkov Mafia and Axel De Alba's choppers have already landed. Ours is all white with a gold monogram V below and on the side. It's so white and shiny it really stands out in the night sky. I'm holding my dress together so as not to bear my soul to the world while my ever sweet and loving Alexei is holding the other end of my long dress since it's flying uncontrollably as we approach our helicopter.

When I was able to sit down comfortably, Alexei tightened my seatbelt and made sure it was perfectly intact. "We have men on standby waiting for you in the safe house. We will fetch you after the meeting." At first, I was confused. What safe house? And why fetch? And then it quickly became apparent that my husbands have a different plan when he closed the helicopter's door and signaled the pilot to fly. Nikolai, Alexei, Matushka, and the other men are just looking at me as I was being flown away from them.

I felt so betrayed.

I was so dumb stricken I wasn't able to say a single word. I can see how-of all the helicopters-mine is the only one going in a different direction. Is this how helpless and weak Nikolai and Alexei think of me? That they could not even trust me to handle being a mafia wife?

And they did not even consider that I have acrophobia. I am terrified of heights. If they wanted me gone, they could have just sent me off a car or even a friggin train! I can bear flying via airplane because I don't get to see the height but a helicopter? I can friggin see my death in this glass coffin!

My legs are trembling. I feel so alone and terrified. I want to cry, but then if I cry, I will just prove them right. I swallowed the lump in my throat and held back my tears.

As I try to inhale deep so I can relax and calm myself, I suddenly felt a streak of pain in my abdomen. Oh god. I almost forgot that I am pregnant. My little ones, please give momma some more strength? Your father thinks he's protecting us but he is just making momma get so angry with him instead.

I close my eyes and rub my tummy gently. It's going to be okay. I'm going to be okay. This is just normal pregnancy pain. There's nothing to worry about.

Instead of feeling bad for myself, I must think of a way so that this will not happen again. If I just let this one slide, I would not be able to prove to the people around me, especially my husband that I can manage to be his wife on my own-without his or his brother's help. That I can stand and make decisions for myself. That I deserve to wear Volkov's ring in the wives' meeting. That I'm not just Nikolai Vyacheslav Volkov's little weakly wife.

I dare not look outside the window. My body is still trembling but I need to rise above my phobia if I want to prove a point. Anger starts to simmer inside my heart. I was blindsided by my own family. I took a deep breath and slowly reach for my thigh where the holster of my gun is safely tucked. I unhooked my seatbelt and crawled my way to the back of the pilot. I pointed my gun at him but of course, I made sure it's on safety. I tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

THE BOSSES' MEETING

Drinks are now being served to the Bosses of the Conglomerate. They are smoking and drinking while their right-hand men are standing on the back of the seat of their respective Bosses. Nikolai: Since Yvanislov and all of his family members are formally expelled from the Conglomerate, I propose that an order of termination be meted out against every single member of their family. Any membe of the Conglomerate who conspires collaborates, exchanges correspondence in whatever form with any member of their family thereof shall also be terminated without reprieve. (Nikolai stamps his seal to a piece of paper with the insignia of an order to kill the Yvanislov Family) If there's anyone who objects to this order, I suggest that you place it on the table for deliberation. If there's none, the paper shall be passed on to you for your seal.

Unnamed Boss: What is the pleasure of the Cabana Cartel to this termination order?

(Some Bosses who are aligned to Axel is expecting the Cartel Boss to object to Volkov's proposal as he usually did in the past. When there's objection, the Conglomerate moves to a vote. Nikolai holds the majority of the Bosses' votes while Axel does not)

Axel: I do not see why I should not stamp my seal on this. The Conglomerate will show no mercy to the traitor.

Artan: I second. This should not even be up for deliberation. Is anyone here even thinking of pushing this to a vote?

-silence-

Axel: Very well, consequences in case of breach of this covenant shall be carried out by the full force of the Conglomerate. I shall now put my seal to this order, without reservation.

(Artan and the rest of the Bosses stamped their respective seals to the termination order. The moderatrix of the meeting then placed the paper on fire in the middle of the table. All the Bosses knocked on the table twice as they watch the paper being completely burned)

(As the last item in the organization's agenda has already been dispensed with, the Bosses prepare to witness the wives meeting)

(Axel and his men however were put on alert as they were informed that a helicopter was heading towards their direction and it looked like it's one of the Russian's. Axel instructed his men to tighten the security as the chopper rounds the fort. They went to one of the balconies of the old castle to see if it's really one of Nikolai's helicopters)

Artan: Are you expecting someone Volkov?

Alexei: Not that we know of. Everyone from the Mafia is accounted for on the island, except for the wife. (Dials his phone to confirm if Belle arrived in the safe house)

(Nikolai adjusts his tie as he has an idea who's in the helicopter. He looks at his brother for confirmation but Alexei shook his head. His brother just got off the phone with one of their people in the safe house and they were informed that they are still waiting for her.)

Nikolai: De Alba, tell your men to stand down. It's my wife.

(Belle steps down the helicopter. She looks livid and she's heading straight towards the castle unfazed by the security details)

Axel: (Laughs) Wow. The Mrs. is not joking around.

Artan: I told you it was a bad idea.

Axel: Sucks to be you right now my man.

Nikolai: Nobody touches her. Not even for a security check.

Axel: You know the protocol Volkov.

Alexei: Do you actually think that she is a fucking security threat?

Axel: She once started a mob war.

Nikolai: I said, nobody touches her!

Axel signals one of his people to do the body search on Belle.

Axel: She's one of mine. Don't worry, she will be gentle.