Chapter 8
Belle's POV
I chose to wear the high waist denim jeans, tight black off-shoulder crop top, and my high heels--which I won't be able to wear these coming months for some obvious and pregnant reasons--that is why I'm going to wear this for as long as I can. I tied my hair into a ponytail and left a few thin strands hanging on both sides of my face.
"I love you so much, Nikolai. We'll be back in a while. I'll bring takeaway." I then moved my husband slowly under the covers and kissed him on his lips before going downstairs.
The men assigned to guard during the night are still awake and alert, scattered around and some are inside the house playing cards.
When they noticed me they instantly halted and said good night to me one by one. The awkward silence continued as I pour water into my glass. To not prolong the agony lingering in the air I tried to drink my water fast.
"Madame, the boss Alexei said he will wait for you in the driveway." One of the men said.
"Oh okay. Thank you. Nikolai is upstairs sleeping. Please don't wake him unless it's an emergency. Your Boss needs all the rest he can get. Yuri is in charge. Also--one of you has two deuces and an ace of diamonds." I said with a straight face. All of them instantly looked at the guy next to me with amused faces as if trying to confirm what I said. The poor man tried to make a poker face at first but eventually gave in. He scratched his head and revealed his card in defeat. The men laughed and the awkwardness in the air was slowly dispelled.
When I went outside, on the driveway I saw Yuri and Alexei who is now trying to wear his black leather gloves. A red huge Ducati bike is being checked by one of the men as Alexei appears to be talking to Yuri. "Hey. Are we riding this tonight? Wow." I asked as my eyes marvel at how beautiful and impressive the red bike looks.
"Indeed, she's beautiful. This is Diana. She's gonna take us wherever you want to go tonight."
I will not say that it was a relief to know that Diana isn't a real person, I just giggle inside. Reminds me so much of Dylan and his car in the garage, Mary.
"You shipped this from New York?" I asked as I run my fingers on its leather seat.
"No. I bought this one here when we arrived. I left Jenny, Laura, Shiela, Michelle, and Christine in New York, couldn't risk seeing them getting scratches on the way here." He answered like his bikes are his rea and serious business. Hmm- men and their toys.
"Oh, so there are a lot of women left in New York. I hope they don't get sad when their Daddy is away." I said teasingly.
Deep inside me is tempted to ask why am I knowing this fact about him just now, but I'm afraid I would be slapped again with 'You are so focused on my brother you did not even bother to ask what my last name is' kind of statements. We've been making significant progress, I don't want to go back to zero with my relationship with Alexei again.
The love of my life wraps his arm around the small of my back and pulled me towards him to kiss. "Say the word Daddy one more time and your sexy ass will immediately go back to our room for some long overdue punishment."
I bit my lower lip as I try so hard to not take him up for his challenge. My stomach is rambling, sexy time can wait.
"Okay Da-- Alexei..." I said, acting innocently.
He chuckles as he places the other helmet on me.
"Yuri, take care of Nikolai please?" I said as I glance in his direction.
"We'll be back in an hour." Alexei says, dismissing Yuri. The man just nods and continues looking at me.
Text message conversation between Nikolai and Alexei when Belle went out of the room while Alexei was preparing Diana.
Alexei: Thanks, brother.
Nikolai: She's in love with you. You have to believe that, brother. In her eyes, we are one.
Alexei: I know, but let me just clarify that women are more attracted to me than they are to you. Technically, they just dig you because you're richer.
Nikolai: Airheaded fuck.
Alexei: *snorts*
Nikolai: Take care of her. Keep a low profile. Were not in our territory, remember that.
Alexei: Sure will. Now go back to sleep. You have a lot of catching up to do.
Belle's POV
Alexei is looking at me with that unbelievably handsome smile on his gorgeous face. I'm munching on a tray of french fries and this huge ass cheeseburger with a special hot sauce. We did not find a Mcdonald's open 24 hours near the Coco Cabana Hotel and Country Club, so Alexei and I went back and settled ourselves in one of the three restaurants/bar in the hotel. It's an open Menu so we can order whatever we want.
Alexei is drinking some vodka while I munch on my food. There are only several people in the restaurant since it's already way past 1 am so I'm kind of not embarrassed to eat anymore. "Enjoying your food?" He says while he's taking a picture of me. I just make the okay sign as my answer.
All of a sudden and to my utter horror, I feel like everything got stuck in my throat and chest, I'm actually choking! Alexei instantly scooted over on my side and made me drink a glass of water. "Are you okay? Take it easy. Damn! Choking on your own food." Alexei said as he adjusts my napkin.
I tap my chest a couple of times in relief. That was close. Alexei on the other hand is already stifling a laugh. I just looked at him sternly.
"Choking on your cock is still better." I retorted.
Alexei's hazel eyes twinkled and his lips parted to what I just said. I myself am surprised by my bluntness. Where in the world did that come from? Freak
"Wow, babe." He said as if waiting for me to say or do something.
"No." I pushed his cheek away as I struggle to keep my embarrassment at bay. "I'm just gonna go to the privy then we go back to the Villa."
Alexei just smiles arrogantly, knowing fully well that I'm just trying to evade the situation that I never meant to put myself into.
Just when I was able to stand, my heart skipped a beat as cold water drenched my chest and all over my stomach. There are also cubes of ice falling down the floor.
"Oooh, Sorry. I did not see you there." Says the woman who is holding an empty glass in her hand. She then looked at the group of women seated in a booth on the back and smiled at them like she's please by what she just did.
At this point, I feel like my body is shaking, and also shivering because of the cold water. I have experienced this kind of situation before. I know this very well. I am so tired of being victimized by these kinds of women! Who the hell do they think they are?
I saw black and just when I was about to reach for a glass of water from our table, Alexei slid his glass full of vodka on the rocks-- towards me. We met eye to eye for a split second and then he nods at me as if supporting whatever the hell I am about to do.
Not a single drop of vodka was left in the glass when I threw it all--not on her chest but on her disrespecting face.
"Oooh, I am so not sorry. Get out of my way or I'll pour another round of Russian Vodka on you and your friends' heads, one by one."
The reaction on the woman's face is indescribable. It's so friggin funny! Her eyes are wide open, mouth wide open and she's now raising her hands in front of her as she's about to jump at me for a catfight. The women from the booth stood up from their seats and wipe their friend's drenched face and hair.
"Princess, let's go?" Says Alexei who is now standing beside me.
"Alex! She did this on purpose! Look what she's done to Clara!" Says the other woman wiping this Clara's dress.
"Alex! The wives of the Conglomerate will not take this blindly!" Says the other one.
Huh, so they know Alexei. That explains the aggression towards me. She or one or any one of them might have been with my boys. I am not surprised.
"Ladies, I have seen what happened. You targeted her. You're lucky she's not shooting her gun at you after that stunt. You honestly don't want to be messing with her and her gun." Alexei answered like a proud daddy.
"Targeted her? We don't even know her!" Clara answered.
"She's my wife and Volkov's wife, she can have all of you banished from the Conglomerate if she wants."
Apparent surprise can be seen on their faces like they can't believe what Alexei just revealed to them.
"As long as my father is a member of the organization, I am entitled to be in the Conglomerate. It's in the rules." Says Clara.
Alexei's lips are pulled to the side while looking at the women as if owning them. "Clara, do not push me or Volkov to do the work because it's going to be ugly. For your sake and your family's sake, you do not do this to her again. You do not disrespect her. You do not touch not even a single strand of her hair." Alexei said with all that arrogant certainty.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐