Belle’s POV
We are at an exclusive club, apparently for the super-rich of New York City. That is why it was no surprise that when we arrived there we saw Artan and Axel De Alba having dinner with their men and some ladies who look like supermodels. We just went past them as they were a little far from the part of the club where we are being escorted.
Seeing Artan with another woman however, makes me feel weird inside. Yes, I want him to move on and find a nice woman who can take care of him and Aria but at the same time and for some selfish reason, I don’t.
I do not like what I am feeling right now. So I just focused my attention back on Nikolai and Alexei. I held hands with Alexei while Nikolai is talking to some men who came over from the other lounge table. When we arrived in the club, I could really tell that most if not all know Nikolai as they would glance innocuously, pretending to not care. Exactly how powerful and influential Nikolai is in mainstream New York still amazes me. He has managed to be on top of his game in being the Mafia Boss and by owning legitimate businesses at the same time, of course with the help of his ever-supportive brother.
“Sit on my lap.” Whispered Alexei while tapping his thigh twice. I obliged and sat on his lap. He wraps his arms around my waist as he squishes me tighter to him.
“You should not have gone to the boathouse.” He said. I know he will start lecturing me again so I covered his mouth and rained kisses on his cheeks, it made the man chuckle. I do not want to talk about the boathouse as it will just lead to us talking about Yuri.
“Mr. Volkov, reserve your energy for tonight. Don’t waste it into lecturing me okay?” I said teasingly.
“I always have energy for fucking. It just comes naturally by being with you.” He retorted.
I just shook my head at him. “I love you Alexei.”
“I love you too my princess, my wife.” He said with a certain sparkle in his eyes when he calls me his wife.
The food is about to be served and I can actually smell it. Steak baby! I feel like I’m in heaven. After so many days of being deprived of meat, this would be a nice cap for the night. I asked Alexei if I could sit back on my seat. The man allowed me to but not without him smoothly groping my ass first.
The food was placed on the table buffet style but at the same time, each of the men gets to have a huge chunk of steak on individual plates. While I wait for my food, I unintentionally glanced in Artan’s direction. This time the lady is pouring a glass of liquor into the man’s glass. Well, that’s counter-productive. I have been preventing that man from drinking too much but this bitch just does the opposite. I decided to message Artan.
[ That would be enough liquor for tonight Artan. ]
He saw the message but then he did not even bother to reply. He just placed the phone back on the table, glanced at me momentarily and then focused his attention back on the people on their table. How insolent.
He downed his glass on more time and then let the lady pour him another one. I shoot him a look as he sports this stupid smirk on his face. Now he’s taunting me.
[ Fine, Artan. If this is what you want, suit yourself. This is the last time you are going to hear from me. ]
I hit send, placed my phone on the table and removed his conglomerate ring from my finger. I asked Boris to deliver the ring to their table. I don’t want anything to do with it anymore. If my words don’t mean anything to him, I might as well remove myself from his life for good. I will just take care of Aria myself if that stubborn man dies.
Matushka insisted that it would be for the better if I still wear Artan’s and Axel’s rings especially now that we are at war with the German mob. The Conglomerate rule says that I am basically untouchable as I am not only considered the Russian Boss’ wife but also the Albanian’s and the Boss of the Cabana Cartel’s wife, essentially. This means that if anything happens to me because of the mob war, Axel and Artan now has the right to meddle as it is considered an attack against their organizations as well. To me, it is an unfair rule, especially in our case. I was the one who declared the war but the only people who are in danger right now are my family.
Still, having this rule does not immune me from attacks from people outside the Conglomerate, hence the overprotective stance of Nikolai and Alexei over me.
I almost ran out of patience waiting for my food when the last plate to arrive is mine. Oh my goodness why? Green leafy vegetables. It’s a friggin’ plate full of leaves. They all get to eat steak while I get a salad? Are they being serious right now?
“Bon Apettit Madame Volkov.” Says the server.
Bon Apettit your face, mister!
I swear I am one kale away from a meltdown. I want to cry. Like the open mouth ugly cry. I could already feel my tears threatening to fall. Pregnant hormones please be more patient.
To add to my utter annoyance, I can see Artan walking in our direction and he doesn’t look like he’s happy at all. His jaw is tight and I can tell that he is pissed.
Alexei just went to the privy and Nikolai is busy talking to a certain senator. So I decided to turn towards my husband to elude confrontation with Artan. But then I was halted when he got a hold of my waist and pulled me back towards his direction, albeit gently.
“You’re taking away my only chance to protect you just because of one drink?” He whispered. He unbuttoned his jacket and sat beside me, taking over Alexei’s seat. I looked away as he was about to kiss me on my hair. “You returned my ring but not Axel De Alba’s?” He continued as if he got affected by the fact that I gave back his ring but not Axel’s.
“Just go back to that woman Artan. She can obviously give what you want.”
I meant the liquor, but then it did not sound right when I said it. And I am not about to justify what I meant because I would just sound so defensive or maybe even –jealous.
He had a puzzled look on his face at first and then an arrogant smirk followed. He sat more comfortably on the chair, rested his thigh over the other. The side of his index finger is on his lips as if thinking. I just took my plate and ate my salad begrudgingly without even waiting for the other boys to come settle.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing. I am just having a great night.” He replied. He then took my hand and forced his ring back around my finger. “That would be my last drink for tonight, okay? Are we good?”
I did not answer.
“Baby–” He continued.
“Fine. We’re good.” I retorted.
—-
Scene of the Anonymous Call
Nikolai got a call from an anonymous number. He answered it and excused himself from the person he was talking to.
Nikolai: Da.
Anonymous: As I live and breathe, Nikolai son of Vyacheslav Volkov.
Nikolai: (Stayed silent)
Anonymous: Aren’t you gonna ask who I am Volkov?
Nikolai: My bad. Who the fuck is this?
Anonymous: (Laughs) Like father like son, I see. Let me give you one piece of unsolicited advice. From the man who put a bullet through Vyacheslav’s and Viktor’s skull, I am absolutely certain you would want to hear this?
Nikolai: (Recognizes the thick Russian accent and the reference to his father’s death.)
Anonymous: Now that I have your full attention-
Nikolai: Do you think you can play this game for long Sergey?
Anonymous: You had your people scour Boston and New York to find me. Your fake mother tortured Yrina and is now hunting down my wife. Your brother who is sick in the head beat to the pulp and decapitated every Yvanislov he can find. And now you sent your assassin to kill all of my sons—what’s left of my blood.
Nikolai: It’s good that you are counting and keeping tabs. I hope you enjoy burying each one of them -or shall I say, what’s left of them?
Anonymous: (Silence as Nikolai obviously got into the man’s head)
Nikolai: (Snorts) You are a dead man Sergey. It’s just a matter of time. You started this with my father but I will be the one to finish this with you—down to the last member of your family.
Anonymous: If you kill Yrina, I have got nothing to lose. A man who’s got nothing to lose is someone you should not be messing around. I hope for your sake, your father taught you that.
Nikolai: My Father taught me so many things, fortunately for you, you are on the receiving end of the most part of it.
Anonymous: Careful boy, you have a lot of enemies who are all willing to help me pin you down. And they are closer than you think. You kill my daughter, everything you hold dearly will tip off one by one like dominoes.
Nikolai: Pray that I don’t find you first.
Anonymous: I don’t make it a habit to pray Volkov. But the people in my church think that I am a good person and I don’t want to disappoint them so I prepared something for you if you don’t mind. Consider this as my wedding gift to your brother who just married your wife. (laughs) How fucked up is that?
Nikolai: (Looks at Belle who is now eating her salad)
Anonymous: Aww isn’t she a delicate flower? Who would have thought finding Volkov’s Achilles heel would be this easy?
Nikolai’s heart skipped a beat when he sees his wife struggle to breathe. She held her neck as she slowly runs out of breath. Her chest is heaving, her body is all flushed and her lips start to turn purple.