Nikolai and Alexei had to go back to the city as they have a meeting with Axel and Artan. I got dressed to go to the state fair in town but I had to wait for Andrey to arrive as he is the one in charge of my security while the mob war is going on. I understand why they have to be this thorough. Normally I can just take Ivan and Vasily and several of Alexei’s men with us and occasionally Boris but the circumstances have changed. Mine and my babies’ lives are in danger. What Nikolai and Alexei have been telling me about being the target by their enemies came true the other night. That is why we can never be sure.
I saw two black SUVs pull over the driveway of the rest house. Andrey and some other men got out of the first one. I got in and then the man followed inside putting my seatbelt on. He sat beside me and for some weird reason inspected me from head to foot. I got conscious about it so I covered my legs while giving him the look.
“Relax Madame, I will not make the same mistake as my brother.” He said with such arrogance, the words rolled out of his mouth with ease. Andrey himself looked like he regretted saying it.
The ride on the way to town was peaceful. At the state fair, I was able to buy some vegetables from the farmer’s market and some blueberries for Nikolai and strawberries for Alexei– the usual toppings on their pancakes. There are a lot of people in the state fair mostly are kids and families. Somehow I feel at ease that’s why I was able to go to different stalls and buy food for myself and for my husbands. Someone had to make sure that there are no olives in any of the food I take, it’s time-consuming and a bit annoying, to be honest but I completely understand.
I have to sit down because my legs are giving up on me again. Perhaps more so now because of the weight, I am gaining as my pregnancy progresses. It was bad before and it’s just going to get worse I reckon.
–
Yuri and Andrey
(On a phone call, talking in Russian)
Andrey: (answers his phone) Da’.
Yuri: Get on your knees and massage her legs.
Andrey: (Snorts and looks at the other SUV parked on the street)
Yuri: Why are you smiling like that?
Andrey: Oh, you’re serious?
Yuri: I am not here to play some games Andrey.
Andrey: Fucking shit! Are you trying to get me killed?
Yuri: Listen to me, Belle has a condition with her legs. She can’t do long walks or that happens.
Andrey: Well, have someone else do it because I am not touching this woman.
Yuri: Ivan and Vasily do not have the clearance that you, me, Boris, and Dimitri have.
Andrey: Shit. You know what brother? I am starting to think that coming here for you was a bad idea.
Yuri: Get the small green container from Vasily. It’s in the bag he is holding. Apply the contents of the container on her legs. Do it with just enough pressure from top to bottom. Not too strong because she bruises easily.
Andrey: Great! So if she bruises I’ll have to explain it to Volkov and Alexei. Just great!
Yuri: Do it now Andrey.
–
Belle’s POV
Before we go back to the safe house, we made a final stop at a milkshake stall. It was placed inside a tumbler shaker so that no matter how you shake it, it will not spillover. The seller advertises it by pretending to be handing it over and immediately twisting it back as soon as you attempt to take it. It was cute for the kids but to me, he can actually skip the theatrics and hand me the damn milkshake. My patience is already thinning and so I asked him to give it to me as I was already annoyed.
“Okay okay.” The seller said as if giving up.
“Yup, I would not do that if I were you.” Andrey inserted as if expecting the man to pull back the milkshake again.
I trusted the seller will let it go since there are other people lining up as well to order. I tried to take it from him again but then to my utter disappointment, he lets out this wicked smile and pulled back his hand once again.
And that was the last straw. I climbed up the counter as I was so ready to grab it from him and seriously punch him in his annoying face. “Come here! I will deal with you myself!”
Andrey grabbed me by my waist which made me so angry. “Let go Andrey! I will just teach this man a lesson! I said let go of me!”
“Madame, the Bosses’ are back. They are waiting for you. Let’s go.”
“But my milkshake!”
“Someone’s going to take care of it. Let’s go.” He said as he carries me out of the scene. I looked at the man one more time and gave him the death glare. “I’m going back! And I will find you! You hear me?”
I heard Andrey giggle, breaking the silence inside the SUV as we head back to the safe house.
“It’s not funny.” I said looking at him intently. “Where’s my milkshake?”
“It’s in the SUV tailing us Madame. I told you I’ll take care of it.”
“Hmm. Thank you.”
“You are welcome. But please, don’t hunt down the poor man anymore?”
There’s a few seconds of silence followed by a burst of giggles from Andrey, the other boys in the SUV, and myself. I know it was kind of ridiculous but that was a big deal to me. Food is a big deal to a pregnant woman and I am not about to let that man mess with me and my food.
–
When we arrived at the safe house, I instantly looked for Nikolai and Alexei as I was eager to tell them what I have been trying to say since this morning. Tomorrow is my birthday. I am turning 27 and I am going to celebrate it as Mrs. Volkov to both Nikolai and Alexei.
I know them too well. They will have a surprise or prepare something for my birthday. It will be over the top. My plan is to tell them not to do anything grand and definitely no surprises. Just a simple dinner in the mansion with them and our closest friends, considering the situation at the moment.
I can hear some chatter, perhaps from television in one of the rooms. It is already slightly open so I just took a peek inside. Nikolai and Alexei are both sitting on the couch watching a video using an old movie projector.
It’s a home video of Yelena. Alexei is talking in the background in the video as Yelena walks towards the study of the old house at the brownstone. She was smiling and giggling as she throws Alexei a flying kiss. She then went to Nikolai and sat on his lap, kissing her brother on the cheek at first and then on his lips.