Phone conversation between Nikolai and the General.
Nikolai: Papa
General Galves: Nikolai, do I have to ask you why New York City is in total chaos right now because of a purportedly terrorist bombing attack?
Nikolai: Pa, your daughter did not give me any choice. She and my babies are the reason why this life is worth living for. I am not just going to give up without fighting to save our marriage, even if she has given up on me.
General Galves: Now we are stranded in the airport and I have no doubt that you already know that I have relieved our security details after we boarded the plane.
Nikolai: I have sent an advance party and they are on their way to your location as we speak. Dimitri is in charge. He will stay with you until I arrive there. I’m on my way.
General Galves: I thought you’re sick?
Nikolai: I am just probably- sick in the head Papa. You’re daughter ticks off a lot of buttons in my head I never knew existed.
General Galves: You know Nikolai, when a man tells me that he’s sick in the head, I tend to believe him. But don’t blame that on my daughter. You are sick in the head, period.
Nikolai: (snickered) (short silence) Pa, how is she?
General Galves: (Looks back towards Belle and sees how mad Belle is. She’s fisting her hands, red as a tomato, fuming in anger.) She’s calm. I’m sure she wants to see you right now.
After his conversation with his father-in-law, Nikolai buttons his cufflinks as he thinks of his next plan to get Belle back. He adjusts his tie and jacket in place and then kisses his brother’s forehead, “She’s definitely crazy mad right now brother. I hope she doesn’t hurt her hand after smashing it to my face. I won’t be here to see you back to the mansion but I promise to bring her home tonight. Open your eyes when you can. Do it for me, for Belle and the twins. Okay? We will be waiting for you.”
He signals the hospital staff that it’s okay to move his brother to the other bed to start his transfer from the hospital back to the Volkov Mansion. Nikolai is certain that Alexei prefers it this way.
–
Belle’s POV
My heart is pounding inside my ribcage. I just saw Dimitri talking to my father and he looks like he’s staying or waiting for someone. Alexei’s men are here and they are now surrounding the lounge area as if something will happen to us.
I really have a bad feeling about this. So I confided with Amy to eves drop to their conversation. She’s now on her way back to me like something urgent is happening.
“What A?”
“Omg B! Nikolai is coming. He’s coming to fetch us.”
Oh my goodness. So it was really him who caused this. Now it makes me think that he was awake when I came to visit them in the hospital to say my goodbyes.
For some reason, part of me feels relieved because now at least I know he’s fine. A huge part of me however, feels terrified. Yes I want to punch him in the face but not now! Maybe later or some other time. Right now, I don’t want to see him! I am not ready to see him.
“A. You need to help me. Where’s Devon?”
“He left to arrange our return to the embassy. Dimitri was insisting that we are all gonna go to the Volkov mansion, they are just waiting for Nikolai to arrive but your Papa did not agree. The General wants to go back to the embassy.”
“We will not go back to the embassy. That’s not going to happen. When Nikolai says something we can be sure as frigging hell he’s going to do it. No matter what or who he is dealing with.”
“Hmm. I doubt that B. The General’s decision will prevail. Wanna bet?”
“I don’t have time for that right now. I don’t want to see Nikolai A!”
She looks around in defeat. “Uhm, B. In case you haven’t noticed. We are surrounded by the Russians. Your womb has two half Russians. We have nowhere to go to escape these damn Russian men.”
Well, I can. And I will not be forced into this situation. “Get your things. We are leaving A.”
“Ooooh. Like a true mafia wife.” Amy said with beaming pride.
“Correction! Soon to be EX mafia wife.”
“Yas! So how are we gonna do this?”
I hushed her and went in my parent’s direction. “Mama, Papa I am tired, can we go back to the embassy now? Are you okay to leave now Pa?”
“Baby Madame, you are not safe without a security detail.”
“I’m not talking to you Dimitri.” I darted him a sharp look but he just shakes his head as if telling me not to do it.
It’s a good thing that his phone rang and so I took the chance to signal Amy, Papa and Mama to come with me to leave.
For some unexpected reason, Dimitri who often doesn’t accept no for an answer did not even attempt to follow us. He just stood there arrogantly while adjusting his tie with this evil smirk on his face.
I’m already dialing Dylan’s number as we walk towards the exit of the lounge area when my heart started to bang in my chest. As if being under a spell, everyone’s attention is now focused on someone scarily familiar entering the VIP lounge.
His piercing green eyes connected to mine and in an instant caused chills to run down my spine. His tattoos and that damn wolf head appear very prominently, complementing his white shirt inside a vest and a black jacket.
What in the world is this devil doing here when just a while ago he was passed out in the hospital? He looks so serious, I involuntarily stepped back as if some kind of a survival reflex.
“Oh my God! Mr. Lucifer Volkov is here.” Said Amy. I know it’s bad when I can actually sense fear in her voice.
Nikolai halted a few steps from me as if inspecting every inch of my body. I got so conscious I had to cradle my pregnant belly in utter embarrassment. Like, can you please not do that Nikolai? You’re getting so much unnecessary attention.
The man hasn’t spoken a single word and yet everyone around him is already under his spell. The Volkov effect.
I had to force myself to disconnect from his stare and walk away but it instantly became a futile act. My body swung as he pulls me to his side and then wraps his other hand over my back to put me in a tight embrace.
At this point, the world around us seemed to stop moving. Everything stood still. Nikolai holds me so firmly to his chest that for a few moments my body did not have much of a choice but to give in. It doesn’t help that he smells so damn good that when I close my eyes, I feel like I am in our room in the mansion, just snuggling with him and Alexei by the fireplace.
At this point, the warmth of his body against mine have completely put my guard down. He holds me around the back of my neck gently to force me to look him straight into those dark green eyes. With his thick Russian accent, he spoke the words that were coming from his wicked heart, “Baby, please come home. Alexei and I are waiting for you. Come home.”