Chapter 35
Chapter 35
NEW YORK
Artan: The Russians are annihilating the Germans. New York underworld is in total chaos and I don't
see this one ending soon.
Axel: It's not good for business but it is what it is. As long as the Conglomerate is standing, we will let
the problem solve itself.
Artan: So, it was Victoria and Sergey Yvanislov all along.
Axel: And someone from the Conglomerate. I will find out soon.
Artan: Otto sent word to you to meet Volkov. Did the Russian wolf listen to you at all?
Axel: (Snorts) Does he ever?
Artan: (Shakes his head.)
Axel: We have got to give it to the man. Just when everyone thought the Russians are no more when
his old man died, the motherfucker kept his house together and proved to everyone he's better than the
old wolf.
Artan: Story of our lives.
Axel: Story of our lives. (Raised his glass for a toast)
The two looked over the New York night skyline in silence. They are standing by as the mob war goes
on between the Russians and the Germans.
Axel: So, Volkov's wife huh?
Artan: (Smiles and drinks his scotch.)
Axel: The woman has got some quick reflexes. I have learned the hard way not to startle her otherwise
you'll be seeing Estrellas flying around your thoughts in no time. (Recalls the time Belle kneed him on
his crotch when he brought her gelato by the pool in Colombia and then how his world turned in slow
motion when he finally stood face to face with her. Her similarity with Yelena is uncanny and yet the
difference is also undeniable.)
Artan: You too?
Axel: What do you mean me too? You mean you saw stars too?
Artan: I saw very bright stars Axel.
(The two shook their heads in disbelief.)
Axel: So the two of you had something going on?
Artan: She's--- my special lady.
Axel: Special like Yelena?
Artan: Yelena and I-it was a mistake. She was upset with Volkov one and two. It was just one drunken
night.
Axel: And yet you have Aria in your life.
Artan: Aria was the best thing that ever happened to me. I was just thankful that Yely did not keep her
from me.
Axel: That's the Yely I know.
Artan: And the Yely you almost married.
Axel: (snorts) Almost.
Artan: You were competing against blood, Axel. You already lost before you even started.
Axel: (shakes his head and then downs his liquor)
-
Safe House
Andrey: Did you finish your mission?
Yuri: You can't ask me questions like that.
Andrey: You may be above me in the organization but I am still your brother. I am here to protect you.
Yuri: Stop acting like you care it doesn't suit you.
Andrey: Yuri, you may find it hard to believe but I am here to make sure you get to live another day
after going against the Boss and Alexei.
Yuri: (snorts) I know why you are here Andrey. You are here because you know that if I get banished
from the Mafia you are next in line. You will take my place in the organization.
Andrey: I am here because if you get banished from the Mafia every single motherfucker who wanted
to kill you will be knocking on your door in no time. As soon as they find out you don't have the wolf's
protection they will come for your head.
Yuri: I know how to deal with the consequences of my actions Andrey, so stop with the act.
Andrey: For a man whom Papa Vyacheslav calls his golden boy, you sure are one hell of a stupid
asshole Yuri. You ruined your future in the Mafia and everything that comes with it just because of a
woman?
Yuri: Tread carefully with your words when you speak of her. You know nothing.
Andrey: Well then tell me brother. Tell me why are you still alive? Why were you not banished? Why did
the Boss and the Underboss kept a blind eye even after what you have done?
Yuri: Get out of my face Andrey. We have a job to do.
Andrey: Hmm. Alright. (Walks away uneasily as if he wants to say something)
(Awkward silence as Andrey gazes at Yuri)
Yuri: What's wrong with you?
Andrey: In the boathouse, Madame Volkov was on your lap, caressing you. You were lapping her skin
and her breasts were pressed against your body. She was all over you and you were all over her like
I'm watching a fucking romantic drama in the movies. All of these are happening right in front of her
husband and the other husband, you know---our BOSSES. I just find it fascinating.
Yuri: Are you done? Did you get it all out of your system? Can we do our fucking jobs now in peace?
Andrey: Well-I'm just wondering---.
Yuri: (Sighs in defeat) I'm done with you! (Gets inside the room where Belle is resting and shuts the
door in front of Andrey)
-
Belle's POV
I covered Nikolai with the duvet we took from the room as he sleeps. The night seems to be so
peaceful and quiet. Alexei and I are by his side as I check my second husband's wound. He got shot
when we were fleeing the scene where the Germans attacked us. And he doesn't look like he's
bothered at all.
"Dr. Marcus said you and your brother should be resting more so your wounds heal faster Alexei." I
said as I snuggle up with him. I inched my nose on his neck and inhaled his scent. My goodness. This
man smells absolutely sexy just like his brother.
"I will rest when I am sure that you are safe and what happened last night never happens again."
"But Alexei, you and Nikolai said that the Russian Mafia has a lot of enemies."
"I guess there's no rest for the wicked." He retorted, satisfied of himself that he referenced a song.
"You're not wicked---maybe Nikolai is, but not you." I whispered to him. A giggle escaped my mouth
and so as Alexei's.
"Princess, you've never seen my wicked side."
"Hmm... perhaps you're right. But no matter, I will still love you 'til the end of time."
"Until the end of time?"
"Yup! And until yours and your brother's balls sag."
"What?" He looks down at me all amused, his eyes are glittering.
"Hehehehe." I giggled. He just doesn't realize how serious I am. I will love them until we grow old. How
old? False teeth falling off from the mouth old. Deaf old. I just could not see myself without them in my
life, like ever.
He pulled me tightly towards him and kissed me on my lips with a smile on his face. "Princess, you are
one weird woman."
Alexei and I talked and made out until we capped our night with sex beside Nikolai and the fireplace.
Alexei took it slow and sensual knowing that I am in a delicate situation. He kissed me all over my body
and made love to me, telling me under his breath that he loves me before the two of us fell asleep.
The next morning I woke up to the smell of pancakes and coffee. I'm covered with the duvet and
surrounded by a couple of soft fur blankets. When I came to my full senses however I realized that the
fur surrounding me is real fur worn by real animals. Petrushka and Valkyre my wolf babies are here.
Petrushka is resting peacefully on my stomach while Valkyre is now licking my face when he realized I
am awake. This instantly made my morning.
I heard Alexei call on Valkyre to stop waking me. The naughty wolf instantly ran towards Alexei while
Petrushka just gazed at Alexei for a moment and then went back resting his head on my stomach.
"Do you think he can hear or feel the babies?" Alexei asked while leaning his chiseled arm by the wall,
he's wearing his white tee and boxer shorts.
"Hmm I think so. Animals have impeccable senses."
Alexei went in my direction and knelt right next to me and kissed me on my lips. "Ya lyublyu tebya." He
whispered.
"Ya lyublyu tebya Alexei."
"I had a blast last night." He said naughtily.
"You sure did." I can feel the heat crawling up my face as I recall that he came twice last night. First all
over my breasts and second was all over my butt cheeks. Yes, it was messy but it was also incredibly
hot and sexy.
"Hahaha let's go. Someone's cooking breakfast." Said Alexei as he mumbled something to Petrushka
so the other wolf removes himself from me.
We walked barefoot towards the kitchen and found Nikolai busy cooking scrambled eggs. He is just
wearing his boxers and nothing else. Oh my goodness. I said it before and I will say it again, the back
is one of the sexiest parts of a man's body.
I went in his direction and slapped his ass. "What's up Boss? How are your eggs this morning?"
A smile instantly formed on his face. "Are you gonna be this naughty for the next seven and a half
months?" He said as he wraps his arms around me and kissed me on my lips. Alexei took over the
cooking as Nikolai places me on the counter to kiss me and my body.
I just giggled as I can actually feel my body flush. "Nikolai you know how to cook eggs?"
"I got a few tips and tricks from my father."
"Really? Papa Vyacheslav knew how to cook?"
"He likes making us breakfast when his time permits and he also hosted bbq parties." Said Alexei while
he transfers the scrambled eggs on our plates.
"Wow, the pa was very handsome, he was the Boss and he knows how to make bbq. I could have
married Papa Vyacheslav instead." I said playfully.
"Matushka will have to weigh in on that one." Alexei retorted. I just giggled at how weird our
conversation took a turn. Nikolai however looked like thoughts are running on his head as if thinking
about what I just said.
"That would make you my stepmother?" Nikolai said. I almost choked on the scrambled eggs I'm
eating.
"Alexei this conversation stays between the three of us, also Nikolai, eww."
"A man can dream." Nikolai continued as if imagining me as his stepmother. Alexei lets out a laugh
seeing his brother fantasize.
I feel like this is the perfect time to tell them about the one thing I've been meaning to say but then their
cellphones rang at the same time. It could be about the mob war. So I opted to hold it in abeyance.
-
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 This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.
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.