Her Volkovs #Book 1

Belle's POV

"What do you think you're doing here at this time princess?"

I turned around and I see Alexei, his hands are in his pockets, he's wearing a black suit and looks all too dapper.

"You always attract trouble don't you?" He said while looking down at me with a smug face.

I rolled my eyes at him in response. I know too well he's going to give me a sermon again.

"Huh! You act like my father. I had the situation handled. You didn't have to but in!" I said arrogantly.

Truth be told, I feared for my life. Against three men, I doubt if I would even have a chance.

Alexei snorted. "Clearly you had the situation under control. Okay, so enlighten me. What are you going to do with those thugs who might have guns with them?"

"Enlighten you? Who am I, Buddha?" I really don't know how to answer Alexei's question. He knows very well I cant.

"Haha. Smartmouth. Let's go."

He then grabs my hand and drags me with him.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting you home and safe. The Boss got worried when he was not able to reach you after your last conversation on the phone. He sent me to find out what happened. And he's right. You clearly are in trouble AGAIN." He faced me sternly emphasizing the last word.

I was not able to say a word to Alexei. I just let him drag me. I was exhausted and my legs are tired. And I hate to say this but he's right, again.

"My brother had to deal with some business. We can't afford to let this one pass because this might blow over us." Alexei explained and he looks serious.

We arrived home and my eyes widened when I saw my door. It's broken.

"What the hell? What happened to my door?"

He ignores me and continued to drag me inside.

"I did that. We cant reach you on your phone. When I came here, the light is on but nobody's answering. I went to your neighbor and he said that you already went back to your apartment." Geez this man is paranoid.

"But my door." I made a sad face.

"We'll have it fixed tomorrow. Sit."

My lips parted in disbelief. Is this man serious? Normally I would stand my ground but not this time. I obliged. I'm too exhausted to argue with Alexei and I feel lightheaded.

"Eat. Volkov said you were supposed to have dinner together. He can't come but you must eat."

I just stare at the food in front of me. Alexei lets out a sigh of frustration.

"Look, whether you like it or not you're part of the Boss' life now."

Huh? What in the world is this man talking about?

"You're kidding me right? Your Boss and I have just met."

"Sure but I believe he has already laid a claim on you."

I snorted in disbelief. Is this man being serious right now? Claim me?

"First of all, I am not a property to be claimed. And second of all, let me humor you and say that your Boss stood me up on our dinner. Sending a proxy on a date is quite the very opposite of claiming." "Something came up that is why Volkov cant make it tonight. He will explain it to you when he gets back. He specifically told me to take charge tonight and make sure that you're not in trouble again."

I rolled my eyes at him and decided not to push any further. I'm too exhausted and famished to even argue anymore.

I inhaled and sighed in defeat. "Eat with me Alexei?"

"Whoow whoow, I will have my head in the stake if Volkov finds out. Although I can't blame you, I know I'm attractive and all but you're the most off-limits woman in the whole of New York right now. People should know better."

"What?" I swear I'm going to choke this man to death.

"You asked me to eat you." He answered.

At this point, I laughed like a crazy hyena. "I said eat WITH me. Not eat me, silly!"

"There you go, that beautiful smile is back."

I hit him with a piece of bread but he just caught it and put it straight to his mouth. I just shook my head in amusement.

"Okay so tell me more about Nikolai."

Suddenly the smile on his face dissipated. "Nikolai was born in Russia. He did not know his mother because his father took him from her when he was a baby. And the old man made sure that Nikolai did not have any connection with her. Eventually, his father met someone here. They had a baby when Nikolai was about three years old. Her name was Yelena."

"Nikolai was molded by his father to become like him. He was his only son and heir to a growing empire that the old man built. His father was a ruthless man. He taught Nikolai everything. Nikolai on the other hand looked up to his father with admiration. His father died when my brother was twenty one. He was devastated when his father died but he did not have much time to grieve, he knew that he had to continue the legacy of his father at a very young age. He knows that his father's enemies are just prowling around waiting for the Volkov empire to crumble down. At a young age, he was left with an enormous responsibility and huge shoes to fill in. At that point, Nikolai became known in our world as VOLKOV, the only son of Vyacheslav Roustam Volkov, both respected and feared."

I was still processing everything that Alexei said. "What do you mean your world? Are you talking about Volkov Holdings?"

"Princess, there are truths in life that are better told by the right person. I have already shared too much. Perhaps in the future, you can ask Volkov yourself."

"What

Yelena? Nikolai's half-sister? Where is she?"

"She died two years ago. Nikolai felt responsible for her death. She was his only family left. He thinks it's his fault that she died. The media and the police think it was an accident." "What do you mean?"

"We believe it was a hit. Same as what happened to Vyacheslav and my father."

The questions in my mind keep on piling. I'm more confused and curious now. "You mean they were murdered?"

"We believe so. Let Volkov tell you the whole story himself in time."

Alexei's right. Maybe in time. All I know is that Nikolai is hurting. I decided to let it go.

"How about you Alexei. How did you and Nikolai know each other?

"My father was Vyacheslav's right hand. He was the only person whom Vyacheslav would trust with his life. My father died together with Vyacheslav. Nikolai and I grew up together. Were like brothers. I trust Nikolai with my life same as Nikolai trusts me with his."

My perception of Alexei somehow changed. I suddenly feel bad for being bitchy to him.

"Uhm, Alexei..." I hugged him tightly. "Thank you."

"Thank you for what princess?"

"Thank you for being with Nikolai all these years and for saving me a while ago from those men."

"No problem. And since you somehow have an idea about who Nikolai is, you must understand that you are part of his life now. And he will be protective of you, perhaps overprotective. I have never seen him like this before. To be honest, your effect on him is quite scary."

"What do you mean scary?"

"Let me put it this way. When Nikolai puts his head into something, the man becomes relentless. This time it's different, with you, it involves the heart. I can't even start to imagine what Nikolai is capable of. I have seen him lost it when his father died and again two years ago when Yelena died. All hell broke loose. Before you came into his life, the organization was the only thing that keeps him alive but now he has found another purpose and it's you. Just give him a chance. I can see that you got it bad as well princess."

I stood up and placed my plate in the sink, I know that Alexei will see the truth in my eyes. Am I really in love with Nikolai? I remember his touch and his kisses. Deep inside me wishes what Alexei said is true. I try to change the subject. "Uhm how old are you Alexei?"

"I'm twenty eight, Nikolai is three months older than me."

"Oh."

"By the way, you're not sleeping here since your door is destroyed."

"Hum I wonder why?" I retorted sarcastically. Alexei just smiled.

"I'll have this fixed tomorrow, meanwhile you have to come with me, your room is ready at Nikolai's."

I suddenly panicked. At Nikolai's house? Is he kidding me? No way!

"Uhhh well don't bother, I can sleep upstairs. There would be no problem, I'd be safe there."

"You mean with Sawyer? I wonder how Volkov would react if he knows that Sawyer is in fact in college and not just a little boy?"

"Who said Sawyer is a little boy? You mean Nikolai thought that Sawyer was a kid? I did not lead him to believe that. He just assumed. And besides, Sawyer is like a brother to me.

Alexei snorted "Is there a brother who refers to his sister as his girlfriend?"

"What?!"

"Yeah, that's right. Your little brother has a crush on you princess. And he was highly territorial about it." Alexei snorted. "He's lucky he's on a wheelchair, I would have punched him in the face to put some sense on him."

"Alexei, I swear if anything happens to him I would hate you or anyone who would hurt him forever! You don't know what he is going through right now."

"Well?"

"Well what?!" I'm confused. And I'm really tired both physically and mentally. I did not argue with Alexei anymore. We went to Nikolai's house after I took a shower. He brought me inside a huge room on the second floor adorned mostly with brown and black leather furniture. The room looks simple yet elegant. The floor is made of shiny wood and right in the middle is a king-size bed covered with white pillows and a combination of white and dark green sheets with gold monogram V embossed on them.

After what has happened today, this bed is a nice consolation. I quickly took off my bra. Uggghh that feels so damn good. No bra day should be everyday. I turned off the lamp to my right and just a few minutes past I drifted off to sleep.0000