Chapter 18
Belle's POV
If I wasn't so embarrassed, I would totally laugh out loud because his grandmother looked so horrified, I feel like all the blood flushed away from her face as she ran like hell towards our direction with arms stretched forward, ready to scoop the boy from my thigh. There are men following the woman from behind with the same facial expression. It looks so funny even Dimitri and the rest of the boys have a questionable reaction. They just tilted their head to one side as they are trying to figure out what on earth is happening.
"Yum Yum!" Said the child, and I can honestly feel his tiny little wet tongue on my skin.
"And the gangster pheromone victimized another poor soul once again." Said Amy out of nowhere. She looked so stunning with her glittery red dress. She stood there, arms intertwined in front of her and just looks at me just like Nikolai's other men.
Nikolai stood beside me with his cane in his other hand. "Is this boy--?"
"Yes this is him Nikolai." I replied without letting him finish his question.
"This Irish boy sure does move fast." Alexei said as he squats to look at the kid.
The grandmother of Jacob apologized like there's no tomorrow. It turns out, Jacob is the grandson of the Irish Mob Boss, who's in alliance with Nikolai as well. They smuggle guns from Moscow to Ireland. The Russian Mafia supplies them with the guns, and Andrey the brother of Yuri facilitates the business in Moscow. No wonder why the boy also wears a cute little gold bowtie.
When they were able to remove the boy from my thigh, he cried like there's no tomorrow causing a scene in the whole Ballroom. So I took him from his grandmother and held him in my arms. The naughty little boy wrapped his arms around my neck like he doesn't want to let go. I just brushed his back with my palm and swung him lightly. Just a few minutes and he's out, sleeping like an angel with tiny little devil horns. My goodness.
The Irish Mob boss and the boy's uncle apologized to me and Nikolai for the little rascal's behavior. Nikolai told them that this is not the first time that the boy did this to me. The Irish looked even more horrified. They explained that the boy is usually mischievous but not to this extent. They were surprised themselves by how the boy acted.
I was about to go back to the sofa but I was halted when I heard my name once again from a vaguely familiar voice. "Belle? I knew it was you! Why you ain't playing ball with us no more?"
It's Matty and his gang of baseball boys. They are wearing tuxedos all dapper and formal with that all too familiar New Yorker swag. They are wearing blue pocket squares which means they are part of a crime family in alliance with the Cabana Cartel. What are these kids even doing here? These are my baseball buddies back at the brownstone New York, my old apartment.
"Kids? What are you doing here?" I asked, all puzzled and confused. They attempted to get in behind the velvet rope but Boris and Dimitri already stopped them. "No, it's okay. I know them. They are my friends. Please let them in, Dimi, Boris." Dimitri and Boris looked at me all puzzled but they let the boys in any way.
They all huddled and hugged me like they actually missed me. My heart instantly melted. I remember playing baseball with these boys on several occasions with Sawyer and I actually had so much fun. They were my friends when I was still new to the place.
"I told ya I'm not a kid anymore Belle!" Matty said, adjusting his bow tie, looking a little embarrassed. "So Volkov is ya man? Dope." He added while looking at Nikolai and making the peace sign close to his heart, the back of his hand facing us.
"Mad respect Bro, you got our main girl right here." Said the other kid in eyeglasses, I already forgot his name. Now that I got a closer look at them, I think they have grown taller in just a few months' time. Everyone from the Russian Mafia looks so amused with how sure these kids are with themselves. Even Nikolai and Alexei have smiles plastered on their faces.
"Uhm well, what are you boys doing here?" I asked as I am really curious what crime family they belong to.
"My pops run some business in Brooklyn. Henry's pops run some business with Ax-you know our man Axel. And Aki and Yuki's pops run some Japanese ramen shop." He said jokingly, teasing the two other boys. "I kid, they part of the Yakuza but they have business with Ax as well."
As they reveal their real backgrounds I feel like a lump in my throat is slowly forming. Yikes. I have been playing with the kids of some serious Gangster families and I did not have a single clue about it. Is the gangster pheromone really true?
"Hey, we gotta dash but if you need anything, we're here for you. We got you, Belle." Says Matty as he points his wrist for a fist bump. I gave them all fist bumps before they went their way.
"Alright, that's enough visitors for tonight. We are closing shop." Says Alexei as he scoops me and placed me beside Nikolai who just took his meds administered by Amy. Thank goodness my best friend is here.
Nikolai then signaled the other boys to guard the entrance to our area and to close the velvet rope separating us from the crowd.
"I swear I'm gonna fucking shoot whoever even think of crossing that rope and lick or touch you again." Nikolai said and I'm not sure if he is being serious or not.
"Nikolai, those are just kids." I retorted.
He just drinks his scotch while his brother is talking to someone on the phone. "It's about time." Alexei said. He then stood up and palmed my face and kissed me on my lips. "I'll be back princess. Lay low on attracting too many criminals will you?" He said teasingly. God, why is this man so gorgeous and sweet at the same time?
"Can't promise." I winked at him.
The party is just beginning but I feel like I could not last the whole night if I'm this stressed out. I usually don't get this tired easily but perhaps my pregnancy is taking a toll on me. Amy got me water and some food and a banana which somehow made me feel better. She then went back to the Albanian Mob's side to join her brother.
I propped my back on my husband's side and placed my head on his shoulder. He then wrapped his arm around my back and rested his hand on my abdomen.
"After this meeting, we are going back to New York so you can rest. Amy told me that you can't be this stressed out. I'm sorry baby." He said so sweet and gentle. He then rubs my abdomen and kisses my hair "No Nikolai, you don't have to apologize. As your wife, it is my job to support you and your brother. We are family. And the family got each other's backs. These two little Volkovs inside me are with you and Alexei. We are here, cheering for you."
"You are perfect, my beautiful Queen. I don't know what I will do without you." Nikolai whispered in my ear.
"You and your brother will always have me. We are team Volkov forever and ever. Oooh-did you hear that? The twins said, go poppa! Someday we're going to be just like you!" I said while mimicking a small voice.
His embrace got even tighter this time. He breathes deep and I know that he is very excited to see his twins. He wanted to have a baby since the beginning of our relationship and now he's expecting not only one but two tiny Volkovs. I too am beyond excited. These babies were made out of love. And they will grow up in a family full of love and affection. I am sure of that.
"I better watch my back though. I have seen how that licker kid was aiming for you at such a young age. I can't believe he got to your second base twice! Goddammit! I might have to demolish the Irish Mob this early. What do you think?" Nikolai said teasingly. This actually made me giggle.
As the band continues to play some amazing Spanish songs, people are making way to clear the center of the ballroom and went to their respective crime families.
When everyone was able to settle down, Alexei casually entered the ballroom with the wolves, Petrushka and Valkyre. The two magnificent creatures are walking on both sides, high and mighty. Their silky-soft greyish white fur and those piercing grey eyes are such a marvel to see. It's like they exude the exact same charm of the Volkov Brothers of the Russian Mafia.
Looking around, I can see that the women are already under the spell of Alexei Viktor Volkov. I even received a message from Amy.
I Hot damn! Conglomerate panties are dropping tonight B! You better put that man on a leash. I
I replied.
I know A. He's too friggin attractive and he's mine. Gah!I
Amy replied back:
I A moment of silence for all the soaked vaginas tonight.]
I just giggled at her naughtiness. She looks at me from the other side of the rope while smiling like an idiot. I just shook my head.
The wolves went to me and Nikolai then settled on Nikolai's front and left sides as Alexei went back sitting beside me.
This time, the next person who entered the Ballroom had a huge tiger on a leash with him. The tiger roared so loud it made the people gasp in both awe and fear and then a round of applause followed. The man momentarily waved at the people around and then proceeded to the area next to us, the De Alba's. I'm assuming that this is Axel De Alba, the big boss of the Cabana Cartel.
However, my heart skipped a beat when I got a clearer view of Axel De Alba himself. He sat on his chair, just like Nikolai's, looked in our direction, and then winks at me mischievously.
At this point, I swallowed the lump in my throat as I kinda have an idea what will happen next.00000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐