Her Volkovs #Book 4
Chapter 42

Belle's POV

"I am doing this for the sake of my babies. Nikolai, Alexei and the Russian Mafia are not my concern anymore." I turned my back on him because I know in my heart that Yuri is right. Nikolai and Alexei have the right to know.

"The babies are the Russian Mafia. They are Volkov's flesh and blood." He retorted.

"Before anything and anyone else, they are my babies too! I am their mother! I have to protect them even if that means keeping them away from their own father. I bled and almost lost my babies right in front o your Bosses, Yuri! Why can't you understand that!" I'm already clenching my palm in anger. I wanted to scream at his face for thinking about the Russian Mafia when the lives of my babies are at stake.

"I'm sorry, Belle. You have all the right to feel this way. All I'm asking from you now is to at least consider it. You and the Boss never had the chance to talk after what happened. You are married to both of them. Running away from them, from your marriage will not solve anything."

"Running away from them will save my babies."

"Running away from the Bosses will put you and the babies in far more danger. I told you that the Mafia is imploding. That is the truth. Nikolai and Alexei will self-destruct and along with it, the Volkov Mafia. And when that happens, who do you think our enemies from both outside and inside the Russian community will target?"

I turned my back on him because I somehow know what Yuri is trying to imply. He held my arm and made me face him, "Belle, the only way they can eliminate the Volkov Mafia and take over everything is to get rid of everyone down the Volkov bloodline. Our enemies will hunt the twins down because the Russian Mafia operates that way. Succession to leadership is by blood. Unless someone will take charge in the meantime until the babies will come of age to take over. Until then, it will be a total chaos if anything happens to the Bosses. It will be a hunting spree for the takeover and control of everything the Mafia holds. And the conglomerate can't even save us when the time comes."

"My father will protect me and my babies..."

"Your father is a sickly man Belle. We both know that his heart condition hasn't gotten better."

I feel like every time Yuri reasons out, my back is slowly pushed against the wall like there is nowhere out for me but in the Mafia. He makes it appear like I don't have any other choice but them. This made me feel uneasy in the pit of my stomach. Perhaps because I know that Yuri is just telling the truth and setting out all the possibilities if anything happens to Nikolai and Alexei.

No matter, I can't let them know about the babies. Because if that happens, what's left of my little chance of breaking free from them will disappear into thin air. I know Nikolai will move heaven and earth just to get me and the babies if he replaces out.

So, I stepped towards the door and made sure that Yuri is not able to leave and tell his Bosses that I am still pregnant. I dialed my phone and called Devon. "Don't do this Belle." Said Yuri, his shoulders fell as he hears Devon knock a few seconds later.

When I opened the door, Devon and Papa's men barged into the room and made Yuri kneel on the floor. The man looked unfazed by Devon, instead disappointment and defeat are painted all over his face. I could not stand looking at him like this so I had to look away as he is being restrained by our security. His eyes never disconnected from me until he was brought out of the room with handcuffs around his wrists.

My eyes swelled with tears as I was not able to contain the pain in my heart anymore. I feel like the memories of the betrayal, the heartbreak and the lies that I went through because of my relationship with Nikolai and Alexei came pouring in like a flood of emotion.

Adding to that is the reality of my situation. Nikolai was sent to the hospital because of his stupid heart and that he could possibly be abusing his pain medication. Alexei has been rushed to the hospital because he figured into a racing accident in his bike. That friggin' stupid bike! I know that the man is an adventurous biker but he is not reckless. How could he let this happen to himself? I want them out of my life but I sure don't want them dead! It's as if they don't care whatever happens to them anymore.

'Guilt is a foe no one can ever win. Not even a Volkov', keeps on repeating in my head and haunting my broken soul.

I had to wipe the tears from my eyes as I hear a knock on my door. Amy came with the news about Alexei and Nikolai. Apparently, the little angel Aria was brought to the hospital to see her uncle and Alexei the moment they knew about what happened.

"Alexei's condition is unstable B. He's still unconscious until now and is under observation. Nikolai was given meds so he could rest. Since you left, your husband was on the verge of being a highly functioning alcoholic and a drug addict. When we arrived there, everyone was holding their breaths. There's news going around that if the brothers don't make it, Yuri will take over temporarily but no one knows for how long. And well, your Yuri is confined and held at the basement right now so I don't know how will that work out for the Russian Mafia."

Hearing what happened to the two straight from Amy, my abdomen started to constrict in pain. It's as if the babies know exactly what is happening to their fathers.

"Oh my god. Are you okay B? I am so sorry. Here, lean back...slow and deep breaths.. that's it. It's okay. It's going to be okay."

"Is Alexei going to make it? What do you think A?" I looked at her straight in the eyes. She's a nurse, I reckon she will know if someone is dying or not.

"Of course B. He's going to make it because he's in good hands. Did you know that almost half of the medical staff in the hospital and the best doctors in the country were attending to the Volkov Brothers? So don't worry."

I know Amy too well and I can tell if she's being honest or just trying to make me feel better about the situation. I looked at her sternly as she tries to look away from me.

"A."

She sighed and sat beside me in bed. "B... whatever my opinion is, will not matter because it's up to Alexei now if he still wants to fight for his life or not. He's in critical condition and the next several hours will be crucial if he survives or not."

I feel like my heart is being crushed into tiny pieces. What if Alexei doesn't make it? What if he doesn't want to fight for his life anymore? Did I do this to him?

It's as if Amy knew exactly what I was thinking, she continued, "B, don't you ever think for one second, that this is your fault. Those two are responsible for their actions. They did this to themselves by ruining your marriage."

"Nikolai and Alexei think that I had a miscarriage. They think that our babies died because of what happened. They are blaming themselves for something that they did not do."

"I know this is a very difficult situation but think about it. If you tell them now, we will not get out of New York, ever. Your husband is the ultra God of the New York underground world B. The General can only do so much here in the US."

"There must be another way. Maybe, I can ask help..." I just have to think of a way that I can tell the truth to Nikolai and Alexei and at the same time leave New York without them knowing.

Amy looks at me like I just said the most ludicrous statement, "B, no one will help us here. Even your other Boss boyfriends Artan and Axel combined will have a hard time dealing with the consequences if Nikolai replaces out that they had a hand in helping you leave. You will cause another mob war and lives will be lost. I mean, do I really need to remind you as to what level of evil your husband is?"

If I did not know any better, I would think that the people around me are so hell bent in making me feel like I have nowhere to go. Regardless, I have already made up my mind. I will leave New York and divorce Nikolai and Alexei and my father and Devon will make that happen for me. I just need to replace a way that in doing so, I don't cause the downfall of the Russian Mafia.

Third Person POV

Dimitri's thoughts came alive like volts of electricity ran through his veins as he receives a text message from Yuri. He is sitting in the waiting area of the hospital along with Matushka, Boris, Andrey and the rest of their security details when he got the notification. The Madame Volkov is in the hospital to see Alexei and Nikolai.

He doesn't know what to say or to think. For one second there, he thought that he's in a deep and hyper-realistic dream. The past few weeks have been hell in the mansion. Being around the Big Boss was like moving in calculated fear. Both the Volkov brothers have become unbearably difficult to be around with. It's as though, one wrong move and everyone is fucking breathing thin air or mostly no air at all. Dimitri knows that Boris and Andrey received the same text message because the two stood up from their seats and alerted their men outside the hospital and the nearby buildings to make sure the safety of the wife.

He decided to let Matushka know about the news but when he came inside the room where the Boss and Underboss are, the Volkov matriarch is already sobbing. She covers her mouth as she cries, in a deep and sorrowful way, her phone is on her lap, looking at the text message sent by Yuri.

"Matushka..."

He knelt in front of her, trying to console the old lady. He doesn't understand why she's crying like it is the end when this should be a good thing. Baby Madame is coming to see her husbands, which to him is a sign that they are going to fix and mend their relationship despite what happened, despite losing their babies.

"They are going to fix this Matushka. The Boss will make this right when he wakes up and Alexei will recover because Madame is here."

Matushka Irene forced a smile and pats Dimitri's face. "Dimi boy, bless your innocence."

He looked her straight in the eyes as if asking as to what she meant. "Your Bosses are going to lose her tonight. This is her, making her peace." Matushka continued.

Dimitri wasn't able to say a word as he tries to process what Matushka said. Andrey called on to him because Belle is already heading towards their floor. They waited at the receiving area, holding their breaths as the elevator dings.

They thought they knew what they were expecting, but nothing prepared them for what appeared right before their eyes the moment the entourage came out of the elevator. It is their Madame Volkov who is very much pregnant. She did not lose the babies.

Matushka looked stunned, her eyes widened in utter shock. Dimitri had to hold her as she was about to break down. Even Boris and Andrey looked like they have seen a ghost in obvious disbelief.

She kept from her husbands that she is still pregnant. His Bosses suffered day and night thinking that they have lost their wife and that they were the reason why they lost the babies. To Dimitri's mind, this changes everything. Madame Volkov should not be given the chance to leave and make her peace bullshit.

As they were about to approach Matushka, Dimitri instantly took the chance to go inside his Bosses' room to wake the Big Boss up.

"The fuck Boss, wake up! This is your chance to get your family together-get her home now! Wake up! She's still pregnant with your babies. Can you hear me? She's here and you can't let her leave anymore. Dammit! Boss, you should see her eyes, they are not sparkling anymore. And her face-she doesn't look like she has smiled for a very long time. Fuck! She doesn't deserve to be sad like that. She's happy with you and Alexei. Make that happen again." Dimitri whispered to him in Russian, while trying to shake him to consciousness.

"Fucking hell Dimitri, you fucking squeal like a girl." Answered Nikolai who is now slowly waking up from sedation.

Dimitri chuckled under his breath as he removes Nikolai's oxygen from his nose. "Good to see you back, Boss. I'm guessing the drug hasn't worn off completely? Did you hear what I said?"

"I heard you just fine."

"Then why don't you look happy?"

Nikolai clenches his jaw as he was about to lose his patience. "Don't worry Dimitri, when I'm completely recovered, you get to test the same drug so you'll know exactly why I don't look happy right now." "Sorry Boss. This night is pretty fucked up, you know."

"Get the doctor and ask him why the fuck is my head spinning like hell."

"Might be a little too late for that." Dimitri said as he sees through the glass that Belle is coming over.

"She mustn't know that I'm awake." Nikolai said closing his eyes once again.

In his mind, the reason why Belle went to the hospital is that she thinks that he and his brother are both unconscious. And that more than him, the very reason why she's here is because of Alexei. He's not about to ruin the chance for his brother to finally feel and hear the voice of the woman that he's in love with. He believes that Belle is Alexei's only cure.

For now, the Boss of the Russian Mafia opted to go against his instincts. His body will always crave for her. His heart will always beat because of her. She will always be the only one who can put him in his place and bring him to his knees. But tonight, he will do anything he can to not ruin the moment for his brother.

In Nikolai's mind, the woman sure knows how to break his heart quite literally. He will not fault her for keeping the truth about her pregnancy from him because he knows that his wife is in the wrong belief that he and his brother are not in love with her but in the likeness of her with his sister.

Nikolai is certain that Belle has not read the letter he sent her. Nevertheless, he is resolved in making things right. He will get his family back together. He will take his wife home--after the fucking drug gets flushed out from his system, he thought.

Belle's POV

I asked Devon to give me privacy so

tushel.net

I can say my goodbye to the two. They stood outside the glass wall looking at me like I'm a fish in a friggin aquarium. Matushka and Nikolai's men looked so dumb stricken until now. Although, need not say anything to Matushka because she knew why I am here before I could even say a word to her. I tried to ignore them and slowly paced towards the middle of the beds of Nikolai and Alexei.

I had to swallow the lump in my throat as I feel like choking up. I can't help but feel the guilt for ultimately doing this to them but at the same time, there's a part of me that screams otherwise. Leaving my marriage is the right decision.

The doctor said that Alexei broke one of his ribs and only had minor injuries because of the crash. I thought that was a good thing because it means he can recover fast but what worried the doctors really is his brain. When he crashed he did not wear a helmet the reason why until now he is still unconscious. If he does not wake up in the next hour, he will be pronounced to be in a state of coma.

Looking at him like this, I feel like my heart is being slowly crushed into tiny pieces. What if I did not leave the way I did? What if I did not decide to divorce them? Would he even be in this hospital bed unsure if he still wakes or not?

No matter how hard I fight it, no matter how hard I try to be strong for myself and my babies, the truth is, every part of me still cares and loves every bit of this man.

I slowly climbed on his bed and carefully nestled on his side. I rested my face on his neck and embraced him. I felt his body gradually warm-up against mine. And If I did not know any better, I would have thought that his heart beats a little louder and faster this time.

"I have a secret to tell you but don't tell Nikolai okay?" I looked around just to make sure no one is listening. "I lied when I said that he kisses better than you. I just said that because he's got bigger ego." Recalling our happy moments together just made me feel far worse about the whole situation. Why am I doing this to myself? I am just supposed to tell them the truth about the twins and say goodbye to them but I ended up hurting myself by remembering one of the many times that the three of us were inseparable.

"Alexei, wake up please. Matushka and Nikolai need you, the Mafia needs you. Please, you have to fight. You have to wake up." I kissed him on his cheek for one last time and tucked him back under the blanket.

I then went to Nikolai's bed and looked at him intently. He is still unconscious because he was heavily sedated-that is why I had the courage to come here and see them. Apparently, the stubborn man refused medication for his wound and insisted to go home without getting some rest or sleep.

Before anything else, I first made sure that the man is really passed out because he has quite the reputation of pretend sleeping. I glanced at his manhood and saw it peacefully laden.

"Uhm B.. your father called, we have to go." Said Amy knocking on the sliding door. I know the urgency of the situation and that we only have a small window before this man in front of me fully recovers from his forced sleep.

I focused my attention back as to why I am here. To check on them, let them know that I did not lose the babies and say goodbye to him and Alexei before we leave for Palawi. My father arranged a private plane for us to leave in just a while.

"Yes. I just need a minute A." My best friend forces a smile on her face as she heeds my request.

I sat on Nikolai's side, slowly took

his hand and placed his palm on my

abdomen. "I am sorry for hiding the truth about the twins. They are here

and they are alive Nikolai. They will grow up in Palawi but they will bear upin your last name. They are Volkovs and you are their father. I am not

going to deprive you or Alexei of that right. And if someday they want to see you and be with you, I will let them. But for now, I am doing what's

best for us."

I removed his hand from me, carefully stepped down the bed and gave Nikolai one last kiss.

When Belle left the hospital, Matushka Irene found Nikolai in his bed, his eyes are shut but a tear is streaming down the side of his face. The Volkov Matriarch immediately caressed him, as the Boss of the Russian Mafia, the most feared man in the New York underground criminal world, sobs in her arms.