Her Volkovs #Book 4 novel Chapter 9

Scene when Belle was at the back of Axel De Alba's Villa stealing the Italian gelato that was about to be served to the guests. Axel was having a small party with the family of the Mafia Bosses who are in alliance with the Cabana Cartel. One of his men approaches the table where Axel was having some drinks.

Security: (Leans over to whisper to Axel) Boss, we have a situation in the kitchen.

Axel: (Wrinkles his eyebrows) Kitchen? I pay you to do your damn jobs and now you want me to handle a situation in the fucking kitchen?

Security: Uh Boss, it's complicated. You need to see this yourself.

Axel stood up from his seat and buttoned his jacket. He is so close to losing his temper, in his mind, this better be worth his time or else, he's going to be very pissed.

He wondered why they had to go to the security room instead of the kitchen. They are looking at the cctv footage when Axel got inside the room.

Security: (Points at the laptop.) This was taken less than five minutes ago.

In the cctv footage taken from the back of the Villa near the garden, Belle is holding Petrushka and Valkyre on a leash. She then ties the two on the nearby tree before making her way inside the yard of Axel's Villa. She is then seen to be petting a black stallion owned by Axel. She's brushing its mane and hugging it as if the horse has already been tamed by her.

As the video zooms in to Belle, Axel could not believe his eyes. He sat frozen in his seat.

Security: This is why I needed you to see this for yourself Boss.

Axel: Switch to live footage. Where is she now? Find her.

The security camera found Belle, sitting on the hood of Axel's Camaro. She's casually eating the gelato she took from the kitchen counter near one of the windows.

Axel attempted to go outside to see personally if what he's seeing right now is true. That there is a woman who looks eerily like Yelena. The woman he once loved.

However, as he nears the door on the way out back, his uncle, Juan Pablo De Alba stopped and warned him.

Juan Pablo: I am asking you not to do this Axel.

Axel: (Halted his steps) You knew about this? About her?

Juan Pablo: We know enough about her. She's Volkov's wife. She's not Yelena.

Axel: (Turns around and stood face to face with his uncle) You knew about this and not once have you ever mentioned it to me?

Juan Pablo: I did not tell you because I know this is exactly how you would react. You will trigger another mob war against the Russians all because you're smitten to one of their own! You will lose your mind over a girl you can never have! The Conglomerate will not survive if you and Volkov push us to the brink.

Axel: Who are you to decide for me? For my life? You are not my father!

Juan Pablo: I am looking after you and the business that your father paid for his life with. Volkov is someone we should not be poking around. That man is fucking crazy! He is crazier than your old man and his old man combined! He will not hesitate to drag us all down to hell with him if you touch this girl. It's not worth it Axel!

Axel: Stop pretending like you care Tiyo! You are the reason why Yelena left me. We could have been happy if you did not intervene! If she was with me, she never would have died!

Juan Pablo: Axel, she was never in love with you! You know to whom her heart really belongs to. She was in love with Alexei!

Axel: Shut up! You do not know a single thing about my relationship with Yelena.

Juan Pablo: Don't do this again Axel. She's not Yelena. Her name is Belle and she's Volkov's wife! Yelena is dead. She's gone!

Axel snarls, still looking livid as he squares with his uncle, Juan Pablo.

~

Belle's POV

"Nope, I'm fine here. I don't see any floaters. That pool is for tall people and I'm just 5"4. Don't they have a kiddie pool here somewhere?" I say as I try not to get distracted from the fact that Alexei is already taking off his shirt, revealing his perfectly chiseled arms, his six-packs and-- good lord-- his tattoos. He just smiles arrogantly as he catches me ogling him. Geez, is it getting hot in here or what? Must be Alexei's leather jacket he made me wear after that incident in the restaurant.

We are in a private pool in the garden near our Villa and the De Alba's Villa. Turns out, only the two families are allowed to be in this pool except by invitation.

Alexei jumped in the pool wearing only his swim briefs. He dives down and then swims up--leaning his back on the edge of the pool, looking at me with his piercing hazel eyes and his naughty smile. Geez. Why so sexy Alexei? I'm one lucky woman.

"Come on, princess. Jump. I got you!" He says, extending his arms to catch me.

"You're wearing swim briefs. You planned this and yet you failed to mention it to me? I could have worn a bikini Alexei!"

"Exactly my point. Take off your clothes and jump baby girl." He answered without any hint of regret on his face.

I parted my lips in disbelief. "Skinny dipping?"

"Haha! Well, I'd like to call it curvy dipping. Flaunt those sexy curves and show the moon how enthralling you are, my beautiful lady."

I just shake my head to his lunacy, "Vodka does you good huh?" I retorted.