~Nevaeh~

Breathe in, breathe out, slow and steady. Show no fear. Make no mistakes. Be yourself. On second thought, maybe full Nevaeh mode won't do in this situation. That tends to get me in trouble. Perhaps, be my charming self with a filter?

Ha, right. What is a filter, exactly? It weeds out the nasty. I speak the truth and no filter is needed where honesty is concerned. All I can promise is that I'll try not to piss off the deadly Russian Don.

We pull into the back of a busy Mall parking lot where we are to meet Dimitri and Belle continues to stare out of his window. He hasn't made a sound since we left the safehouse, creating suspicion that he was questioning his choice. All I can do is try to reassure him I'll be safe.

"Hey, " I speak softly, scooting his way and weave my fingers in his soft hair. "This is the right thing for everyone. Even if I can't convince him to free these people, it will confirm he's got them. If he's trying to be slick, I'll know."

"Will you, though?" Barely a glance do I receive before he looks away once more. "Baranov is charming and a master of manipulation. He's had serious training, not even I can fathom. His father makes mine look like a cat burglar. I think this is a bad idea."

"So are you asking me not to go?"

"Does that matter?" He laughs spitefully, shaking his head.

"Yes, it matters!" I'm offended that he believes his wishes mean nothing. "Tell me you don't want me to go and I won't."

Finally, his syrup colored eyes latch onto mine as he searches for a shred of lies. "It's too late, I've already agreed and I won't go back on my word."

His hand steals my own and he grins, causing a flutter in my chest. "I really do appreciate you showing a bit of concern for my worries, though. I never thought I'd see the day."

Shrugging playfully, I roll my eyes. "Eh, don't give too much credit. I knew you weren't going to say I couldn't go."

"Did you now?"

"Yes'um," I say, drifting closer to his lips. "You're a good man and you can't stand these kids being gone anymore than me. We both know I'm all we got right now."

A kiss is over before I can enjoy it. "Not exactly. I have an acquaintance coming to join you. Baranov refused Rowan as your escort and this man is a neutral party so to speak. He does business with us and the Russians and agreed to protect you during your time with that prick."

"Alright, if he's neutral, how can you be sure he won't leave me if shit hits the fan?"

Belle smiles, pointing to an old white jeep pulling next to us. "He's a damn steaming pile of hot mess, but he's an advocate for women and children. He'd rather die before watching one be harmed."

"And you trust him?"

"If I didn't, would we even be here?"

I laugh, thinking of how he reacted to me going with Mateo to Dallas. "No, I guess we wouldn't."

Rowan opens Bellemy's door and he gets out, then, helps me. We stall for a moment seeing a petite blonde woman exiting their vehicle. A tall, expertly built man darts around the back of his jeep and takes my husband's free hand.

"Bellemy fucking Perez," He smirks and pulls back to wrap his arm around his lady's neck. "I was shocked as hell to hear from bigfoot himself!"

"You never change, do you?" Belle chuckles.

"Bigfoot?" I question, dying to understand the joke.

"Hell yeah, not only is this man freakishly tall, he only shows his face as much as the sasquatch does."

"But no one actually sees Bigfoot." His girlfriend huffs, not amused by the fun. However, she smiles like a fool when he peers down at her.

"Exactly right, Tiny!"

She really is a little woman so her pet name is fitting. With golden hair in a messy bun, her crystal eyes shine of joy, and her jean skirt attempts to make her legs look long, but fails. She's got a set of hips and a gorgeous smile.

"I don't believe your name is actually Tiny, right?" I ask.

"No, Sophia Stovers," She answers, extending her hand. After I give my name, she points to her man. "This is Carter Hendricks. You can ignore pretty much anything he spits out. I promise, most of it is bullshit."

"Don't be telling her that shit!" Carter protests. "I'm about to take her into a snake pit! She most certainly does need to listen to me!"

"I'll be there," Sophia adds. "When I listen, she'll know you're serious."

"Hold up," My husband growls, giving Carter a death stare. "No one agreed to your girlfriend going. If she's there, your focus will be her, not my wife. She can hang with me."

Carter grabs at the beanie on his head, laughing loudly. "There ain't a chance in hell I'm leaving my woman with a smooth talker like you, Bigfoot. Plus, we're kinda a package deal these days. If she ain't with me, it raises flags. On top of that, she doesn't need a protector. "

To ease Belle's tension, I rub his back. "You know I can handle myself but the extra eyes are always better. We'll all be fine. You said you trust him so I do too. He knows what he's doing."

Before he can make a bigger case, a limo appears behind our ride. My husband stands between me and the Russian when he makes it to us. "She comes back unharmed."

"Or what?" Dimitri mutters, keeping his eyes locked on me. "Daddy will send in the mariachi men on their fancy jackasses?"

Wow, should have seen racism in his list of intolerable traits. Ten seconds in and I want to smack him already.

Belle stays collected as he steps forward, gnawing his thumbnail. "You know our rules when it comes to our wives. If she's harmed, you get everything we got and thanks to her mother, it's quite a bit."

"Priscilla doesn't frighten me. In fact, I find her rather enjoyable."

"You would," I huff, crossing my arms. "You're two of a kind and both love to hear yourselves speak garbage."

"Hello, kitten," He smiles at me, causing a rumble of annoyance to flee Belle.

Carter wedges himself in the mix, using his arms to create a space. "Put your dicks away because we all know mine's the biggest. I got places to be so let's get this field trip going. Bigfoot, Rasputin won't lay a finger on your queen of crime. I got this. There's a strip club two blocks down, go relax and let me do what I do."

Carter presses Dimitri back towards his car with Sophia smoothly trailing behind. She doesn't even seem phased by the encounter. When they all get in, Belle turns to me, tugging me forward by the waist, then grabs my cheeks. "You do whatever Carter says. I mean it, Nevaeh! I don't care if you like it or not, he's holding the door to your safety and is my fill in for our deal. Am I clear?"

"Crystal. I love you and see you soon!" I kiss him softly before heading towards the car. Before getting in, I pause and look at him, pointing a bossy finger. "Oh, and Oso, step foot in that strip club, there won't be a king to defend his queen."

He beams, nodding at Rowan. "He's driving."

"I'm counting on you, Lurch."

"Then load the pistol, doll." Our guard sneers. "The minute you're outta sight, I'm gonna follow the smell of fish."

Nose wrinkling in revulsion, I watch my husband turn scarlet in laughter. It wasn't the most tasteful joke and I didn't find it funny, but it managed to let me leave my husband in good spirits and that's all I want. He may worry later but the peaceful image douses my fear a bit.

Sliding in the seat, I pout, discovering the don to my right with a satisfied smirk. Carter catches wind of my irritation and puts up his hands. "Sorry, he insisted, but don't fear, he's been warned."

Sizing the Russian up, I bounce my shoulders. "He doesn't bother me. I just don't like the way he smells."

I lean closer and take a big, dramatic whiff of Dimitri's red tee. "What the hell is that? You smell like a nursing home!"

Honestly, he smells like a spicy orange, maybe lemons, not too sure, but it's pleasant. Either way, he's not gonna know that. Dimitri scoffs, lifting his shirt to sniff himself. "I smell like a man."

"Tiny, take a turn, you can settle this."

Sophia glares at Carter, making me snicker. "I'm not gonna stick my nose near that man! If Nevaeh says he stinks, I believe her! You stick your sniffer on him!"

"Just do it!" He shouts, cowering when she raises her brow. "Please."

"Ugh, fine!" Meeting Dimitri in the middle of the limo, Sophia awkwardly inhales, cutting her blues my way and winks. "She's right. Do you wash your clothes in Pine-sol?"

Flopping back down, Dimitri pouts. "Americans."

After a long ride in silence, the car finally stops and the driver lets us out. I'm shocked to see we are at the airport. My head spins towards Dimitri. "What the fuck is this? You're supposed to take me to the missing people!"

"That's what I'm doing, kitten."

"Stop calling me that before I claw out your tongue! You're a fool if you believe I'm getting on that plane!"

Carter touches my knee, snapping to attract my concentration. "I discussed this with Belle already. The missing are suppose to be back in El Paso. This isn't a surprise to us. I thought he would have told you."

"He didn't say anything! I need to call him before I get out of this car!"

Panic is seeping through my tough demeanor. I made Bellemy promises and I'm trying to keep them. Not confirming that he's aware of this would be reckless and I can't keep being that person if I want him to trust me. I feel around my thin sweater and groan.

"I don't have a phone." Sophia quickly hands me hers and I waste no time dialing his number. After a few rings, I hear his voice. "Yeah?"

"Oso, he's trying to put me on a damn plane! What do I do?"

Hearing heavy breathing, I reach for my hair and stick the ends into my mouth. I'm nervous by the idea of getting trapped in the air with the ass next to me, yet, fear more that I'll lose this chance to help our friends. All I can picture is Kelsey and Daniella. I have to bring them back and keep my promise to Lee and Diana.

"You're learning." Belle chuckles.

"You knew about this?"

"I did."

"So why not tell me?"

"It was a test and you passed. Don't worry, I have eyes waiting on your arrival. I may be here but my reach goes far."

He continues to talk but I can't make out what he's saying due to loud music in the background. His ass better not be at that club. I get no answer when I say his name, then, the line goes dead.

I take a minute to gawk at the screen before handing it back to Sophia. Dimitri tosses his arm out, brushing it against my chest. "Now that everyone is updated, can we go?"

"I guess so," I huff, sulking my way up the flight of stairs onto his plane.

It's super dark inside and all I can see is tinted blue from the custom lights. I feel around until soft fabric is under my hand. Thankfully, Sophia plops beside me, leaving the guys to take individual seats across from our sofa. My head snaps back when I look up and see a small portrait of the kingpin staring back at me. Jesus, what's this guy's deal? I mean, he's easy on the eyes, but not enough to care for two of him gawking at me the entire flight.

Leaning over, I force the picture down and fling it at him. "Do something with that!"

He simply glowers, gets up, and resituates it on the wall. He sneers proudly as he sits back down. I can't push him too far, not yet at least. I need to spend more time with him to test my boundaries. To keep the peace, I put my back to the creepy image and spark conversation with Sophia.

"Sorry, you got stuck babysitting today."

She waves her hand. "Don't be. Babysitting you is a break. You wipe your own ass."

"You have kids?"

"Yeah, two. A girl, 4 years old and a 3-month-old boy."

"Would you women like a drink?" Dimitri interrupts, shoving a glass of clear liquor in my face. Sophia takes her quickly, acting as if she's on vacation.

"Vodka sucks," I tell him, resting against the plush behind me.

"Not this one, just try it," He demands.

"Nope, I don't want it."

Growling, his smile disappears and he harshly yanks me up by the arm. "I've had enough of your mouth, Kitten! I've been kind and all you've done is criticize and refuse my hospitality!"

Carter pushes him away, causing me to fall back onto the couch. "Touch her again and I'll break your fucking hand! You may have the firepower, but my strength is all I need and I guarantee I move quicker than you."

Dimitri keeps his scowl directed at me, ignoring the warning. "Take the fucking glass and keep your fucking mouth shut unless you can be the lady your mother is. She knows how to conduct herself in these matters as much as she realizes my kindness depends on yours!"

"My mother only keeps her mouth shut when it's wrapped around-" Sophia touches my hand, slightly smiling as her head swivels. I get what she's wanting so I stop myself from continuing this spat.

I've been treating Dimitri like a joke and I've just realized I've been the one fooling myself. He's not my friend or a two-bit gangster. He's a Mobster and has a reputation scarier than my nightmares. I'll have to turn on the filter after all or this could all end in a deadly way.

"I do apologize for that outburst." The Russian says to clear the air.

I won't answer. I can't because I don't want to be nice. Carter smiles at me, floating his emeralds to our host as if he's demanding I accept his regret, not that I believe it's real.

Rolling my eyes, I sigh and sip the drink. It's super smooth and barely burns going down the hatch. He's right, it's not terrible. "It's fine. I was being very rude."

"Forgive and forget."

"Sounds like a plan, Rasputin. Now, those terms you mentioned to me, let's hear them."

"Terms?" I question.

Dimitri shifts his icy orbs to me and smirk, sending a chill through my body. This can't be good.

"Yes, I told you, Belle took what belongs to me and I want it back."

"What exactly did he take? I asked him about it and he has no clue what you mean."

"You, Kitten."