The next day Merri felt awkward when Nikolai picked her up for school. When she got into the car she buckled the seat belt then wanted to clear up the situation from last night. "Thank you again for stopping Bella from slapping me. She was angry at me because of an incident that happened at the Black Swan Club. I...I offended her."
He knew what happened between Alexi and the two young women. He tightened his hand on the steering wheel, thinking about what a heartless pervert Alexi can be.
The sunglasses he was wearing hid the cold and murderous darkness in his eyes, "I'm sure it wasn't your fault. She is a very arrogant woman."
Merri had a worried expression, "Well...she is the daughter of the Mayor. I'm just afraid that you helping me will affect your business. The Mayor dotes on Bella and she can be...well... vindictive."
Viktor's heart skipped a beat and his eyes were full of warmth. The little angel is worried about me? Glancing at the delicate girl nervously twisting the coat with her slender fingers, he suppressed the urge to hold her hand and tell her not to worry.
He calmly reassured the anxious girl, "The Mayor is a reasonable man, a minor incident like that won't affect business. I'm sure he is aware of his daughter's wilful personality and doesn't want the matter exposed." He wouldn't dare lift a finger knowing I am connected to Alexi, unless he wants to die miserably.
Merri turned to face him and her face brightened, "You are right! He is up for re-election soon and should be worried about his public image."
He had a faint smile as he pulled into the half empty lot and parked. She is so cute...As he reached his hand to unbuckle Merri's seatbelt he asked, "What time are you out of class?"
Merri could smell his unique masculine scent and feel his warm breath on her face. Her face was dyed red from his touch as the handsome man leaned across her body. She fluttered her eyelashes and stuttered, "I...I can take the bus."
"Did you forget you said you would make me dinner?"
"No..no I didn't forget... I can take the bus to your apartment. You don't need to bother to pick me up."
Nikolai liked the way her fan like black eyelashes trembled when she was nervous and shy. "It is going to rain, if you get sick waiting for the bus, who will make me dinner?"
Merri smiled, "I have an umbrella."
"..." Nikolai wasn't a man who knew how to coax a woman and was momentarily speechless.
As Merri opened the door he suddenly replied, "I want to pick you up so we can stop at the grocery store."
Merri thought that made sense, "Hmm..well.. okay. My last class is over at 4:00. But, could you wait for me by the large elm tree on the street?" At that time of day too many students are leaving school and his car is too conspicuous.
He didn't ask why and agreed to her request.
The hard lines of his handsome face softened, his eyes filled with deep affection, as he watched her walk away. After she was out of sight his eyes instantly changed becoming pitch black filled with a cold and ruthless impulse to kill. He called Dimitri, "Is it done?" The little angel shouldn't worry about an insignificant woman like Bella Fremont.
At the hospital in a luxurious VIP room, Bella Fremont's face and arm were bandaged and she was in a rage. Her eyes were red and filled with sparks as she screamed at her assistant, "I will sue the production company!" She threw the water pitcher at the man by the hospital bed and water splashed on his suit as he dodged.
Used to her tantrums he remained calm,"Bella, both the police and the production company are investigating what happened. It appears to be a freak accident. I don't think you want to take legal action. Sweetie, you won't work again in the industry."
He grabbed some tissues to wipe the water dripping down his custom made suit. "Once they complete the investigation, take the compensation and recuperate. Making a stink won't help your career."
She started sobbing and holding her face in her hands, "My face is ruined! Alexi won't look at me again!"
The Mayor rushed into the room and his pudgy face was bloodless. He left an important meeting with Karl Wu and was annoyed. He was hoping to manipulate the direction of the Anti Corruption Force's investigation away from him. "I just heard about the accident on the set."
His face had an ugly expression as he stared at the bandages wrapped around her head and her tangled red hair. If her beautiful face is ruined what use will she be? Alexi Baralov will call off the engagement. I will have spoiled and raised the little slut for nothing!
In a rage, he turned and slapped Bella's assistant, "Where were you?!! How did you let this happen!"
"She sent me to get coffee, I wasn't there." I hope the bitch's face is fucked up. I can cancel the contract and be rid of this poisonous woman. I wish I had been there! I would have enjoyed the horrified look on her face !
The Mayor walked over to Bella's bedside and held her hand. He had a concerned tone thinking his plans were destroyed along with her face. "Honey, what did the doctor say?"
"He is an idiot!" She started pounding the pillow, "I need you to contact Mommy! I want Mommy!" She sobbed, "Mommy won't let my face be destroyed. I don't trust these quacks at this hospital."
She continued to beat the pillow, "Mommy...I want Mommy."
At the mention of his wife, the Mayor's bulging eyes were brimming with anger as he growled, "Get the doctor!"
Across the city an elegant middle aged woman wearing a red designer dress lit a cigarette. Staring out the window of the study in her high rise apartment, she gazed at the snow falling. Deep in thought after reading a report she sighed, What a little fool...but she is my only daughter.
The stunning woman exhaled a thin stream of smoke as she walked over to an exquisitely carved rosewood desk. She sat down and crossed her long legs, after smoking half the cigarette she crushed it in the ashtray.
Tapping a long red fingernail on the desk she sighed, well...I can't let my daughter suffer. That girl is always so much trouble...no progress with that bastard Baralov now this...
Bella's mother picked up the phone and in a decisive tone ordered her assistant, "Make sure no news of my daughter's on site accident gets leaked. Silence anyone who was present. Arrange my private jet, I am sending the incompetent girl to Switzerland to be treated."
She called her husband and she taunted him, "Useless fool! I will punish you when I get back from England! Since you are incapable , I will take care of the situation. I am sending Bella to Switzerland. As far as that bastard Baralov goes... tell him she went with friends on a skiing trip."
She snickered, " If he even bothers to inquire about Bella."
Thinking about his heartless wife's methods of torture, the Mayor's soft body quivered "Listen to you my darling."
Nikolai tapped his slender fingers on the desk deep in thought when his phone rang. He was expecting this call knowing Dimitri would report to Alexi's assistant, Maxim. He was aware Alexi wouldn't like him acting on his own but at the time he was too angry to think about the consequences. He wanted Bella Fremont to pay for insulting Merri.
He closed the folder and answered, his voice didn't reveal any of his turbulent emotions, "Alexi."
Alexi walked to the window overlooking London."What's going on? Who gave you the balls to act on the bitch without my okay? I still need her to deal with the Mayor."
In his usual cold and indifferent tone Nikolai replied, "You told me to use my discretion. She knows Miss Winslow is your person and insulted her in public. Isn't that the same as smashing your face? Miss Fremont's injury isn't severe and her mother has sent her to Switzerland for treatment."
He knows the only reason Alexi is angry is because he made the decision unilaterally. "This way she will be out of your hair for a while."
Alexi paced across the floor of the conference room, "How is the timid little mouse? Was she injured?"
Detecting a hint of concern in his voice Nikolai clenched his jaw, "No. I was dining with Nina and stopped the woman before she slapped Miss Winslow."
"I want the little mouse to join me in England. This negotiation is dragging on and I need a distraction. I am sick of the pretentious women surrounding me here. They drool at the very sight of me, it's disgusting."
Nikolai's eyes narrowed and he tightened his grip on the phone. He controlled his erratic heartbeat then reminded Alexi of his plan. "I thought you intended to use Miss Winslow to get me close to Karl Wu? She was dining with him at L'Fleur and he happened to be absent from the table when the incident occurred. He appeared grateful I stopped Miss Fremont from injuring the girl. This might present a good opportunity."
Alexi flipped through a document on the desk, "I have thought about the situation and it would be best to kill the bastard. The information Maxim gathered shows Wu is extremely thorough and doesn't let anyone slip through his net."
Nikolai straightened his back and pursed his lips, "Why don't we throw the Rimbaldi brothers to him for the time being. Give him a bone to chew on until we can extricate ourselves. Wu Karl, besides being an investigator and member of Special Forces, has deep connections. The Wu family is very powerful not just here but in the entire country. Do you think even if they are estranged, his family won't use all their resources to find out about his death? Killing him would only complicate the situation."
Alexi's volatile temper erupted and his eyes filled with killing intent."Fuck! I want him dead and buried! I don't like him digging into my business and I dislike him spending time with the little mouse even more!"
Nikolai had a bad premonition, afraid Alexi would insist on sending Merri to him. "I am keeping an eye on Miss Winslow for you and they appear to be ordinary friends."
He desperately wanted to protect Merri and was going crazy with worry."You will be back in a week, I will make sure to keep an eye on the woman for you."
Alexi frowned, "I can't concentrate. I want to see that little woman and press her soft body underneath me. Bring her to me."
Nikolai's eyes are filled with rolling flames, doesn't that selfish bastard have enough women! Why does he insist on the little angel!
When Nikolai didn't answer Alexi impatiently threw the report, "Did you hear me?"
"I will arrange the plane in the morning."
"Very good."