Chapter 60 Hello
Nina’s POV
It’s been ten years since I lost the love of my life. I had everything with him, the house with the white picket fence, and the golden retriever.
Life had been great.
Until it wasn’t.
At the time, I was 28 years old and full of passion. I loved doing oil paintings and pottery, going to the farmers' markets on the weekends, and finding little mom-and-pop shops to enjoy.
That's how I met him.
I was sitting in a small coffee shop tucked into the corner of a brick building next to one of the breweries. The small entrance was covered in fairy lights, with white wallpaper featuring emerald designs cascading throughout.
It was beautiful.
Sitting down, I had ordered a caramel cappuccino with two sugars. Picking up the spoon I was stirring the sugar in, I heard the bell above the door ring, and as any normal person would, I looked up.
The man standing there was a God.
He's wearing a three-piece suit, black with white stripes, like something out of a 1940s mobster movie.
He had Auburn hair slicked back, and when he smiled, I felt like I was done for.
I watched as he pulled a money clip out and paid for his iced coffee.
I was rich, but damnnnnnn that was a lot of cash.
All of a sudden, I noticed he was staring at me, ducking my head and covering my face with my hand.
It didn't work.
This man walked over to my table, setting his iced coffee down, smiling at me with his million-dollar teeth, “Hi, gorgeous, just wanted to see if you're alright. You were looking my way, and your face looked like you were having a stroke.”
My face turned bright red; I was mortified. And for the first time in my life, I couldn't speak.
“Cat catch your tongue?” he whispered, leaning down next to me.
“No, no, I wasn't staring, I had just heard the bell and was looking that way,” I stuttered, trying to cover up my actions.
I was beyond mortified.
Sitting down in the chair opposite me, he was smirking. He took a sip of his iced coffee while still staring at me.
You can tell he enjoyed making me uncomfortable and seeing me twitch.
Then why did a part of me enjoy this?
Next thing I know, he reaches into his inner jacket pocket.
As he was reaching, a glint of metal flashed.
Oh…my….God….
He was wearing a shoulder holster under his jacket with two giant pistols looking ready for action.
He handed me a card, looking down at it, it was a beautiful but simple business card:
Adam Belov
Assistant and Technical Advisor
Volkov Corporation
Staring at the card, I felt like my jaw hit the floor.
Looking at the card, back at him, and then back to the card.
Everyone heard of the Volkov Corporation. Supposedly, they were mafia or whatever they called it in Russian, the Bratva?
I didn't want to get messed up with any of this. It was just bad news.
The noise of snapping fingers brought me back to reality.
Looking up, he had his massive fingers snapping right in front of my face.
“Hey, lady, are you ok? Surely my good looks didn't send you into a coma?”
His smile, his smirk, and it was at this moment that I knew I was done for.
Snapping back into reality, I put on a confident face.
Sticking my hand out to shake his, I quickly announce myself.
“Sorry for spacing out, I can be a duntz sometimes. My name is Nina Smith, and it's very nice to meet you, Adam.”
He grabbed my hand, his grip firm as he shook it.
“The pleasure is all mine, Nina. Maybe we can get dinner sometime? Here, put your number in my phone.”
Sticking his phone out at me, I idiotically glanced down at it like this was some middle school charade.
Again, I snapped back into reality. I grabbed the phone that he had unlocked.
I quickly added my number and name and saved it in his contacts list.
Grinning as wide as the Pacific Ocean, he took his phone and quickly gave me a missed call.
I guess he wanted to make sure I gave him the right number.
I’ll be honest, I am intrigued by this man.
Looking up and staring straight into his eyes,
“Adam, I'd love to get dinner with you!”
Fast forward ten years.
I’m 38, single, live alone except for my ancient golden retriever, Beau, and the one person I hate more than the devil is:
Adam Belov.
Alina’s POV
I got off I-285, took the I-85 north ramp, and started making my way to the exit that would lead me to Alpharetta.
Clicking the call button on my steering wheel
“Call Nina Smith”
The car loudly announced, “Calling Nina Smith.”
The phone rang once, then twice, before it could hit the third ring, a voice rang out over the speakers,
“Hiiiiii Bitch! I was wondering when you were gonna call my ass.”
Chuckling,
“Well, hi to you, Nina. I’m sure you missed me.”
Loud laughing responded to me over the speakers.
“So what's up, Alina?”
“Ok bitch, I'll be at your house in about twenty minutes. It’s time we talk about the men of the Volkov Corporation.”
The silence was deafening, but before I could open my mouth to see if she was still there, she spoke.
The pain in her voice, mixed with anger, was clearly evident,
“I've waited 10 years for this moment. I'll have the door unlocked and some espresso brewing. I can't wait to see what you have to say.”
Again, before I could even reply, she had hung up the phone.
I knew she had been through hell, just as I have. She knew how I felt and how the embarrassment and anger can consume you.
Twenty minutes later, security buzzed me in to her country club residence near the line separating Alpharetta and Peachtree Corners.
It was a very high-end area.
Driving almost to the end of the subdivision, her house sat up on a hill with beautiful, manicured lawns and a wraparound driveway where you can pull straight up to the front door.
Pulling my Mercedes up to the front door, the door swung open, and there she was:
Nina Smith.
She is 5’4", 120 pounds, blonde with hazel eyes. She was a classic natural beauty, but beneath that was the calculating personality of a lioness.
I know Aleksander did me horribly wrong, and I'm still living with the consequences.
But what Adam did to her… well, damn it, makes what Aleksander did look like child's play.
Stepping out, I walk over to her and grab her into a tight embrace.
“Long time no see, Nina. I've missed you!” I smiled, “Let's go inside and plan the end for all the men of the Volkov Corporation!”
Hand in hand, we turned around, walking inside to prepare for the war. We will bring them straight to their gates.