The Little Angel Loves Me

 Merri glanced over at Anya looking at dresses then stepped further away. Her voice was soft and coquettish, "I just wanted to hear your voice."

 "What are you doing?" The fact she was thinking about him made the sullen man forget Alexi's taunts. She is mine now...the little angel loves me.

 "Anya and I are shopping. We walked around town then stopped at the little cafe on the corner of Maple Ave. I sent a picture."

 He looked at the picture she sent. Merri and his sister have their heads together. She had a big grin exposing her cute dimples, in her small hand was a cup of hot chocolate. 

 Nikolai affectionately ran his slender finger over the picture. "Very pretty."

 Merri loved the sound of his deep voice tinged with a hint of an accent. Her heart skipped a beat, "When will you be back?"

 "You miss my body?"

 Anya lazily walked over holding a knit hat, seeing the silly look on Merri's face she playfully grabbed the phone. "Brother, what did you say to Sister In Law? She is blushing."

 Merri took the phone back, regretting her impulsiveness, "Don't listen to Anya."

 He laughed, the little girl is so squeamish...teasing her is fun."I'm leaving now."

 "Okay. Hurry....No...Drive safely, the roads can be icy."

 "Listen to you." Merri's concern made Nikolai's heart skipped a beat, the little angel is worried about me. 

 Nikolai drove down the highway and all he could think about was Alexi's reaction. He wasn't naive enough to think everything was settled between him and Alexi.

He could tell that being coerced into giving one of his possessions enraged Alexi, he considers a woman to be..an object...a toy. Otherwise, he wouldn't have bothered to come to the villa with Sydney.

 He lit a cigarette, the bastard wanted me to lose my shit. See me out of control. He gained perverse satisfaction reminding me he was the little angel's first man. Well, I don't care..she was forced. I know last night she wanted to be in my arms...in my bed. She likes me...not that arrogant tyrant! I am the only man that can make the little angel happy!

The car sped towards the small town, Nikolai wanted to see Merri...hold her...imprint his mark on her body to still the beast raging inside of him.

By the time he arrived at the cottage he was consumed by dark desire. Alexi's taunts kept echoing in his mind driving him crazy. 

He burst through the door impatient to see Merri. Looking around the empty cottage he was disappointed, still shopping?

He immediately called Merri, "Where are you?"

She and Anya were sitting in a small restaurant in town. After shopping they decided to eat before returning to the cottage.

Merri thought Nikolai sounded a little anxious. "Is something the matter?"

 He realized he was overreacting, "No. I'm at the cottage. I thought you would have returned from town."

"Well, we decided to stop and get something to eat. We haven't ordered yet so we can come back."

 "No. I will come there. Which restaurant?"

"Pashka's Tea Room"

"I will be there soon."

He gave WeiWei his coat so he went to his parent's house first to get one.

His mother was chopping vegetables when he entered the kitchen. She looked up and gasped, "What happened to your face?"

 "It's nothing." He took some ice from the freezer and wrapped it in a towel. "I came to get a coat." He walked to the stairs to go to his bedroom on the second floor.

 She followed him up the stairs,"You were fighting?" Her eyes were filled with worry, "I thought you changed. Son, how can you be like this?"

She lightly touched his cheek, "What about the little girl you brought back."

"It's not what you think. Alexi and I got into an argument."

He strode into the room and opened a drawer. The expensive tube of ointment he took out was very effective in reducing swelling and bruising. 

His mother took the ointment from his hand and gently applied the white cream to his cheek. "Merri is a good girl. Cut ties with that man. You will only end up hurting the little girl if you don't."

"I will protect her!"

 She shook her head and her tense expression revealed her concern, "You never listen. I don't like that man. Don't you remember your aunt said bad fortune in the future would be linked to Alexi Baralov. Get away from him before her prediction comes true."

"Are you cursing your only son?"

 She held his hand,"No, my dear son, I am warning you. You know your aunt has a gift."

 "One more year. That is all then I will break ties with him."

 She put the cap on the tube of ointment,"Hmm...well, don't anger him okay?"

 "How is Auntie?"

"I told her you were home and she wants to come visit." She wants to meet the girl who captured her cold nephew's heart.

"Well, we need to return to the United States the day after tomorrow."

"I will invite her for dinner tomorrow."

"If you want." 

He went into the bathroom to look at his jaw. The redness had disappeared but the bruise was still visible and slightly swollen. I will think of a way to explain.

 Nikolai opened a walk-in closet and grabbed a long black woolen coat. "Mom, don't worry, okay?"

His mother pulled up the collar of his coat and wrapped a gray scarf around his neck. "You finally found a good girl you like. I worry because I saw the way she looked at you with pure and innocent eyes. If she knew..."

 "Stop. Don't say it." He abruptly left the bedroom and down the stairs. She will never know the darkness that surrounds me...I will shield her from the brutal world I have lived in since I was in the gang. I will concentrate on my legitimate businesses and in a year be free of Sydney and Alexi. 

 In the restaurant, Merri and Anya were laughing when Vera unexpectantly approached the table.

Anya swallowed her saliva and cold sweat broke out on her forehead, afraid Vera would make a scene. Sonia said she was spitting fire since she found out about Merri.

Vera had a harmless smile as she squeezed into the booth next to Anya. "What a coincidence. I was going to eat by myself but since you are here I will join you."

Anya had called Max to see if he wanted to join them and Vera overheard the conversation. She formed a plan to humiliate Merri. She told the manager she was sick so she could leave early and hurried to the restaurant. 

The strange atmosphere was hard to ignore, Merri picked up the water glass and took a sip wishing Nikolai would arrive soon. She didn't want or know how to deal with the situation. From what Nikolai said he has no relationship with her but from Vera's attitude she likes him...likes him very much.

She put on an act at the cottage to deceive me and now her eyes are shooting daggers at me. She furtively glanced towards the entrance, I wish Nikolai would get here soon.