Proving Her Wrong

Chapter 6

"Oh hello, um...." Alina thought for a moment as she held Melisma behind her. "Mr. Taylor?"

"North," he grunted.

"Daddy," Melisma beamed as she came around and jumped into his arms.

"Hi Baby Girl," He smiled down at her as she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. "I missed you."

"Miss you too Daddy," She giggled as she kissed his cheek.

"Since your Daddy is here, I will head back to the hotel, okay?" Alina smiled at Melisma. "I'll see you later, little Melisma."

"Stay," North grunted, and Alina shook her head.

"She needs this time with you," she explained as she picked up her backpack and purse. "Besides Mr. Morgan will like spending time with you as well. Here is the bag with her stuff," she said as she held out the backpack. "Have fun with Daddy, Melisma."

North took the backpack and Alina walked off with a bodyguard following and North watching. He had to admit there was something about her that piqued his interest. He shook his head and turned his attention back to his daughter.

"Hey North," Victor beamed as he walked off the stage.

"Hey Vic," North smiled softly. "Great performance."

"Thanks," he smiled as they shared a quick kiss. "This is a great surprise. Where's Alina?"

"She left once she recognized me," North explained, and Victor shook his head.

"Doesn't surprise me," he chuckled. "Well, let's go get something to eat."

Victor and North watched as Melisma played on the playground, "You sure you recognized the voice?" North asked and Victor nodded. "Who was it?"

"I don't know," Victor shook his head. "That's what bothers me, I know it, but I can't place it."

"Well, you do know a lot of people," North nodded.

"It's someone from the Academy from the way he was talking," Victor smiled as he watched Melisma slide then race up to do it again.

"He?" North growled and Victor chuckled.

"She did say she had family and the way he was insistent; he had a protective edge in his voice."

"Anyway," North grunted as Melisma headed to the swings, so he stood to follow.

"Maybe if you don't scare her off," Victor chuckled, "you can help me work on getting her to become friends with us."

"Yeah right," North shook his head.

They headed back to the hotel and opened the door to the suite. "I'll go lay her down," North whispered since Melisma was sleeping.

"I'll pull down the covers," Victor whispered.

"Mám se dobře, slibuji. Není třeba se o mě bát. (I'm doing okay, I promise. There is no need to worry about me.)" They looked at one another in confusion.

"What language is that?" Victor whispered as they quietly left Melisma's room.

"One of the Slavic ones," North shrugged. "I have no idea. Sounds Czech but I can't be certain."

"I'm always going to worry about you," a male's voice came through the speaker phone.

North looked at Victor shocked who just nodded.

'I told you it was familiar,' he mouthed to North. 'I just can't tell you who, it's bugging me.' North shrugged in confusion.

"Jsem ve skutečnosti bezpečnější než v jiných zaměstnáních. Bodyguardy mám neustále s sebou.( I'm actually safer than I have been in other employments. I have bodyguards with me at all times.)"

"That's good," The male said sighing in relief. "I'm glad you have protection. But it's still not the same."

"Ne, ale mám všechna školení, která jste mě vy a váš tým naučili. Jsem v naprostém bezpečí a vím, jak v případě potřeby chránit sebe i dítě, které právě hlídám. Přestaň se o mě bát, jsem velká holka, zvládnu to. (No, but I have all the training that you and your team has taught me. I am perfectly safe and I know how to protect myself plus the child I am currently watching if I need to. Quit worrying about me, I am a big girl, I can handle myself.)"

Another man's laugh filled the air, "Ты крошечная штучка, Котенок. Скажи мне, где ты, я приду и защищу тебя. Ty kroshechnaya shtuchka, Kotenok. Skazhi mne, gde ty, ya pridu i zashchishchu tebya. (You are a tiny little thing, Kitten. Tell me where you are, I'll come protect you.)"

She groaned in anger, "Клянусь Богом, Евгений Димитрий Равеншталь, если ты не заткнешься, я надеру твою непрофессиональную русскую задницу и заставлю тебя пожалеть об этом. Я делал это раньше и сделаю это снова, заткнись! Klyanusʹ Bogom, Yevgeniy Dimitriy Ravenshtalʹ, yesli ty ne zatkneshʹsya, ya naderu tvoyu neprofessionalʹnuyu russkuyu zadnitsu i zastavlyu tebya pozhaletʹ ob etom. YA delal eto ranʹshe i sdelayu eto snova, zatknisʹ! (I swear to God Yevgeny Dimitri Ravenstahl, if you don't shut up, I will kick your unprofessional Russian ass and make you regret it. I've done it before and I'll do it again, shut up!)"

North and Victor looked at each other shocked, she knew Raven? How?

"Ты такой милый, когда злишься, Котенок. Ty takoy milyy, kogda zlishʹsya, Kotenok. (You are so cute when you're angry, Kitten.)"

"Ты высокомерный осел. Ty vysokomernyy osel. (You are an arrogant ass.)" She groaned then sighed, "Musím se vrátit do práce. Přestaň mi vyhazovat do povětří telefon, víš, že ho nedržím u sebe, když pracuji. Promluvím si s tebou, až budu moci. (I have to go back to work. Quit blowing up my phone, you know I don't keep it on me while I'm working. I'll talk to you when I can.)" She said switching easily from Russian back to whatever language she was using before with the first man she was talking to.

"Just please be safe, Alina," The first man said softly.

She chuckled softly, "Always am, Marc."