On the plane, Nikolai carefully changed Lily's clothes into a zip-up jumper and put socks on her tiny feet. The cabin was full, but unusually calm for a mafia convoy flight.
Xeno, Mr Greyson, the twins, and Salvatore were also present. Behind them, Adnan's plane followed closely — it was clearly a family trip.
Dr Mason checked Lily's condition carefully while Dr Clara prepared the injection.
Lily whimpered softly.
"Shhh… it's okay Bambi, just a few seconds," Nikolai said gently, holding her small hand.
"Uhmm… Lily, this one is gonna be on your butt," Dr Liv said cautiously.
"Lily bum?" the tiny girl asked innocently.
"Yes love," Dr Liv replied.
"Uh uh… nope nope nope," Lily immediately protested, covering herself tightly.
"Don't you wanna play on the beach, love?" Nikolai whispered into her ear.
She paused… then slowly nodded.
"Then let them do it for you, love," he said softly, gesturing.
Nikolai gave a small nod.
Dr Liv carefully pulled Lily's zip-up slightly and Nikolai instinctively covered half her body to shield her.
The injection was done.
"Mmmmmmmmmmm!!!!" Lily whined loudly.
"All done. Sorry love," Dr Liv said apologetically.
"Mhmhm…" Lily mumbled weakly.
"Plane landing in 2 minutes. Please buckle up for landing," the pilot announced as he walked in.
Everyone immediately fastened their seatbelts.
Lilith turned her head and stared at Nikolai.
"Yes darling?" he whispered.
"Kisses?" she asked shyly.
Without hesitation, Nikolai covered them slightly and kissed her softly.
The moment was slow, deep, and full of affection.
"Hmmm…" Nikolai murmured into the kiss.
Lilith tangled her tiny fingers into his hair as they kissed for a full minute.
Nikolai's cheeks turned slightly red.
They finally rested their foreheads together, breathing in sync.
The plane landed in Mexico — Mérida, Mrs Francesca's hometown.
"Alright everyone listen up!" Mrs Francesca announced firmly. "We are all going shopping for clothes. We stay here for a month and a half before departure to India."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Best behavior. Especially you, Zhanna and Yulian. You both have serious anger issues."
She continued.
"There are 60 rooms and 20 families. Everyone will share. It's not that small. There is a beach at the back. No fighting. No mafia business unless it's important."
She turned to Nikolai.
"And Nikolai… control your anger. Your aunt may have arranged some girls for you."
"Mommmmmm!" Nikolai groaned.
"And no shorts. Only long skirts and traditional outfits. That is why we are going shopping!"
"Understood!" she said firmly.
"Yes!" everyone responded.
They moved into VIP airport bath suites to freshen up.
Inside one of the bathrooms, Nikolai bathed with Lilith.
Warm water ran down their skin as she giggled softly at him.
He smiled gently, brushing her hair back.
"I love you N…N…Nikki," the tiny girl whispered.
"I love you too, Bambi," he replied warmly.
Outside the airport:
"Frankieeee!!!!" a woman called out.
It was Hilda — Francesca's sister.
Mrs Francesca hugged her tightly.
"Cómo estás hermanita… Te extrañé muchísimo. ¿Dónde están los niños?" (How are you baby sis? I missed you so much. Where are the kids?) Hilda asked excitedly.
"They are here," Francesca replied.
"Oh my goodness… they aren't kids anymore. They're adults now!" Hilda laughed.
"Yeah," Francesca smiled.
"Dad is waiting. Let's go!"
They all drove to the mall in convoy.
Inside, chaos of shopping began.
"I got some stuff for Lily… very very sexy!" Urlima said loudly.
"Wait what s…s…?" Lily blinked confused.
"Uhmmm I mean very very pretty things!" she quickly corrected.
Lily clapped happily.
Yulian picked shoes.
Arina picked clothes for Ethan.
"Really baby?" Ethan teased.
"Where the flower sunglasses?" Arina asked.
"It looks so cute on you. Right Lily?"
"Uh huh! Big bhai pretty!" Lilith giggled.
"Really? Now you're on her side?" Ethan groaned as Arina and Lily laughed.
Nikolai barely shopped — only simple clothes and beachwear. He also bought perfume and small accessories for Lily.
"Oh wow brother, I should take you shopping sometimes," Meghan said.
"Wasn't I the one who got you girls the entire mall?" Nikolai smirked.
Zhanna hugged him.
"We still love you," she said warmly.
His sisters also hugged him one by one.
He kissed each of their foreheads gently.
"Pretty bhai!" Lily teased Ethan.
Everyone laughed.
"I am so hungry right now," Adrian said.
"Me too," Jaxon added.
"Wait Emil, you're half Mexican right?" Nikolai asked.
"Yeah… but I'm an orphan boss. My city is far from here," Emil replied.
"He is not an orphan," David said calmly. "He disowned his family after they killed his father."
Emil rolled his eyes.
"Whatever."
"Mil here!" Lilith suddenly called.
She handed Emil a golden bracelet.
"Thank you Sunshine," Emil said softly.
"Here Nikki!" she said again, handing Nikolai a silver-blue dagger decorated with skulls.
"Thank you Bambi… did you buy this for me?" Nikolai asked amused.
"Uh huh! Bhai give Lily money… Lily g…g…got this for Nikki!" she explained proudly.
He kissed her nose gently.
"Come on love, let's go change. It's almost lunch time!" Zhanna said, pulling Lily away as she giggled.
Ten minutes later.
Nikolai stepped out wearing a black Yucatán guayabera with white pants, paired with a Graff Diamonds Hallucination watch worth $55 million.
As he walked outside, girls immediately turned.
"Oh my goodness… he is so handsome," they whispered.
Mrs Francesca stepped out wearing a rebozo wrap dress with a cowboy hat. Mr William smiled at her shyly as she took his arm.
Everyone gathered outside.
Then—Nikolai looked up.
And froze.
His tiny wife appeared.
She wore a breathtaking black Mexican-inspired gown with deep crimson and silver floral embroidery flowing like midnight roses.
The corset-style bodice hugged her waist perfectly.
Thin satin straps rested on her shoulders.
At the back, velvet ropes crossed through silver eyelets, forming a lace-up corset that cinched her figure beautifully.
The skirt flowed with layered ruffles and delicate beadwork that shimmered under sunlight.
She looked like danger wrapped in elegance.
"Ay Dios mío… ella es tan, tan hermosa," Hilda whispered, holding her chest. (Oh my Lord she is so so gorgeous)
"Sí… lo es," Nikolai replied quietly. (Yes… she is)
"Wow boss," Emil said.
"She's… unreal," David muttered.
Mrs Francesca smiled.
"Vámonos!" she called. (Let's go!)
Everyone got into the cars.
Inside the car, Nikolai took pictures of Lilith and sent them to the family group.
"Awww look at my Mihu so so beautiful!" Riyana replied immediately.
Meanwhile in New York…
"ISHAAANNNNNN!!!" Tamanna screamed.
She was five months pregnant and furious.
"You ate my mangoes didn't you?!"
"I think we ran out," Ishaan replied calmly.
"I hate you! I hate myself! I hate there—no—"
"No what?" Sohan asked.
"Mangoes!!" she burst into tears.
Arhant sighed. "I'll go get some."
"Wait! Get cheesecake, crabs, mango ice cream, dumplings, donuts—" she listed while crying.
Dad? Arhant said Here just get them please Ishaan said giving her a black card Tory chuckled What funny you old man huh! She snap at him Nothing Troy said He got married to Vanya Calm down Tammy now Riyana said as Tamanna sniffed her nose I don't hate you I just want my mangos she said I know love Ishaan said come on let's go to hospital for the scan Hm? He said again Team girl! Ariz said Na Team Boy! Karim said Vamika chuckled at them,
Ishaan held her bump, chuckling.
At the same time:
Nishi came home crying.
Hey love how was school today? Aarav said A guy touched me inappropriately and they accused me of stealing her work she stole mine now they saying I should call my guardian tomorrow her mother slapped me Nishi said crying as Aarav looked at her up and down her coat tore her bag painted black and marks on her face
Where is your Bike? Reyan said
"They burned my bicycle… Papa gave me that bike…"
Aarav's expression darkened instantly.
He took her inside, bathed her gently, dressed her in his hoodie, and carried her to bed.
"Shhh… don't worry. I will take care of everything," he whispered.
His green eyes darkened completely.
"Nobody makes my Nishu cry… they will all pay."
He kissed her forehead.
Back in Mexico.
The convoy continued forward.
And the beginning of Mérida's storm… had already started.