𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞 || A Mafia Love Story

viii

"Hey... I've been here!" Roman cheered. "I came with my brother we-" Roman paused and licked his lips before continuing "We came here for dinner when we first moved in!" He fumbled over his words seeming slightly nervous, his odd behavior however went unnoticed by the small girl in his passenger seat. "Really!? What did you get? I like everything on the menu! Except for margarita pizza, I hate tomatoes on their own. They taste yuck and-"

"Marlee?" Roman chimed, "You don't want your cookies to get cold, do you?" Roman chuckled his eyes crinkling as he smiled. Marlee shook her head vigorously before hopping out of the truck onto the gravel road before her.

Marlee turned expecting the young man to be hot on her heels but he remained in the truck avoiding her gaze. "Are coming in?" Marlee beckoned with her hand through the rolled down window. "No that's alright Marlee I'll stay here." He smiled. "It's just papa he doesn't bite." The girl giggled skipping over to his side of the car and opening the door. "Come on." Marlee drawled pulling on his hand. "I want you to meet my papa, he's really nice i'm sure he'll like you!" Roman swallowed before getting out of the truck and following the girl begrudgingly.

Marlee skipped happily into the restaurant pulling Roman by the sleeve behind her. The boy stepped forward opening the door for her and continued following her towards the back. The restaurant wasn't particularly busy that day but there still seemed to be a steady flow of customers dining with their families, the sight making Marlee feel giddy. Marlee pushed through the kitchen door making her way to her grandfathers office. "Papa! Me and my new friend made cookies for you!" Marlee cheered as she poked her head in the door. "You shouldn't have my dear!" Her grandfather chuckled in his low raspy voice. "Well who's your friend?" He smiled. Marlee pushed the door open and her grandfathers face went ghostly. The expression came and went so fast Marlee almost didn't notice. "What's wrong?" Marlee questioned worry evident in her voice.
"Oh nothing sweet heart I just wasn't expecting your new friend to be a boy, such a tall one at that!" He chuckled. However the nervousness still showed in his voice but this time it went undetected by his granddaughter along with the shushing gesture made from above her. "Why are you hiding Roman come in here!" The girl smiled at his antics. Roman couldn't have hid either way as he stood over a foot above the girl and could easily be seen above her. Marlee, Roman, and her grandfather conversed for well over an hour the older man surprisingly finding comfort in their conversation.

Who knew a boy from that family could be so kind. The man thought to himself. However the old man's sentiments about the young man didn't change what he knew to be fact. "You can head home young man i'll be leaving in about an hour, so I can take this one with me." He chuckled pointing at a yawning Marlee. "Oh no that's alright sir she seems tired and it's on the way." Roman smiled. The old man's face blanched and he closed and opened his mouth before speaking again. "Really it's fine we wouldn't want to cause you any trouble." Marlee's grandfather smiled trying to remain friendly. Roman's face went serious and his tone became stern. "I can take her home sir, she seems exhausted." Marlee's grandfather scowled in response looking towards his granddaughter. When he looked back at the boy, a small smile graced Roman's face as he watched Marlee nearly falling asleep in a booth. "Well I suppose if it isn't any trouble." He grunted and shuffled his feet back into his office. Marlee's grandfather felt as though he had no say in the matter. If he were to be doing business with these people it's best to stay on their good side.

"Marlee." A hushed voice whispered near her ear. The girl hummed in response peeling one of her eyes open. "Let's take you home, it's late." Roman chuckled. "Alright." Marlee whined pushing herself to her feet.

During the drive back Marlee must have fallen asleep as the sound of the girls soft snores and chirping crickets filled the car. Tires crunching on gravel filled the girls ears as she drifted off to a peaceful sleep.

Roman parked his truck at the front door and looked over at the girl. Her elbow rested on the center console which supported her head. Drool dripped from her mouth causing Roman to laugh. The young man reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone snapping a picture of the sight before him. Roman shook his head before exiting the vehicle and making his way to the passenger side. Roman scooped the small girl into his arms and carried her to the front door. The door slid open with a soft click and he entered the house. Roman spotted an old woman seated at the kitchen table. "Hello ma'am." Roman said quietly filling his head. "Where's her room?" Mrs.Russo breathed out a laugh before whispering the directions as quietly as she could. Mrs.Russo heard footsteps descending the stairs and the young man walk around the corner. "Hi! I'm Roman sorry for just walking in we met at school, i'm her friend so-"

"Thank you for bringing her home Roman, my husband told me just a minute ago." The woman lulled, a kind smile on her face. "That's alright, goodnight." Roman called as he exited the house.

As Mrs.Russo watched the boy leave her brows furrowed and a look of confusion graced her face. "That girl is always getting into trouble." She chuckled shaking her head.