𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞 || A Mafia Love Story

ix

~Viktor~

"And the girl, is she a part of the deal?" A man laughed, a thick Spanish accent present in his words. "Fuck off Marcos." Viktor grunted. "I'm kidding man, relax." Marcos cooed, his hands in the air. Viktor didn't know why but he held a strange possessive over this girl, a girl he's never truly spoken to before. He felt like a fool.

"Viktor." Roman called, his voice sounding distant. Viktor hummed in response, flicking his eyes up to meet those of his youngest brother. "You need to confirm the deal went through with Dedushka." Viktor grunted his displeasure, anger clear on his face. "You can tell the old fuck yourself Roman." Viktor stood pushing his chair back with him and left his office. Roman rushed after him still having more to say to his eldest brother.

"That old man needs to stop meddling in my fucking business." Viktor said through gritted teeth. "You know he's just looking out for you man, you've only officially been in charge for like six months." Roman rushed out while chasing Viktor down the hall. Viktor let out a harsh laugh, "Six months!? I've been doing the old fuck's work for him for six fucking years while he sat on his lazy ass and took the credit." The man ducked his head through the doorway of his bedroom slamming the door in Roman's face.

Outside, Viktor could hear the sound of Roman letting out a breath and his fading footsteps as he made his to what Viktor assumed would be the kitchen. Viktor ran his hands through his hair angrily letting out a breath of frustration.

He was beyond angry with his grandfather. Being forced to take care of his problems from an early age led the young man to hold resentment towards the older man. Viktor's grandfather never treated him as kindly as he did his siblings, for what reason he didn't know. But when he killed his father it only solidified his hatred for the man. Taking away Viktor's chance to do so destroyed him, years Viktor had spent planning how he'd take the man he called father's life. Years that had been thrown down the drain because of him.

The tall man stood making his way to his desk and turning on his computer. His security cameras were pulled up, as this was his last use, the security cameras he had installed in the Russo's restaurant. The man sat in the chair and rewound the cameras to last night when his idiot of a brother and the girl were there. Viktor watched as the girl entered her grandfathers office, a bright smile was shown on her face, crinkling the freckles that traced her delicate skin. The beautiful smile on her face sent the man's heart racing, he felt like a teenage boy. The way the young girls eyes gleamed brought a joy to Viktor's heart that he'd never experienced, he wanted more. Viktor rubbed his face attempting to wipe away his tiredness, he still had work to get done tonight and it couldn't wait. With one final glance at the girl he shut down his computer and left his room. With heavy strides he made his way to his car and started the hour long drive out to the warehouse his men would be found.

~Marlee~

As the girl sat in class she began regretting the decision of drinking two glasses of sweet tea that morning. The pressure on her bladder was getting worse and she knew she couldn't make it through the rest of class. Just raise your hand Marlee. The girl hesitated and finally decided to ask, "Yes Marlee?" "May I go to the restroom please?" "Go ahead, be quick." Mrs. Barlowe answered kindly. "Thank you ma'am." Some of the student in the class snickered at her politeness causing Marlee to frown.

As the girl entered the bathroom she heard laughing coming from one of the stalls. Marlee ignored the group of girls and entered one of her own to relieve herself. Once the girl finished her business she approached one of the sinks to wash her hands. As Marlee started to head towards the door she felt a hand harshly grip her hair and pull her backwards. The girl let out a whimper as she was spun around to face her attacker.

Marlee's gaze met that of Ava who held an ugly scowl on her face creasing the makeup she had caked on that morning. "Can you please let go Ava? That really hurts." Marlee pleaded in a quiet voice a tear threatening to spill from her eye. "Oh does it!" Ava sneered a pout on her face. Marlee shook her head slightly, getting the feeling Ava didn't care about the pain she was causing. Whatever Marlee did to deserve this, she didn't know, but the girl wanted to apologize regardless. "That's too fucking bad isn't it." Ava sneered tightening her grip in Marlee's hair. Marlee felt her body roughly thrown into the wall. "Listen you bitch, Roman doesn't fucking like you so stay away. He thinks you're just as fucking annoying as the rest of us do." The girl growled a disgusting smirk on her face. Marlee felt as though her heart had been broken in two. "T-That's not true. You're b-being mean Ava. Please, stop it." Marlee pleaded her lip wobbling.

Ava scowled harder than Marlee thought possible and grabbed the girl by her thin wrist, hard. Marlee yelped feeling as though the bone had broken. Marlee's body was thrown to the ground and she felt a harsh kick fly into her stomach. The girl sputtered trying to catch her breath.

Marlee heard the click of a camera and looked around to see Ava's friends laughing and recording the awful interaction. Marlee felt embarrassed and ashamed. If her grandparents ever saw that video they'd never look at her the same.

Marlee tried to push herself up but was quickly shoved back down by a foot to the chest. Ava got down to Marlee's level, a twisted grin on her. "Nobody. Fucking. Likes you. Do you understand?" Marlee quickly nodded her head trying to suppress her cry's. Tears were streaming down her face now and she was barely holding back her sobs. "Then say it." Marlee quickly shook her head indicating a no. Ava gripped Marlee's injured wrist squeezing it tightly. "Say. It." Marlee was sobbing now, both from sadness and pain. "N-Nobody l-likes me." "That's not what I said bitch, try again." Marlee tried to shuffle away but was held firmly in place. Marlee felt the hold on her wrist grow even more painful ending her defiance. Marlee looked to the ground avoiding Ava's gaze. "Nobody f-fucking likes m-me." Marlee uttered her voice barely louder than a whisper. The use of the curse word made the small girl feel awful about herself, Nonna would be upset. "Aww, her first curse word." One of Ava's friends cooed mockingly. "Pathetic." Ava hissed shoving Marlee's head into the ground. Ava rose to her feet and left the bathroom, her group of friends following close behind.

Marlee pulled herself to her feet, feeling slightly off balance from the hit to her head. Her wrist ached painfully as did her stomach and scalp. This wasn't the first time Ava's taken things this far and Marlee was certain it wouldn't be the last. The girl looked to her wrist now shaded in a deep purpling bruise and grimaced. She was supposed to go to Roman's house today but she didn't want him to see the nasty bruise that was already forming.