𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞 || A Mafia Love Story

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Marlee sat in the passenger seat of Roman's truck tugging on the sleeve of the jacket she found in her locker.

"My brother is kinda scary but he's just trying to act cool so ignore him if you see him." Roman rambled. The truck shook as they drove down the gravel road, a trail of dust following close behind. "I'm sure he's very nice." Marlee smiled sweetly. Roman snorted in response to Marlee's statement, "Trust me. He's the biggest dickhead you'll ever meet." He exclaimed with his hands. "Roman! Don't say that about your brother." Marlee scolded.

Roman looked at her and shrugged, "Sorry," A sly smile on his face. Marlee shook her head and looked out the window. She felt nervous to go to his house but she wasn't sure why.

Marlee tuned out her anxious thoughts and focused on the gentle hum of music Roman was tapping his finger along to on the wheel.

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The truck came to a stop in front of a beautiful old mansion surrounded by old cypress trees, their branches adorned in cascading moss and vines. The home itself was built of crumbling stone and looked as though it had been in the family for generations. The house was old but still looked in pristine condition. A well maintained lawn surrounded the gravel drive that led to the house.

Marlee jumped down from the truck, Roman opening the door for her. The small girls feet crunched on the gravel as she followed Roman to the front door. "Ta-da!" Roman exclaimed as he revealed the foyer to the girl. Marlee giggled at his use of jazz hands and followed to him to the kitchen. "I think my brother is gone by the way so there's no need to worry about him." The young man smiled gracefully. "Hungry?" Marlee nodded a wide smile spread across her face. Roman opened his pantry and gestured to the interior, "Grab whatever you want." He said with an arm already full of food. Marlee laughed at her friend and settled on a small bag of fruit snacks. "I'll show you around! I don't really know it that well either if I'm being honest." Roman laughed, his mouth full of food. Roman reached towards Marlee's hand to lead the way. Marlee whimpered at the contact and snatched her wrist back quickly.

"Hey what's wrong!?" Roman asked startled, thinking he was the cause of her pain. "It's kind of embarrassing," Marlee laughed nervously. "I was trying to do a handstand and I think I twisted it a little." The lie tasting bitter in her mouth.

"Do you need someone to look at it cause we have-" Roman was cut off by Marlee, "I'm fine Roman." Marlee laughed, a convincing smile on her face. "Alright, well let's go!" Roman cheered, a dopey smile on his face.

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After the tour of Romans house the small girls ribs began to ache and a thundering headache began to form so she was thankful when Roman suggested watching a movie. Roman made popcorn and gathered as much candy as he could find in their pantry, "Usually I'd have more but our pantry is kind of empty." Roman huffed, disappointment evident on his face. Marlee looked at the spread of full size candy bars and back at her friend in disbelief. During the movie the sky darkened and rain started pouring from the clouds. Roman surprisingly fell asleep before Marlee but she soon followed.

~Viktor~

Viktor was usually the type of guy to be prepared for anything but coming home from work and seeing the girl constantly in his thoughts asleep on his couch wasn't one of them. The small girl lay balled up, her head resting on the arm of the couch. Viktor was entranced by the young girls beauty. Even in sleep she remained the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid his eyes upon. The small women's light colored hair lay sprawled across the arm of the sofa, her breathing calm and rhythmic could almost put Viktor to sleep as though she herself were a lullaby.

Viktor stood there entranced before he was pulled away by a loud snore coming from his bafoon of a brother. Viktor rolled his eyes and kicked the boy in the shin startling him awake. "Shit, what time is it?" Roman slurred, sleep still present. "Doesn't matter, just go to bed." Viktor grunted in response, motioning his head towards his bedroom. It wouln't be safe for Roman to drive her home, he's tired and the roads are slick. The man thought to himself, if only to see her more.

The rain poured outside and droplets of water slid down the window. Viktor approached the girl, crouching down in front of her. Viktor softly called the girls name attempting to lull her from sleep. The sound of his voice having the opposite effect on the girl and only driving her further into her dreams. The dim light cast through the rain soaked window onto the woman's face, accentuating her delicate features and the freckles tracing her skin.

Suddenly a deafening clap of thunder echoed through the air, jolting her awake. Her eyes snapped open, wide with surprise, as she sat up, heart racing. Marlee's eyes flicked to meet those of Viktor's seeming unbothered by the roaring storm. "You're awake." Viktor stated gruffly as he stood. Marlee nodded her head still disoriented from sleep. "Roman is sleeping, I'll take you home." He grumbled. "O-Okay." Marlee stuttered, the man's demeanor making her nervous. "Um... Who are you?" Marlee questioned sheepishly. "Viktor." Marlee repeated the man's name quietly not noticing the way the man's shoulders stiffened as she did so. Unknown to the girl, the sound of his name on her lips sent Viktor's heart thundering into his skull, and his palms sweaty.

Viktor began walking towards the garage without so much as a word forcing Marlee to quickly gather her things and follow. Viktor walked in long strides finding it amusing the young woman behind him struggled to keep up. Viktor slowed his pace allowing her to catch up and continued to his car. The man opened the passenger side door for the woman, closing it softly behind her. The action caused Marlee's cheeks to flush, the color hidden by the darkness from the storm. Marlee thanked Viktor, the sound of her voice being like music to his ears.

Viktor started the car and pulled out of the gravel drive, down the road. Marlee studied the man, his tattoos showed down his arms past the rolled up sleeves of his button up and veins popped from his arms tracing their way down his hands. The man's eyes fluttered, his eyelashes casting a shadow across his cheeks. The shadows from the storm only accentuated the sharpness of his jaw and the blonde hair that curled behind his ears. Marlee noticed a tiny mole below the corner of the man's left eye. "You're very pretty." Marlee blurted immediately flushing pink. Viktor nearly choked, he glanced over at the small girl a blank look on his face. "You think I'm pretty, hm?" "Yes." The young woman squeaked nervously, eyes wide. Viktor breathed out a quiet laugh, the young girl amused him. Viktor pulled the car into Marlee's drive way and turned to her. Viktor leaned forward an inch and spoke in a low voice, "I think you're very pretty too, malyshka." Marlee's eyes went wide as saucers and she felt her face flush once again. "Thank you." She squeaked and quickly left the car running into the pouring rain for her front door. Marlee's heart was racing just as fast as Viktor's.

Viktor waited for the front door to close before turning his head towards the vacant seat. A glimmering pink beaded bracelet caught Viktor's eye and the man reached slowly towards the small object. "Good god woman." Viktor grumbled slipping the small piece of jewelry over his wrist. The bracelet was too small for the man causing the elastic band to dig into his skin. He didn't care, he didn't want to lose the girl's bracelet. Viktor sighed rubbing at his face, trying to keep his unwanted thoughts at bay. The man put the car in drive and flew down the gravel road, his heart pounding in his ears from his previous proximity to the young beauty.