𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞 || A Mafia Love Story

xlii

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As Viktor cradled Marlee in his arms, the world outside seemed to blur into an endless expanse of snow and shadows. The faint light of dawn was beginning to break on the horizon, casting a pale, fragile glow over the snow-covered landscape. Marlee's body was limp against his chest, her breathing soft and shallow, exhaustion weighing her down. Every so often, her eyes would flutter closed, the temptation to succumb to sleep too strong, but each time, Viktor's gentle voice pulled her back to consciousness.

"You can't sleep just yet, Malyshka," Viktor whispered softly, his voice low and soothing, cutting through the haze in her mind. He knew all too well the disorienting effects of a concussion, having been on the receiving end of such injuries many times himself. He smoothed a hand through her hair, his fingers threading gently through the tangled strands. The rhythmic motion grounded him, reassured him that she was still there, still alive.

Marlee sighed softly, her eyes heavy as they lifted to meet Viktor's. Even through the pounding ache in her skull, a warmth bloomed in her chest at the sight of him. She had never felt more connected to anyone in her life. Viktor was more than just her protector—he was the one she turned to when everything was falling apart. He was the steady presence in the storm, the one she thought of even in her darkest moments.

It hit her with a sudden, overwhelming clarity: throughout her entire ordeal, it hadn't been her mother she wished for, or even her own survival she feared for—it had been Viktor. The thought of something happening to him, of losing him, had terrified her more than the danger she faced.

But now, another surge of panic cut through her, sharper than any pain she'd felt. Nonna. Her grandmother. Where was she?

Marlee jolted upright, a strangled gasp escaping her lips as panic flooded her veins. Her vision blurred, pain ricocheting through her head as the sudden movement sent waves of dizziness crashing over her. "Nonna—" she started, her voice frantic, but Viktor was already there, his hand firm yet tender on her shoulder, guiding her back down into the seat.

"She's alright," Viktor said quickly, his voice soothing, his touch grounding her. His hand never left her, as if afraid that the moment he let go, she'd vanish again. "We found her in the same building. Roman and my men got her out safely."

His fingers brushed through her hair again, the touch both calming and intimate, as if he were reassuring himself as much as her. He couldn't bear to sever the connection between them, not after what they had both been through. The thought of ever letting her slip away again was unbearable.

Marlee sagged back into the seat, her body trembling with relief. The surge of panic ebbed, replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion that made her limbs feel heavy. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice fragile, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the fragile calm that had settled over them.

Viktor climbed into the passenger seat beside her, his presence a steadying force in the swirling fog of her thoughts. His gaze lingered on her, his brows furrowed with concern. He reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering on her skin.

"You'll see her in a few hours," he promised, his voice soft but firm. "Roman's already driven her to a safe house not far from here. She's waiting for you."

A fresh wave of tears welled in Marlee's eyes, her emotions overwhelming her. She had been so afraid—afraid for her grandmother, for Viktor, for everything she had lost. But now, knowing that her Nonna was safe, that Viktor had come for her, the relief was almost too much to bear. She nodded weakly, her throat tight with unspoken emotion.

The silence that followed was thick and heavy, filled with all the things neither of them knew how to say. Marlee found herself studying Viktor, her heart aching at the sight of him. His face was etched with weariness, shadows dark beneath his eyes, but there was something else there too—something raw and unspoken, a guilt that he couldn't seem to shake.

"Marlee, I—" Viktor started, his voice thick with emotion, but the words faltered on his tongue. He didn't know how to express the storm raging inside him, the guilt that gnawed at his insides like a dull blade. He had failed her. He had let her be taken, let her suffer. No matter how hard he had fought to save her, the fact remained that she had been hurt because of him.

"You couldn't have known, Viktor," Marlee said softly, her voice like a balm against the raw edges of his guilt. She reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm, her touch warm and reassuring. Despite everything, she still trusted him. Despite all the pain, she was still here, and she was okay.

Viktor's heart clenched at the sound of his name on her lips, the softness of her voice wrapping around him like a lifeline. She was safe. She was alive. That should have been enough. But it wasn't. He could never forgive himself for what she had been through.

As the car moved steadily through the snow-covered landscape, the tension in the air began to ease. The world outside was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the engine and the rhythmic crunch of tires against snow. Marlee leaned her head against the window, her eyes growing heavier with every passing minute, but Viktor's hand remained on hers, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles.

Thank you for reading! <3