𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞 || A Mafia Love Story

xliii

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As the car rolled to a stop in the driveway of the safe house, the sun peeked over the horizon, casting a soft, golden light on the snow-covered ground. The moment the engine cut off, the front door of the house swung open, and Roman came sprinting out into the cold, his breath visible in the crisp morning air. His eyes were wide with concern as they locked onto Marlee through the window.

"Marlee!" Roman's voice cracked as he shouted, his relief palpable.

The car door hadn't even fully opened when Roman reached her, pulling her into his arms. The moment she stood on her feet, he wrapped her in a tight hug, holding her as if afraid she might disappear again. His arms were solid and warm, a stark contrast to the chill of the morning. Marlee could feel the rapid thumping of his heart through his coat.

"I'm so glad you're okay," Roman whispered, his voice thick with emotion. His grip on her tightened, his face buried in her hair. "I thought... I thought I lost you."

Marlee's breath hitched as she hugged him back, feeling his worry seep into her. Roman's embrace was grounding, familiar, a lifeline in the chaos of the past few days.

But Viktor stood a few feet away, his tall figure tense. His sharp eyes were fixed on them, and despite the relief of seeing Marlee safe, there was something else simmering beneath the surface. His hand, which had been cradling hers moments ago, now hung useless by his side, his fingers twitching slightly as if aching for the warmth of her touch. The distance between them felt too far, even though it was only a few feet.

Marlee, sensing Viktor's eyes on her, gently pulled away from Roman's embrace. She could see the concern etched into Roman's face, but she also felt the weight of Viktor's presence behind her. As Roman stepped back, she glanced over her shoulder and met Viktor's gaze.

For a brief moment, she hesitated. She could see the worry in Viktor's dark eyes, but beneath it, something deeper—a vulnerability that Viktor rarely showed. Slowly, she reached out, her hand finding his, and the tension in his body melted as their fingers intertwined once more. A visible exhale escaped his lips, as though holding her hand was the only reassurance he needed.

Roman, noticing the silent exchange, gave a soft, understanding smile. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly and cleared his throat. "I'll, uh, give you guys a moment. Just glad you're okay, Marlee."

Marlee turned back to him, her voice soft but filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Roman. I'm glad to see you."

Roman nodded and stepped aside, but not before giving Viktor a brief look of respect and brotherly concern. Then he disappeared toward the house, leaving the two of them standing in the driveway. The wind rustled softly through the trees, but for a moment, everything was still.

Viktor gently squeezed her hand, drawing her attention back to him. "Let's get inside," he murmured, his voice low and soothing, though there was an edge of something unsaid. He didn't want to let go of her, not again, not after everything.

As soon as Marlee laid eyes on her Nonna sitting by the fire, her heart clenched, and the walls she'd so carefully built up over the last few days came crashing down. Her vision blurred with tears as her legs buckled beneath her, unable to bear the weight of her emotions any longer.

Before she could collapse, Viktor was there, his arms wrapping firmly around her waist, steadying her. He guided her forward with such care, as if she were made of glass, ready to shatter at any moment. His touch was her anchor in the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

"Nonna..." Marlee whispered, her voice breaking.

Her grandmother sat in her wheelchair, tears spilling down her cheeks as she opened her arms wide. "My sweet girl," Nonna choked out, her voice trembling with the weight of her worry and love. "I was so worried. So, so worried."

Marlee dropped to her knees, burying her face in her Nonna's lap as she clung to her like a lifeline. All the fear, the terror, and the uncertainty she had buried deep inside now poured out in sobs that shook her body. She gripped her Nonna's hands tightly, afraid to let go, afraid that if she did, this moment of safety and comfort would disappear.

Nonna cradled her granddaughter's head, gently stroking Marlee's hair in the way she used to when Marlee was a little girl. Her fingers, though aged and frail, were steady and soothing as they brushed through Marlee's tangled strands. "It's alright, my love," she whispered, her voice thick with tears. "You're safe now. You're home."

Viktor stood behind them, his heart clenching at the sight of Marlee breaking down. He felt a deep ache watching her unravel, feeling powerless yet knowing this reunion was what she needed. He watched as Marlee melted into her grandmother's embrace, every sob a reminder of how much she had endured.

"Nonna..." Marlee sobbed, her hands clutching her grandmother's lap. "I was so scared. I thought—I thought I wouldn't see you again."

"Oh, my sweet baby," her Nonna whispered, tears streaming down her own face. "I prayed for you every minute. I knew you'd come back to me. I knew Viktor would bring you home."

Mikhail approached then, his expression serious as he guided Marlee away from her grandmother and onto a nearby couch.

"Let's take a look at you," Mikhail said gently, his voice low as he began his examination. "You've been through a lot, but you're safe now."

Mikhail knelt beside Marlee, his face calm but focused as he gently tilted her head to inspect her. "Let's see how you're doing," he said, shining a small light into her eyes. Marlee winced at the brightness, her vision blurring slightly as she tried to follow his instructions.

"Just look straight ahead," Mikhail instructed, his voice steady. He moved the light from side to side, checking her pupil response. "Any nausea, dizziness?" he asked.

Marlee nodded faintly, her head pounding with every slight movement. "A little dizzy," she whispered, her words thick with fatigue.

Mikhail hummed in acknowledgment and gently pressed along her scalp, checking for any tenderness or swelling. "You might have a mild concussion," he said thoughtfully. "You'll need to rest and avoid sleeping for a few hours—at least until we're sure there's no worsening. We'll monitor you closely."

Marlee felt Viktor's hand tighten around hers at the mention of a concussion. His presence was a steady force beside her, grounding her as the room seemed to spin slightly. She could feel the warmth of his body radiating through his clothes, and it gave her a sense of security she hadn't felt in days.

Mikhail continued his exam, asking her to follow his finger with her eyes, testing her motor functions, and making sure there was no immediate danger. All the while, Viktor's hand remained in hers, his thumb gently rubbing soothing circles on her skin.

"She's okay for now," Mikhail finally concluded, standing up. "But she'll need rest and close observation for the next 24 hours. If anything changes—headaches, nausea, confusion—she needs a hospital immediately."

Viktor gave a curt nod, his eyes dark with determination as he held Marlee closer against him. "I'll make sure of it."

Thank you for reading! <3