𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞 || A Mafia Love Story

xliv

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Viktor sat hunched in the corner of the dimly lit room, the soft glow from the streetlights outside barely penetrating the heavy curtains he had drawn to shield Marlee from the searing daylight. The room felt oppressively silent, save for the faint rustle of her labored breaths. Her headache had worsened, and with a protective urgency, he had eased her into the bed, his rough hands gentle as he tucked the blanket under her chin.

He sank into the chair, a silent sentinel in the darkness, unable to tear his gaze from her fragile form. His mind spiraled, tracing the contours of his deepest fear. He'd nearly lost her. The thought alone sent a wave of nausea coursing through him. He wrung his hands, rubbing his palms together, his foot tapping nervously on the hardwood floor. His heart hammered in his chest, each beat a reminder of the terror that had gripped him. He had never felt so helpless, so close to breaking. He couldn't—no, he wouldn't—let her out of his sight again.

Marlee stirred in her sleep, and Viktor's foot halted, his whole body freezing as if afraid his very existence would shatter her peace. His eyes darted to her face, taking in the golden halo of hair that spilled across the pillow, the delicate rise and fall of her chest. He clenched his fists, willing himself to calm down, to stay in control.

"Viktor?" Her voice, soft and sleepy, cut through the stillness like a fragile melody, and Viktor winced. He had woken her.

"Sleep, malyshka," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, careful not to disturb her further.

But Marlee's reply surprised him. "Come here," she said, her tone carrying a quiet authority that made his lips twitch in amusement.

He let out a soft, breathy laugh, the sound foreign in the heavy air. Slowly, he rose from the chair, his frame unfurling as he stood to his full height. Marlee's eyes followed him, and despite her drowsy state, she noticed the tension in his shoulders, the worry etched deep into his brow. She had heard him—the relentless tapping of his foot, the anxious clenching of his fingers. Though it was a sign of his unease, she had come to find it oddly comforting. It told her she was safe because he was here, watching over her, protecting her.

Viktor sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress sinking under his weight, and Marlee rolled over to face him. She could feel the turmoil radiating from him like heat. "Viktor," she whispered again, her voice soft and gentle, pulling his eyes toward hers. They met her gaze reluctantly, his stormy eyes filled with a conflict he could barely contain. "Thank you," she said, her words like a balm, soothing the ache in his heart.

"Don't thank me, malyshka," Viktor replied, his voice hardening as the crease between his brows deepened. He didn't deserve her gratitude. Not after everything.

Marlee sighed softly, sitting up on her knees to reach his face. Her small hand found his forehead, her fingertips smoothing the lines of worry etched into his skin. "It's not your fault, Viktor," she whispered, her touch light, tender. She combed her fingers through his tousled hair, and Viktor stiffened beneath her touch, the emotions he had buried for days bubbling dangerously close to the surface.

He swallowed hard, his throat tight as the old, familiar pain clawed its way up. He let out a shaky breath, his gaze falling to the floor as he tried to hold himself together. He had never been this vulnerable, not in front of anyone. But with her... it was different. She unraveled him, piece by piece, her gentle reassurances dissolving the walls he had spent years building.

"I'm okay," Marlee repeated, her voice a soft melody, and Viktor's resolve shattered. The tension drained from his body as he collapsed into her, his arms circling her waist, his head resting against her abdomen. His other hand slid up her back, clutching her as if she were the only anchor keeping him from drowning. He pressed his face into her, his chest heaving with silent sobs, the tears spilling from his eyes in a release he hadn't allowed himself in years.

Marlee's heart ached for him, her chest tightening as she felt his quiet sobs ripple through her body. She cradled his head, her fingers threading through his hair with a tenderness that spoke of a love too deep to ignore. She could feel his tears soaking through her shirt, but she didn't care. All that mattered in this moment was him—this man who had been her protector, her shield, now crumbling in her arms.

The shaking eventually subsided, Viktor's breathing growing slower, steadier. His grip on her loosened slightly, but he still held onto her, as if afraid to let go. Marlee smiled softly, her heart swelling with an overwhelming tenderness as she watched him. This large, formidable man, so strong in the face of the world, had finally let his guard down, trusting her to hold him together. And she would. For as long as he needed.

As Viktor's breaths deepened, Marlee realized he had fallen asleep, his body sagging against hers in complete surrender. She continued to stroke his hair, her fingers tracing gentle patterns against his scalp, and as she did, the realization that had been hovering at the edge of her mind finally settled in her heart.

She loved him.

It was a truth she had known for some time, but one she had tried, unsuccessfully, to deny. Now, with his warm breath against her skin and his weight grounding her, there was no denying it any longer.

"I love you," she whispered into the darkness, her words barely audible, meant only for him, only for this moment. And as she spoke them, she felt a peace wash over her, knowing that even if he hadn't heard, the truth was out there, hanging in the quiet stillness of the room, waiting to be heard in the light of day.

Hey! I'm sorry about the long waits between updates!
I've kinda been losing motivation for this story and I didn't want to post half-assed chapters. 😭

Thank you for reading! <3