𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐞 || A Mafia Love Story

xlv

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"Mr. Sovetsky, her home is with us," Marlee's grandmother said, her voice calm but edged with steel, her words carrying the weight of a thousand sleepless nights. She sat with quiet defiance, her petite frame heavy shadows from the fire.

"She is not leaving my sight," Viktor replied, each word clipped and immovable, like stones dropped into a frozen lake. His presence dominated the small room, his broad shoulders hunched over a desk in the corner. The rhythmic clatter of his fingers on the keyboard was the only sound punctuating the tense air. Outside, the winter sky hung heavy and gray, threatening to spill its burden of snow onto the earth below.

Marlee sat curled up on the threadbare couch, her slender frame half-swallowed by the oversized wool blanket draped across her. She watched the exchange with wide eyes, her expression unreadable but her body taut as if braced for impact. Her grandmother sat beside her, close but not too close, her back ramrod straight as though ready to shield Marlee from whatever storm might come.

The room smelled faintly of cedarwood and coffee, the scents mingling with the metallic chill that seeped through the drafty windows. Though Viktor had spared no expense to secure them here, the cabin was more functional than comfortable—a temporary haven from threats that still loomed too close for comfort.

"You're welcome to stay as long as you need," Viktor continued, his voice low and steady, "but Marlee will not return until I do." His gaze remained fixed on the screen before him, his face illuminated by the pale glow of his laptop. The stark light carved shadows across his angular features, highlighting the tension in his jaw and the furrow of his brow.

Marlee's grandmother shifted slightly, her hands tightening into fists on her lap. She opened her mouth to argue but hesitated when she felt Marlee's small hand cover hers. The girl's touch was warm despite the chill in the room, her fingers trembling ever so slightly.

"It's alright, Nonna," Marlee murmured, her voice soft yet resolute. She forced a gentle smile, one she hoped would ease her grandmother's unease. "Just for a little while."

Nonna's lips pressed into a thin line, her weathered face betraying her reluctance. "Your mother will worry," she began, her voice tinged with quiet desperation, but Marlee cut her off with a gentle shake of her head.

"I'll call her," she promised, her words soothing yet firm.

From the corner of the room, Viktor's chair creaked as he swiveled to face them. He leaned back slightly, his piercing gaze locking onto Nonna with an intensity that left no room for doubt. His movements were deliberate as he rolled his neck, the soft pop of vertebrae echoing in the small space, before straightening the cuffs of his shirt.

"We're leaving tonight," he said simply, his tone brooking no argument. The statement was as unyielding as the man himself, his resolve etched into every line of his face.

Nonna sighed deeply, her hand lingering on Marlee's head, brushing a few dark strands away from her face. "Is that what you want, sweet girl?" she asked, her voice laced with reluctant acceptance.

Marlee nodded, her gaze steady though her hand trembled slightly against her grandmother's. "It is," she replied, her voice quieter now but no less certain.

Nonna let out a long, slow breath, nodding to herself as though committing the moment to memory. "Then I'll hold you to your promise," she said at last, her tone quiet.

The air outside was cruel, its icy fingers clawing at Marlee's face and tangling in her hair as they stepped out onto the desolate airstrip. The faint roar of engines hummed in the distance, and the headlights of nearby vehicles cut through the darkness like searching eyes. Marlee's heavy coat did little to shield her from the biting cold, her cheeks and nose stinging with each gust of wind.

Viktor strode beside her, his long, purposeful strides betraying no hint of discomfort. His coat, black and perfectly tailored, flared slightly at the hem as he walked, the fabric catching the wind like the wings of a shadowy bird. His face, sharp and commanding, was a mask of determination.

As they approached the aircraft, Marlee glanced back at the shrinking figure of her grandmother, now safely on her own flight. A pang of guilt twisted in her chest, but it was quickly swallowed by the strange mix of fear and exhilaration that coursed through her veins. She was in Russia. With Viktor. And while the uncertainty of it all threatened to overwhelm her, a small part of her clung to the hope that this was the start of something new.

The plane's interior was a haven from the bitter cold, its warmth wrapping around her like a soft embrace. Polished wood panels gleamed under dim lighting, and plush leather seats beckoned invitingly. But the luxury did little to ease the tension coiled tightly in her chest. As Marlee stepped inside, the memory of the cargo plane surged unbidden to the forefront of her mind—the suffocating darkness, the muffled cries, the overpowering smell of fear.

She froze in the doorway, her breath hitching as her palms grew clammy. The warmth of the cabin felt suffocating now, her pulse thundering in her ears. Behind her, Viktor's presence loomed, solid and grounding.

"This is not the same," she whispered to herself, repeating the words like a lifeline. "You're safe now."

Viktor's voice broke through her spiraling thoughts, low and soothing. "Where do you want to sit, malyshka?"

Marlee turned to him, startled by the gentle question. She offered a small shrug, unable to find her voice. Viktor's eyes softened, a faint smile ghosting across his lips, though the sadness in his gaze remained. He led her to a seat by the window, settling across from her with practiced ease.

The hum of the engine lulled her into a restless sleep, and before she knew it, the plane touched down in the remote expanse of the Russian countryside. The air outside was colder than before, the kind of cold that bit through layers and settled into the bones. They walked in silence toward a waiting car, the headlights casting eerie shadows on the snow-covered landscape.

The drive was long, the road winding through a forest shrouded in darkness. Towering pines lined the path, their branches heavy with snow that sparkled faintly under the moonlight. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the crunch of tires on ice and the occasional whistle of wind.

When they finally arrived, the mansion loomed like a ghostly sentinel against the night sky. Its stone facade was weathered and imposing, the kind of place that whispered of secrets best left buried. Marlee stepped out of the car, her boots crunching against the snow as she gazed up at the estate, her breath fogging in the frigid air.

The front door burst open before she could take another step, and a familiar figure emerged, sprinting down the walkway.

"Lina!" Marlee's voice cracked as a grin split her face. She rushed forward, her feet slipping slightly on the icy ground, and threw herself into Lina's waiting arms.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Thank you for reading! <3