Lahat ng Kabanata ng Marked by the Mob: A Russian Mafia Romance: Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

With one last smile, Taylor turned and walked away, her steps quick and purposeful as she made her way back to the hospital. Nicolai watched her go, his heart filled with admiration and respect for the young nurse who had risked everything to help him.He turned back to the car, his eyes meeting Alessia's as he slipped into the passenger seat beside her. She reached out, her hand covering his as she squeezed gently. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with concern even as he saw the agitation in her eyes.Nicolai nodded, his head falling back against the headrest. "I am now. Thanks to you."Alessia's heart pounded as Sergei drove them away from the hospital, the city lights fading into the darkness as they sped towards the safe house. Nicolai sat beside her, his body slumped and bloodied, the scent of antiseptic and sweat clinging to him. She clutched his hand tightly, but her eyes firmly latched on the passing scenery."What happened, Nicolai?" she asked, her voice trembli

Nicolai awoke the next morning to an unfamiliar calm that quickly dissipated as his senses kicked into high gear. His freshly stitched shoulder ached as he tentatively moved, but the comfortable bed beneath him cushioned a little of the discomfort. Alessia was nowhere to be seen, and her side of the bed was cold. His brow creased frowned as he gingerly shifted into a sitting position. The room was quiet, and Nicolai's instincts prickled with unease.He reached for the bedside table, where a glass of water sat. Taking a long drink, he weighed his options. Alessia was either still asleep or out of the room. The thought that she might have left was unsettling. After the traumatic ordeal of the past few days, Nicolai couldn't predict her state of mind or what she might do.Hoping she was simply out of the room, he called out, "Alessia?"No response. He pushed back the comforting bedsheets and sheets and walked to the intricately designed en suite bathroom, his steps slow and deliberate. T

"What's the update on Dmitri?" Nicolai lowered himself carefully into the office chair in the safehouse office facing his first lieutenant. The room was a far cry from his sumptuous offices in the city penthouse and in Birch Manor but it would have to do for another few days at least.Sergei templed his fingers under his chin, his expression serious. "Didn't Alessia tell you to stay in bed?""Tfuu! It's a scratch. We have both been through worse. Now, report.""No confirmed sightings yet, boss. Alive or dead. A few of his main lieutenants have been spotted but no word at all on Dmitri." Sergei shrugged. "But we are watching his men. We'll have more information soon."Nicolai scrubbed a hand down his face, his whiskers rasping under his calloused fingers. "I've promised her she can go back to work, Sergei. I need confirmation that he is truly dead. That my bullet found its mark in his heart.""I can't see how he could have survived a close up shot to the heart, boss, but I know what yo

Sergei leaned against the wall outside the hospital's emergency department, his keen eyes scanning the area while maintaining a casual appearance. He'd been shadowing Alessia since she returned to work, keeping watch from a discreet distance. The doctor had protested at first, but Nicolai had been adamant about her safety, even with Dmitri presumably dead.His attention was drawn to a familiar figure exiting through the automatic doors - the nurse who had helped Nicolai escape. Taylor. She looked different in street clothes, her honey-blonde hair loose around her shoulders instead of pulled back in the severe bun she wore during shifts. She moved with purpose, her steps quick and confident as she headed toward the parking lot.Something about her intrigued him. Perhaps it was the way she had helped Nicolai without hesitation, or maybe it was how she carried herself - alert, aware of her surroundings in a way most civilians weren't. She had the bearing of someone who had seen the darke

Nicolai stood in the doorway of his office, watching as Alessia bustled about the kitchen preparing dinner. The domestic scene before him stirred something deep in his chest - a longing for normalcy he'd never allowed himself to feel before. She hummed softly as she worked, her movements graceful and efficient, and he found himself mesmerized by the simple beauty of it all.He thought about telling her about his conversation with Luca, about his concerns regarding her brother's ambitions. But he held back, not wanting to burden her with more worry. She had enough on her plate, adjusting to being back at work while still trying to care for both him and Luca."Are you going to stand there all night, or are you going to help me?" Alessia's teasing voice broke through his thoughts.Nicolai smiled, moving into the kitchen. "What would you have me do, moya lyubov?""You can start by setting the table," she replied, gesturing to the stack of plates on the counter. "And maybe tell me what's b