His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika

Chapter 289

Elena

“Please, sit.”

Nervously, I fumbled the keys in my hands and followed Marvin’s instructions as I sat down on a chair near the hospital bed. I took a deep breath and raised my head to look at him. Marvin had a gentle smile on his face, and by the looks of it, he seemed to be doing just fine.

He wasn’t afraid of eye contact and stared at me as if I was obligated to lead the conversation.

What would you say to someone who had taken a bullet for you?

What was there to say?

I was able to talk to Panther, so why wasn’t I able to talk to Marvin?

There were so many names to call him, but there was only one strange thing about this situation. I wasn’t scared

The fear came from not knowing what he would say, but I wasn’t afraid of him. If anything, I felt at ease. “So.” I began. “I’m sorry about Anya-

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Marvin cut me off Noted, he did not like talking about his feelings. “Oh, okay,” I replied awkwardly.

“Aren’t you dying?” Marvin smiled softly. Confused, I frowned my brow. “Dying?”

Marvin pointed to my sweater, and at that moment, I knew what he meant. “Yes, in those black clothes?” A laugh escaped from his lips. “Aren’t you dying?

“Ah, no!” I shook my head, looking down at my black outfit. “I’ve had years of training, so no, I’m not dying-and I don’t smell either.” I smelled my armpit, regretting it the very second. Why did I have to be so embarrassing?

“I know, I have a nose.

Marvin sat up straight and leaned closer as I held in my breath. “So?” He spoke in a teasing tone. “Aren’t you going to thank me? You’re the reason I’m in here.”

“Thank you,” I spoke dryly. All I had to do was to give him the keys, but something was holding me back. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve thought I was glued to the chair. Being in Marvin’s presence felt right, which made me just as twisted as him. He saved my life, but that didn’t make him any less of a criminal.

“Thank you, and sorry.” I took a deep breath, acknowledging my mistakes. “Thank you for protecting me. and I’m sorry for….walking out on you.”

I gathered my courage and raised my head, so I could stare into Marvin’s eyes to wait for his reaction, but all he showed me was a warm smile. Was this a game? How could he be like this?

“Elena,” Marvin chuckled. “I’m just kidding. You don’t need to thank me for doing what’s right-and you

don’t have to apologize for walking out on me.” He said. “It’s okay.”

“I should be the one apologizing to you for the stuff I said at the wedding.”

That’s right, I had forgotten all about it. This was the same man who had made a fool out of me. “You called me below your status, immature, naive, a social experiment—”

to understand that I stepped out of my comfort zone to meet up

looked around the room and freaked out as I noticed there were no words left to say. He had a point. My way of handling things was indeed immature. Yes,

key. “I came to give you this, right before Anya….she told me to give

He observed the object with a suspicious look in his eyes. “Why

words. “Well, that Victor guy was out getting help,

gave it to you.” Marvin finished my sentence. “Do you

him an answer. “I don’t know,” I confessed, embarrassed. “She said,Marvin, Victor, Tiago.I thought it was supposed to go to you, and if not Victor, and

shaking his head. “Anya wouldn’t

shrugged. “Then I guess I

always carried this with her, so perhaps she could sense

at Marvin, who immersed himself in the key Could it

would be the end of our adventure. There was no reason for me to see him anymore, and I did what

Right?

what are your plans for today?” Marvin acknowledged me once again. It pained me to see his effort to communicate with me, but this was, unfortunately, where I had

my dad would end up hurting him even more.

from the chair. Marvin narrowed his eyes, waiting for me to

you’re okay.” I began. “I came to give you the key….I gave you the key-so now it’s time

look back, Elena, don’t look back.

I was about to turn around, Marvin grabbed my arm to stop me. “Elena,

on me again. We’re not finished.” Marvin ordered. I looked back at

voice sounded like one of a privileged kid. Someone who always got what he wanted, no matter what. “I said I was okay with you bailing out on me-but I’m not letting you take another step until you tell me why you left, and I want

left because I was nervous..I’m sorry.”

I’m glad you approached me so we can do this the easy way.”

it was, the

So there was a hard way?Of course, there was

I get myself into?

even

this, and the two had made a

the hell was I even thinking? Did I really expect him to let me go this easily after

him loved the feeling of power. They loved seeing others in fear, and that was what they lived for. He never cared about my feelings. It was

arm. I avoided all eye contact and was

knew it all

didn’t have a choice and followed his movement until I was forced to look into his eyes. “I’m

What?

he wasn’t going

you’re not angry?”

“No, are

own intentions. I was supposed to run out, but I just couldn’t do

at the misunderstanding. After all that

distance from