Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 100

Chapter 100

Dad continues, determined.

“That way, even if they find out our death was staged, by then we’ll be so far gone, it won’t matter. It buys us time.”

He’s already shuffling papers, his hands trembling slightly.

“We’ll need money,” he mutters, half to himself. “Cash is already withdrawn. Quiet withdrawals. Small amounts. Just enough to go unnoticed. We have money in the safe-it’s enough. More than enough to disappear.”

He’s thinking out loud now, unstoppable. A man with a plan. A desperate man, but a determined one.

“Once we disappear, we change our names. Our looks. Start over. Jobs that don’t make people curious. Maybe in a place where the Italian Mafia has no reach, where they don’t talk to anyone.”

I listen to every word, not interrupting. My heart beats faster.

“And your mother and I can get jobs…,” he says.

“And me,” I whisper.

He glances up, eyes soft. “Yes. You too.”

“We can make it work. We can give your child, my grandchild a good life. A real life. I promise you, I can take care of us.”

And he believes it. I can see it in the way he moves, in the fire returning to his voice as he shuffles maps and printouts across the desk.

“I’ve thought of everything,” he says. “Safe towns. Distant villages. Places untouched. It’s a risk. But one I’m willing to take.”

He starts walking me through it, his plan, every detail. From the bombing to the route we’ll take, the identities we’ll assume, the places we’ll sleep. His mind has been working day and night. It’s all there.

And I nod the whole way through. Because deep inside me… I know we can’t do this but I don’t have the energy to disappoint him.

My dad finishes, and then he just looks at me. He’s waiting. Waiting for my reaction, waiting to hear if I believe in this as much as he does.

Maybe I do. Maybe We can do this.

But… do we really need to? For what?

“We’re already so used to this life,” I say softly. “And it’s easy, Dad.”

He watches me, unreadable, quiet.

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Chapter 100

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“I don’t want you to be unhappy,” he says. “Your happiness means more to me than easy. Nothing is easy.”

“But will we really be happy?” I ask, “Struggling? Working every day just to eat the next day? While here, we have everything. And when I’m married to the Don our lives will be even better… And this baby… my baby… will have anything.”

Dad’s eyes darken. His voice hardens, low and steady. “Yes, maybe you’re right. And if he’s a boy, he’ll grow up and become a part of this world. He’ll have to fight his brothers. Fight others who want his position. Maybe die young.”

He pauses. “And if she’s a girl… she’ll be married off, just like you. Bargained. Passed over for peace. For- profit.”

His eyes meet mine. “That’s not what you want for your child. That’s not what I wanted for mine.”

He breathes heavily now, the truth weighing down every word.

“I wanted you to find love,” he says. “Real love. I thought… because I was so low in the ranks, maybe it wouldn’t matter. Maybe they’d let you go free. But then you were happy with Asher. So happy. And for a while… it made things easy for me.”

Until it didn’t.

“Until the Don decided to mess it all up.”

His fists clench slightly on the desk. “I’ve been thinking about this a lot longer than you know. But what’s happened recently made one thing clear-I have to do this.”

“Okay, Dad, I understand what you’re saying,” I say gently. “Emotions are high right now. You look like you haven’t slept in days. Can you… just rest? Shower. Eat. Sleep. And then… we can talk about this more.”

He stares at me for a moment.

“I’m on your side,” I tell him. “I believe you. I trust you. It’s just… Mom. She’s the one you’re going to have to convince. I don’t think she will be a fan of the idea of having to get a job.”

He lets out a slow breath. Some of the weight-not all, but some-seems to ease from his shoulders.

“You’re right,” he murmurs. Then he smiles, soft and tired. “I’m so happy I have you.”

He leans in and kisses my forehead.

And then he leaves the room. The second he’s gone, I move to his desk. I sit down, eyes scanning the things he left behind.

Papers. Notes. Maps. Flight schedules. Fake IDs. Names. Numbers.

I start reading through everything..

Every single page.

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Chapter 100

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Trying to understand.

Trying to piece together the future he’s building.

Because if we’re really going to disappear… I need to be ready.

When I hear my father calling my name, I quickly slip out of his office.

He’s already downstairs, dressed. His hair is slicked back, his shirt pressed, and the tension in his jaw is the only thing betraying how much sleep he’s not had.

“Where are you going?” I ask, frowning.

He glances at me briefly. “The Don asked to see me.”

My heart drops. “What?” I try to keep my voice steady.

“Just stay here. I’m sure it’s nothing,” he says quickly. But my heartbeat is picking up.

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