Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 160

I sighed. “Okay, fine. I guess we’re going to the Muppets show.”

“Yay!” Leon shouted, running into the house. “Maria! Maria! We’re going to the Muppets with Rosie!”

I turned back toward Alan, who was still standing there looking smug.

“Well... thanks for the tickets,” I said, “and for the invite. I guess we’ll see you in two hours.”

“Great,” he said, and then he winked.

God. He winked.

I was going out of my mind. He turned and left, and I had no choice but to check him out again as he walked away.

Dana, I’m so sorry. I swear I’m just looking. Just... watching.

I turned to close the door and there was Maria, standing silently in the hallway with that all-knowing look, like a mother catching her child sneaking in after curfew.

“What?” I snapped.

“Be careful with that one,” she said coolly. Then she turned and headed back to the kitchen, humming to herself.

Just great. Now Maria was my moral compass.

So, we got ready. Leon insisted on wearing his Muppet t-shirt. I packed some extra snacks, because even though Alan said they had everything, have you ever gone anywhere with kids? It’s never enough.

When I saw them loading into the car, I called out to Leon, “Let’s go.”

Even though I was still sceptical unsure if Dana even knew we were tagging along or if she knew Alan had been to my house this morning.

I guess I was about to find out.

As we started walking towards them, they were parked by the side of the road, ready for the concert. Alan spotted us and immediately walked over. He took the little basket and the bag I had packed, just in case.

"I'm so glad you could make it," he said with a boyish grin.

"Leon wouldn’t let me leave without him. He practically tackled me just now." I gave a polite smile, but my eyes immediately flicked to Dana.

Her expression was unreadable. I walked over to her quickly, heart racing a little, while Leon ran ahead, already chatting excitedly with Rosie and Alan.

“I’m so sorry,” I said under my breath as I reached her. “I didn’t plan this. He just showed up at the house. I was going to say no, but Leon overheard... and you know how kids are.” I shrugged helplessly.

“I didn’t want to interfere or make it awkward. I honestly didn’t even want to come if it was going to upset you. I mean, if you can take care of them both, I could maybe not go... Or even ask Maria to come with instead of me....

She’d hate it, but at least I’d be comfortable knowing someone I trust is there. I know I’ve only known Dana for, what, two months? It’s not enough time to just hand Leon over to her, no matter how kind they are.

Dana laughed, rubbing her face. “I cannot believe I did that. Oh my God... can we just pretend it never happened?”

“Totally,” I said with a grin. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. If the two of us ever get too close… we both know who would end up getting hurt."

“Please,” she said, mock pleading, “let’s just forget I ever told you anything about my brother. And if you do want to screw him, fine—do whatever you need to. But seriously... You cannot not be my friend.”

We both burst into laughter at that, and just then, Ryan called out from the car, “The kids are already inside! Everything’s ready! Can we please go now?”

He disappeared back into the vehicle and our laughter grew louder.

The two kids were already buckled in at the back. One front seat was left open for an adult, but I naturally took the back seat beside the children. With everyone settled, we started driving toward the next town for the Muppets show.

It was a 45-minute trip. We sang along to silly songs, made two snack stops, and pulled over three times just so the kids could marvel at things only children found fascinating.

When we finally got there, the kids had the time of their lives. But for us, the grown-ups, it was a marathon of supervising, running around, and constantly looking over our shoulders to make sure no one wandered off.

By the time we were heading back, exhausted and worn out, Dana leaned close to me and said with a laugh, “You know, the kids had fun, sure... but I think we were the ones who are really exhausted.”

I nodded, a smile lingering on my lips. There was a strange, comforting sense of peace between us now, like we’d found a rhythm, a shared understanding.

And maybe, just maybe, something else too. Because as much as I was starting to enjoy this new connection with Dana, a quiet voice in the back of my head whispered: It won't last.