Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 169

She wouldn’t just leave without saying anything.

Would she?

I sat down again, uneasy now. My fingers fiddled with a napkin on the table. A few minutes passed, maybe longer before Alan returned.

His face was unreadable.

“Hey,” I said quickly, standing up. “What did they say? Are they okay?”

“They’re fine,” he said, brushing it off with a nod. “David just told me they left.”

“They left?” I blinked. “No, Danna wouldn’t... she wouldn’t just leave like that. Not without a word.”

Alan gave me a small shrug.

“You don’t know Danna.”

The way he said it made me pause. Like there was something there... something I didn’t know. But before I could push further or ask what he meant, he tilted his head and changed the subject.

“So, like... do you want to bounce or stay?” he asked, rubbing the back of his neck. “Because, to tell you the truth, I’ve been on a flight all day. Got here, prepared lunch for you guys, made it to this birthday thing and now.... I feel like my bones are humming. I could really use a soft pillow.”

I laughed softly. “That’s okay with me. We can just go home.”

“Great,” he said with a relieved smile.

He offered me his hand, and I took it. His fingers closed gently around mine as he helped me up from the booth. He didn’t let go. Instead, he moved close beside me, his hand shifting to rest on the small of my back, steady, guiding, familiar.

As we made our way toward the club’s exit, something tugged at me, an unfinished thread.

“Wait,” I said, slowing down. “What about the car? We came with the same one. You do have the keys, right?”

Alan didn’t even blink. “Yeah, I gave them to the valet.”

“Don’t worry,” he said, his voice smooth, almost teasing. “I’m not going to kidnap you or do anything crazy.”

I laughed, easing the tension just a little. “I didn’t even think about that… but okay. So what is it?”

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” he asked. “How sexy?”

Heat bloomed on my cheeks, crawling down my neck, and I could already feel myself turning red.

“Now Your just saying things,” I said, trying to brush it off with humour.

“Come on,” he said gently, “look up at me.”

So I did. I tilted my head, lifting my eyes to meet his. He was taller, his frame towering slightly over mine but his expression was soft.... Honest.

“Have I told you how attracted I am to you?” he went on. “Since the very first time I walked into my house and saw you sitting there with my sister and my niece, laughing, eating like you belonged there… I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”