Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 186

“I know, I know,” Dana said, waving her hand. “It’s no wonder he’s your ex-husband. What kind of an asshole, an idiot... I mean, how did you even get married to that tool?”

I just stood there. No idea how to answer her. No words. No excuses. She took a deep breath and kept going, earnest and wide open.

“I get it,” she said. “I really do. And I understand why you divorced him. The man is pure violence. That’s why I felt like you and I should talk. Because I’m ready to help you.”

Dana looked me square in the eyes.

“Whatever it is...whatever’s going on...you don’t have to stay in a violent home. You don’t have to let a man control you like that, okay? I heard those screams too Ariana...”

She took my hand again. Held it tight.

“You can come and live with me. Just until we figure something out. Alan wants to help you. I haven’t talked to him yet, but I know he wants to.”

I stared at her. Her sincerity. Her kindness. Her complete misunderstanding. She didn’t know who Luca was. Not really. And she sure as hell didn’t know who Asher was. Dana thought I was being abused by an ex-husband. She didn’t realise I was being watched by the Mafia.

She gave me a soft look and added, “I don’t want you to be in that kind of relationship. Just.... think about it, if Leon had come and found that… scene, all that blood”

She gestured toward her chest, hand fluttering as her voice caught. I looked at her. I knew she was trying to help me. She just didn’t understand what she was stepping into.

“Dana…” I shook my head gently. “Look. I’m kind of…”

I paused. How could I even begin to explain?

“I have to tell you something.”

Her eyes widened. “What is it?”

I swallowed hard.

“Thank you. For…” I cleared my throat. “For trying to help. Really. I appreciate that.”

And I meant it. Even if I could never take her up on the offer.

“Why do I feel like there’s a but coming down on us?” Dana’s voice was quiet, but her eyes were sharp.

I took a deep breath. Okay. No more dancing around it. No more pretending we could go back to the way things were.

“Look,” I said, forcing the words out. “I’m just gonna go to the point because there’s no use circling each other like kids, okay?”

Dana blinked.

“I have to tell you something.”

She nodded slowly.

“Like I said… thank you. Both you and Alan. For everything. I can’t even look him in the face anymore because I know what happened to him, the bruises, the cuts, the fight....it’s because of me.”

Dana’s face pinched with guilt. “No, it wasn’t...”

“It was,” I said flatly, cutting her off. “It was my fault.”

She went quiet.

“He was just being a good guy,” I continued, “and that makes me happy. It really does. It makes me happy to know that you have such a protective brother. Someone who’ll always be there for you. Someone who won't hesitate to protect the people he cares about.”

I didn’t look at her. Because I couldn’t. And I think, somehow, Dana already knew. Her eyes darkened with understanding, even before I said the words... She knew I wasn't going to take her help.

“I can’t be friends with you anymore, Dana.”

Her head tilted, almost playfully, like she’d misheard me.

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