Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 189

Dana sighed before she snapped

“This is all Alan’s fault.”

Dana’s words came out like venom, sharp and bitter. “He just can’t fathom the idea of me having a friend. Every time I get close to someone, he either ruins it or tries to sleep with them.”

I flinched.

“If it wasn’t for him, I’d still have a friend. I’d still have you. It’s always him, trying to push people out of my life. He did it with Rosie’s dad, and now you. I can’t believe he’s doing this again.”

I looked down, unable to meet her eyes.

My chest tightened with guilt. She didn’t know. She had no idea what she was saying. That I was the one who kissed Alan. That I had wrecked this.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “But don’t blame him. Please.”

She narrowed her eyes at me.

“If you want to blame anyone, blame me. I’ll take it. All of it. Just....don’t blame Alan. He didn’t force me into anything. Whatever happened... it was all me.”

Dana’s brow furrowed.

“What happened between you two?” she asked, her voice suddenly more cautious. Suspicious.

“Nothing,” I said too quickly.

She folded her arms. “Just tell me. You’re already halfway there.”

I took a breath. Don’t say it. Don’t say it.

“Okay, fine.”

I exhaled, ashamed.

“We kissed.”

Her face didn’t move.

“It was after the club... when you left with his friend.”

Still nothing.

“But it meant nothing,” I rushed on. “Nothing. It just happened. And it shouldn’t have. And I hate that it did.”

Dana let out a slow breath. “I knew it,” she said flatly. “He told me nothing happened. But I knew. I just knew he did something.”

“Look, Dana…” I stepped forward, my voice trembling. “The point is, I’m the bad guy in your story. If you want to hate someone, hate me. Alan did nothing wrong. He didn’t come onto me. I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, and I won’t pretend to understand it... But please, don’t put me in the middle of it. Don’t let me be the wedge between you and your brother.”

Silence settled between us. Thick. Uncomfortable and Charged. We stood there, just staring at each other, stuck in that liminal space between what was said and what would never be taken back.

Then Dana’s voice cracked, and I saw the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

“We just want to help you, Ariana,” she whispered. “What is wrong with that? Let us help you...” Her voice softened, desperate.

“I know… that’s why I’m thankful. I’m thankful I met someone like you. Someone so loving and so true, just like I thought you were.”

But Dana left without answers. And without answers, I told myself there was nothing to worry about. Nothing to lose. Maybe this will all just go away on its own.

That is, of course, until three days later… when there was a knock at my door. I walked over slowly, a strange feeling coiling in my stomach. And when I opened it, there he was.

Alan. Standing in front of my door like a ghost I hadn’t finished grieving.

“Alan!” I nearly shrieked, grabbing his shirt and yanking him inside before someone could see.

I pushed him aside, eyes darting both ways down the road. I scanned every corner, every shadow, even though I knew deep down, I wouldn't be able to spot them even if they were there.

Still. I looked.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I hissed, almost screaming in his face.

He was going to ruin everything. That was exactly what I didn’t want.

I didn’t want Luca taking the next flight back, dragging us away again, locking us back into that suffocating existence. We were doing so great. We had peace. Leon had joy. I had breathing space.

Alan’s voice was calm, too calm. “I’m here for you. I’m here to save you. Don’t worry. I have everything under control.”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Just get ready. Tonight. We’re doing it tonight.”

“Doing what tonight?” I snapped, yanking my hand away from his grasp. “What the hell are you talking about?”

He looked at me like he was giving me the gift of freedom. Like he was a knight on a white horse.

“Ariana,” he said slowly. “I know about Luca Meoni?”