Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 19

Chapter 19

I stood there, staring at him, speechless.

Luca turned to leave, but then he stopped. Slowly, he came back toward me, taking my hand in his. His gaze locked with mine, softer than I had ever seen it.

“I always liked you, Ari. I am so sorry about what happened to you. I know the next few days won’t be easy. I know Asher will push you, but…” He exhaled. “I think he still has feelings for you, even if he won’t admit it.”

I pulled my hand away and scoffed. “Yeah, I can see how much he loves me.”

Luca shook his head as if there was more he wanted to say but decided against it. Before he turned to leave, he added one last thing.

“I haven’t turned the cameras on yet. But as soon as I walk out that door, I will. So take care of yourself, Ari.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure if I was agreeing or simply acknowledging what he said.

I felt my throat tighten, my vision blurring. I swallowed the lump forming, forcing the tears back.

As Luca stepped toward the door, he paused one last time. “Take care of little Leon. He’s such a good kid. He

doesn’t deserve this.”

I nodded again.

I already knew that. My son was good, kind, innocent. He didn’t deserve his father’s hate or disinterest.

When Luca closed the door behind him, the weight of my reality hit me.

This was my new prison. At least it was beautiful.

I exhaled and leaned against the wall, letting the silence settle over me. Then I heard Leon’s laughter. The sound pulled me up the stairs, where I found him in the playroom.

He was everywhere-touching every game, unable to stick to one. His excitement was infectious, filling the space like sunshine.

Maria was there, crouched beside him, explaining different games with an easy smile. She had the warmth of someone who had been around children before. A mother, maybe.

I didn’t step inside. I just stood in the doorway, watching.

The way Leon laughed. The way his eyes sparkled with pure joy. He had no idea what I was going through.

Hell, even I didn’t know what I was going through.

I had no idea what was coming next, what Asher would do, what his endgame was. And that uncertainty left me feeling both nervous and afraid.

Then, time started moving in a way I didn’t expect.

A whole week passed. Then another. And another.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify