Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 190

I froze. My stomach dropped.

“I... what?” I said cautiously. “Why?”

Alan took a breath. “Don’t worry. I know everything. I’m going to get you out of here.”

His words sounded in my ears like gunshots. He knew. He knew who Luca was. I stared at him, unable to breathe.

He knew. How? How could he know? Luca had been so careful. He had said they were watching, that they would know if I stepped out of line but this? How the hell had Alan found out?

I heard Luca’s voice in my mind: “Do not test me.”

And here I was. Failing that test.

Alan was looking at me like a hero. But I saw it clearly, this wasn’t a rescue. This was a disaster waiting to happen.

I stepped back. “Alan,” I said, my voice trembling. “You need to go. Now.”

“No, Ariana. You don’t understand....”

“No. You don’t understand,” I cut in. “You think you’re saving me, but all you're doing is making things worse.”

I saw the confusion flash across his face. And it terrified me even more. I turned sideways watching the road, half-expecting black cars to roll up. Half-expecting Luca himself to appear.

Because if Alan knew…

“Look, Ariana, you don’t have to worry,” Alan said, his voice low but steady. “I’ve planned everything down to the detail. I know Luca thinks he’s powerful, but I’m connected too. I know people. I can take you out of this.”

“No, Alan. No!”

I cut him off, my voice sharp, laced with everything I could muster, fear, anger, desperation. Authority.

He didn’t get it. He couldn’t.

There was no way I was letting him do this. He was going to get himself killed. And worse? I couldn’t even tell him why without sounding like I was the one losing my mind. I didn’t want Dana to lose her brother. Not because of me.

I reached for his hand, holding it tight. My fingers curled around his with so much urgency I could feel the bones beneath his skin. My grip trembled, but my voice didn’t.

“Alan,” I said, steady now. “I do not need help. I’m fine. I’m okay.”

His eyes searched mine, confused, frustrated, and determined.

“I don’t need saving,” I added softly but firmly. “You are not a hero. You are not my hero.”

I felt my throat tighten.

“Do not put your life or anyone else’s at risk trying to save me. I won’t come with you. I’m not coming with you.”

He tried to speak, but I pushed forward, shaking my head.

“Just… just take care of your sister. And Rosie. Forget about me.”

And then I let him go.

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