Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 232

ARIELLA

Alan didn’t respond.

“So why don’t we strike a deal?” Asher continued, his tone measured, but every word carried weight. “I’ve had enough bloodshed today, and I… I want a timeout. So, why don’t you tell me what you really want?"

Asher stared at Alan intently, " I know you don’t want her. You didn’t go through all of this for her, did you? Just to kill her? You had a plan. What was the plan? Just tell me what you want, and I’ll let you go.”

Alan laughed, shaking his head.

“You really think I’m that stupid, Asher?” he snapped. “That I’m going to believe that? I’ll just tell you what you want, and you’ll just let me go? Not very likely.”

He tightened his hold on me, and I winced a little.

Asher’s smile didn’t falter. “Well, I see why Alex Volkov hired you.”

Now my attention sharpened. Alex Volkov hired Alan?

Alan turned his head for a moment, his eyes narrowing.

“Yes,” Asher said, eyes flicking between Alan and me. “I know who you are. Alan. I’ve heard about you, but never really got into wanting to know you....or to see your face. I know what you did for Alex Volkov. But I have to tell you, I’m surprised to find you here.”

The place was silent. The tension hung in the air like a thick fog. But Asher looked calm, too calm, almost unnervingly relaxed as he continued, speaking with a serious, measured tone.

“What the hell are you doing here, Alan? You’re not mafia. You’re not part of our world. How did you get yourself into this mess?” he asked, shaking his head slightly. “But not to worry. I know this is not you. And I promise, I’ll forget all of this as soon as you tell me everything, and we can all forget this ever happened.”

Alan scoffed, his face hardening. “You think I’m stupid, Romano, don’t you? You think I’m stupid. I’ve been working for Alex for years, and I know exactly who you are. You took away the love of my life.”

“You're a real piece of shit. Even though that's not all...."

"Of course it isn't," Asher said as if he were expecting this

".... Not too long ago, I came to see my sister one day… and I met this beautiful woman, with her son. And I thought… maybe… maybe I should just forget about Dinara. Maybe.”

The forest was silent again, except for the distant rustle of leaves and the pounding of my own heart. I realized then just how deep this feud ran, how long it had been brewing, and how hopelessly entwined I was in the middle of it.

"....Maybe this woman and her son… maybe they could be what eventually made me forget Dinara. Even though I had been working on being with her, I could see that I was losing her. She was moving on with her life while I was stuck, trapped in a world of plans and revenge. And I decided...no, I resolved that I was going to try and capture Ariella’s heart." Alan forced the gun harder against my head, making me sway slightly as he made his point.

"… I would find out later, when I spoke to Alex Volkov. I was trying to help this woman out of a difficult situation. Her husband was a piece of work, a complete asshole. I went to see Alex, and he asked me, 'Tell me, why don’t you just kill the motherfucker?'

I thought about it. I could. I could eliminate him, take him out, make sure she was free. But I knew better. This was a normal woman. If I killed her husband, her son’s father, I would lose her. I couldn’t risk that. So instead, I did my research. I checked the house, observed the details, and guess what I found? Luca. This woman I wanted to take a chance on, who I thought was her husband, was Luca. Your right-hand man...."