Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 268

ASHER

“What did you do?” I asked him.

“Well,” he began, fidgeting slightly, “I told her that no one could hurt you. When you told me that Leon was yours, or whatever....I went to Ariella, and I told her to tell you the truth before I did. Anyway, I accused her of a bunch of things, lying to you, taking advantage of you....and then I told her that I was giving her a chance to tell you the truth before I did. Now I know that I accused her of something she hadn’t done, and I think an apology is in order. I’m going to have to apologize to her, too.”

“I know, Luca. I understand,” I said, my voice softening.

Because I know when you’re on his team, when you’re on his side, he loves and he fights fiercely. And I’m just glad that I have a brother, even though I’m not blood, a brother nonetheless, who cares about me, who loves me, someone I never have to doubt is trying to work against me like my own brother is right now at home. So I know it.

I paused, letting the words sink in. “That’s all water under the bridge.”

Then I added,

“I will leave that for the two of you to sort out between yourselves,” I said finally. “I’m just glad we’ve talked it out, that we’ve aired everything out, and that we no longer have to keep things bottled up.”

I smirked faintly. “Although I have to tell you, I really, really wanted to smack your head and knock some sense into you.”

Luca gave me a rueful grin. “I know. You’re forgetting that I know you.”

I chuckled, the tension between us easing just slightly, and sank into my chair, letting out a deep breath.

“What’s on your mind?” Luca asked, his tone shifting as he leaned forward.

“You were right,” I said.

His brows drew together. “About?”

“You were right about Dinara and Dominic.”

Immediately, his expression hardened. The easy, almost playful tone from a moment ago vanished, replaced by business, cold, sharp, and focused.

“What did they do?” he asked, every muscle in his body coiled as if ready for a fight.

I inhaled deeply before answering. “They’re plotting something.”

I didn’t tell him everything, not yet. I needed to move carefully, make sure every step was calculated.

“Plotting something?” he echoed, his voice low. “Like what? And how did you find out?”

“I don’t know the full scope yet,” I admitted. “But it’s either they’re planning to take my business… or take me out. One of those.”

Luca swore under his breath, pushing away from the table. “Plotting to take you out?”

“I know. And killing Dinara wouldn’t be an issue. But…” I dragged my hand down my face. “Look, the situations are different, Luca, okay? You don’t know Dominic. He’s always been desperate for attention, always looking for my father to acknowledge him. And my father kept pitting us against each other. I was older. I was more ruthless. I tried to save him. Tried to be his shield. But most times, I failed. And when I look at him, I still see my little brother, and I just.....”

“Asher....”

Luca’s voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and hard enough to make me stop.

“If you don’t act, he’s going to act,” he said flatly. “And when he acts, he’s going to kill you. Like you said yourself, you have Leon and Ariella to think about now.”

I pressed my palms against my temples, feeling the frustration twist in my chest. “I know,” I muttered. “I just don’t want to kill Dominic.”

Luca stayed silent for a moment, just watching me with that unreadable expression of his. Then he said quietly,

“So what other options do you have?”

“I’m still thinking,” I admitted. “But I’m hoping that the day they finally decide to make their move… Dominic will back out. Maybe he’ll come to me for help. Maybe he’ll remember he’s my brother before it’s too late.”

Luca didn’t argue, but I could feel the weight of his doubt hanging in the air between us.

“Whatever you say, Don,” he said at last.

But I could tell, he didn’t believe me. He didn’t trust my hope. And if I was honest with myself, I wasn’t sure I trusted it either.