Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 276

ARIELLA

Luca shifted uneasily on the couch, his big frame looking strangely out of place in my living room. His jaw worked as if he was chewing on his own words, and for a moment, he stared at the floor before he finally looked up at me.

“I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you the last time I was here,” he began, his voice quieter than I’d ever heard it. “I’m sorry for not believing you when you told me that Leon was Ash’s son. I know I threatened you, and I told you to run away… and I should have given you the opportunity to explain youRself.”

He exhaled hard, rubbing a hand over his face. “I’ve known you a long time, Ari. I’m not trying to justify my actions. But I want you to know something: Ash is a brother to me. He’s my blood. I don’t know why, but I just thought… I was afraid you were lying to him. I was afraid you were using him.”

He shifted forward, elbows on his knees. “After I saw those papers...papers saying you were supposed to marry his dad, not him, I thought maybe the pregnancy… might have been his father’s. That’s why you ran away. That maybe something happened, you couldn’t take it, and you bolted. And then his father died, no one was there to save you, and so you came back and you were going to lie to Asher about Leon…”

“That’s not....” I started, my voice sharp.

“I know,” he cut in, raising his hand. “I know. That’s why I’m apologizing, Ari. I’m sorry.”

I stared at him, trying to read the sincerity on his face.

“Like I said,” he continued, “I’ve always seen you like a little sister, little Ari. And Leon....he’s my little man. From the moment I met him, I liked him. I tried to protect him. That’s why I even gave you a chance to run away. When I went to tell Asher that Leon wasn't his son, he was really mad.”

My heart thudded. “You what?” I snapped, voice trembling.

“I tried to put the idea that Leon wasn’t his son in his head,” Luca admitted, eyes falling again. “I know, it wasn't right and I regret it now. But he didn’t take the bait. If he had, I’m sure the two of you would be in some other place else by now. But I did accuse you of lying to him, and he didn’t trust me. He did his own investigation. He didn’t even went see your mother. And… you know… I guess everything clicked. You weren’t lying.”

He leaned back, shoulders slumping, carrying his own guilt. “And now you’re coming back home. And I… I am Asher’s consigliere. I am his best friend. And I would love for you and me to be cool. Maybe we won’t be the people we used to be back then, but I want us to be cool.”

I stayed frozen for a moment, processing his words. For a second, I didn’t know if it was relief, anger, exhaustion or all of it at once.

“Luca…” I began, my voice trembling despite my best effort to stay steady. “You really… You really mean all that?”

He nodded, slowly. “Every word, little Ari. I was wrong. I judged you before I understood, and I let my fear and my loyalty to Asher cloud my judgment. I should have done further investigation when I saw that agreement..... But I see it now. You weren’t lying. You were protecting Leon, and you were protecting Ash in your own way.”

I exhaled, finally letting a bit of the tension in my shoulders loosen. “It’s just… so much has happened. So much. And I never wanted to doubt you either, Luca, but…” My voice cracked.

Luca gave a small nod, standing up. “Good. I’ll check back in a few hours. Say hello to my little guy and don’t do anything reckless.”

As he left, I walked behind him and closed the door. Then I walked towards the window and watched as he talked to two men who were undoubtedly Asher's men. I was about to walk away when I saw Dana. She was getting out of the car, but that wasn’t her car. And that alone made me stand there longer than I should have. Ever since I came back to this house, seeing Donna has been hard on me.

Did I feel bad that Alan died? No. With what he did to me, there was no room for guilt. I didn’t feel sorry about that, not even for a second. But whenever I saw Danna… I couldn’t explain what went through me.

But then I saw Alan’s friend stepping out of the car too.... David. He walked around, casual, familiar, and then picked up Rosie—Danna’s little girl, like he’d done it a hundred times before. The two of them kissed. Not a stolen, uncertain kiss. A kiss that said it had been going on for a while. Then, with Rosie in tow, they went inside hand in hand.

I stayed where I was, rooted to the ground, watching them disappear inside together. I smiled then..... AtleaSt Danna looked happy. She moved on and found the courage to give love a chance.

I turned and walked upstairs to Leon's bedroom. He was still asleep. My little boy. My heart ached seeing him so peaceful, so innocent, while everything around us had been chaos and betrayal. I gently lifted him, holding him close.

“Don’t worry, baby,” I whispered. “Daddy’s coming for us. And soon, everything will be alright.”