Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 282

ARIELLA

My heart pounded. “Asher…”

“Don’t say no,” he said gently, his thumb tracing the corner of my mouth. “You said you always dreamed we’d have a home, the three of us. This, this is how we start it. No more waiting. No more running. Just us.”

I covered my mouth, laughing and crying at the same time. “You’re serious?”

“Dead serious,” he murmured. “You could say I’ve been planning this since the day I found you again. You’ve said yes to me a thousand times without words. I just need you to say it once out loud.”

I looked at him, at the man who’d been through fire and still held me like I was made of something worth saving. And suddenly, there was no doubt left in me.

“Yes,” I said softly. “Let’s get married tonight.”

His smile broke wide this time, unguarded and real. He pulled me in, kissed my forehead, and whispered,

“Then it’s settled. Tonight, you become my wife.”

The moment the word yes left my mouth, Asher was already moving. He pulled out his phone, started firing off commands in that calm, controlled way of his, and then turned back to me with a quiet confidence that made me melt a little.

“It’s done,” he said simply.

“Done?” I repeated, laughing softly, still half dazed.

“Yes,” he said. “Everything is already set in motion. The pastor will be here by six. I told them to send you a few options for your dress, and they’ll fit you here. And we don’t have to worry about décor or anything. I already hired someone, the staff at the hotel. But if there’s anything specific you want, just tell her. I’ll have her come to you, and whatever you ask for will be delivered.” my a

My mouth fell open. “You had this planned?”

He shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I hoped,” he admitted. “Didn’t know if you’d actually say yes.”

I swatted him playfully, still half in disbelief and half in shock that this was really happening. “It’s really happening,” I whispered.

“Yes,” he said, leaning down to kiss my forehead. “This is all happening. No more waiting. I don’t want to wait like the last time. You’re here. I’m here.”

Then he reached for Leon, pulling our son toward us.

“And he’s here. We already talked. He’s ready for us to make this real. He’s ready to be a Romano. So there’s no more waiting. This is happening.”

And that was it. It was actually happening.

Asher then left to deal with our wedding, and Maria burst into the room, screaming,

“You’re getting married!”

“I’m getting married,” I repeated, still frozen in disbelief as I stared at the ring on my finger.

He shook his head gently. “No…maybe. Well, I’m here but… I don’t know how to say this. I wanted to ask you if you’d do me the honor of letting me walk you down the aisle.”

And that’s when it hit me. It should have hit me earlier, but it didn’t, not until that moment. My dad wasn’t here. The realization swept over me like a wave, and suddenly my throat tightened and tears pricked my eyes.

“Please don’t cry,” Luca said immediately, his voice softening.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, trying to smile through it. “I’m just… I’m going to need a few minutes.”

“Of course,” he said without hesitation. “Take all the time you need. If you need an hour, the men out there will wait.”

That made me look up.

“Yeah,” Luca went on, “Asher told me to tell you he invited his underbosses, some of the wives, too. It was last-minute, but he wanted the famiglia here. I hope you don’t mind.”

I shook my head. “I don’t care who he invited to our wedding,” I murmured.

Then I looked back at Luca. “My dad’s not here,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

“I’m sorry,” he said softly.

“My dad… he would have been so happy that I got married to the man I wanted.” I swallowed hard, forcing myself to stay strong. “He knew how much I loved Asher.”