Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 292

ARIELLA

I don’t know what time it is when I hear a phone ringing. I’m too tired to even open my eyes, but somewhere in the haze of sleep, I know Asher has it. He’ll take care of whatever it is. He always does.

I vaguely hear the mattress shift as he gets out of bed. His voice reaches me, low, controlled, but the words blur together, pulling me back under before I can make sense of them.

When I wake again, the light has changed. It’s that strange hour where the sun hasn’t risen yet, but morning has already claimed the sky. The world feels suspended.

I don’t wake because I want to. I wake because Asher is calling my name.

“Ariella.”

His hand is on my face, warm, steady. I open my eyes and see him hovering over me. For a moment, I just look at him, at the man who somehow became my forever.

“I love you,” is the first thing out of my mouth.

He smiles back, but it’s strained, like he’s forcing it to exist.

“I love you too.”

Something tightens in my chest.

“You need to wake up,” he says gently.

I frown. “What’s going on? I’m so tired.” I shift slightly, instantly regretting it as soreness blooms everywhere.

I groan. “Can’t we have breakfast in bed? Our flight’s later in the evening. Just let me sleep.”

I squint at him and add accusingly, “This is your fault, by the way.”

He smirks, just for a second, but then it fades. He shakes his head.

“I’m sorry to do this,” he says quietly. “But we have to go.”

My body stills. “Go where?”

“We’re going back home. Now.”

That wakes me up fully.

“I already packed your bags,” he continues. “I spoke to Maria. She has Leon and her things ready. The car is outside. The plane is already on its way.”

“What?” I push myself up too fast and groan again, clutching the sheets. “What? Why? What happened?”

The look on his face answers before his words do. Something has happened. Something that wasn’t part of the plan.

“I’ll tell you everything after,” he says, brushing his thumb gently over my cheek. “But first, can you wake up? Take a shower before we go downstairs and meet Leon.”

I sink back against the pillows. “I’m exhausted.”

“I know,” he says softly. “That’s why I already ran a bath for you.” A pause. “Do you want me to carry you?”

I smile faintly despite everything. “I would love that.”

“I knew you would,” he says, kissing my forehead.

Downstairs, Leon is already awake, sitting with Maria. He brightens the moment he sees us, jumping up and running straight into Asher’s arms.

“We’re leaving?” he asks, eyes shining with excitement rather than worry.

"Yes," Asher says, lifting him up easily. "We’re going home, but we’ll come back, I promise."

Leon nods, his face brightening up. “We’re going home?”

Asher nods.

“Home, home? You, me, and Mommy. The place that will be our home, our forever home.” Leon asks excitedly.

Asher smiles and kisses his forehead. “Yes, son, we are going back home. You’re going to....” he pauses, choosing his words carefully, “....you’re going to your destiny. I’m going to show you our kingdom, a place where you’re a prince.”

Leon smiles brightly as his eyes search for me. “Mommy, I’m going to be a prince.”

I smile at him, even though it doesn’t reach my eyes. I know everything Asher told him is real, even though Leon doesn’t get it. He doesn’t understand that right now, he is the mafia prince, heir to the Romano empire, and he doesn’t know what that means. He doesn’t know what it entails, the things people will want to do to him, the things he will have to do. The thought makes my stomach turn.

“Hey,” Asher says, taking my hand.

“Hmm?” I blink.

“Where’s Leon?" He was just here, did I zone out completely?

“Maria took him outside.” He brings my attention to the window, where we can see Leon and Maria outside, Leon running around animatedly, full of life and energy.

“Are you okay?” he asks me again.