Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 293

ARIELLA

I quickly reply. “Yes, I’m fine. Why?”

“Nothing. You just got weird when I told you, Leon, and I would be going to different places.” He studies my face closely.

“You do know.....” he starts, then repeats it, firmer this time, “......you do know that Leon is my heir. And when we get back, he’s going to have to know about the famiglia. He’s going to have to know his place in it. And little by little, he’s going to take his place. You’ve known this.”

“Yes,” I say, swallowing.

“Then why do you have that face? Is it because we are leaving here, or is it because of where we’re going?” he asks.

I swallow again. “I think it’s about everything. But really, I’m fine.”

“Okay,” he says after a beat. “So why don’t we put something in your belly before the flight, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, even though I’m not sure. I don’t think I’m okay.

I have these conflicting feelings inside of me. I feel like… I feel something I’m not supposed to feel. Leon has always been my son. He’s always been mine. I had to protect him alone for so long. I just..... I don’t want him in the world we’re going back to, where it’s dangerous, and God… but I can’t say that to Asher.

I know what it means to be the Don’s son, to be the Don’s wife. I know how everything is going to change. I knew what it meant when I said yes. But now that we’re going back, it just feels hard. Still, I try not to let it show on my face.

When we sit down, I don’t even have the strength to eat. I pick at some fruit, force down a cupcake, and then I say I’m ready. We walk outside and get into the car that takes us to the small airport airstrip on the island. Soon, we’re on the private jet, heading back home.

The last time I was there, my dad was alive. My parents were alive. I was supposed to be the mafia prince’s fiancée. Then I was supposed to be the Don’s wife. And then I ran away. I came back as the Don’s captive. And now, here I am again, going back as the Don’s wife, something I should have always been.

But it’s been years. Six years have passed since I was there, since I met everybody, and since I saw everybody. And I’m quite nervous.

The jet hums softly beneath us, steady and relentless, like it already knows where it’s taking us. Leon is strapped into his seat, clutching a small toy, his legs swinging with excitement as he peers out the window at the shrinking island below. He’s still smiling. Still light. Still untouched.

“I know,” he says quietly, as if he can hear my thoughts.

I look at him. “What?”

“ I know that you’re scared,” he says. No accusation. No dismissal. Just truth. “So am I to be honest.”

That surprises me. He squeezes my hand once. “But we don’t turn back, we won't cower or back down. We teach him. We protect him. Together.”

Together. The word settles in my chest. Of course, we have to move forward together as a family. I straighten in my seat, drawing in a slow breath.

Six years ago, I ran away. I ran to protect the life inside of me. This time, I’m not alone. This time, I’m coming with the life I ran away to protect. And this time, it’s different.

Everything is different.