Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 294

ARIELLA

We have Asher now and he's the Don.

He’s the man with the power, the man who loves us. And maybe, that’s all the difference it could have made. Maybe I should have told Asher back then, when he was still so young, when his father had all the power. Maybe it would have made more harm than good. But that doesn’t matter anymore.

Now Asher has all the power, and we’re under his protection. It is a huge difference, and it will make all the difference.

I know that by now, after our wedding, everybody knows I’m coming back. They already know about us. They already know we have a son. So at least there’s that, I guess. I hope nobody talks to my mom and tells her about me. I wouldn’t know what to say to her. I wouldn’t know how to talk to her. I shouldn’t even be thinking about her, not right now. Not until we have settled into our lives. Not until everything is in its place.

God! How I wish my dad were still here....

I must have dozed off, because when I came to, we’d already landed. Leon and Maria have already gotten off the plane, and Asher is there, looking at me with a smile. I think he’s the one who woke me up.

“Welcome back,” he says softly. “I’m so sorry. I know you’re tired. I’m sorry I had to make you do this.”

“No, it’s fine,” I say. “It’s not your fault. Those seven days you gave me and Leon..... I saw how much you fought so hard to be there with us. I saw how hard it was for you. But I’m still so thankful you took that time. For us.”

“You don’t have to thank me,” he says quickly. “For something I should have been doing for six years.”

I smile. “You’re probably right.”

He kisses me then. It’s sweet and soft and hot and salty all at the same time.

“Let’s go.”

“Where’s Leon?” I ask immediately. I don’t like this, always breaking up, always not seeing him. I feel like I don’t have a handle on him anymore.

“Relax,” he says softly. “We’re all here for you. I’m here for you. And I made Maria Leon’s nanny because I know you trust her. He's in safe hands. You’re all safe here. You’re home.”

I look out the window as he stands and takes my hand, and we get off the plane. The air hits me immediately. It’s thick, heavy, so different from the clean breath of the island. But still… this is home.

We’re back. SUVs are waiting for us. Asher’s soldiers stand in dark suits, sharp and alert. I had almost forgotten what this looked like. But we’re ushered into the car, and only then do I realise Leon and Maria aren’t with us.

“Where’s Leon?” I ask.

“They’re in the car behind us.”

I don’t know why that makes me uneasy. “We should have been with him,” I say before I can stop myself.

“I know,” he replies. “But I thought we could take a few minutes to talk on the ride home. I’m not sure I’ll be able to later. I have a lot to handle today.”

I want to argue, but I don’t. He’s been gone for days. There’s no doubt a lot is waiting for him.

“I understand,” I say instead.

He turns back to me, his expression softening just enough that only I can see it.

“Come,” he says quietly. I take his hand.

The moment my feet touch the ground, it hits me fully....the awareness of eyes everywhere. Staff line the entrance, respectful, silent, heads bowed.

All of them know who I am.

Everyone knows exactly who I am.

I am the new wife.

The fiancée who left.

The woman who came back years later—with a child.

I wonder if they judge me.

I wonder if they liked Asher's first wife.

I wonder if they think I’m responsible for Asher’s first wife’s death.