Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 299

ARIELLA

After a while, I open my eyes and look back at him..The minute he meets my gaze, he forces a smile onto his face.

“You’re still awake,” he says. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean....” He stops, exhales. “ I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“It’s fine,” I say softly. “I wasn’t asleep. I was waiting for you.”

He takes a deep breath. “You shouldn’t have. I’m sorry it took longer than I thought it would.”

“You don’t have to apologise,” I tell him. “I understand.”

He doesn't respond. I hesitate, then ask,

"How was your day?"

“Fine. How did the day go anyway?” He looks at me closely, then asks instead, “Do you like the place? Did Leon like it?”

“Yes,” I say. “He was so tired from running all over the place that the moment he touched the pillow, he was out.”

A smile crosses his face, genuine this time. “That’s my boy. I just know he’s going to fit in just fine. This is his home, after all.”

I nod, a little far away, lost in my thoughts, until his hand reaches for me. I gently turn toward him.

“This is your home too,” he says quietly, firmly. “And you are my wife. Leon’s mother. This is your home. Of course, this is where you belong.”

I smile, but I don’t answer.

“You were really late,” I say instead. “What happened?”

“I’m sorry,” he says again, looking tired. “I tried to come sooner. It’s just… a lot of things have been happening. We’ve been losing merchandise. People have been talking. Some have even dared to bomb one of my shipments.”

I frown. “Really?”

I don’t know much about this world deep enough, but I know people fear the Romano's. This, this is a problem.

“Don’t worry,” he says. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Nothing I won’t handle.”

I study his face. He looks exhausted. We just got back, and already he had to go deal with all of this.

“You’re allowed to be tired,” I say quietly. “You’re allowed to take a day.”

He lets out a soft, almost amused breath. “Maybe.”

I don’t like that answer.

“You know I didn’t want to leave you here alone,” he adds quickly. “I really wanted to spend the day with you.”

“It’s okay,” I say. “I wasn’t really alone. It was just me and Leon, exploring the house. It wasn’t tiring. Or lonely.”

He gives me a half-smile, then stands. He unbuttons his jacket and loosens his tie with practised motions. I watch him, every movement familiar, heavy with responsibility, before he disappears into the bathroom. The shower starts.

I stay awake, waiting. When he finally comes back and lies down beside me, he pulls me into his chest without hesitation. One arm wraps around my waist, possessive but gentle. I relax into him immediately, letting my body soften against his, letting myself be held while holding him back.

“Are you okay?” he murmurs into my hair.

“I think so,” I say honestly. “I think as long as I get to hold you every night and get to see Leon smile, I’m going to be just fine.”

“Don’t worry,” he says. “This is our home. We’re going to make it ours.”

I want to believe him.

I do.

I close my eyes and listen to his heartbeat beneath my ear. I know what he’s saying. I want it too. But I also know it won’t be that easy.

And I also know it will demand a lot. A lot from him, from Leon, and from me. Luckily, we both fell asleep in each other’s arms.

***

When morning comes, it’s the sound of Leon that wakes me.

"A huge pool, mommy."

"How about we go to the pool later?”

“I want to go outside first,” he says, already bouncing on the bed. “I want to see everything at our house.”

I love him, but this is not the calm morning I imagined, with him jumping all over me while my head is still foggy.

“Okay,” I say, sitting up. “But first, have you had breakfast?”

“Yes,” he says proudly. “I already ate with William and Margaret.”

“Margaret?” I ask.

“She’s the chef. I called her the cook and she said she’s a chef,” he explains seriously. “We ate in the kitchen with William. It was really nice.”

I smile despite myself.

“Where’s Aunt Maria?” he quickly adds

“She’s busy, she'll be back tomorrow.”

“Okay,” he says with a shrug.

I say quickly. “Can you wait for me to brush my teeth and get dressed, please?”

“Okay,” he says and immediately runs out of the room.

“Leon!” I call. “Where are you going?”

“My playroom!”

And he’s gone.

I sigh, shaking my head. The house is enormous, he’s energetic, and I’m barely awake. All I need is a shower, clothes, food, and then… I’ll figure out how to handle today.