Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 311

ARIELLA

He kissed me again, slower this time, lingering for just a heartbeat longer,

“Mommy! Daddy!” Leon’s voice rang out from the dining room.

“You two are like Grandma and Grandpa instead of mommy and daddy! You’re so slow!” he shouted, his head popping around the corner as he stared at us accusingly.

We both burst into laughter.

"God, I really loved that kid," Asher muttered, squeezing my hand as we walked toward the dining room, his voice filled with warmth.

Leon was already waiting impatiently, bouncing on the balls of his feet as we stepped inside.

“Why are you so slow?” he demanded immediately, directing his questions straight at Asher. “Why are you acting like a grandma? Even Grandma Margaret doesn’t walk that slow!”

I couldn’t help laughing as Asher shook his head, trying and failing to look offended as we took our seats.

“You know what?” Asher said, leaning forward conspiratorially toward Leon. “We are going out to the city after lunch.”

“Really?” Leon’s eyes lit up like fireworks.

“Yes,” Asher confirmed. “We’re going to take a drive, and then I’m going to give you a tour of your kingdom.”

“My kingdom?” Leon repeated, his entire face glowing with excitement.

Something inside me tightened at Asher’s words. I didn’t know why it hit me so sharply. Maybe because it was the truth. Maybe because hearing it spoken so openly made it real in a way I wasn’t ready for.

Leon’s birthright.

The legacy is waiting for him.

The life that would one day demand more from him than any child should ever have to give.

I knew I couldn’t argue with Asher. I knew this was inevitable. Leon would grow into that world whether I liked it or not. Still, a quiet fear curled in my chest.

I forced a small smile, holding it carefully in place as Leon launched into a thousand excited questions about castles, guards, and whether he would be allowed to make rules about bedtime for everyone else.

Asher answered him patiently, amusement dancing in his eyes, while I watched them both, father and son, so alike it sometimes startled me. As I sat there, smiling and laughing along with them, I wondered how long I could protect Leon from the weight of the crown already being placed on his tiny shoulders.

We had a beautiful, calm, peaceful lunch with Leon. It felt rare… fragile, like something that could disappear if I breathed too loudly. After lunch, Asher decided he was going to tackle Leon for his quick afternoon nap before we left later for the city. Leon protested, of course, but Asher simply scooped him up over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes while Leon squealed in laughter and outrage.

Their voices faded upstairs, leaving the house wrapped in a quiet calm. I took that time for myself and went in search of Maria.

I found her sitting outside in the middle of the garden, in the gazebo. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the vines climbing the white pillars, scattering shadows across her face. She was staring ahead, lost somewhere deep in her thoughts.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify