Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 322

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ARIELLA

I was coming out of the bathroom when Asher walked through the door. Our gazes met and then we both just avoided each other’s gaze.

“I think I’m gonna take a shower,” Asher says, as he starts walking toward me, and I walk toward the closet.

I conduct my business, change, and then sit in front of the mirror to start drying my hair. The quiet hum of the dryer fills the room, but it does nothing to quiet the thoughts running through my mind.

When he comes out of the bathroom, I say, “I’m going to check on Leon.”

“OK,” he says simply.

So I walk out of the bedroom, go to Leon’s room, and for a moment when I don’t see him, I panic. My chest tightens, my heart jumps into my throat, and every terrible possibility flashes through my head. But then I tell myself this house is safe. I force myself to breathe.

I go downstairs and I find him in the kitchen. He’s there with William, Margaret, and Maria, and they’re eating chocolate chip cookies with glasses of milk.

“Hello,” I say.

“Hello, Mrs Romano,” William and Margaret straighten and go on full attention.

I remember that I’m their boss’s wife. Well, I’m technically their boss now, but I want them to feel at ease. I don’t want to walk into a room where everybody gets stiff the moment I walk in. Those moments bring joy because, as I walked in, before they noticed me, they were laughing, listening to Leon, and they really seemed to like him and entertain him.

It makes me happy that my son is happy here. He seems to have forgotten what happened just a few minutes ago.

“Hey,” Maria says warmly.

“Hey, can I join you guys for chocolate chip cookies and milk?”

“Of course,” Margaret's voice says as she comes forward. She prepares a plate for me and puts it in front of me. “I hope you like it,” she says.

“If Leon likes it, you can be sure that I will like it,” I say with a smile. “You’re spoiling him, Margaret,” I add, but there is no bite behind my words.

“It’s because she’s my grandma,” Leon says proudly. “I love you, Grandma Margaret,” he adds.

I smile, but as I smile, I remember that Leon does have his real grandma, who is somewhere in this city, living, and has no idea I am still alive or that she has a grandson. The thought creeps in quietly, painfully, and the last thing I want is to start thinking about my mother right now. So I shake my head, pushing her out of my mind.

William starts leaving, I know it's because of me, and I think of stopping him, but I let him go. He probably has work to do anyway. The day is still shaky.

A few seconds later, William and Savio walk into the kitchen talking to themselves, pointing inside the house, I ask

"What’s going on?"

William is the one who answers. “Oh, sorry, Mrs Romano. Mr Romano has instructed Savio to put security cameras and motion sensors into the house.” William says.

"Oh..."

“Just in case. It’s just a precaution,” he adds.

I swallow because what do I say? Do I argue with him? Leon’s here, and the only person I can argue with is Asher. But this tells me how serious everything is.