Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 338

ASHER

“And yet,” Yuri went on, “here we are. Sitting across from each other because someone tried to blow up your estate.”

His gaze flicked briefly to the paper on the table.

“Which raises an interesting question.”

I leaned back slightly.

“And what question is that?”

Yuri Volkov’s expression darkened.

“If my family didn’t plant that bomb,” he said, holding my eyes, “then who is trying to take off your head? Whose family did you fuck up this time? Whose sister did you murder....?”

I was about to lose it. My teeth ground together as I stared at him, fury crawling up my spine. But then I remembered something important before I lost my cool.

He wasn’t the man in charge.

And the realisation hit me instantly, he was trying to rile me up. Trying to make me overreact, ruin our relationship, and turn this entire meeting into a disaster.

Luca’s hand landed firmly on my shoulder. I didn’t have to look at him to know he saw exactly what I saw.

I turned my attention back to Alex Volkov.

“I came here out of respect for you and to honour this contract,” I said coldly. “I will not have your son speak to me this way.”

The warehouse went still.

“I did not come here to speak to your son,” I continued. “I asked for this meeting with you. He can stay here and listen in, but he has no power or voice in this meeting.”

My gaze hardened.

“I hope we’re in agreement.”

Alex Volkov shared a look with his son before turning back to me. A smile appeared on his face, though it wasn’t friendly, nor impressed. Just a smile.

“You’re right,” he said calmly. Then he added with the same careless tone, “But it still has the same weight.”

His eyes stayed on mine.

“I had nothing to do with the bombing and I have not been attacking your businesses.”

He leaned back slightly.

“But I will tell you what I do know that is kind of interesting.”

“And what might that be?” I asked.

He tilted his head slightly, as if considering his words.

“It seems a little… how can I place it? Forgive my choice of words… suspicious that not even a week after my daughter’s death, I heard you were flying in people for your wedding.”

His eyes sharpened.

“What was that about? I didn't get an invitation.”

I ground my teeth then forced a smile.

"It was a small intimate family wedding."

"I thought we were all family. That's what this contract you want upheld means...."

"It was a Romano famiglia event. You are not a part of the famiglia, just as I am not a part of the Volkov Bratva."

He smiled. "And where did you meet your lovely new wife. How soon did you have to marry after the death of your wife?"

“My personal life has nothing to do with you.”

“Well, it does when my daughter dies and suddenly you marry your childhood fiancée.”

His gaze turned colder.

But he didn’t move.

He didn’t stand.

And that’s when I realised why he had come to this meeting at all. He wanted something.

“What do you want?” I asked bluntly.

He smiled immediately, as if he had been waiting for that question the entire time.

“Thank you for asking.” He folded his hands. “Now that the Dinara is no longer here, we have nothing to hold each other accountable for or connect us in this partnership.”

His eyes gleamed.

“I propose we make a new contract. Between you and me.”

I laughed. A sharp, sarcastic sound.

“Well,” I said, leaning back slightly, “by the looks of it, it seems like you’re about to drop dead any moment now.”

Yuri’s jaw tightened instantly.

“And I would hate to have a contract with you,” I continued casually, “and then maybe two years... or months later realise that you dropped dead.”

My gaze shifted briefly to Yuri.

“And then maybe here comes Yuri again asking for a new contract with new demands.”

I leaned forward slightly.

“I need a contract between the Romano family and the Volkov Bratva. Not the leader in charge.” I would take nothing less from this meeting.

Alex Volkov laughed. He actually laughed, as if I had said something amusing.

“Are you threatening my father?” Yuri snapped before his father could respond.