Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 340

ASHER

I nodded.

“You’re right.”

For a moment I stared out the window, watching the dark streets slide past us. Then I said quietly,

“I think it’s time we took a closer look at Yuri Volkov.”

Luca frowned slightly.

“He’s not been in the picture for long, let's find out all we can about him.” I continued. “Let’s look at the other brother too, Basta. I want a detailed report on both him and Yuri.”

I leaned forward slightly.

“There is something there.... I just know it.”

Luca was quiet for a moment before he spoke again.

“Maybe he’s not the head of the operation.”

I looked at him.

“Maybe there’s a third party,” Luca continued slowly. “Someone who’s doing all of this. And maybe they have some kind of agreement with Yuri behind his father’s back.”

I considered that.... Maybe.

“Possible,” I said quietly. “That would make sense.”

The car continued moving through the dark streets as the weight of that possibility settled between us. Now we just had to find out who this third party was. And soon, before they acted again.

I instructed the driver to take me straight home because I needed to see her.... I needed to see Ariella.

When I left, I knew that she was worried. I knew that right now she must be worrying herself to death. So I had to go home. I had to see her. I had to prove to her that I was okay, and a phone call didn’t seem like enough.

I wanted her to see me. To see that I was okay.

I needed her to hear my voice. I needed her in my arms where she could feel and see and hear me, use all five of her senses to calm herself down. I needed her to trust me.

I needed to prove to her that I could take care of myself, that she didn’t have to worry so much. Because right now, thinking of the way she had looked when I left… the way she had been so scared and nervous… I felt like she might raise her blood pressure or something from the stress of it all.

Luca’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“So,” he said casually. “How is Leon doing?”

I smiled instantly. Leon. Just the thought of him made the tension in my chest loosen slightly.

I remembered his endless words, his little shenanigans, the way he somehow managed to fill the entire house with life. The way he made me proud in ways I had never expected.

Sometimes I still couldn’t believe that I had missed the first five years of his life.... Five years. And yet, it felt like he had always been here.

Like he had always belonged with us.

Like he had always been my son.

“The little guy is doing okay,” I told Luca. “And so is Ariella.”

“Good, good,” Luca said with a nod. “I haven’t seen him in a long time. Do you mind if I stop by your house and see him?”

I glanced at him.

“So he managed to soften you too?” I teased.

Luca laughed.

“Yeah. That little guy is just… great.”

He shook his head, smiling to himself.

“He reminds me of my younger self.”

Then he looked at me.

“He reminds me of me and you when we were younger. When I’m with him, it feels like it’s you and me again… you know, when we were little rascals causing mayhem.”

I chuckled quietly.

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