Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 363

ARIELLA

The truth was… maybe I did.

Maybe I had seen them before. Maybe I had grown up around them. But I didn’t actually know who had died.

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “Maybe.”

Leon frowned again.

“Then why didn’t you go to the funeral?”

I hesitated.

“I guess I should have,” I admitted. “But someone had to stay here with you. And, your dad attended the service on our stead.”

“Oh,” Leon said. “So that’s where Dad went? To the funeral?”

“Yes.”

“Were they his friends too?”

I paused again.

“They were… kind of his friends,” I said.

I wasn’t ready to explain the rest. That they worked for him. That they were his men. That they died because of this life. That was something Asher would have to explain to him.

“Okay,” I said, shifting the conversation. “Maria, why don’t you go freshen up? I’ll put Leon down for hus afternoon nap.”

“Okay,” she said.

But before leaving, she turned back.

“Did you talk to Sia?”

I shook my head.

“No. I didn’t get the chance.”

Maria nodded.

“I saw her at the funeral,” she said. “And I thought you had already spoken to her… so I told her about dinner tonight.”

I blinked.

“You did?”

“I’m sorry,” she added quickly.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could,

“Sia is coming today?” Leon asked immediately, sitting up.

His face lit up.

“Yes, Mommy! You said she would come for dinner!”

I sighed quietly.

“Yes…”

“I’m going to look very handsome,” he said, already excited. “And I’m going to be very smart. And I’ll show her everything we did with the study room!”

I couldn’t help but smile a little.

“What are we cooking?” he asked.

Then he paused suddenly. I raised an eyebrow at him.

“I mean—” he corrected quickly, “I’ll help Margaret with the menu! We’ll make something good!”

He started to get up.

“Wait,” I said. “Nap first.”

He groaned a little but lay back down.

Maria looked at me then and mouthed, sorry.

“It’s fine,” I said quietly. “Maybe it’s a good thing. Something normal after today.”

She nodded and left the room.

I stayed with Leon until he fell asleep. He didn’t fight it this time and Within minutes, his breathing slowed, his face relaxed, and he was gone. I sat there for a moment, just watching him. Then I remembered..... Asher.

I stood up quietly and walked out of the room, closing the door behind me. Then I pulled out my phone And called him. The phone rang once. Twice. Three times. Each second stretched longer than it should have, But he didn’t pick up.

I exhaled slowly, lowering the phone slightly. Maria had been at the funeral, and as far as she had seen, nothing major had happened. The service went well. So Asher was fine. He had to be.

Still, the silence bothered me. I decided to go downstairs, find Margaret, tell her we were having guests tonight, maybe ask what she planned to cook… maybe even help her. Just something to keep my mind busy.

“And what did you tell him?”

“That you went to a funeral… that they were your friends.”

A pause.

“Good,” he said quietly. “That’s enough for now. I’ll explain the rest later.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me.

“And… Sia is coming over tonight,” I added. “Maria saw her at the funeral and invited her. Leon heard and got excited. I should have probably rescheduled, but....”

“No,” he cut in gently. “It’s fine. I’ll be there.”

Relief washed over me.

“And I’ll bring Luca,” he added. “Maybe having a drink together will be… good.”

“Yes,” I said. “I think so too.”

“Alright,” he said. “I’ll see you later. And stop worrying so much.”

“As long as you’re okay, I’ll try,” I said softly.

“I am.” he said, his voice firm and assuring.

“Okay… I’ll see you later.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Wait,” I said suddenly.

“What is it?”

I hesitated.

“Did anyone ask about me? About Leon? Why we weren’t there?”

There was a small pause before he answered.

“Like I told you earlier—l, stop worrying,” he said. “Everything is under control. Everyone knows what’s going on right now. They understand why you weren’t there.”

He paused, then added more firmly,

“And even if they didn’t… I don’t care. You being safe is more important than what anyone thinks. I am here, That’s what matters.”