Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 380

ARIELLA

We went quiet for a moment, neither of us saying anything. The air seemed to shift, less playful, more real.

Asher leaned back slightly in his chair, watching me like he was trying to read something I hadn’t said out loud.

“You’re quiet,” he noted.

“I’m thinking.”

“About what?”

“About… everything. I’m so tired of staying inside this house all day and night.”

His expression changed.

“I am sorry..... but it’s dangerous right now....” he began.

“But I want to go. I’m not scared.”

“You might not be,” he said, “but I am.”

“You’re scared?” I asked, a hint of mockery in my voice.

“I’m not scared of them,” he replied. “I’m scared of something happening to you.”

That made me look away for a moment noticing the vulnerability in his voice. My fingers traced the edge of his desk.

"It just felt like… We are sitting ducks sometimes. Hiding and forced to stay in one place.... I had so many things I wanted to do, but now I couldn’t."

He didn’t say anything.

I took a breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“No, it’s fine,” he said quickly. “Just tell me what you want to do. Whatever you want to do.”

I looked at him.

“ If you want to go back to school…? If there’s something else you want, just tell me. I want to help you. I want to make it easier.”

“Thanks,” I said and I meant it.

“I just… when I got here, the first thing I thought about was redecorating the house. I thought maybe I could reconnect with some of my friends here. Just… something to keep things moving.”

I exhaled.

“But with everything going on, I’ve been forced to stay inside. And we can't even have people coming in to do the changes I wanted to do to the house. It’s just…”

I paused.

“Sometimes I feel stuck.”

“It’s okay,” he said, taking my hand. “I will do everything to protect you. And if what you want is to go to the ball....and it’s absolutely necessary....then we’ll go.”

My eyes widened.

“Really?”

“We’ll prepare,” he said quickly. “Security, guest list, information flow. I’ll take control of everything.”

“I don’t want to force you into that,” I said immediately.

“You’re not,” he said. “You want to go and you get whatever you want. You deserve to make an entrance.”

A small smile tugged at my lips.

“You’re right. I’m not afraid of them.”

“I will protect you,” he said firmly.

His gaze flickered over me.

“You’ll stay close to me all night. You won’t leave my side. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

“Not even to the bathroom,” he added. “You stay with me....always.”

I nodded.

“And Leon?”

“He stays here,” Asher said. “With guards. With people we trust. He won’t go anywhere. I'll keep track of everything happening here,” he added. “Everything.”

“And if something happens?” I asked quietly.

Then I pulled away before his hands could trap me again.

“Careful,” I warned lightly.

“Noted,” he murmured.

I turned and walked out.

“Thank you,” he said behind me.

“For what?” I asked, not turning around.

“For being here. For trusting me.”

Something in my chest shifted. I didn’t say anything, I couldn't find the word. I just nodded And then I walked out.

I didn’t go back to Leon’s study. Instead, I slowed my steps and let myself take a breath. Because it felt like too much all at once.

I walked slowly, calming myself, clearing my head, forcing my thoughts into something softer… something lighter, or at least, not overwhelming.

And then I turned toward the kitchen. Margaret was already there, moving around with her usual quiet efficiency.

“Do you need help?” I asked.

She looked up, a little surprised, but smiled.

“There’s always something to do.”

So I stayed. I helped her prepare lunch, simple things at first, then more. Cutting, arranging, tasting. It felt… normal. Grounding. After that, I helped set the table.

Maria came in halfway through, ready to take over, but I stopped her.

“It’s okay,” I said. “I’ll get Asher, Leon, and Sia.”

She hesitated for a second, then nodded.

“Alright.”

I wiped my hands and stepped out of the kitchen. The first door I decided to go to was Leon’s study partly because I was curious.

I reached the door and paused, just for a second. Then I stepped closer, quiet, my hand resting lightly against the frame as I leaned in slightly, not wanting to interrupt.