Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 387

ARIELLA

Leon looked at Luca more carefully this time And for a second, I saw it.... The shift, the realisation that Uncle Luca wasn’t his usual self.

Leon then just nodded slowly.

“Okay, Dad,” he said. “I’ll go inside with Mom.”

Then, like nothing had changed, continued

“It’s bath time anyway. I don’t want to be late for our run tomorrow morning.”

Asher smiled.

“I won’t be.”

Luca shook his head lightly.

“This is a mini you,” he muttered. “ Watching the two of you like this.....It’s creepy.”

I gave him a look. He immediately raised his hands slightly.

“Can I crash here?” he asked. “I don't think I should be driving back.”

“You drove here like that?” I asked, already frowning.

“Please don’t start,” he muttered. “Not in front of Leon.”

I opened my mouth, but Asher stepped in.

“Take Leon upstairs,” he said calmly. “I’ll deal with Luca.”

I hesitated. Then nodded.

“Okay.”

Leon slipped his hand into mine easily And together we walked back inside. I took Leon inside, showered him, and helped him into bed.

“I want Dad to read me a story,” he said.

“Well…” I tried, keeping my voice soft, “Your dad said he’s kind of tired. How about I read you one tonight?”

“You’ve read me stories many times already,” he said immediately. “I want Dad to read me a story. Besides… I want to talk about the stump.”

Just like that, my smile slipped. Only for a second, then I forced it back.

“You already saw the stump, Leon.” I pointed out.

“I know,” he said, settling into his pillow, “but I promised Sia I would tell Dad the story at bedtime.”

A small headache began to form right behind my eyes.

“Okay,” I said finally. “I’ll read you a story first… and then I’ll check if Dad can come in, alright?”

“Okay,” he agreed easily.

So I started reading. My voice steadied and calmed, and somewhere in the middle of it... Asher walked in.

“You’re already reading without me?” he asked, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

Leon lit up immediately.

“Dad! You’re back!”

Asher smiled, sitting beside him and ruffling his hair.

“I am.”

He reached for the book in my hands, but Leon stopped him.

“Wait! I promised Sia I would tell you the story about the stump!”

I saw it immediately. The way Asher’s shoulders dropped just slightly. The way his expression shifted..... Tired, He was tired of hearing about the stump.

Honestly, So was I. But I didn’t say anything. This wasn’t about me. I stood and Leaning down, I kissed Leon’s head.

“I’ll leave you two to it.”

Asher caught my hand gently.

“You can't leave me all alone to deal with this,” he murmured.

Leon didn’t notice.

“I’ve read him enough stories, Leon said earlier” I said lightly. “It’s your turn.”

“You’re imagining things.”

“No,” he said, walking closer. “You’re just heavy on your feet.”

I turned to him, smacking his shoulder lightly.

“That’s rude.”

“Oh,” he said dramatically, grabbing his arm. “That hurt.”

Then he leaned down and kissed the spot.

“You’re crazy.”

“No,” he said, pulling me closer, “you are.”

And then he kissed me. Deep, Slow and Familiar. My hands moved instinctively Sliding to his jacket, pushing it off his shoulders, fingers working at the buttons of his shirt....

And then... A scream. Sharp and Sudden. We froze for a split second. Everything in me went cold.

“Leon,” I said immediately, already moving.

I ran straight to his room. Heart pounding. But when I got there He was asleep. Peaceful and Unaware. Snoring softly under his blanket.

Asher was right behind me.

“It didn’t come from here,” he said.

And then, the sound came again. Clearer this time From somewhere else in the house. Asher was already moving fast. I ran after him Trying to keep up with his longer strides.

And then we both stopped at the same time. Because now it was obvious. The sound was coming from Maria’s room.

The sound came again, Sharper this time. A scream.

Asher didn’t hesitate he took out his gun and reached the door first and pushed it open without knocking. And the scene that greeted us.... Was not what either of us expected.

We froze. All four of us.

My eyes went straight to Maria, wearing her flower pyjamas with Tears in her eyes. A pillow clutched tightly in her hands. Raised like she was about to throw it..... At Luca.

And Luca standing there. Dressed exactly the way we had left him downstairs. Hands raised towards an angry Maria.