Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 399

ARIELLA

Asher stepped slightly in front of me, not enough to block me, but enough to make a statement—a boundary.

The older man greeted him with practised ease, and Asher responded in the same tone, controlled, respectful, but distant enough to remind him exactly where he stood.

“It’s so nice to see you here, Asher,” the man said.

“ This is a famiglia event, and I am the Don. Of course I would come.”

“Yes, my little boy,” the man added. “You’re just as smart as your father.”

I felt it immediately. The shift. I knew instantly that Asher didn’t like that one bit.

“I have surpassed my father,” he responded, his voice steady, each word deliberate. “And I am the don, uncle.”

The older man smiled faintly. “Of course, you're not a little boy anymore. How the time has passed.”

Then his eyes moved to me.

“And this must be your new wife, Ariella. We haven’t met.”

He reached out his hand... But before he could, Asher intercepted, taking his uncle's hand and shaking it instead.

“Thank you, uncle,” Asher said smoothly, “but she’s not feeling well today. She’s not shaking anyone’s hand.”

The man didn’t seem offended. If anything, he looked amused.

“I’ve also heard there is a little Romano at the manor,” he said.

“Yes, there is,” Asher replied with a hint of pride.

“And when do I get to meet my little grandson?” he asked.

“You know what,” he continued, “we should arrange a visit. You should come to the house and see your aunt. The new heir should meet everyone.”

“It’s not necessary,” Asher said.

“I still insist.” his uncle pushed.

For a moment, they just stared at each other. I felt it then, the tension Sharp and Heavy. People nearby had started watching, pretending not to, but I could see it in their eyes.

“Of course, uncle,” Asher said finally. "Why not?"

The older man nodded, then looked past him to me. “It was nice meeting you, Ariella.”

I gave him a polite smile in response. He nodded once more to Asher and walked away. The second he was gone, Asher pulled me closer, his hand settling firmly on my waist.

Even though he smiled, I could feel it. He wasn’t happy.

“Who is that?” I asked.

“My fucking lecherous uncle,” he said.

“Okay,” I replied slowly. “There seemed to be a lot of tension there.”

“There is,” he said. “He always believed that when my father died, he was the one who deserved the position of Don. Thought I was too young. Too stupid.”

His jaw tightened slightly.

“He still has people. A following. Those who believed he should’ve been the don..... But as you can tell,” he added, his tone turning colder, “over the years, I’ve changed their minds.”

I exhaled softly. “Yikes.”

“And people like him?” he continued quietly. “They don’t just disappear. They wait.”

Now I was uncomfortable.

“He doesn’t have the power to hurt you,” Asher added immediately, his voice firm. “Not anymore. But… he’s been quiet. Too quiet.”

He pulled me down the stairs, already moving with purpose.

“Let’s get you home. You have a lot to answer for, my girl.”

I laughed, breathless, a little giddy, a little overwhelmed, as we made our way down. Then a sound shattered everything.

“Leave me alone! Let me go! She’s my daughter! I need to see her!”

I froze.

Every muscle in my body locked as the voice echoed through me. Because I knew that voice. And what the hell was she doing here?

As I stood there, unable to move, my mother kept shouting, struggling against the guards holding her back. One of them stepped toward Asher.

“Don....”

“Take her home,” Asher said immediately.

But it was too late. From where I stood, I could see her now..... And she could see me.

We just… stared.

“It’s you,” she called out from a distance, her voice breaking. “It’s really you, isn’t it?”

I couldn’t move.

I couldn’t tell them to take her away.

But I wasn’t ready for this. Not tonight. Not like this. She was a part of my life I had buried, something I wasn’t ready to face, to feel, to remember.

But she was also my mother and she gave birth to me. She hurt me but she loved me. She brought my father's memories to life. She was everything all at once.... And they were dragging her away.

“Stop,” I shouted.