Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 442

ASHER

Silence filled the room. Ariella just stared at me. Then, without saying a word, she reached up and touched my face again.

Her thumb brushed over the bruise carefully.

"So...You picked a fight because of that?"

I smiled sheepishly.

"...Maybe."

She stared at me again, then she sighed.

"You idiot."

"I know."

"You scared me."

"I'm sorry."

"I thought someone had attacked you."

"I wish."

Her eyebrows shot up.

"You wish?"

"I would've preferred that."

She looked at me as if I'd completely lost my mind.

"Asher..."

"I know how to fight enemies. I know how to kill enemies. I know how to protect my family from enemies." I looked away. "What I don't know..."

My voice became quieter.

"...is how to stop feeling like I'm failing you."

The words hung between us, heavy and Honest. She reached for both of my hands.

"Asher. You are not failing me."

"I am."

"No."

"I am."

"If I were strong enough...You would've taken Leon to your mother's house tomorrow. You wouldn't have needed twenty guards. You wouldn't have needed armoured cars. You wouldn't have had to ask my permission. You would've just... gone."

She squeezed my hands tighter.

"That's what hurts.... I don't want my wife asking permission to visit her own mother because she's worried someone might shoot at her. I don't want my son growing up behind walls, and I don't want our home feeling like a fortress."

"I want..." I laughed quietly. "I want to take you to dinner. I want Leon to complain about homework. I want to walk with both of you through the city..... I want to stop checking exits every time we enter a room."

His voice cracked.

"And I can't even give you that."

Ariella stepped closer until there wasn't an inch between them. Then she wrapped both arms around his neck.

"You know what I want?"

"What?"

"You."

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