Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 461

ARIELLA

The sound of my phone startled me. I frowned, then remembered Nobody had taken it.

I looked towards the Russian to see if he had also heard it, or if I could pick up and call for help somehow. The Russian looked at me the same time I did, before reaching into my jacket pocket.

For a second I thought he was going to keep it or throw it away. Instead, he just looked at the screen casually.

His expression changed slightly.

"It's for you," he said.

He placed the phone against my ear since my hands were still tied.

"Hello?" My voice shook.

There was nothing. Only breathing. Then...

"My queen."

Everything inside me stopped.

"Asher."

His breathing sounded rough.

"Ariella."

I closed my eyes.

"Oh, God..."

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"No." My voice broke. "No, don't apologise."

"I should've stopped you."

"You tried."

"I should've chained you to that house."

Despite everything... A tiny, broken laugh escaped me.

"You would've needed a stronger chain."

"I would've found one."

Silence settled between us all of a sudden. It seemed like neither of us knew what to say.

Finally, I whispered the only thing that mattered.

"They have Leon."

"I know." My heart dropped. "You know?"

"I know."

"Then come get us."

His breathing hitched.

"I'm trying."

"Please."

"I'm trying, baby." His voice cracked. "I swear to you... I am going to bring both of you home."

Tears rolled silently down my face.

"I believe you."

"I need you to listen to me."

"I'm listening."

"No matter what happens..." His voice grew firmer. "Do not let them separate you from Leon."

I looked down at my sleeping son.

"I won't."

Luca's face remained completely expressionless as he watched me. Then his eyes drifted toward Leon.

"What is going on, Luca?" I asked.

He didn't respond.

"Luc....." Before I could utter another word, they pulled me out of the van, not gently. My hands were already zip-tied behind my back, and without any way to steady myself, I stumbled forward and landed hard on my knees.

The famiglia man lifted Leon from the van.

"Where are you taking him?" I cried. "Please don't take him away from me..... He's not awake yet. What did you give him? Is he going to be okay?"

The man standing beside Luca stepped toward Leon. And I started panicking. There was something about the way he looked at him that made the hair rise from my skin.

"No... stop. Please don't hurt him. Please don't," I begged.

He didn't listen to me. He reached out and traced Leon's face with his fingers. Then he touched his hair. Then, strangely... He leaned down and inhaled his scent. Only then did his eyes lift to mine.

There was nothing there. No emotion, no sympathy. Nothing.

"Take them inside," he said before turning toward Luca with what looked like satisfaction.

Luca, of course, wasn't even looking at me anymore.

"Luca, what's going on? Luca, where am I? Luca, what's going on? Luca, you can't do this! Luca!"

I kept calling for him and crying his name as much as I could. But he simply turned his back on me.

We were rushed inside in haste. The place looked like a warehouse. People were everywhere, busy loading boxes into vehicles. One entire side of the warehouse was partitioned off. Bright lights spilt from inside, and I could see bodies moving behind the divider, but I couldn't tell what they were doing.

The place was busy. Some people carried crates, and Others carried heavy guns while constantly scanning their surroundings. No one looked relaxed; everyone looked mean and angry.

We were pushed toward one of the doors. The door opened, and I was shoved inside. I stumbled inside, and the famiglia man carefully laid Leon down on the couch. Then he walked out without another word and closed the door behind him.

I rushed to Leon immediately and started inspecting him in the light. His lips looked dry, Parched. I glanced around the room and realised it was an office of some sort.

There was a desk. Two chairs and Pens scattered across the tabletop. Along one wall was a counter stocked with bottles of whiskey, other drinks, and several bottles of water.

I hurried over, grabbed one, struggled to twist the cap open with my bound hands, then rushed back to Leon. Carefully, I tipped a little water against his lips, praying he would wake up. Please... Wake up.