Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 466

ARIELLA

Because the person who had just walked into that room... Was none other than Asher's uncle.

"Matteo," Bastian said brightly as he walked over to shake his hand.

The two men who had come in with Matteo looked at him, waiting for instructions. Bastian was the first to read the room and respond. He gave a small nod, and His own soldiers immediately walked out, followed by Matteo's guards.

Within seconds, the only people left inside the office were Bastian, Luca, Matteo... Leon and me. Matteo's gaze swept slowly around the room until it settled on Leon and me. Then he smiled.

"Luca," he said with a hearty laugh as he walked over toward him. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."

"Neither did I expect you, Matteo," Luca replied.

"I have to say..." Matteo chuckled. "I was surprised to learn of your collaboration."

He shook his head.

"We always thought you and Asher were too close.... Too connected." He watched him searchingly. "Couldn't believe you did half of what was asked of you...."

"But then..." He smiled knowingly. "I guess money and power can change anyone.... And anything."

Matteo extended his hand. Luca looked him straight in the eye before lazily taking it. Their handshake was brief and Cold like two businessmen closing a deal.

Then Matteo's attention returned to us. He slowly started walking toward me.

"Ariella Romano," he said.

There was something in the way he looked at me that made every instinct inside me scream to move away. But I wasn't leaving Leon. Never. He stopped directly in front of me and looked me over as though he were inspecting merchandise.

My hair, my eyes, my face and my body.... Every inch of me. Then he let out a low whistle. The sound made my skin crawl.

"I have to say... As much as I hate Asher... As much as he's been a complete disappointment to the Romano name..." He smiled. "He certainly has good taste in women."

His eyes darkened. "And I can't wait..." He leaned closer. "...to lay my hands on you."

His hand reached toward my face. I didn't think; I simply slapped it away. Bastian laughed behind him. But this wasn't Bastian. This was Matteo, and he didn't take it lightly. His face hardened immediately.

In the next second.... Crack! His hand collided with my face so hard my head snapped violently to the side. Pain exploded across my cheek, and for a second, I thought something had broken. My ears rang, and I tasted blood.

"I didn't come here for this." Luca's voice cut through the room.

Matteo didn't even look at him. Luca turned toward Bastian.

"Like I said... I don't care what you do with her. Or the boy. I want to know exactly what the hell I'm getting out of this."

He folded his arms.

"Let's come to an agreement....before Asher gets here."

Bastian leaned casually against the edge of the desk, swirling the whiskey in his glass.

"Straight to business." He smiled. "I like that."

Matteo chuckled as he loosened the buttons of his jacket before taking a seat without being invited.

"We're all businessmen here. There is no point pretending otherwise."

Luca remained standing. His eyes never came toward me.

"Talk."

Bastian nodded.

"Fair enough."

He set the glass down.

"When Asher arrives... He dies."

The words landed heavily inside the room. I felt my heart stop.

"...and once Asher is dead, the Romano Famiglia will be thrown into chaos."

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