Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 476

476 /483

ASHER

Bastian started shaking his head violently.

"No... No, Asher... I'll tell you everything. I'll give you names. I'll give you accounts. I'll tell you where every Volkov shipment is......I'll disappear. You'll never see me again..... I swear."

I looked into his eyes.

"If our places were reversed... Would you spare Ariella?"

He said nothing.

"Would you spare Leon?"

Nothing. That was answer enough. I lifted the axe.

"Hold him."

The soldiers tightened their grip, and Bastian screamed before I had even moved.

"Asher! Yuri..... No...!!!"

The axe came down. A sickening crack echoed through the trees, and Bastian's scream tore through the night. Blood splattered across the stump as his hand fell to the ground.

Even some of the soldiers flinched. I didn't. I handed the axe back to Yuri without another glance.

"He's yours, just like we agreed."

Yuri looked at me for a long second before nodding.

"Fair enough."

He motioned to his men.

"Stop the bleeding. I don't want him dying yet."

The soldiers immediately wrapped a tourniquet around Bastian's arm while he screamed curses at everyone around him. But my attention had already shifted. I walked past them, Past Matteo, who was now staring at me with fear replacing every ounce of arrogance he had carried all night. Past Yuri and everyone else until I reached Ariella.

She was still on the ground with Leon clutched tightly against her chest. The moment she saw me, the strength she'd been holding onto disappeared. I dropped to my knees beside them. My hands immediately cupped her face.

"You're okay. Please tell me you're okay..... How are you? Are you good? Are you okay?" I asked, nervous and scared of the answer.

"Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, tears spilling freely.

"No."

I hugged her hard and felt her flinch.

"Are you....."

She forced a smile for me.

" It's okay, I'm okay. It's just my face... And my wrist... But I'm okay."

I saw the unmistakable handprint on her face, and my hands trembled as I looked over every inch of her. I wanted to walk back towards Bastian and finish what I had started.

But my family needed me now. Then my eyes fell on Leon, who was still asleep, and Fear clenched my chest.

"What did they do to him? Is he okay?"

Luca stepped beside us.

"He's fine. I gave him a sedative. It'll wear off in another hour or two."

I looked at him. For a second... I wanted to punch him. I wanted to hit him so hard he passed out, but my family needed me. I took a deep breath and instead... I pulled Ariella and Leon into my arms. Neither of them fought it.