Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 483

ARIELLA

Maria, of course, refused to leave her job, even though Luca kept telling her he had all the money in the world and could take care of her. But with me having given birth to twins and the children being a handful, she refused to leave us, and I was so grateful.

And there she was now, running after the kids. She had been such a huge help, even though Asher had been there every second too, but sometimes the two of us were so exhausted, you wouldn't imagine.

And then there was Luca... Watching Maria with a look of pure longing. I honestly didn't know why they were playing so hard to get. It was so obvious they were both interested in each other and were both absolutely crazy about each other.

Asher leaned close and whispered into my ear.

"At the rate they're going, Luca is going to die childless with frozen blue balls."

I lightly elbowed him.

"That's not something to say."

"It's still the truth," he said, laughing.

"You better tell your friend to step it up if he wants to be happy. He looks miserable."

And of course, he did. I also knew Asher got the same twisted satisfaction watching Luca suffer that I got whenever I looked at Sia. Because after everything that had happened, I knew he still hadn't completely forgiven Luca for what he had done.

It had been hard for me too. To accept and forgive him for putting Leon in danger. But I understood that Luca had seen something much bigger coming and had acted logically instead of emotionally. And despite everything, he was still Asher's best friend, his brother. So I had done my best to let things slowly return to normal.

Leon adored his Uncle Luca. He had no idea what had really happened five years ago. Yes, things were still a little strange... a little awkward... especially after everything that had happened and Luca's unusual marriage to Maria. But little by little... Life moved on, and we picked up the pieces and found a way to live together. That's what friends do; that's what family does.

The party was a success. It was beautiful, and the children had so much fun with all the games and entertainment. Leon, even though it was his birthday and he should have been with his friends celebrating, told us after dinner that he wanted to put his little brother and sister to bed himself.

So after Maria finished giving the twins their bath and left with Luca, Leon went upstairs to read them their favourite bedtime story. That was our boy—the big brother.

Asher and I were walking toward our bedroom when we found him sitting between Ludovico and Leonora, reading to them.

"You've gotten so big," Leonora pouted all of a sudden. "Now you have friends, and you're always running away from us."

Ludovico nodded dramatically.

"Yeah."

Leon closed the book and smiled.

"You know what?"

The twins looked up at him.

"You are my family. You're my blood. Whatever happens, you will always... always come first."

He reached over and gently ruffled both of their hair.

"I love you more than anything else in the world. I've just gotten bigger, big enough to protect you," he continued. "Now I have to do big-boy stuff. But I'll never forget my Ludo or my Leona."

The twins giggled.

"But what if you get married?" Leonora asked.

I glanced at Asher, who quietly laughed beside me.

"Even if I get married," Leon answered without hesitation, "you two will always come first."

He poked both of their little noses.

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