Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 71

Chapter 71

I froze.

“I… I just heard it,” I stumbled. “Maybe Mom told me. Or someone else. I don’t know…”

He didn’t respond. Didn’t agree. Didn’t argue. Just watched me like he was working out a puzzle. I hated that look-it meant he knew something was off. I could have kicked myself.

I rushed to change the subject. “Dad, I’m sure you have friends. After all, everyone knows I’m supposed to marry Asher. That has to count for something. There must be some kind of connection, some leverage. I just want to know he’s okay.”

He looked at me, and I saw a mixture of things flash across his face-guilt, worry, uncertainty. He opened his mouth to say something, but then-

My mother’s voice cut through the air.

“Please don’t tell me you’re entertaining this.”

We both turned toward her.

“Have you been eavesdropping?” I accused.

“I’m not eavesdropping. This is my house,” she snapped.

I rolled my eyes.

She ignored me and looked at my father.

“You cannot keep entertaining her delusions. She’s supposed to break up with this young man. You trying to help her get closer to Asher-it’s not going to sit well with the Don, is it?”

My father looked away. Tired. Defeated. I could tell he wasn’t up for a battle with her.

But she wasn’t done.

“Do you want us to die?” she hissed. “Is that what you want? You want the name Costa wiped from the earth just because you can’t tell your daughter the truth?”

Then she turned to me, voice sharp. “You are breaking up with Asher. This is over. Get that through your head.”

Her words sliced straight through me.

I stood up, rage and heartbreak mixing in my throat.

“I hate you.”

She blinked, stunned. Uke she hadn’t expected it to come from me.

I didn’t wait for her to recover. I turned and ran to my room, the tears falling before I even closed the door

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Chapter 71

behind me. I threw myself onto the bed and let it all out-the fear, the anger, the helplessness.

Because now I knew for sure:

No one was going to help me.

Not my mother. Not my father.

And Asher…

Asher was somewhere out there, and I didn’t even know if he was conscious…

+25 Bonus

It took Luca three freaking days to call me back.

Three.

The whole time, I was mad at everyone.

I wasn’t talking to my mom. I wasn’t talking to my dad. When they called me down for dinner or breakfast -it didn’t matter-I didn’t go. I skipped school. Locked myself in my room like some rebellious princess. I even bought all the junk food I could find and stocked them up in my room, just in case someone tried to

use that as an excuse to get me out.

I only ate when my dad brought food and left it by the door. He’d knock gently and say,

“Please open up.” I wouldn’t. But once he left, I’d take the plate, eat in silence, and place it right back outside when I was done. Then lock the door again.

I had no idea how long the strike would last. Not until Luca finally called-on the fourth day after Asher’s

attack.

“Ari,” he drawled, using his usual annoyingly cheerful tone.

But I was too angry-too wound up-to play nice..

“Luca, where the hell have you been?” I snapped. “I’ve been calling you. I’ve been calling Asher. I mean, I know I can’t blame Asher-he’s probably somewhere he can’t speak, maybe unconscious-but you? You’re supposed to tell me what’s going on. And you didn’t. Nobody did. I’ve been sitting here losing my mind thinking something happened to him. I just want to see him. Or hear that he’s okay. Can you please just tell me he’s okay? Why would…..”

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