Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81

When Asher arrived, I didn’t have to fake a smile. I didn’t have to pretend to be happy-because I truly was. I had missed him. Deeply. Desperately.

The feelings rushing through me were raw and real.

I had been waiting downstairs after my mom left my room, too restless to stay still. And the moment his car pulled into the driveway, I didn’t hesitate. I threw the front door open and ran to him.

He stepped out just in time to catch me in his arms, and I wrapped myself around him like I never wanted to let go. He held me tighter than I expected as if he needed this moment just as much as I did.

I was so overwhelmed, that I cried.

In his arms, everything ceased to exist. I didn’t have to think about choices or decisions. I didn’t have to think about the heartbreak waiting just around the corner. All that mattered was this-this moment, this man, this feeling.

It had been almost a month since I’d seen him, and I hadn’t realized how much I’d been missing him until I was with him again. Being with Asher felt like coming home. I felt safe.

And maybe… maybe he was just as happy. I could feel it in the way he held me, the way his breath caught in his throat, the way his fingers clutched my back like he didn’t want to let go either.

This felt different somehow. Maybe it was because I knew this could be the last time I’d get to hold him like this. Maybe it was because I’d spent too long pretending everything was fine. Maybe it was because I loved him-truly, deeply.

Without even thinking, I kissed him.

And he kissed me back. Hard enough to nearly hurt.

We stood there in front of my house, kissing like no one was watching. Like there wasn’t a world outside of this kiss between us.

Maybe my mom was watching. Maybe she wasn’t. But I didn’t care.

I loved this man.

And in that moment, I was happy-and in love.

When we finally let go of each other, we were laughing. Tears were still in my eyes.

Asher gently wiped them away, concern flashing across his face.

“What’s wrong? Are you okay? Why are you crying?”

“I’m just…” My voice faltered, catching in my throat. “I’m just so happy to see you. I’m so happy you’re

here. I can’t believe it. I nearly lost you. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

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Chapter 81

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He pulled me back into his chest, wrapping his arms around me as he stroked my back.

“You’ll never lose me,” he whispered. “I promised. I told you-I wouldn’t die until I married you. I wouldn’t die until you were mine. And when you are mine, nothing will ever take me away from you.”

But as he held me, those words hit a little too hard. Because I knew-deep down-that no matter how badly I wanted this moment to last, it wouldn’t.

Still, I kissed him again. And he kissed me back.

So I made a decision: I would stay here, at this moment. I would forget everything else and just be with him today without thinking about what I had to do at the end of the day.

Eventually, he smiled down at me and said,

“Come on, let’s go.”

He opened the car door for me, and I slipped inside. He walked around and got in on his side, but before starting the engine, he leaned in for one more kiss-like he couldn’t help himself.

As we pulled out of the driveway, I turned to him.

“So… where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise,” he said with a grin.

“Just a hint?”

“Okay. Somewhere with a lot of sand… and water.”

“The beach?” I gasped. “If that’s where we’re going?”

“We better go fast-it’s about two hours away!”

He laughed, and I did too. I looked at him, eyes shining.

“I love you,” I whispered.

me and smiled softly.

Hore.”

allowed the lump in my throat, reached out, and kissed his hand. Then I held it gently as we drove away together.

He took me to the beach house-a sprawling glass mansion that looked like something out of a dream. It was perfect.

I was so glad we’d stopped at that boutique on the way. I’d picked up everything I’d need for a day like

this: a swimsuit, a change of clothes, even a wide sun hat that Asher insisted made me look like a movie

star.

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Chapter 81

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Once inside, we barely made it through the door before we crashed into each other, laughing and kissing like we hadn’t seen each other in years. It felt reckless and alive-like the world outside didn’t matter. But I didn’t let things go too far. Not today. Not like that. I wanted to feel close to him because it might be goodbye.

Afterwards, I changed into something light and comfortable, and we headed to the beach. I ran into the water without thinking, letting the coolness soak into my skin. Asher stayed at the edge, watching me with that amused smile of his. He couldn’t swim-not with his arm still healing-but that didn’t stop him from teasing me or splashing me when I got close.

We raced through the shallows anyway, both of us soaked and breathless, laughing like kids. Later, we dried off and sat under a big umbrella, watching the waves roll in as the sun hung golden above us. It was peaceful. It was perfect. He had made this day just for us, and I let myself love him for that.

He ordered takeout-our favourites-and we ate right there on the sand, stealing bites from each other’s plates. When the sun began to set, he took my hand and said he had one more surprise.

He drove us into town and took me sightseeing. We wandered through small coastal streets, browsed handmade trinkets and old bookstores, and took photos in front of silly landmarks. He bought me ice cream, and then won me a giant teddy bear at a boardwalk stand, I felt like the luckiest woman on earth.

He spoiled me. And for a few hours, I forgot everything else. It was the best day we’d ever had. We were just… happy.

But the sun eventually dipped beyond the horizon, and the night crept in. We returned to the house to pack our things, and I knew deep down that this was the last day we’d ever spend like this. And Asher

had no idea what I was about to do.

He had gone upstairs to gather our things while I stayed downstairs. The weight of what I was about to do was starting to build. I knew what I had to do-I’d known all day-but it didn’t make it any easier.

I stared at the waves in the distance through the glass walls but all I felt was Just dread.

After a few moments, I stood. I slowly climbed the stairs, one step at a time. When I reached the top, I found him in the bedroom. He had his back to me, folding my clothes…

He looked so happy. So unaware.

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