Every Mafia's Favorite Girl novel Chapter 139

Chapter 139: "So That We Can Remain Close"

Jordan completely faltered beneath that touch.

He had been the one who promised to do whatever it took to keep her safe, yet here she was — the one saving him instead, comforting him despite everything.

Ignoring the pain raking through his body and the countless razor-sharp edges pressing into his skin, he leaned into her hands as though he had been longing for that gentle touch all along.

"Ariana," he called softly, breathless and strained. "You’re here... thank God. You’re safe."

Aren cupped his face a little more firmly, trying to soothe him.

"Yes, Jordan. I’m safe." Her voice trembled with guilt. "I’m so sorry. I couldn’t get to you sooner... I’ve... I’ve made you suffer so much..."

"Hey, hey..." Jordan murmured, trying to calm her instead. "What are you talking about? You came to save me. Look at me. I’m still fine. I’m still in one piece."

His reassurance did little to ease the crushing weight in Aren’s chest. Her fingers trembled as they drifted over the twisted wire mesh imprisoning him.

"...Who did this to you?"

A breathless chuckle escaped Jordan.

"Probably Nazario and his brilliant brain. Apparently, he decided metal could somehow be turned into a carpet, and I was better off rolled up in the middle of it. Quite one hell of an experience."

Then his expression turned serious.

"Where’s Oscar? Haven’t you run into Oscar?"

Aren stiffened instantly.

She stared at him, eyes wide.

"You... you knew?"

Jordan let out another weary laugh.

"Yeah... I kinda figured out your little plan with Oscar."

"B-but how?" Aren asked, startled. "H-how much do you know?"

"Well..." He dragged out the word thoughtfully. "Pretty much everything. Nazario. Natalia. The ammo. The sniper. Those guys who were supposed to corner me in this round too."

Aren blinked rapidly, completely caught off guard by how thoroughly he had seen through her. Guilt flooded her face, and she lowered her head almost immediately.

"I-I’m very sorry! It’s just... I didn’t want you getting hurt, so I planned for Oscar and a few others to come help you. I’m really sorry for breaking the competition rules. Please don’t report me. Please don’t punish Oscar!"

Jordan couldn’t help laughing despite the pain wracking his body.

Reporting anyone had never even crossed his mind. Besides... whatever she was apologizing for wasn’t even what troubled him most.

"Hey, Ariana. It’s alright," he reassured gently. "I know you only meant well when you came up with that plan. I’m not going to report anyone."

His expression grew more serious.

"But... you really haven’t met Oscar?"

"No." Aren shook her head, concern returning at once. "If you haven’t met him either... I’m afraid something very bad may have happened."

Jordan grew thoughtful for a moment.

"It could be Natalia’s doing... or Nazario’s. Or both."

He looked back at her, his expression hardening.

"Whoever it was, can you keep this to yourself after we get out of here?"

Aren couldn’t quite hide her confusion.

"Why?"

"I don’t want my father doing something that’ll alarm them and give them time to erase all evidence of their dirty work."

Aren nodded sharply.

"I get it. Then I won’t try to search for Oscar."

Then her attention returned entirely to the steel mesh still wrapped around him.

"Jordan, please stay perfectly still. Don’t move. I’ll get you out."

Before Jordan could protest, she had already begun searching for the twisted wire ends securing the roll.

"No, wait, Ariana!" he called, alarmed. "Be careful. Those edges are razor sharp."

"I’ll be very careful," she replied without looking up. "Don’t worry, Jordan. I’ve done this before."

The words slipped out without thinking. She was too focused on the task, and far more concerned with easing his worry.

Jordan certainly hadn’t missed the slip.

His brows shot up.

’You’ve done this... before?’

The thought barely had time to register before surprise deepened across his face.

Instead of trying to rip the mesh apart, Aren patiently untwisted each bent wire just enough to release the tension holding the steel together.

Whenever a jagged edge threatened to scrape across his clothing, she caught it delicately between two fingers, folding the barb outward before easing it safely past him.

Only after creating enough room did she press the curled edge flat against the concrete with the heel of her boot.

The steel groaned beneath the repeated pressure until it lay almost level with the floor, allowing the loosened section to slide harmlessly away.

Jordan watched every movement in stunned silence.

There was something quietly unsettling about the ease with which she handled something so dangerous, as though a man wrapped inside razor-edged steel was far from the worst thing she had ever encountered.

’How on earth has she ever done this before?’

He quietly tucked the question away.

Aren remained so absorbed in her work that she never noticed his lingering gaze.

Only after the final section slipped free from around him did the intense concentration melt from her face.

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