Bound To My Mafia Stepuncles novel Chapter 161

Chapter 161

Aria – First Person POV

The shot rang out, loud and sharp. It echoed through the empty space behind the mall like a firecracker going off inside my head.

For a second, I didn’t move.

The man stumbled backward, clutching his side. I had hit him. Not Chiara. Not anyone else. Him.

My hands were still shaking. The gun was heavy in my grip. I couldn’t feel my fingers. My whole body felt like it wasn’t mine.

Chiara was on the ground, breathing hard. There was blood on her lip and a scrape on her cheek, but she was alive. She looked up at me, wide- eyed, then scrambled to her feet and rushed to my side.

“You okay?” she asked, grabbing my arm.

I nodded, even though I didn’t feel okay at all. I couldn’t speak. I could barely breathe.

Then I heard it. Tires screeching. A car pulling up fast.

A black SUV stopped just a few feet away from us. The doors flew open, and Dante was the first one out. He didn’t even close the door behind him.

His eyes found me instantly.

“Aria!” he shouted, running over.

I didn’t realize I was crying until he pulled the gun out of my hand and wrapped me in his arms. I broke down the moment I felt his warmth. My legs gave out, and he caught me, holding me tight against his chest.

“I was so scared,” I whispered, my voice shaking.

“I know,” he said softly, rocking me a little. “I’m here. I’ve got you.”

Behind him, a few of his men surrounded the man I had shot. They pushed him to the ground and restrained him fast. One of them spoke into a radio, calling for backup or maybe someone else I didn’t recognize.

Dante gently pulled back to look at my face. “Are you hurt?”

I shook my head. “No. Just… scared.”

He nodded, pressing a kiss to my forehead. Then he turned to Chiara. “You okay?”

She gave him a weak thumbs–up. “Bruised. Nothing major.”

“We’re going home,” he said, his voice deep and tight.

One of the men helped Chiara into the SUV while Dante stayed with me. He picked me up like I was weightless and carried me to the car. I didn’t even fight it. I was too tired. Too overwhelmed.

Inside the car, the seats were soft and warm. Chiara leaned her head back and closed her eyes. I held onto Dante’s hand like it was the only thing grounding me.

Chapter 161

When we got back to the house, the front door opened before we even reached it.

Matteo and Enzo stood there, waiting.

The moment they saw me, their faces changed. Panic. Relief. Anger.

Matteo rushed forward first. He cupped my face, his hands trembling a little.

“You’re okay,” he breathed. “Tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m okay,” I whispered, even though I still didn’t feel it.

Enzo wrapped his arms around me from the side. His hand slid over my back slowly, grounding me. “You scared the hell out of us,” he said, his voice low and serious.

“I scared myself too,” I admitted, tears filling my eyes again.

They led me inside like I was made of glass. Dante followed close behind, never letting go of my arm. Someone took my shoes off. Someone brought me water. I sat on the couch while they fussed around me, asking if I was cold, if I needed anything, if I was dizzy.

“I shot someone,” I finally said aloud, my voice small.

Matteo sat beside me, his arm slipping around my waist. “You had no choice.”

Enzo crouched in front of me. “You protected Chiara. You protected yourself.”

Dante stood behind the couch, his hands on my shoulders. “You were brave. Don’t ever question that.”

Mooked at each of them. Their faces were tight with emotion. They were angry, yes, but not at me. Angry at the danger. At what could have

happened. At the fact that they hadn’t been there fast enough.

I had never seen them like this. So serious. So shaken.

And so gentle.

They stayed close for the rest of the evening. Dante never left the room. Enzo checked my pulse twice. Matteo made me eat something, even though I wasn’t hungry. They didn’t let me out of their sight./

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