Bound To My Mafia Stepuncles novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162

Aria – First Person POV

When I opened my eyes, the sun was already high in the sky. Warm light poured through the curtains, touching everything in soft gold. For a few seconds, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Not my body exactly, but everything else. My mind My heart.

I was still wearing the same oversized shirt from last night. I could smell Matteo on the pillow beside me. Faint cologne and something else. Something that made me feel safe.

A gentle knock sounded at the door. Before I could answer, it opened slowly.

It was Rita.

She came in quietly, holding a small tray with toast, tea, and a glass of water. She was dressed simply in a navy blouse and soft pants, her hair pulled into a clean bun. She looked calm but tired. Like she had not slept either.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” she said gently. “You’re awake. Good.”

I pushed myself up slowly and nodded. “Morning.”

She came over, placed the tray on the nightstand, and sat beside me. Her hand immediately reached up to tuck my hair behind my ear. She didn’t ask if she could. It was so natural that I didn’t pull away.

“I made you tea,” she said. “With honey. For the nerves.”

“Thank you.”

She looked at me properly now, her eyes kind but sharp. Like she could see right through me. “How are you feeling?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Like it didn’t happen. But also like it’s still happening.”

Rita gave a small nod, the kind only mothers can do. She reached for my hand and held it in both of hers. Warm and steady. “That makes sense. Your body is safe now, but your heart still thinks it’s in danger. It’ll take a little time.”

That was all it took to make tears well up in my eyes again. I blinked fast and looked away

She pulled me into a hug. Tight and firm. No words. Just holding me like I was something precious.

“I’ve got you, baby,” she whispered. “It’s okay to feel everything. All of it.”

I closed my eyes and let myself lean into her.

A few minutes later, another knock came, Chiara peeked in.

“Can I come in?”

Rita waved her in quickly. “Of course. Sit down, my love.”

Chiara padded in, holding a small box of cookies and her phone. She looked like she had been crying earlier, but she had cleaned up. She wore leggings and a hoodie and her usual bounce was–softer today.

She sat on the other side of the bed, and I smiled at her. “Hey,”

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Chapter 162

“Hey,” she said. “You okay?*

I nodded. “Trying*

“Me too.”

Rita looked between 61, then reached up and rubbed Chiara’s cheek. “You two scared the life out of me. I don’t know what I would we door if that man had hurt either of you.”

“We’re okay now,” Chiara said quietly.

“I know,” Rita replied. “But still.”

She got up and walked to the dresser where the had left a small jar. She opened it and came back with some kind of balm. “Hold still, she told Chiara, and gently rubbed it onto the side of her jaw where a bruise was forming, “It’ll help with the swelling

Chiara made a small noise. “It stings.”

“Good. Means it’s working.”

I smiled a little as they went back and forth. Chiara looked like a little kid again while Rita fussed over her. I watched them and felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

Safe,

Cared for.

Loved.

Later, all three of us went downstairs. Rita had made soup and toast, nothing fancy, but it tasted like heaven. We sat in the sunroom and she told us stories about when the triplets were younger. About how Enzo used to steal cookies and blame Dante. About how Matteo got lost in a store once and refused to cry because he thought it was weak.

Chiara laughed hard and wiped her eyes. “He still acts like that.”

“He’s always been tough,” Rita said. “But that boy has the softest heart. He just hides it better than the others.”

I listened quietly, holding the warm mug of tea between my hands. I felt like I was being wrapped in something soft and comforting. Not just blankets. Something deeper.

Love.

Time passed slowly but peacefully. Until the sound of footsteps came from the hallway.

The triplets.

They walked in looking like they had been through hell. Enzo looked tired. Dante was serious as always. Matteo came straight towa stood behind the couch where I sat.

Rita stood up the moment she saw them.

“Do not even try to speak,” she said firmly.“I am still angry.”

Enzo sighed. “Mom-”

“No. You let them go to the mall. Alone. With no security. You thought what? That this world was safe for girls like them?”

e and

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Chapter 162

“We didn’t think it would happen,” Dante said calmly,

“That’s the problem. You didn’t think,” Rita snapped, “You three are supposed to protect them. You know what kind of danger Aria is in. You know her past. How could you let this happen?”

My stomach turned at her words. She didn’t know.

Only the boys did.

Matteo spoke quietly. “We were careless, It won’t happen again.”

“Good,” Rita said, folding her arms. “Because if anything happens to either of those girls again, I will not forgive you.”

Then she looked at Matteo. “Especially you. You’re the one always so cold and careful. Where was your head?”

Matteo didn’t answer. He just looked down at me, I gave him a small nod, like I understood.

It wasn’t his fault.

Rita didn’t stay mad for long. She made all of us sit and drink soup and she even baked something sweet later in the afternoon. She braided Chiara’s hair. She helped me find new pajamas. She told jokes and stories and wouldn’t let the heavy mood stay.

She stayed with us the whole day.

She never once asked why I was so shaken. She never questioned anything. She just gave love without conditions.

That night, after everyone had gone to bed, I found her sitting in the living room. Reading a book. Her glasses on the edge of her nose.

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