Bound To My Mafia Stepuncles novel Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Aria’s POV

I woke up feeling like I had sunk into the mattress. My limbs were heavy, my head soft, and I could feel the weight of two arms wrapped around me. My cheek was resting on warm skin, and someone’s leg was tangled with mine. The room was dim, sunlight barely sneaking in through the curtains. The bed was warm, and honestly, if I didn’t need food, I might’ve just stayed there all day.

Dante was already awake. I knew it before I opened my eyes. I could feel his stare, and when I peeked through my lashes, I saw him watching me like he was waiting for me to move. He had that quiet, intense look on his face, like he was thinking about a thousand things and also nothing at the same time.

Matteo’s arm was slung across my stomach, holding me like I might disappear if he fet go. Enzo was curled behind me, his breath warm against my neck. His hand rested on my thigh, fingers barely twitching in his sleep.

“Are you staring at me again?” I whispered, turning just slightly toward Dante.

He smiled a little and leaned in to press a kiss to my forehead. “You snore.”

“I do not,” I whispered back.

“Like a baby bear,” he said, still smiling.

I rolled my eyes and tried to wiggle out from under them. “Okay, I need food before I chew one of you.”

Matteo groaned and pulled me back. “Just five more minutes.”

“Nope. Starving.”

Enzo grumbled something half–asleep and slapped my thigh gently before rolling over.

I somehow escaped and slipped out from under the covers. I threw on one of Matteo’s oversized shirts and padded out barefoot, hair a mess, skin still warm from being between them. The hallway felt quiet and cool, and I followed the scent of coffee all the way to the kitchen.

When I got there, I stopped in the doorway and smiled.

Chiara was already at the island, her face half hidden behind a mug, hair up in a loose knot. She looked half awake but happy. Calm. Her cheeks had that flushed look, the kind you get after a good night or maybe an even better morning.

Valentina was by the stove, flipping something in a pan. She looked so put together. Her dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, her sleeves rolled up, her body still and focused like she was on some kind of mission. Everything about her was clean and sharp. The way she moved, the way she stood. Quiet but strong. Like she was always ready for something, even when she was just making eggs.

I grinned and walked in. “Ouuu. Good morning, domestic queens.”

Chiara snorted into her mug. “You’re so annoying.”

Valentina looked over her shoulder and smirked. “You’re late. We already ate half the food.”

“I can live with that as long as I get coffee,” I said, plopping down on a stool.

She handed me a plate and then poured me a cup without asking. Her movements were smooth. Not a single drop spilled. I stared at her for a second.

“You move like you’ve got a knife strapped to your thigh,” I said, sipping the coffee.

Valentina didn’t even blink. “You’ll never find it.”

Chiara laughed. “She’s not joking.”

I raised a brow. “Noted.”

0933 Thu

Chapter 196

We chatted a bit, mostly about food and nothing serious. I liked mornings like this. Calm. Normal. Almost like we weren’t all wrapped up in something bigger. Something more dangerous. The smell of coffee, the soft clinking of silverware. It gave me a little peace before the chaos started again.

And then it did.

The boys walked in.

All three of them.

Dressed in dark clothes that clung in the right places. They looked sharp. Serious. Like they were ready to fight or ruin someone’s life. Matten wore all black, sleeves rolled up to show the ink on his forearms. Dante had on a button–down, half open, no undershirt. Enzo had a jacket on and looked like he’d just stepped off a movie set. Their energy filled the room immediately.

Matteo walked by and took a strip of bacon from my plate, brushing his fingers across my lower back as he did. “You’re awake. Looking like trouble.”

Enzo kissed the top of my head and whispered, “Be careful how you sit, sweetheart. You’re distracting enough already.”

Dante leaned over from behind and spoke low into my ear. “You wore my shirt on purpose, didn’t you?”

I didn’t answer. I just smiled.

They sat around the island and started eating like they weren’t driving me insane just by existing.

After a few minutes, Enzo wiped his mouth and looked at the rest of us. “We’ve got a guy we’re vetting. Trying to push him into the Russian side quietly.”

“Get him close to the Capo,” Matteo added. “Feed him information to pass back to us.”

“Risky,” I said.

“We know,” Dante said. “But we need intel. Real stuff. Not crumbs.”

Chiara leaned forward. “What if it south?”

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