Bound To My Mafia Stepuncles novel Chapter 85

Chapter 85

I hung up the phone, the screen still glowing, but my thoughts were miles away. My heart raced, and my stomach churned. My mother’s voice echoed in my mind. “Invite us for dinner, Aria. All of us. It’s time for family to come together.”

I had just called her back to tell her I would go, she picked out the restaurant.

Family?

I stared at the phone, still in my hand, unsure of what to feel. It sounded strange coming from her. It’s not like my mother cared for me–not in the way she did for Cassandra, my perfect sister. So why now? Why was she asking me to invite her, Victor, and Cassandra for dinner? The whole thing felt off, like there was something I wasn’t seeing. Something hidden in those words.

I didn’t have the answers, and the uncertainty gnawed at me. I tried to shake it off, but the feeling only deepened. What if this dinner was just another one of her games? I couldn’t shake the unease.

I had to talk to the triplets. They had come back not too long ago. They were the only ones who could calm this storm inside me. So, I left the living room and walked toward the hallway where they were, all of them sitting on the couch, looking so calm, so sure of themselves.

Dante looked up first. “What’s wrong, little one?” he asked, his voice soft but serious.

I shook my head, sitting down next to him. “My mom… she called. She wants us to have dinner together. All of us. It feels weird, don’t you

think?”

Enzo, sitting beside Dante, glanced at me, his brow furrowing slightly. “Weird? How?”

I let out a deep breath. “It’s just… I don’t know. After everything that’s happened, why is she asking now? Why is she pretending to care?”

Matteo, who had been leaning against the doorframe, straightened up and joined us. “Whatever her reasons are, Aria, you don’t have to do this alone,” he said. His voice was steady, reassuring. “We’re here with you.”

Dante placed a hand on my shoulder. “Exactly. We’ll handle whatever comes. Don’t worry about her. She won’t get to you.”

I bit my lip, my nerves still tangled up. “I don’t know, guys. What if she’s planning something? What if this is just another trap?”

Enzo gave me a soft smile, his eyes filled with warmth. “If it is, we’ll be ready. But I don’t think it’s anything you need to be afraid of. It’s just dinner.”

“Dinner,” Matteo echoed, giving me a playful wink. “And I’m sure we’ll be on our best behavior. You’ll see. Everything will be fine.”

They were trying to ease my anxiety, and part of me wanted to believe them. But another part of me couldn’t shake the feeling that tonight was going to be far from simple.

I stood up and walked toward the stairs, trying to steady my breath. “I’ll get ready,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

As I walked up the stairs, I felt the eyes of the triplets following me. Their presence was comforting, but my mind kept returning to the same question–what did my mother really want from me? Why did everything feel like it was shifting, like a storm was brewing just out of reach?

I couldn’t answer that yet. But I could prepare

I found my way into the bedroom, standing in front of the mirror. The outfit I had planned to wear felt wrong now, too casual, too simple. I needed to look… confident. In control, even if I felt far from it.

I changed into a dress I hadn’t worn before–a simple black number that hugged my body just enough. It wasn’t flashy, but it made me feel more put together. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw a reflection of someone trying to be brave.

It wasn’t long before I heard footsteps outside the door. Matteo knocked lightly before entering. “Need help with anything?” His voice was

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Chapter 85

gentle, always there when I needed him.

I turned toward him and forced a smile. “No, I think I’m good. Thanks.”

“You look perfect,” he said, his gaze soft but intense, a look I knew well by

now.

“Thanks,” I whispered.

I wasn’t sure I believed it, but I appreciated the kindness in his words. He stepped closer, brushing a lock of hair from my face. “You’re stronger than you think, Aria. Whatever happens, we’ve got you. Always.”

His reassurance helped, but only for a moment. I couldn’t stop the worry from creeping back. What if this dinner changed everything?

Not long after, Dante and Enzo joined us. They both looked good, as usual–sharp suits, matching looks of determination. Enzo winked at me, always trying to make me smile, while Dante was more serious, his eyes scanning me like he could read every thought I had.

“Ready for dinner?” Dante asked.

I nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. “I guess so. But I can’t shake the feeling that something’s off.”

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