Bound To My Mafia Stepuncles novel Chapter 89

Chapter 89

Aria’s POV

The morning light poured softly into the room, casting golden shapes across the wooden floor. The silence in the ranch house felt too loud. I sat at the edge of the bed, legs curled up, arms wrapped around my knees. The soft white dress I wore was wrinkled from how I had slept–if you could call it sleep. My eyes burned from crying the night before. I hadn’t even brushed my hair.

I heard the door open quietly, followed by soft, measured steps.

Enzo.

He didn’t speak at first. Just stood there for a moment like he was reading the room–reading me. He wore a dark olive shirt that hugged his broad frame and dark jeans with boots that made soft thuds on the wooden floor. His hair was still wet from a shower, pushed back neatly. His eyes, always so intense, softened when they landed on me.

He came over and knelt in front of me. His large hand gently found my knee, the warmth of his skin grounding me.

“I hate seeing you like this,” he said, voice low and steady.

I blinked down at him, feeling suddenly fragile under his gaze. “I’m fine.”

“No,” he said. “You’re not. And that’s okay.”

I looked away, but he reached up and lightly touched my chin, guiding my eyes back to his.

“You don’t have to be strong here, Aria. Not with us.”

My throat tightened. I didn’t trust myself to speak.

Enzo stood slowly and leaned forward, wrapping me in a strong, warm hug. His arms were solid, comforting, and I closed my eyes, breathing him in–earthy, fresh, familiar. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe.

When he pulled back, he smoothed my hair gently.

“We’ll be back soon. Don’t shut us out, okay?” he said.

I gave him a small nod. That was all I could manage.

Then the door opened again. Dante.

He was dressed sharply, as always–navy shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and black trousers. His presence filled the room. Always so composed, so hard to read.

He walked up, his gaze locking with mine. “You look like your mind’s a million miles away.”

“Maybe it is,” I whispered.

He stepped closer, stopping just in front of me. His fingers reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

“Let them say what they want,” he said quietly. “But you belong here. With us.”

My eyes stung. I nodded again, not trusting my voice.

He didn’t say more–he didn’t have to. With one last look, both brothers left, the soft thud of the door echoing behind them.

1/3

Chapter 89

I sat in silence for a while longer. Then came another knock.

“Aria,” Matteo’s voice called, lighter than the others.

I wiped my face quickly and opened the door. He was leaning against the frame, wearing a casual black hoodie over a white t–shirt and joggers. He looked effortlessly relaxed.

“Come on,” he said, a spark in his eyes. “We’re going somewhere.”

“Where?”

“You’ll see. Just get dressed. Something light and cute.”

I blinked at him, confused but curious. “Why?”

He smiled. “Because you need to remember what it feels like to breathe.”

Ten minutes later, I had thrown on a soft pink blouse and light denim jeans, slipping into sandals and brushing my hair. When I stepped outside, I spotted him near the field–next to a black helicopter.

My eyes widened. “Matteo–what?”

He gave me a look. “You trusted me, right?”

I nodded, stunned. “Yeah, but…”

“No buts. Come on.”

We flew across the sky, the ranch getting smaller as we rose. The world stretched wide and quiet beneath us. Matteo sat beside me, sunglasses on, hand close to mine on the seat. Our pinkies brushed, sending a strange warmth up my arm.

We landed on a grassy cliffside overlooking a still, glittering lake. Wildflowers danced in the breeze. A blanket had been set on the grass with a small picnic basket.

“You planned this?” I asked, stepping onto the soft grass.

He shrugged, grinning. “Kind of. I had help.”

We sat down, and I bit into a strawberry, the sweetness waking something in me. I watched the wind play with Matteo’s hair, how the sunlight

kissed the side of his face.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked suddenly.

His smile faded, replaced by something more serious. “Because I see you, Aria. I see how strong you are. And I see how much you hide.”

I looked down, my throat tight again. “It’s just… hard. Pretending it doesn’t hurt.”

“You don’t have to pretend.”

He reached over, fingers brushing my cheek. The gentleness made me shiver.

“You’re not invisible,” he said. “Not here. Not with us.”

I swallowed hard. His eyes were on me–warm, steady, full of something I couldn’t name.

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