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Chapter 34

Author: Mary Q
last update publish date: 2026-05-10 21:47:58

Aria

Something was clearly wrong with Lola.

Since we got the news of her husband’s death, aside from the initial shock, there was nothing.

Not sadness.

Just… numb.

I watched her from across the kitchen island as she stirred sugar into her coffee absentmindedly while Mia babbled happily in her highchair beside her.

Most women would be hysterical after finding out their husband had died.

But not Lola. If anything, she looked relieved.

“You’ve been staring at me for the past five minutes,” she sai
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  • Under his protection    Chapter 51

    DanteFor the first time since the meeting began, I felt something shift.Very few people knew about Aria's life before she became my wife, and I had made sure it stayed that way.Moreau closed his eyes briefly, catching his mistake before quickly recovering, his usual smug expression settling back into place.I forced myself not to react."You seem well informed.""What can I say?" He shrugged. "I wouldn't be a good leader if I didn't have valuable information."I held his gaze a moment longer than necessary.This meeting was supposed to remain civil. Killing the boss of one of France's most powerful families on his own soil would ignite a war I didn't have time for."I appreciate your concern," I said evenly, "but I'd advise you not to concern yourself with my household."A faint smile crossed his face."Of course."He stood."If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now. Like I said, I have things to do."I didn't respond.There was no need to.The moment the door closed behind

  • Under his protection    Chapter 50

    DanteThe vibration of my phone interrupted the discussion Adriano and I were having over the intelligence reports in the conference room in France.I glanced at the screen before immediately answering."Tell me.""I just dropped her off at the mansion," Franco said.I hadn't realized how tense I'd been until the words left his mouth. Since walking away from Aria that morning, my mind had refused to settle. Even while flying to France, all I could think about was the look on her face when I told her I would let her go if that was truly what she wanted."How did she seem?" I asked."There was a lot less crying than I expected," he replied with a chuckle. "Though she barely spoke to me on the drive to the cemetery. I think she's still upset that I told you about her plan. So apparently I'm the villain now."Despite everything, the corner of my mouth lifted."You'll survive. The most important thing is that she's back home.""Yes, Boss. Other than a quick ice cream stop, after the cemete

  • Under his protection    Chapter 49

    AriaThe smile disappeared from my face so quickly it almost hurt.Dante didn't take his eyes off me."Are you ever going to stop trying to leave me?"I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.He already knew."I...""You asked Franco to help you disappear."He didn't sound angry. If anything, he sounded tired and hurt.“Have I done something wrong?”I shook my head, hating that he thought this was somehow about what he did."Haven't I made it clear enough that you are mine and your place is beside me?"I swallowed."I wasn't running away from you."The words finally found their way out, but they weren't enough.His jaw tightened."Then explain it to me, Aria. Is being with me so bad that you try to leave at every turn?"He sounded broken, and I hated that."I was trying to help you.""By disappearing?"He let out a humorless laugh."Yes, Dante, because you deserve your family."“Family?”"You, Lucia... your baby."“So that's what this is about,” he replied slowly before closing his ey

  • Under his protection    Chapter 48

    DanteThe doctor kept talking, but I heard none of what he had to say.I should be more concerned with what was going on with my child, but my mind remained fixed on the memory of Aria sitting across from me in the library.After being in this world for as long as I have, not many things frighten me, but the look on her face as I walked out the door with Lucia frightened me.Something about it felt wrong.Aria wasn't angry.She wasn't jealous.She wasn't even upset.And somehow that worried me more."Dante?"The doctor's voice pulled me back.I looked up."She and the baby are fine," he repeated.Lucia sat quietly on the examination bed."The pain was most likely caused by exhaustion and stress. Nothing serious."I nodded."Good."The doctor continued speaking."No unnecessary stress.""Regular checkups.""Plenty of rest."I barely listened.The doctor excused himself for a moment."It would be nice if you paid attention to what was going on, you know," Lucia whispered, clearly pissed

  • Under his protection    Chapter 47

    AriaAfter dinner that evening, Lucia caught up to me before I could go up to my room."Would you like to take a walk with me?"I almost said no.But she looked hopeful enough that refusing felt cruel.Now we were slowly making our way through the gardens behind the mansion.The weather was pleasant, and the cool night breeze was exactly what I needed.But somehow, I still felt miserable.Lucia rested a hand on her stomach as we walked."The doctor says walking is good for the baby."I nodded."I'm glad you agreed to come with me."I offered a small smile."So am I."For a while, we walked in silence.Then Lucia spoke again."I've started remembering things."My attention immediately shifted to her."You have?"She nodded."Small things, mostly.""Like what?"A soft smile touched her lips."Things before I left. My life, Dante..."She laughed softly but something uncomfortable twisted in my stomach."We were friends first and I remember following him around when we were younger."Her

  • Under his protection    Chapter 46

    AriaI woke up to Dante’s arms wrapped around my waist, and a slow smile formed on my lips. I missed this.We must have slept for hours, and a quick glance at the clock confirmed my suspicions. It was past eleven, and we had completely missed breakfast.Dante is never around at this time, and even though I’d love to stay like this for a while longer, Dante probably has other stuff to do.“Hey,” I whispered as I gently tapped Dante.He stirred slightly but didn’t open his eyes.“We need to get up,” I continued, amused at his attempt to pretend like he was asleep.“Shh, it’s the best sleep I’ve had in days,” he replied, holding me tightly.“I’m sure you have something to do.”“No, I don’t.”“Yes, you do.”He groaned but finally loosened his grip.“You are right.” He reached for his phone. “I couldn’t speak to the new Pakhan at the wedding.”“Sofia’s husband?”“Yeah. I should see him this morning. The last thing I need is for the Russians to feel insulted.”Settling his phone back down,

  • Under his protection    Chapter 22

    AriaIt’s been five days since the big reveal and I have barely left my new room. The curtains were closed so I couldn’t tell the time of day, nor did I care.A tray of food from the previous day sat barely touched. I didn’t have the energy to read, let alone eat.True to his word, I was moved out

  • Under his protection    Chapter 20

    Dante“She’s never going to agree to this,” Adriano said.“I would not give her much of a choice.”“You are going to force her?” Disbelieve was evident in his voice.“Given the situation, it’s the only way to protect her, and you know that,” I replied.I had spent almost the entire day with Aria. W

  • Under his protection    Chapter 3

    Dante I stepped out of the room and decided to leave it unlocked. It is not like she could go anywhere. She wouldn’t make it past the hallway let alone the property. I gave a slight nod toward Carlos who stood right outside her door before heading to my office. The pickup was supposed to be a si

  • Under his protection    Chapter 2

    Chapter 2Aria“You were not supposed to hurt her.”“She broke my nose!”“I am just saying, the Don is not going to be happy.”Voices pull me from the fog. My head throbs, heavy and slow. I tried to move but my hands and feet were tied. I was in the back of a car but I could not tell how long I ha

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