Chapter 34
Aria’s pov
I storm back into the barn my breath shallow, my pulse drumming in my ears.
Of course, Cassandra found a way to ruin things. She always does.
The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the ranch, the sky painted in streaks of gold and soft pink. But I barely notice. My feet carry me to the barn, seeking the only place that has ever felt safe..
Inside, the scent of hay and warm earth surrounds me, grounding me as I grab a brush from the wall. The large black stallion, Eclipse, flicks his ears as I run the bristles down his sleek coat. The repetitive motion soothes the storm inside
- me.
I should’ve known she wouldn’t just leave.
I should’ve known she’d follow me here, sink her claws into my life, and try to tear it apart again.
“Just breathe,” I whisper to myself, focusing on Eclipse’s steady presence. He exhales softly, nudging my shoulder as if to comfort me.
But the sound of approaching footsteps sends all my calm spiraling away.
I tense, expecting Cassandra’s voice, ready for another round of insults disguised as concern.
But it isn’t her.
Matteo leans against the stall door, arms crossed over his chest, watching me.
His black shirt is slightly unbuttoned, exposing a hint of his toned chest. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms, the veins prominent beneath his tanned skin. His dark jeans fit snugly, and his boots scuff lightly against the dirt floor.
But it’s his eyes that hold me captive–deep brown, smoldering, yet softer than usual.
“You always run when you’re mad?” His voice is smooth, but there’s an underlying curiosity to it.
I let out a breath. “I don’t run. I just-” I shake my head. “I just don’t want to deal with her right now.”
Matteo steps inside the stall, close enough that the air between us shifts. He doesn’t say anything at first, just watches me. Then, in one smooth motion, he reaches for the brush in my hands.
Our fingers graze, and heat jolts up my arm.
He doesn’t acknowledge the spark, just takes over, running the brush down Eclipse’s side with practiced ease.
“She gets under your skin, huh?” His voice is softer now.
I swallow hard. “She always has.”
Matteo nods, as if he understands more than he lets on. “You don’t have to put up with her, you know.”
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Chapter 34
I huff out a dry laugh. Rasier said than done,
His gaze flicks to mine, something unreadable in his expression. “You’re not alone in this, gattina
The way he says it–low, firm, like a promise–makes my breath hitch.
For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel completely helpless against Cassandra.
When Matteo and I return to the house, the first thing I see is Cassandra.
She’s perched on the couch, all fake smiles and effortless charm, attempting to engage Dante and Enzo in conversation.
Dante sits in the armchair, arms draped over the sides, his face completely unreadable. Enzo stands with his arms crossed, watching Cassandra like she’s an insect he’s debating whether to squash.
Cassandra laughs lightly, reaching out to touch Dante’s arm. “So, Dante, do you always look this serious, or is it just for
me?”
He doesn’t react. Not even a blink.
Cassandra’s smile falters before she turns to Enzo, flipping her hair. “This place is nice. I could get used to it.”
Enzo doesn’t hesitate. “You won’t.”
Her lips part slightly, clearly caught off guard. But she recovers quickly, masking it with another practiced smile.
Matteo walks past her without sparing her a glance. “You still haven’t eaten, gattina.”
His voice is meant for me. Me–not her.
Cassandra notices.
Her lips press together, but she forces a light laugh. “Aria’s always been picky about food.”
Enzo doesn’t even look at her. “She eats fine.”
His voice is flat, final.
Cassandra clenches her fists at her sides.
She’s losing.
And she knows.
Just when I think Cassandra is finally about to leave, she drops a bombshell.
“You know,” she muses, twirling a strand of hair, “I’ve been thinking… I should stay for a while.”
Silence.
The air turns thick, suffocating.
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Chapter 34
Matteo, mid–sip of his drink, sets it down. “That’s a bad idea.”
Dante doesn’t even look at her. “No.”
Enzo raises a brow, unimpressed.
But Cassandra only pouts. “Oh, come on. You wouldn’t throw out your dear Aria’s sister, would you?”
And then she turns to me, eyes gleaming with wicked delight.
“You don’t mind, do you, Aria?”
The room goes still.
All eyes are on me.
Heat rushes up my neck. My pulse pounds.
This is exactly what she wanted–to put me in a position where saying no would make me look like the bad guy.
I clench my fists, my mind racing.
But before I can speak-
Matteo stands.
His chair scrapes against the floor, the sound sharp and final.
His gaze settles on Cassandra, dark and unwavering.
“You’re not staying,” he says, voice low, edged with quiet authority.
Cassandra blinks, momentarily thrown off. “Oh?” She tilts her head, forcing a chuckle.
Matteo doesn’t blink. “My house. My rules.”
Her smile falters.
Dante and Enzo say nothing–but the tension in the air is thick, their presence like a wall at my back, solid and
unwavering.
Cassandra’s mask slips for a fraction of a second, her eyes flashing with something sharp and angry.
But then, just as quickly, she smooths her expression, letting out a soft laugh. “Well,” she hums, “I guess I’ll just have to find another way to convince you.”
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Bound To My Mafia Stepuncles
Chapter 35
Aria’s POV
Silence stretches in the room after Cassandra’s suggestion, the weight
of
her words hanging in the air.
I feel my stomach knot, my throat dry. She’s done this on purpose, backed me into a corner where saying no would make me the villain.
The triplets exchange looks.
Then, Matteo speaks first, slow and deliberate. “That’s a bad idea.”
Dante doesn’t even glance at her. “No.”
Enzo, who had been leaning against the counter, shifts just enough to fold his arms. His expression is blank, but his voice is cutting. “You’re not staying.”
Cassandra pouts, her wide eyes flickering between them. “Wow. Not even going to consider it? That’s cold.” She sighs, dramatically placing a hand on her chest. “I just thought, you know, since Aria’s living here now, it’d be nice to spend
some time with her. Sister bonding and all that.”
Matteo scoffs. “That’s funny.”
Cassandra blinks. “What?”
Matteo leans forward, bracing his forearms against the counter. The late afternoon light catches in his dark hair, making it
appear a richer shade of brown, and the navy blue Henley he’s wearing does nothing to hide the way his muscles flex
beneath the fabric.
“You don’t seem the type to be interested in… bonding,” he says, his tone casual, almost lazy. But the sharp glint in his dark eyes gives him away.
Cassandra lets out a breathy laugh. “Oh, Matteo, you don’t even know me.”
“I know enough,” he replies smoothly. “Like how you’ve been throwing yourself at me and my brothers all day.”
Cassandra stiffens slightly. “Excuse me?”
Enzo lets out a low chuckle. “That’s another thing–we’re not interested.”
Cassandra’s cheeks flush. “I wasn’t-”
Dante cuts in, his tone dry. “You were.”
Matteo tilts his head. “First it was me in the stables, then you practically fell onto Dante, and don’t think I didn’t see you batting your lashes at Enzo earlier.” His smirk deepens. “It’s a little desperate, don’t you think?”
Cassandra’s mouth opens, then closes. For the first time since she walked in, she’s speechless.
I almost gape at them. They aren’t even being cruel about it–just brutally honest, in a way Cassandra isn’t used to being spoken to.
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Chapter 35
Enzo pushes off the counter. “If you really wanted to stay, maybe try acting like you care about your sister instead of adde her as an excuse to get closer to us.”
Cassandra exhales sharply, her nails digging into her palms. Then, she laughs–forced, tight. “Wow. You’re all so fall of yourselves.”
Dante raises a brow. “And you’re still standing here.”
Her smile falters.
She flicks her hair over her shoulder, tilts her chin up, and turns to me. “Well, I can see I’m not wanted.” Her voice is light, but I can tell she’s embarrassed. “Aria, I’ll see you later.”
I don’t respond.
She waits a second longer, then huffs and storms out, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
The door slams behind her.
A tense silence follows before Matteo sighs, shaking his head. “That was exhausting.”
Enzo chuckles. “She’s persistent. I’ll give
Dante doesn’t say anything, just looks at me. I force a nod, not trusting myself to speak.
Because as much as I wanted Cassandra to leave, I know this won’t be the last I hear of it.
And I’m right.
I sit on the edge of my bed, the room dimly lit by the soft glow of my lamp. The house is quiet, the earlier tension still lingering in my chest.
Then, my phone rings.
I already know who it is before I check.
I hesitate, then answer. “Hello?”
“Aria.” My mother’s voice is calm, but there’s a weight behind it. “Why didn’t you stand up for your sister?”
My fingers tighten around the phone.
“I heard what happened,” she continues. “She called me crying. Said those boys humiliated her.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. Of course, Cassandra would twist things.
“She only wanted to spend time with you,” Mom says. “And you let them throw her out like she was nothing?”
Guilt knots in my stomach, even though I know I shouldn’t feel it.
“You should have spoken up,” she presses. “You could have convinced them.”
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Chapter 35
I swallow hard. My throat burns.
But I don’t say anything.
Because what’s the point?–
I already know how this conversation will end.
She’ll defend Cassandra. I’ll be the disappointment.
So, I just listen.
Nod even though she can’t see me.
Absorb the weight of her words like I always do.
By the time she hangs up, my chest feels heavy.
I need air.
The night air is crisp as I step outside, wrapping my arms around myself. The ranch is peaceful at this hour, the stars above stretching endlessly.
I let my feet carry me, the silence offering a strange sort of comfort.
Because right now, it’s the only thing that doesn’t make me feel like I’m drowning.
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