Bound To My Mafia Stepuncles novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67

The kitchen was dimly lit, the warm glow from the overhead lights casting soft shadows on the walls. Aria sat at the large wooden table, her fingers curled around the rim of a mug she hadn’t taken a sip from in minutes. Her mind was still racing, the weight of the night’s revelations pressing down on her chest like a tangible force.

Enzo, Matteo, and Dante sat around her, their presence both overwhelming and oddly comforting. They weren’t pushing her, weren’t demanding answers or reactions she wasn’t ready to give. Instead, they simply existed in the space with her, their steady gazes watching her closely, their silent reassurances wrapping around her like a protective cocoon.

Matteo was the first to break the silence, reaching over to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “We don’t expect you to have all the answers right now, Aria,” he murmured, his voice the kind of low and steady that had a way of grounding her. “Just be honest with yourself.”

Enzo, leaning back in his chair with his usual lazy confidence, smirked but softened it with a wink. “Yeah, no pressure, princess. We’re not going anywhere.”

Dante, the quietest of the three, reached for her wrist, his fingers tracing slow, soothing circles against her skin. It was such a small gesture, but it steadied her, made her feel less like she was drowning in a sea of unknowns.

A beat of silence passed before Matteo sighed, shifting slightly in his seat. “There’s something you should know about us, Aria,” he said, his tone careful but firm. “About… what we like.”

Her breath hitched. She wasn’t sure what she had been expecting, but the weight of his words sent a shiver down her spine. She swallowed, nodding for him to continue.

Enzo, never one to shy away from bluntness, leaned in, his smirk returning. “We can be a little… intense.”

Dante, ever the serious one, met her gaze. “We don’t want to scare you, but we won’t lie to you either.”

The air shifted, something deeper settling between them. Aria’s pulse quickened. “Intense how?” she asked hesitantly, her

voice barely above a whisper.

Matteo ran a hand through his hair, glancing at the others before focusing back on her. “We like control. Dominance. Roughness,” he said slowly, watching her reaction carefully. “But it’s not just about that. It’s about trust.”

Enzo’s grin turned wicked. “Ever heard of a brat, sweetheart?”

Aria felt her face go up in flames. She knew the term–of course, she did–but hearing it from Enzo, in his low, teasing drawl, sent a bolt of something unfamiliar through her.

Matteo shot him a warning look before returning his attention to her. “What we’re saying is, this isn’t just about us. It’s about you. Your comfort, your boundaries. We’d never push you into anything you’re not ready for.”

Dante nodded, his thumb still moving in slow, calming strokes against her wrist. “More than anything, we want you to feel safe with us.”

Aria sat there, her heart pounding, the weight of their words settling into her bones. It should have been terrifying, but instead, all she felt was curiosity. Nervous, yes. Uncertain, definitely. But also… intrigued.

“So… it’s about trust?” she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

E/L

Chapter 67

Dante gave her a small, reassuring smile. “More than anything.”

The air between them felt heavier now, charged with an electricity she wasn’t sure how to process. They had laid themselves bare for her, given her a glimpse into a part of themselves that they hadn’t had to share. And she… she wasn’t

running.

Enzo clapped his hands together suddenly, breaking the tension. “Alright, enough heavy shit for tonight. Let’s take a breather.”

Matteo raised an eyebrow. “What exactly do you suggest?”

Enzo grinned. “A drive. Fresh air. Stars. Anything to get out of this kitchen before Aria explodes from overthinking.”

Aria let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “That actually sounds nice.”

Minutes later, they were outside, the cool night air a welcome contrast to the warmth of the kitchen. The sky was a vast canvas of deep blue, stars scattered like diamonds across the expanse. They walked in comfortable silence, the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet the only sound for a while.

Matteo was the first to reach for her, throwing a casual arm over her shoulders, and to her surprise, she didn’t tense. She leaned into him instead, letting his warmth seep into her.

As they walked, Aria found herself watching them. Really watching them. The way Enzo moved with a confident swagger, the way Matteo’s grip on her was both protective and possessive, the way Dante stayed just close enough, his quiet presence grounding her.

And in that moment, something clicked into place.

She trusted them.

Whatever happened next, whatever path this took… that trust was the most important thing.

Matteo must have sensed the shift in her because he slowed his pace, letting the others move ahead. When she turned to him, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Whatever happens next,” he murmured, “just know–we’ll take care of you.”

Her heart stuttered.

Later, as she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, their words and touches replayed in her mind. Her fingers brushed her lips, tracing the phantom imprint of the moment.

She whispered to herself, “I think I already know what I want.”

Just as she thought the night was finally winding down, a knock at her door startled her. She sat up as the door creaked open, revealing Enzo’s familiar smirk.

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