No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 4

The obnoxious fucker got his own table booked.

"I'm getting a drink," Ari sighs, standing up and looking over at the twins who seem to have started a conversation with someone. Ari groans when he sees them, "Idiots are talking to fucking Carlos Salvatore, they better not spill," he mutters. I chuckle and pat his arm, "Go rescue them, I'll just be here,"

He winks at me before making his way over to the bar. I can't help but look back over to Adelyn, finding comfort in her motherly smile. My eyes dart over to the man she's talking to.

Easily 6'4, dressed in a black suit with his tattoos peaking from under the material. His silver rings stand out against the glass he's holding, his messy black hair making his grey eyes even more startling.

Vincenzo De Santis.

The supposed most ruthless Don the Italian Mafia, no, the underworld has ever seen. Well we'll see about that, when he's on his knees before me begging for his life.

He turns his head to look over the room and suddenly I find myself staring into the eyes of Vincenzo. His eyes trail down my body and he smirks, leaving me fighting the urge to roll my eyes. I cover the smirk on my lips with my hand, knowing that this man is so blissfully unaware that very shortly I'll be the last thing he ever sees.

He snaps his eyes away from me and Adelyn looks back, trying to find whatever made her son lose focus on their conversation. Suddenly feeling nervous I look away to where the twins and Ari are.

Mommy issues are strong right now.

Shut the fuck up.

I make eye contact with Everett who narrows his eyes at me.

"Are you ok?" he mouths, and I hurriedly nod, feeling slightly relieved when he dismisses himself from his conversation and walks over to me, taking the chair beside me.

"It's not like you to be so nervous, what's wrong?" he asks, offering me his whisky glass. I take the glass from him and shoot the drink down my throat, placing the empty glass on the table. I shake my head at him, "Not nervous, guilty," I say, causing his eyebrows to shoot up.

"Why? You've killed too many of their men to count? What's another few?" he asks, leaning back in the chair to get comfortable. "Mom was friends with Adelyn, it feels bad to kill her," I say. "Who says you have to kill the whole family?" Everett asks, as if it's an obvious question.

"My fucking Grandfather," I mutter, causing Everett to sigh. He suddenly grins and points towards Gabriel talking to a woman.

"Who's that?" I ask, only able to see the side of her. Her jet black hair covering her face.

"Valentina De Santis. Her and Gabe used to be a casual hook-up before you were even born," he says in a low voice.

"Why are we all connected?" I mutter, annoyed by this for some reason.

"It's the underworld," Everett shrugs, "Everyone's connected in some way or another,"

"True," I murmur.

"Speak of the devil," he suddenly whispers, nodding his head behind me before standing up and walking back to the bar. Confused, I look back, my breath getting caught in my lungs when I see Adelyn De Santis walking over to me.

"I'm so sorry to interrupt, you just look so familiar," she smiles, sitting next to me in the seat occupied by Everett only moments ago.

"Adelyn De Santis," she introduces herself, offering me her hand. I smile and shake her hand, "Anastasia Mancini," I reply.