No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 4

She lets out a small gasp before her face breaks out into a smile, her amber eyes shining as she looks at me. "You look so much like your Mother," she says fondly, and I feel my cheeks burn. "Thank you," I chuckle awkwardly, suddenly feeling unsure on how to act.

"How is your mother? I haven't heard from her in years," she suddenly asks, making my stomach drop. "You didn't hear?" I whisper, feeling my heart break as her face falls.

"I thought her and Castro just went off the grid a while back," she says, and I feel my heart break further at her naivety.

"They were killed six years ago," I say, my voice barely audible, as I watch the poor woman's face fall completely. She quickly composes herself and clears her throat, "I'm so sorry chérie, that would have been awful for you," she says, smiling sadly at me. I suddenly feel a lump form in the back of my throat and I blink tears away, "Thank you," is all I can manage to get out.

"Did Leonardo do it?" she asks hesitantly, as if not wanting to stir old memories for me. I nod and try to smile back at her as I can suddenly hear the screams of my parents in my mind. Dad begging him to leave Mom alone, screaming at my Grandfather to not make me watch as he shoots them both.

"I'm so sorry," she breathes out, "I had no idea,"

I shake my head at her, "Don't apologise, you didn't know," I say gently, smiling at her as her eyes swim with tears.

An older man walks over to us and I instantly recognise him as Luca De Santis. I clear my throat as he smiles at me, my guilt only growing.

"The auctions starting soon tesoro," he says to Adelyn, his eyebrows furrowing in concern as he sees his wife's sad face. She nods and stands up, smiling at me before walking over to their table.

I let out a shaky breath and run my hands through my hair, letting my breathing calm. I string my fingers through my necklace and look up to find Ari looking at me, his eyes worried as he sits down and throws an arm around me.

"Everything ok Ana?" he asks, only loud enough for me to hear as the rest of the guys sit down around the table. "I just had to tell Adelyn De Santis that Grandfather killed Mom and Dad," I murmur, looking up at him as he sighs. "I'm sorry," is all he says. I hum in response and he removes his arm as the auction begins.

The air shifts in the room and suddenly everyone is in business mode, a wave of heat flooding my body. I remove my jacket and sling it over my chair, getting comfortable as all the yelling begins.

I look over at Gabriel who's smirking as all the Mafia leaders begin to shout out prices. I shake my head and look back to the auctioneer, his eyes lighting up with greed as the prices only get higher.

"16 million!" Everett suddenly yells, causing all of us to look at him. "What the fuck are you doing?" Griffon hisses at his twin.

"Making sure we get noticed," he shrugs, smiling slyly as he turns his head to where the De Santis' are seated. I look over and almost laugh at how angry Vincenzo looks right now, his eyes darting from Everett to me. His eyes suddenly become transfixed on my arm and I realise I have my tattoo out.

I shift my body so my arm is covered as the room goes silent, no one bold enough to bid against a member of Le Aquile Rosse.

"Great fucking job," Gabriel snaps, only loud enough for us to hear, "You've just got us a piece of land which is going to collapse soon,"

Everett chuckles and shakes his head, "No, our little friend is too proud to lose to us," he says, and I smirk when I realise how egotistical Vincenzo seems to be.

"16 million to Mr Patton, can I get 17 million somewhere?" the auctioneer yells, looking around the room.

"20 million," Vincenzo says boldly, glaring at us before turning his attention back to the auctioneer.

"20 million to Mr De Santis, can I get 25 million from anyone?" the auctioneer shouts again, only to be met with silence.

"This land going to Mr De Santis, for 20 million! Going once! Going twice! And sold!" he shouts all in one breath, this time being met with clapping from the audience.

I look at Ari who winks at me, a smirk on my lips as I clap.

"Proud fucker just sabotaged his Mafia without knowing it," Gabriel chuckles, smirking as he looks at Vincenzo, who's shaking hands with the previous owner.

Everyone begins to disperse but I stand up and put my jacket back on. "We should go congratulate Mr De Santis on his new property," Everett says slyly, standing up and adjusting his cuffs.

I nod, and walk over to where the proud man stands, Le Aquile Rossi following me. The sound of my heels clicking along the tiles snap his attention away from the auctioneer and to me, his eyes cold as he watches me.

"Congratulations on your buy Mr De Santis," I say sweetly, looking up at him as I put my hand out. He takes my hand and shakes it, "I'm sorry, do I know you?" he asks, and I feel Ari stiffen beside me as Adelyn rolls her eyes and her head falls onto Luca's chest.

"Anastasia Mancini," I smile, my tone colder this time, meeting his gaze as he smirks at me.

Ari coughs behind me and Vincenzo instantly drops my hand, diverting his attention.

Luca places a hand on his son's shoulder, "We should be going, there's paperwork to sign," he says, giving me a small smile.

"Thanks for saving me from that," Everett says, winking at Vincenzo who's tongue pokes the inside of his cheek.

He doesn't say anything but just nods at us before turning and walking away. Adelyn smiles at me and I smile back, Ari placing a hand on my back as we begin to walk out.

"What was the point of that? Now he knows we're connected to Ana," Griffon grumbles. "He knew that the moment we walked in, and it was a strange thing to do, yes, but that will only throw him off. Everett especially got into his head, which is exactly what we want," Gabriel explains, causing Griffon to nod.

We walk back out to the car and get in, Ari pulling out of the parking lot as we begin the drive home.

"Where do we go from here?" I mumble, my brain too tired to think of what's next.

"We start surveillance," Ari says, and I nod.

Start surveillance. Surveillance of a family I need to kill in order to get free from my Grandfather. A family my parents knew dearly, somehow making me feel guilty about it. But there's no room for guilt, no room for second guessing.

//

Do u guys remember in His Fia when Adelyn and Ophelia were teasing Val about her situationship?? That was her and Gabriel 🤞🏼

Next chapter will be out tomorrow, so until then have a good day/night and don't forget to vote!!

Abi <3