No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 5

"Did anyone else see Anastasia Marcini's tattoo?" I ask, unable to get it out of my mind.

"No, only you were looking at her," Alessio smirks, causing me to glare at my stupid brother.

"Where's the surveillance room with all the cameras?" I ask in exasperation. Dad shakes his head at me, "I'll take you there," he says. Alessio joins us as the rest look around the property.

Dad leads us downstairs to the bottom level and into a large room filled with cameras. "That's fucking creepy," Alessio mutters.

"This'll just be used for storing shit, no one's going to live here," I say absentmindedly, sitting at a desk with a computer overlooking the auction room.

I go back in the footage to the moment Everett placed the bid, zooming in on Anastasia's arm.

"It's the same flower which has been carved into the chests of all our men who were killed," I say, looking up at Alessio and Dad as they study the image.

"It can't be her," Dad murmurs, causing me to furrow my eyebrows. "Why not? She's already one of the best assassins in the underworld, it would make sense for her to be The Fiore Mortale," I explain, making Alessio snort.

"Aren't you full of praises for her," he teases. I roll my eyes at him and punch his arm.

Dad shakes his head, only confusing me further. I search through the desk drawer and find a USB, transferring the footage onto it before placing it into my blazer pocket.

We walk back upstairs to find the family gathered near the front entrance, meaning it's time to go. I see Dad go over to Mom and whisper something to her. I watch as Mom looks up at Dad in concern, her eyes growing tired as she closes them. Dad leans down to kiss her before wrapping an arm around her and walking out with the rest of the older adults.

"Are you sure it's her?" Alessio asks, "You're basing this solely over the fact that she has that tattoo,"

"It's too similar, too much of a coincidence," I mutter. Alessio sighs and nods, "I trust you fratello," is all he says.

Azalea looks at the two of us with raised eyebrows, "He thinks Anastasia Mancini is The Fiore Mortale," Alessio says, causing Azalea's eyes to practically fall out of her head.

"Why?" is all she asks, waking outside as Alessio and I follow her to the car we came in.

I get in the drivers side and Azalea beats Alessio to the passenger seat.

"What proof do you have that she's the one who's been killing our allies?" she asks again as I start the car.

"Her tattoo is identical to the flowers carved into the victims, and she's shown that she has connection to Le Aquile Rosse, which we know The Fiore Mortale has," I explain, Azalea slowly nodding along.

"You can't go after her unless you have proof that she is the one doing the hits," she says, looking at me, "I know you're getting your ego hurt, but you can't go after someone just based off assumptions,"

I chuckle and shake my head, "I won't," I sigh. "Good," she mutters.

"I wouldn't be telling Mom any more about this though," she suddenly says, "Or Dad, because he'll instantly tell Mom,"

"How did Mom already know her?" Alessio asks,

"Mom was good friends with Anastasia's Mom. Anastasia's parents were Mom's first customers, and Anastasia and her Mom would always go to Mom's cafe," Azalea explains.

"Why do you say was good friends?" Alessio asks again.

"I overheard Mom telling Dad that Anastasia's parents were killed by her Grandfather 6 years ago," Azalea says, "That's why she was so sad after speaking to Anastasia earlier, because she didn't know, and Anastasia told her,"