No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 5

"We need to figure out who exactly Anastasia is," I say, suddenly turning around and starting to drive towards one of my penthouses.

"Are you kidnapping us?" Alessio asks, laughing as he makes eye contact with Azalea.

"Yes," I say bluntly, "Until we figure out who Anastasia is,"

"Oh so we're stalking your little crush now?" Alessio teases. I glare at him and Azalea smiles slyly, "I for one wouldn't mind for her to become my sister-in-law,"

"Ok both of you shut the fuck up," I snap, already annoyed at my decision to take them with me.

"Always so grumpy," Alessio tsks, shaking his head.

I roll my eyes and ignore his comment, comments which the whole family constantly make.

When Dad took over leadership of the Mafia, he made a reputation for himself. People started talking, saying that they thought he was soft. That he was "too laid back" to be the Don of a Mafia. People doubted me even more when I took over, and I vowed to let that reputation die. I didn't want to be known for being too soft, too pussy when leading a Mafia. I'm not proud of what I've done since taking over, but I can't let people doubt me again.

I've become a Don I know Mom and Dad are not proud of, watching their son make a name for himself for being ruthless. For being nothing but a cold blooded killer. A man who expresses no emotions and who people run from.

I don't care about that though, the fear in peoples eyes when they see me only pushes me further.

But she didn't fear me. No, Anastasia Marcini might be the first person to look at me without breaking eye contact. The first person to hold my gaze and have no trace of doubt in her eyes. And fuck that pisses me off. Not only is she potentially the one making a fucking fool of me, but she does it with a smirk, challenging me, as if daring me to retaliate.

Too comfortable with the safety Le Aquile Rosse gives her in the underworld. But not even they will stop me from getting to her if she is The Fiore Mortale. She poses a risk to me, and my family, and I'll be damned if anything happens to any of them.

We arrive at my penthouse and I park in the underground garage, quickly getting out as Alessio and Azalea follow me. We step into the elevator and I press the button for the top floor, the short journey silent as we all think over the revelations from today.

The elevator door rings and the doors open, revealing the grab top floor. We step out of the elevator and walk through the top foyer to the door of my room.

I sigh and throw my blazer over a chair, making my way to the office as the two follow behind me.

I sit down in my desk chair and Alessio seats himself on my couch as usual. Azalea closes the door and sits down on the chair adjacent to me, pulling my laptop around to face her.

"I think it's unfair that Aunt Val only taught you how to do the shit she does," Alessio grumbles, looking over at our sister.

She just shrugs, "We all know I'm her favourite,"

"We know," Alessio and I say at the same time, causing to Azalea to snicker as she types away.

"How long will this take?" I ask, frustrated that there's nothing I can do to speed up this process.

"Give me an hour to find basics," Azalea mutters, and I hear Alessio mutter something under his breath before getting up and walking out.

"Alright we'll give you some space," I sigh, before standing up and following my brother to the kitchen.

————

"Anastasia Mancini, daughter of Penelope and Castro Mancini, who we know were murdered by Penelope's father, Leonardo Rossi. He signed custody papers over Anastasia until she turns 21," Azalea announces, walking into the kitchen with my laptop in hand.

"Keep going," I muse, trying to work out why this is important, "She's only 20, so is under his legal guardianship for another year. Her tattoo parlour belonged to her parents and is a front for their sniper business," she continues. She pauses, looking up at me before continuing, "She's been making hits on people since she was 18, her grandfather using her as his personal hitman,"

"How do you know this?" Alessio asks suspiciously, narrowing his eyes at Azalea as he bites into a piece of toast. "I did some digging and found out we have a mutual connection, Issy met up with Ana at a bar once. She had a few drinks and suddenly had very loose lips," she shrugs.

"What?" I ask bluntly, "Our fucking cousin knows her and never said anything?" I snap.

Azalea glares at me as she slams my laptop down on the kitchen bench, "I am doing you a fucking favour here Enzo. I called Issy to tell her what was happening and she told me about the bar," she snaps back, her anger instantly making me regret lashing out.

"I'm sorry Azzy, I didn't mean to snap," I say quietly, walking over to her as I wrap my arms around her.

"Don't call me that," she mumbles, hugging me back.

"Family hug!" Alessio shouts, jumping onto us as he tackles us into one of his infamous hugs. "Alessio I don't think I've ever met someone who loves hugs as much as you do," Azalea giggles, pushing herself out of the hug.

I push Alessio away and lean against the counter, "Does this mean Leonardo is making Anastasia to do those hits?" he suddenly asks.

Azalea nods, "Most likely, everyone knows how much he hates Dad," she replies.

I want to believe Azalea, that Anastasia is targeting my Mafia purely on the orders of her Grandfather, but part of me refuses to believe it. Refuses to believe that someone as skilled and infamous as Anastasia would be under the control of someone else.

"There's no proof that she's The Fiore Mortale though," Azalea says, looking at me as if she could guess my next question.

"I still believe she is," I state, making both of my siblings roll their eyes at me.

"Always so stubborn," Azalea mutters, rolling her eyes as she waves her hand at me.

I chuckle and run a hand through my hair.

Anastasia Mancini is The Fiore Mortale, and I know it.

//

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

Abi <3