No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 12

"Great idea," Ari beams, patting my back as him and Gabriel stand up.

The track is an old abandoned race track that Le Aquile Rosse claimed. They took me there on my 18th birthday and it quickly became one of our favourite places to go.

We pile out of the room we dedicated to taking down the De Santis' and make our way to the garage. As usual Ari takes the drivers seat with Gabriel calling shotgun, leaving me squished between the twins.

The short drive is lively, filled with cigarette butts being flicked out the window and the twins bickering as usual.

When we approach the track Ari speeds up, leaving deep marks on the dirt road before abruptly stopping the car.

We get out and the twins go over to the shed to get their cars out, old race-cars they stole from a victim a few years ago.

I sit atop the car bonnet and watch as the twins put on their helmets and bet stupid amounts of money on who can get around the track faster. For two 50 year olds they sure act a lot like teenagers, but it's still refreshing.

Ari heaves as he climbs up to sit beside me, Gabriel going to the shed to get his prized bike out.

I accept the cigarette Ari offers me, and I flick out my lighter to light it, passing it to Ari who does the same.

I take in a long breath before exhaling and watching with a smile as the smoke forms rings in the crisp air.

Ari chuckles, "You finally learnt,"

"Taught by the best," I respond with a smile, a warm feeling forming in my stomach, the same feeling which overcame me whenever Dad would tell me he loved me and was proud of me.

I'm snapped from my wooly thoughts as I hear Everett cackling, speeding past us with Griffon on his tail.

"I fucking beat you, you little bitch!" he shouts, only speeding up more as he turns a sharp corner, dust spraying onto Griffon who flips his twin off.

I laugh as Ari smacks his knee, silently rooting for Everett who always seems to be the underdog when competing against his brother.

"Fucking amateurs!" Gabriel yells, lapping both of him on his bike as he laughs like a goddamn maniac.

I sigh and slide down the bonnet of the car, leaning against the window screen as I inhale the dirty smoke again.

Ari gently kicks me and I choke on the smoke, coughing it out as he points towards the pink sky.

"Mom and Dad are looking real pretty tonight," he sighs, and I feel my mood lower when I know he's referring to my parents.

I take out my phone and take a quick photo, zooming in on two stars beside each other.

"There they are kid, looking down on you," Ari smiles, pointing at the stars which quickly become lost as the moon begins to take the suns place.

I hum in response, bringing my knees up to my chest as I rest my head on them, watching wistfully as the sky is painted with pretty colours.

"Look how pretty they are," I whisper, keeping my eyes transfixed on the same two stars.

"They really are," Ari says absently, lost in thought as he looks alongside me at the sky.

"What are you two looking at?" Griffon asks, stopping his car in front of us. I simply point at the sky and Griffon leans out of the window to get a look at what I'm pointing at.

"Penny and Castro," he sighs happily, smiling as his twin stops behind him.

"Don't worry guys, we're looking after her!" Everett shouts, a stupid smile on his face as he yells at the sky as if it'll listen to him.