No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 13

I don't say anything, knowing she's right. "Do you understand that Vincenzo?" she asks sharply, and I'm taken aback by her tone.

"Yes," I mutter, feeling like a fucking child again.

She doesn't reply but I see a satisfied smile on her face as I pull into a parking space outside the front of the parlour.

Mom gets out of the car and I follow suit, adjusting my suit before locking the car and following her inside.

My eyes fall to Anastasia, a smile on her lips as she sees Mom. Her face instantly drops as she sees me, her eyes growing cold as she meets mine.

And it's now that I get a proper look at her. Possibly 5'9, jet black hair falling in waves to the middle of her back. Her tattoos standing out against her white tank top as her dark brown eyes swim with hatred.

"It's so good to see you again cherí," Mom gushes, wrapping her arms around Anastasia as she pulls the reluctant girl into a hug.

"It's good to see you too Adelyn," she chuckles, pulling back as she walks Mom over to a couch in the waiting area.

"Don't mind him, he insisted on coming," Mom rolls her eyes, gesturing to me as she sits down. "I'm sure he did," Anastasia says dryly, staring me down as I take a seat beside Mom.

"Do you know what tattoo you're after today?" Anastasia asks, diverting her attention back to Mom.

"Yes, I just wanted a line of butterflies around my wrist," Mom grins, flipping through a book on the table to a neat little drawn out design.

"Mom drew that one, I think she'd be happy to who it's going to," Anastasia laughs, her eyes shining as she looks at Mom.

"It's perfect then," Mom says, standing up with Anastasia as they walk over to a small room. I clear my throat and walk over with them, noticing how Anastasia's body tenses as I walk closer. She's on guard every time I come near and I can't help but smirk.

Mom lies down on the bed and take a seat in a chair against the wall, watching Anastasia's every move as she sanitises her hands and puts her gloves on.

Anastasia sprays Mom's wrist and presses the stencil of the tattoo onto it, pressing the paper in gently to leave an adequate mark to trace. I tune out their friendly conversation as I watch Anastasia remove the paper and get the tattoo gun ready.

For some reason my body tenses when Anastasia finishes prepping the tattoo gun, watching cautiously as she begins the tattoo, the needle hovering over Mom's arm.

I slightly relax when I see Mom let out a breath she was holding, smiling as I see how happy she is, exchanging memories with Anastasia about Penelope.

————

"All done, what do you think?" Anastasia announces, her eyes watching Mom, ready to lap up any approval she gives.

"Cherí it is so pretty," Mom gasps, smiling as she looks at the butterflies along her forearm. I can't help but smile too as I admire the pretty drawings, Anastasia's talent shining through.

I look up to see Anastasia blushing as Mom gushes over her, the red from her cheeks soon disappearing when she catches me looking at her.

She quickly looks back down and gently lowers Mom back into the bed, getting out the gel to soothe the tattoo. Moms' smile is persistent as Anastasia tapes up the tattoo, peeling her gloves off before washing her hands.

"Thoughts Enzo?" Mom asks, smiling wickedly at me as I chuckle. "It's very pretty," I admit, making Mom roll her eyes at me. "Well that's the best I'm getting out of you," she teases as I hand her back her blazer. She slips it on and stands up, stretching her legs as she does so.

Mom and I walk back out to the foyer and take a seat on the couches as we wait for Anastasia to come out to pay.

"She's nice isn't she?" Mom says, looking at me as I run a hand down my face. "I know what you're trying to do and it won't work," I murmur, "She's still a threat and I will treat her like one,"

Mom sighs, "You're too stubborn for your own good, you inherited double your Father and I's stubbornness,"

"Then I'm not to blame am I?" I laugh, looking at her unimpressed face.

She frowns at me and shakes her head, and I chuckle when I see she's fighting a smile. "It's ok, we still love you," she teases, leaning to kiss my cheek.

I look up when I hear Anastasia chuckle, quickly hiding her smirk with a hand as she walks over to the front desk. I glare at Mom as she simply laughs and walks over to meet Anastasia.

I stand up and adjust my suit, watching as Mom pays Anastasia and leaves a fucking generous tip, before profusely thanking her and saying goodbye. Anastasia waves goodbye to Mom but I don't miss the glare she gives me as we exit the parlour, a look so filled with disgust that it makes goosebumps form on my arms.

I open the car door for Mom and gently shut it as she sits down, walking over to my side before getting in and starting the car. I drive out and my mind can't help but wander back to the letter from Leonardo.

The more I think about it the more I'm convinced that perhaps he might be bullshitting, about the motive behind the killings that is.

But I've sworn to take down any threat to my Mafia, and Anastasia currently stands as a threat, and I'm not about to let her be my downfall. No, I won't let her.

I will fucking defeat you Anastasia Mancini. Vincenzo De Santis killing The Fiore Mortale has a nice ring to it.

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I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter, but that's ok for now; next chapter will be out tomorrow so until then have a good day/night and don't forget to vote!!

Abi <3