No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 16

"How do you get close enough though?" Ari asks, "You still need to be safe,"

I smile at his fatherly protectiveness as I sigh, "Same way I get close enough to all the other men I kill," wincing as all eyes turn back to me.

"You're not fucking him Anastasia," Gabriel says bluntly, "That has got to be the dumbest fucking idea I've ever heard," Everett scoffs.

"Just get him upstairs alone then," I suggest, trying not to throw up at the idea of having sex with Vincenzo De Santis.

Ari raises an eyebrow at me, "You sure that's all that's going to happen?" he asks in a doubtful tone.

"You really want to hear about my sex life?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at Ari as he gags.

"Gabriel's sex life is more interesting than yours," Everett says wickedly, "Speaking of, have you been in touch with a certain De Santis recently?" a cruel grin makes its way to Everett's lips as he looks over in Gabriel's direction.

"Fuck off Everett," Gabriel says sharply, a tone not usually used by the usually calm man.

"Hint taken," Everett sighs, turning back to me. "So is that the plan? You kill Vincenzo at the ball?" he asks.

I nod. "Can you guys take care of the rey of the family?" I ask, my stomach lurching at the question.

Ari nods, "You deal with Vincenzo, and we'll take care of the rest," his voice is calm as he gives me a reassuring smile.

"Don't you need an invite to get into the hall though?" Griffon asks.

"It's for all the high-ups in the underworld," Gabriel says, "And I'd like to think we've reached that level,"

"There'll probably be some skittish guard at the doors anyway, they'd probably disintegrate into dust at the sight of us," Everett laughs, as if cracking up at his own statement.

"We'll have no trouble getting in, it'll be fine," Gabriel says, "It's just the monthly ball, isn't as formal as the annual one,"

"What the fuck is the difference between the two?" Ari asks in a disgusted tone.

"The annual one is just for Mafia figures, separate gangs and corporations like us can't get in," Gabriel says, "God, do you guys know anything?" he asks.

"Why would we have to if you know everyone and everything?" Griffon asks, Gabriel nodding in response.

"I'm going to have to dig around for a suit now," Ari grumbles, reminding me that I need to find a dress.

"I'm going to go dress shopping and leave you guys to do whatever it is you do," I announce, standing up and smiling as they all wave at me.

I roll my eyes and wave back at them, chuckling as I turn and walk out of the office.

I walk down to the lower floor and out the front door to where my car is parked, getting in and driving off.

————

"Would you like any help finding a dress dear?" a feminine voice asked from behind.

I turn around to meet the kindly face of an older woman. I flash her a smile and shake my head, "I'm just looking now, thank you though," I say politely.

"Well let me know if you need any help," she offers and my smile grows genuine, "I will, thank you," I say, my insides going funny as she smiles at me.

Mommy issues ass.

Shut up.

I hear gasps on the other side of the store and turn to see three girls gushing over another I assume is their friend. They all watch as the girl spins around in a pretty sequinned dress, gushing over her as she blushes.

Part of me feels jealous, that I never got the chance to have that sort of friendship.

After her killed my parents, my Grandfather took me out of school and I lost touch with all my friends.

It's something I've always mourned, unable to have those friendships as I grew up, always bitterly watching girls in public linking arms and laughing together.

I shake my head and continue walking around the store, scanning the dresses until one catches my eye.

A dress with a cut so low I'm sure everyone would see my tits, long sleeves with high slits on the leg.

I play with the fabric between my fingers, midnight black, almost like sequins.

AKA, fucking hot.

As gross as it is, if I want Vincenzo to notice me enough that I get him upstairs, I need to dress in a way which entices him.

I take the dress off the rack and walk over to the change room, the same woman from before standing out the front.

"Gorgeous choice!" she exclaims, "Make sure you show me when you try it on," she gives me a wink as she opens the door to a change room.

"I will," I chuckle, deciding that I'll need another female opinion before I buy a dress.

I lock the change room door behind me as I hang the dress up, undressing before pulling the dress on and zipping it up.

I smirk as I look at my reflection, my tattoos making the colour of the dress pop even more.

I adjust the top so it pushes my breasts up just the right amount before walking out, laughing as the woman's jaw drops.

She breaks out into a smile and claps her hands, "Perfect," she says in a decided voice, "Just stunning," she beams, making my cheeks turn a hot pink.

"How much is if?" I ask absentmindedly, admiring my reflection in the mirror at the end of the change rooms.

"Two thousand," the woman replies, almost hesitantly.

"Perfect," I smile, "I'll get it,"

"Beautiful," she says, "I'll just be at the register when you're ready,"

I nod and walk back into the change room, quickly putting my clothes back on and hanging the dress back on its hanger.

I can't help the smile which spreads across my lips as I walk out of the change room, my dress in hand as I approach the register.

I pay for the dress and wait patiently as the woman folds my dress carefully and places it in a large bag.

"Perfect choice," she says once again, smiling as she hands me the bag, "Have a nice day dear," she says.

"Thank you," I laugh, "You too,"

I let out a happy sigh as I walk out of the store, deciding to go to the food court before going back to Le Aquile Rosse's estate.

I can't help but peek down into the bag, the material of the dress glinting in my eye, excitement for the ball bubbling through me.

Look out Vincenzo De Santis. The Fiore Mortale is coming for you.

//

Decided to post again bc I'm in a good mood

Bit of a filler chapter until the ball, (what do we think will happen at the ball?)

I'll show a picture of the dress in the next chapter, which I'll post tomorrow,

But until then, have a good day/night and don't forget to vote!!

Abi <3