No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 21

Fuck.

"Keep your enemies closer," I murmur, walking quickly to the living room, trying not to go so fast that I make her uncomfortable.

"Thank you," she whispers, another whimper leaving her lips as her body stiffens with pain.

I want to hold her and tell her that it'll be ok. But I can't. I want to punish whoever hurt her, ensuring her that they won't ever be able to hurt her again. But I can't. I can't let whatever feelings are forming to get in the way.

I hate Anastasia Mancini. She's a threat. A threat who tried to kill me.

"Ma cherí!" Mom gasps as I lowered Anastasia down onto the couch.

I watch as she turns her head on the pillow, her hand coming up to weakly grasp Mom's jumper.

"Mom you have to help me," she says in a small voice, her eyes rolling back before falling shut.

"Oh hunny," Azalea murmurs sadly, looking on as Issy peels Anastasia's bloodied clothes off.

"Let's them leave to it son," Dad says, putting a hand on my shoulder as I nod, walking out of the living room.

"What happened?" Alessio asks as we go into the kitchen, leaving the girls with Anastasia.

"She said she needs our help taking down Leonardo," I say quietly, still trying to make sense of what exactly just happened.

"The Fiore Mortale and Vincenzo De Santis team mission? Sounds like fun," Alessio winks at me, making Dad chuckle as I roll my eyes.

"I don't trust her," I say.

"She dragged her way over here in that state and you don't trust her? What the fuck is she going to do?" Alessio scoffs.

"She tried to kill me," I point out.

"We've all tried to do that," Alessio groans, "Stop being so fucking stubborn,"

"What happened to standing by all my decisions?" I ask dryly, raising an eyebrow at my brother.

"I feel sorry for her," is all he says, shrugging as he leans against the kitchen bench.

"Regardless of whether you trust her or not, it would be a good decision to get rid of Leonardo," Dad suddenly says, looking at me intently.

"We can figure it out in the morning after she's better," I mutter, sick of everyone in my family taking her side.

I don't know how long we wait in the kitchen, but eventually Mom and Azalea walk out of the living room.

"Issy's with her now, she should wake up soon," Mom says with a smile.

"All of you can go to bed, I'll handle it from here," I sigh, going to walk out of the kitchen, only for Mom to gently grab my arm.

"Go easy on her Enzo," she says softly.

"On the girl who tried to kill me? Sure thing," I reply sarcastically, ignoring whatever else anyone has to say as I push open the door to the living room.

I sit down on a couch as Issy packs up her First-Aid bag.

My eyes snap to Anastasia as she groans lightly, her eyes groggily opening as she tries to sit up.

"Just lie back down," Issy says softly, gently pushing Anastasia back down into the couch.

"Clarisse," she introduces herself, "I'm not sure if you remember me,"

"No I remember you," Anastasia says in a pained voice, and I smirk as I remember Azalea telling me about how Anastasia decided to do a confessional with Issy in a bar once.