No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 7

"Well we already know their newest property, that's a start," Everett says, referring to the estate from the auction.

"You'd assume they'd only use that as a way to store weapons, or as a joint meeting place for their family in between trips," I say slowly, thinking aloud as Ari nods.

"I might be able to find a blueprint of the estate," Gabriel says, and I raise an eyebrow at him, watching as he chuckles and shakes his head.

"When I took care of the competitor for Mr Burrows, the previous owner, he gave me a blueprint of the property so I would know what I was dealing with," he starts, "It wasn't the regular one which is given to new owners, it showed hidden entrances and exits,"

"And the De Santis' wouldn't be given that one?" I ask, trying to push down the excitement which threatens to bubble over.

Gabriel smirks as he shakes his head, "Burrows gave them the one made when the estate was built, I was given a specially made one which they won't have access to,"

"Find it," Ari says sharply, patting my shoulder as I smile.

This is going much more smoothly than I thought it would.

"Isn't that property on some fucking sinkhole anyway?" Everett yawns, flicking some ash from his cigarette onto the floor.

"It should hold up for a few months so we have time," Gabriel says in a firm voice, slapping his knees as he stands up. "I'm going to dig through some of my old shit to find the blueprint," he announces, winking at me before exiting the room.

"Did you find anything of interest whilst talking to Carlos Salvatore at the auction?" I ask Everett, guessing the answer will be 'no'.

He frowns slightly before opening his mouth, "It was just casual conversation really, I did a favour for him a while ago so we were just catching up," he says casually, and I sense he's not telling the full truth.

"What was the favour?" Ari ask in a suspicious tone, eyeing his friend as Everett's body tenses slightly, clearing his throat as he sits up in his chair. "I helped him on a mission a while ago, he heard I was in the area and asked me if I'd help out," he explains.

"You may as well not have answered the question," I say dryly, "What did he need help with?" I ask in a cutting tone.

"He wanted me to keep an eye on his family, whilst he was in France," Everett says, "I'm not sure why, but it was easy money, so I did it," he pauses and laughs bitterly, "Which is ironic, because later on, his parents reaches out and asked me to find some dirt on him,"

"And did you?" Ari asks, and I look over to an uncomfortable looking Griffon.

"Fuck no, they're dicks," Everett scoffs, "Were dicks, before Ophelia killed them," he corrects himself.

"Oh that's romantic, killing your in-laws," I say sarcastically, trying not to laugh,

"True love at its' finest, but also not helpful to us," Ari grumbles, "I need a smoke," he sighs, standing up and walking out of the room.

"Ana," Everett says firmly, his tone more serious than I've ever heard it, making my stomach drop. "I didn't want to say this in front of Ari otherwise he'd go all protective Dad on you, but Carlos slipped that Vincenzo had," he pauses, as if unsure of how to word his next sentence, "Taken an interest in you since seeing you at the auction,"

"How does that affect me?" I ask, trying to push down the doubt crawling through my mind as I pick the skin surrounding my nails.

"It doesn't necessarily mean he's onto us, but it means he might be more on edge and anticipating something," Griffon speaks up, and I groan internally. 

"But he hadn't seen my tattoo when you guys were speaking to Carlos," I point out, wondering if it's possible Vincenzo got me mixed up with someone else.

"No, but he saw you walk in with us, and for some reason that put you on his radar," Everett explains gently, "Seeing your tattoo would've only interested him further,"

I groan and lean back deeper into my seat, "Well that's great," I mutter, my tone dripping with sarcasm as I bite the inside of my cheek.

All our plans are ruined if Vincenzo is expecting us, it ruins our element of surprise, which was the part of this whole mission which gave us any chance at succeeding.

"It'll be fine Ana, stay with us and you'll be alright," Everett smiles, gently pushing my chin upwards as I give him a tight-lipped smile.

"You probably just turned his head because he wants to get laid," he jokes, and I laugh at his attempt to lift the mood of the room.

"It'll be fine, he's probably so wrapped in his new property that he'll forget about us," Griffon says, not looking up from his computer as I watch him flick through screens.

"Yeah," I murmur, praying to whatever God that's out there, that the twins are right. If Vincenzo gets even the slightest idea of our plans, we're fucked.

//

Sorry for the wait between chapters, and I'm not sure how I feel about this one, it was kind of rushed, 

I have 4 assessments this week, so bare with me, I'll try to update at least twice, 

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

Abi <3