No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 29

My world stops as I watch Mom shudder, a soft cry leaving her lips as she slumps into the chair.

I'm not sure if the scream I hear is mine or Dad's as tears begin to run down his face, his eyes glued to Mom as his expression falls to one I've never seen before.

"Penelope," he cries softly, "Please my love," he says, his head falling as his shoulders shake.

"I'm so sorry my love," he says again, his eyes closing.

"Mom?" I say, my voice trembling as I shake my head, "What happened to her?" I ask frantically, looking at Dad as he looks at me.

My Grandfather laughs, a sick, cruel sound as he points his gun at Dad.

"Dad?" I ask, my breathing picking up.

"I love you Ana, so much baby," he whispers, giving me a small smile before another bullet shot goes off.

A piercing scream rips through my throat as the guards let me fall to the ground, Dad's body shuddering like Moms' did as he slumps in the chair.

"What did you do?" I scream, looking at my Grandfather as he just laughs.

"Take her," he says, looking over my head to the men behind me.

"No," I sob, "Take me with them," I beg, trying to scramble away from the hands attempting to grab me.

"I don't want them to leave without me please," I cry, screaming as the harsh hands grab me again.

"No my little granddaughter, you're going to do for me what your Mother never could," he snickers, grabbing my chin.

"Kill me with them!" I scream, unable to think of anything else.

Unable to think of life without them.

"Take her," he says coldly, his eyes glazing over in a dull emotion I've never seen before.

"No!" I scream, trying to pull myself away from the men who begin dragging me out.

"Mom! Dad!" I sob, "Please take me with you," my voice breaks as my body collapses into the arms now dragging me out of the room.

"Stop it!" I screech, tears streaming down my face as I try to dig my heels onto the ground.

"Take me with them," I sob, my body shaking with each cry as I try to scream.

"Take me with them," I cry softly, shaking my head.

"Don't take them from me!" I cry, trying to shake off hands now shaking my shoulders.

"Anastasia?" a soft voice says, a gentle hand shaking my shoulder.

My eyes snap open as I gasp, drawing my knees to my chest as I try to calm my breathing.

"Just a dream Anastasia, that's all it was," Vincenzo soothes, gently sitting me up and pulling me into his lap.

"I can't breathe," I gasp again, "Make it stop, please," I beg, covering my face with my hands as their screams echo in my mind.

"Make what stop?" he asks softly, rubbing my back as I shake my head.

"The screaming, make it stop," I cry, my shoulders shuddering.

"Just my voice Ana, just listen to me," he prompts.

"Please keep talking," I whisper, roughly wiping my eyes.

"You know, I see why you spend so much time with Le Aquile Rosse," he chuckles, "Everett is Al in 30 years time, and him and Griffon are funny to listen to whenever they argue,"

"They act like children," I laugh, letting out a shaky breath as my breathing calms.

"And from what I've heard, Gabriel seems to have connections to every city and every profession," he says wryly.

"He does. In his 20's he worked solo and travelled everywhere for work, making friends everywhere in case he needed them someday," I say, closing my eyes as I lean against Vincenzo's chest.

"Smart," he murmurs.

"And handy," I add, my eyes widening when I realise what's happening.

"I'm sorry," I blurt out, shooting off his lap and off the bed.

He shrugs, "Everything ok?" he asks, looking at me intently.

I nod, "Everything's fine," I lie, "I'm just going to have a shower before the meeting," I flash him an unnecessary smile before rushing i to the ensuite and locking the door.

I let out another shaky breath and slide down the door, running my hands up and down my legs.

What the fuck is wrong with me?

I've gone so long without thinking of it, and now it seems to be every other night.

And in front of Vincenzo?

He's going to think I'm some scared little idiot who can't get over shit.

Fucking pull yourself together Anastasia. That's fucking embarrassing.

//

I know I kinda brushed over that last part there, but I don't want them getting too sweet and caring towards each other just yet,

I'll post the next chapter again soon (I'm back in my writing almost daily era)

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

Abi <3