No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 40

"Sorry, I've been given strict instructions that only family may see him, and the only family listed is his brother," the woman says apologetically.

"She's fine," a cold voice says, and I look up to see Griffon, his eyes dull as he looks past me to Vincenzo.

"Oh, that's all good then," the receptionist says, a tight smile on her lips.

"I'll just wait here," Vincenzo says in a low voice, and I nod before walking up to Griffon.

"He insisted," I murmur,

"I'm sure he did," Griffon says in an unimpressed tone.

"How is he?" I ask, changing the subject to one I don't think is much better.

Griffon shrugs, "He hasn't gotten any worse," he replies, "Or better," he adds.

"Can I see him?" I ask,

"Of course you can," he smiles, putting an arm around my shoulders as he kisses my temple. "Our niece is always welcome," he says warmly.

He walks me through the foyer and down a long corridor, dodging smiling nurses and sick patients.

"What's with the security?" I mutter under my breath, my eyebrows shooting up as Griffon gestures towards a door with two men standing out the front.

"Vincenzo insisted," he grumbles, "A nice gesture after being the reason we're all fucking here,"

I can't help but laugh as he complains about Vincenzo trying to redeem the situation, my smile being wiped off my face as we walk into the room.

I bite the inside of my cheek as I look at Everett; attached to too many machines and drips, a breathing tube through his nose as his eyelids are shut.

"You ok Ana?" Griffon asks gently, hugging me to his side. I nod as I wipe away a tear which had escaped down my cheek.

"I don't want to lose him too," I whisper, walking over to the bed and sitting down on the seat beside him.

"I don't either," Griffon says quietly, sitting beside me and putting his arm around me once more.

I take Everett's pale hand in mine, kissing it gently as I hold onto it. "Come on Uncle Ev," I say in a small voice, "Please be ok," I say, my mind transporting me back to my begging to wake my parents up. To take me with them.

It's happening all over again.

————

"Ana," a gentle voice says, a hand shaking my shoulder; "Ana," the voice says again.

I blink a few times before lifting my head, rubbing the sleep from my eye before my gaze focuses on Griffon.

"It's gotten late, I think you should leave," he says,

"What time is it?" I ask groggily, looking down to see Everett's hand still in mine.

"It's half past eleven, I doubt Vincenzo's still here," his voice trails off, sighing as he looks at his brother.

"Come home with us," I say, gently resting Everett's hand back on the bed.

Griffon shakes his head, "I'm staying until he wakes up," he says roughly.

If he wakes up.

"Ok," I breathe out, knowing it's no use trying to argue with him.

"He'll be alright," he says, his voice wobbling slightly as he clears his throat, "I know he will,"

A small hum in response is all I can muster, wrapping my arms around Griffon's torso as he draws me in for a crushingly tight hug.

"Goodnight Ana," he says,