No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 41

"That's good to hear though," I murmur, looking down at the bottle in my hand.

"Try not to let Griff get to you," Ari says gently, making me look up at him. "He knows you're not to blame, he was just scared at losing his only remaining family," his tone turns sad.

"Only remaining?" I ask, furrowing my eyebrows at him.

"The twins went through different foster families until they turned 18, they relied on each other for some sense of family until we all met. It just scared the shit out of Griff when Everett was shot," Ari explains, the guilt only increasing at his words.

"I get why he said what he did, I don't blame him," I say quietly.

A silence falls between us, neither of us knowing what to say.

"I see the way you look at our Ana," Ari suddenly says, his rasping voice making my head lift.

"And how's that?" I ask dryly, for some reason being intrigued by his insight.

"Like you want her, but hate yourself for feeling that way towards her. You feel bad that you do, and it's obvious to everyone who sees," he pauses for a second before his tone softens, "You care about her Vincenzo,"

"She tried to kill me, why would I care about her?" I ask indignantly, my embarrassment coming out as anger.

Ari lets out a dry chuckle, "I don't know why you do, but it's pretty damn obvious that you do,"

My jaw locks and he chuckles. "I know that I've hit a nerve, and I should be going to bed, but I'll just say this," he pauses before looking me in the eye. "Think of Griffon's threats to you when you hurt his brother. Now if you hurt our Ana in any way whatsoever, just know that you'll have 4 men instead of 1 man after you, and this time we won't hold each other back," and without saying another word, he sets his glass back down on the bench and walks out of the kitchen.

I watch as he leaves, unsure of what to make of what he just said. The worst part is that he's right. Everything he said is true. But is it really that obvious to everyone else? Obvious to Anastasia?

I pull out a stool from the bench and sit down, my head falling to my hands as I try to think over the last few months.

I stifle a yawn as I shake my head, trying to keep myself awake.

I'm too tired for this shit.

————

"Enzo,"

I shake my head,

"Enzo," this time there's a hand on my shoulder, gently shaking me. "Son, wake up," Dad chuckles, "Why the fuck are you sleeping in the kitchen?"

I groan as I lift my head from my arms, my body stiff as I run a hand through my hair. "I don't fucking know," I grumble, remembering Ari and I's conversation last night.

I look up at Dad whose eyes are narrowed with concern, "What's up with you lately?" he asks, his tone gentler.

"Nothing," I say, my skin seemingly crawling with insects as I begin to feel itchy, uncomfortable, just wanting to end this conversation.

"Sort your shit out with Anastasia before this ends," he says bluntly.

"I'm trying," I mutter, "I'm going back to bed now,"

"It's already 8 in the morning," Dad laughs,

"Perfect, 4 hours until we fly out," I say, scratching the back of my neck as I walk out of the kitchen.

I make my way back to my room, sliding into bed beside Anastasia and wrapping my arms around her. I bury my face in the crook of her neck, taking in what I can whilst it lasts.

My body relaxes as I feel her stir, her lips curving into a smile against my temple as her arms wrap around my shoulders.

"We need to talk about this at some point," she says sleepily,

"I know," I say quietly,

"And we need to get up and pack for the airport," she chuckles, combing her fingers through my hair.

"I know," I mumble,

"Pick which one we do right now," she teases,

I groan and sit up, running my hands through my hair. "I know you're leaving after this is all done, so there's nothing to talk about," I say,

She nods her head, "If we both understand that," she says quietly, "I need to pack," she adds, sliding off the bed and walking out of my room.

I watch her leave, shaking my head before I get up and close the door. I go back to my wardrobe and pull out a suitcase, unzipping it and leaving it open on the floor.

I throw in a few t-shirts and pants, along with a hoodie and boxers, not sure really how long we'll be staying for.

We know that Leonardo is in the Vatican City, and we have the apartment complex he's staying in. We plan on setting up at a hotel chain owned by one of Gabriel's friends then do some further surveillance of Leonardo.

I've decided we don't leave Vatican City unless we're leaving with Leonardo, this thing has been dragged on for too long.

Part of me wants to drag it on just so Anastasia will stay longer, but she's made it clear that nothing between meant anything.

And if it meant nothing to her, then it means nothing to me.

She's leaving in most likely a few days, and that's how it's supposed to be. There's no point fighting it, so I won't.

Besides, I don't care. About her, about us, or anything to do with that shit.

I look up as I hear a knock on my door, internally groaning as I walk out of my wardrobe to see Alessio making himself comfortable on my bed.

"What?" I ask,

"I finished packing and got bored," he shrugs, fishing his phone from his pocket, "Tell you what, this bed smells an awful lot like Anastasia's perfume," he says slyly.

"You smell her regularly?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at my smirking brother.

"Just an observation," he says, "You guys still have your sleepovers?"

I hum in response, walking back into my wardrobe to zip up my suitcase. "None of your business!" I call out, earning a loud laugh.

"My future nieces and nephews are in fact my business," he says,

"It's not like that," I say in an unimpressed tone, "And you know I'm never having kids, fuck that," I grumble.

"I know there's a big softie inside of you deep down you secretly wants kids one day," Alessio grins, and I scowl at him.

Regardless of whether or not I want children or not, I would be a shit father and it also has nothing to do with anything right now.

"So you literally just sleep with each other?" he asks in an unimpressed tone.

Once again I hum in response, not particularly feeling like doing a confessional with my brother right now.

"You need to sort your shit out with Anastasia before we finish this up," he says, his voice more serious this time.

"I know," I sigh,

I know.

//

ik im sorry it's a short chapter, but i have sm holiday hw to do i'm actually dying over here

things will start getting more interesting in about 2 chapters time, and i promise we'll finally get a definite answer about what's going on beteeen ana and enzo soon!

also do the girl who added The Moon And The Stars to a reading list called "would sell my soul to read for the first time again" and "mental health books", I love you so much

but until next time, have a good day/night and don't forget to vote!!

Abi <3

ALSO HAPPY NEW YEAR AND THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING MY YEAR SO GOOD. I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH XX