No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 43

"You're not a complete jerk Vincenzo," I say quietly, opening the door to his room.

"Call me Enzo, everyone in my family does," he says, "And I was a dick to you," he adds.

"You were, but I was a dick back so it all evens out," I chuckle, gently pushing him down on his bed.

"Why didn't you drink Ana? You could've have fun with Lea and Issy," he asks innocently.

"I don't drink," I say shortly.

"Why not?" he asks, "It's the best feeling in the world," he hiccups.

"Because my Grandfather hurt my Mom whenever he drank," I say, placing my hands on my hips as I look at the drunk man sitting before me.

"Oh," he says, frowning at me. "So you don't like drinking?" he asks.

"Not a fan of it, no," I say,

"I promise I won't drink ever again," he says solemnly.

I can't help but laugh, "We'll see about that," I say in an amused tone.

"No, I mean it, I won't," he frowns,

"Ok Enzo, I believe you," I chuckle,

"I always keep my promises, like any good person," he insists,

"Like any good person huh?" I ask, raising my eyebrows at him.

"I'm not a bad person Ana, I promise," he says earnestly, "I just don't want people to think I'm weak,"

"Enzo trust me when I say, no one thinks you're weak," I say, bending down to meet his eye level. "And I don't think you're a bad person either,"

"That's good," he breathes out, "I don't want you to think I'm a bad person,"

"Why do you act the way you first did, then?" I ask curiously.

"I act like that so people don't doubt me. They thought I was weak when I first took over, and same with my Mafia," he hiccups, "I made sure no one would doubt me again,"

"That's understandable," I say slowly, nodding my head.

He looks at me with a smile on his face, seemingly content with just looking at me for now. I soon clear my throat, "Let's get you ready for bed, what do you want to wear?" I ask, clapping my hands together.

He drags his hoodie off, along with his t-shirt, leaving him in a pair of sweats as he gives me a grin. "I'm ready," he says.

I raise an eyebrow at him but don't argue, patting his shoulder to indicate he needs to stand up. He does without question, and I pull the sheets back.

"Alright, in you get," I say, patting the pillow.

"You need to stay with me," he says, crossing his arms over his chest. "I only sleep well when I'm with you,"

"Well that's going to be a problem when I leave, isn't it," I point out, ignoring the butterflies swarming my stomach.

"I don't want you to leave, I like being around you," he says,

"Get into bed and I'll get you some water," I say quietly, walking out of his bedroom and to the joint kitchen.

"You on water duty too huh?" Alessio chuckles as I walk inside.

"It would seem so," I say dryly,

"If he's being too difficult I can look after him and you can go to sleep," he offers, passing me 2 plastic bottles of water.

"It's fine, I can handle it," I shrug,

He nods at me, "See you tomorrow Ana," he smiles, whistling to himself as he takes water off to Lea and Issy.