No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 49

The elevator dings and the doors open, revealing a bustling hospital foyer. Muscle memory leads us to Everett's room, the same one he's been in since it all happened.

Ari quietly knocks on the door before opening it, and I follow him inside, Gabriel quick on my heels.

I grin as Griffon and Everett both look over at us, their faces breaking out with identical smiles as they see us.

"My favourite niece!" Everett laughs, sitting up with a wince and stiffly putting his arms out.

I laugh loudly and walk over to him, gentle wrapping my arms around him as he hugs me as tightly as he can.

"I'm so proud of you," he murmurs, kissing my cheek as I feel my cheeks flush.

"Thanks Zio," I smile, breaking the hug and standing up again.

"You got him!" Griffon exclaims, his booming laugh echoing through the room as he dramatically throws his hands up.

"We did!" I laugh, mimicking his action as he rolls his eyes.

"You little shit," he teases, grunting as Ari punches his shoulder.

"Aww I'm sorry Zio," I laugh, walking around the bed to give him a hug.

"Now what do we do with the nasty bugger?" Everett asks.

"You do nothing, you couldn't even stand in front of him at this point," his twin cautions, his tone sharp.

"Dickhead," Everett snaps back, "You're not doing anything without me, it's bad enough I had to miss out on getting him,"

I've missed their fights.

"You can sit and watch, how's that?" Ari grins, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Everett scowls at him but doesn't say anymore on the topic, instead refocusing his attention back to me.

"So, any news from you?" he asks, a knowing look on his eyes.

"No?" I say, glaring at him as I clear my throat. "What are our plans after we take care of Leonardo?" I ask hurriedly, desperately wanting to change the topic before someone thinks too hard about Everett's stupid question.

"Back to life as usual I suppose," Gabriel says, "We can go back to our house and lie low for a bit. I don't know how favourably people will feel about us working with the Italians,"

"My life was just working for Leonardo though," I murmur, trying to think of what I'll occupy myself with when he's out of the picture for good.

"Technically we're all aligned under the Italian Mafia," Ari sighs, "So if they want a job done they come to us if they see it fit,"

"Yeah, how did that happen anyway?" Griffon asks, furrowing his eyebrows.

"I was supposed to kill them remember," I chuckle dryly, "But then things kind of took a series left turn,"

"That's one way to put it," Everett chuckles, "But we're back together again at the end, so no harm done,"

Everyone turns to face Everett, sitting and grinning in his hospital bed as he laughs. "Unlucky for you guys, but I'm still here," he laughs, and I can't help but smile at his attempt to lift our spirits.

"You could retire from the underworld and just work at your parlour full time?" Griffon suggests, giving me a small smile.

"Shit I forgot about that," I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose at the memory of the last time I was there. When my dear grandfather tried to kill me, training the entire fucking place whilst he was at it.

"Don't worry Ana, we'll help you tidy it up," Gabriel grins, almost as if he read my mind.

"You're too kind," I tease, my stomach churning at the thought of going back there.

"When can you come home?" I ask tentatively, looking up at Everett who gives me a comforting smile. "I think I could've gone back last week, but the doctors said no," he scowls, his eyes dancing with amusement as I chuckle. "But I'll be back before you know it," he says warmly, giving me the fatherly smile I've missed so much.

We all turn to look at the door as a soft knock echoes through the room. "That'll be Amy," Everett sighs, looking at us with a frown, "You'll have to leave now,"

"Who the fuck is Amy?" Ari asks,

"Amy is me, and I'm Everett's doctor," a feminine voice says, and I bite back a laugh as an older woman walks into the room. She looks like a hard ass but who is secretly a softie.

"Off the bed my love," she says in a busy voice, shooing me with her hands as I immediately stand up.

"Aw Ames, don't be mean to Ana," Everett laughs,

"You remind me of my son and it makes me want to box your ears," she says with a disapproving click of the tongue.

Everett puts his hands up in defence, a shit eating grin on his face. "Someone's mommy issues are kicking in," Griffon whispers, just loud enough for me to hear.

I can't help the sharp gasp that leaves my lips before I turn my head and rest in against Griffon's shoulder.

"Well we'll leave you guys to it then," Ari says, clapping his hands together.

"We'll come by and visit again," I promise, saying my goodbyes before Ari, Gabriel and I exit the hospital room.

"Back to the estate now?" I ask, missing Le Aquile Rosse's house.

"Yeah we'll crash there for a bit," Ari sighs, "Pick up a few things then go back to the De Santis' for another night or so,"

"I can't fucking wait to sleep in my own bed again," Gabriel groans.

"I can't wait for all of this to be fucking over," I grumble, crossing my arms over my chest as we walk back through the hospital.

"You're not going to miss your new little roommate?" Ari asks, a sly smile on his lips.

"No," I snap, inwardly groaning as I answer way too quickly.

He hums in response, his eyebrows raised as he looks at me with a wicked smile on his face. "I think he'll miss you," is all he says.

"No he won't," I lie, "We tried to kill each other, we hate each other remember?" I say, not sure who I'm trying to convince here. Him so no one suspects anything, or me because I've turned into a pussy since it's getting to real now.

"If you insist," Ari sighs, still grinning as he makes it obvious that he doesn't believe me.

"More importantly, what are we doing with Leonardo tomorrow?" Gabriel finally interrupts Ari and I's conversation.

"What aren't we going to fucking do to him tomorrow?" Ari laughs, his eyes dancing with amusement.

I can't help the way which the corners of my lips tilt up, god tomorrow is gonna be fun.

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another short chapter sorry guys, but at least i updated relatively quickly. so let's take one win at a time!

leave suggestions of what should happen to leonardo next chapter, and i promise to make the chapter juicy and long!

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

Abi <3

P.S - WHO'S EXCITED FOR GRACIE ABRAM'S NEW SINGLE COMING OUT IN A FEW HOURS