No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 13

I let out a frustrated sigh as I roll over once again, looking at my phone to see it's 8:00, meaning no one in my family will be up for another 2 hours.

I haven't had a full nights sleep since Leonardo sent that message, knowing that every moment I spend overthinking it, the closer Anastasia will get to making a move on us.

I give up trying to sleep and get out of bed, throwing on a hoodie before walking downstairs to the kitchen. I'm surprised to see the light on and even more surprised to see Mom standing in the kitchen making herself a coffee.

"You're up early cherí," she smiles, stirring her coffee with a spoon. "I could say the same to you," I deadpan, wondering why my Mother who's never gotten out of bed before 10:00 is up at 8:00.

"Early start," she replies, taking a sip of her coffee as she watches me over the brim of her cup.

"Where are you going?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her. "I've decided to get another tattoo," she replies simply.

My jaw locks when I realise what she means. She's going to see Anastasia. Because she doesn't want to believe that she's The Fiore Mortale and targeting us.

"You're going to see Anastasia?" I more say than ask, my tone cold as I stand up to my full height.

"Best tattoo artist I know," Mom smiles, her eyes staring daggers at me, warning me to watch my tone when speaking to her.

"I'm coming with you," I state, my voice firm. "Are you just?" she asks, obviously unamused. "I don't trust her, and I'm not letting you go alone," I say, my tone warning her that I'm not backing down from this.

Her eyes narrow, "I'm leaving in 10 minutes," is all she says. I nod at her and turn back around, walking upstairs to get changed.

I change into a pair of black dress pants and a black button up, throwing on a blazer as I step into my shoes and run a quick hand through my hair.

I walk back downstairs to find Mom waiting in the entryway, leaning against the wall with keys in hand. She doesn't say anything when she sees me and just walks out the front door.

I know she's annoyed at me for coming, but more annoyed at the way I'm dealing with this situation. She hates that she watched her son turn into a man of my reputation, and hates even more the way I speak to her.

But it's for her safety, I'm not letting her go alone, I simply don't trust Anastasia.

I gently take the keys off Mom and open the passenger door for her, watching amused as she rolls her eyes and gets in the car. I close her door and walk around to the other side, sitting down and turning the car on. I put my seatbelt on and pull out of the garage, driving out the large gates of the estate.

Mom puts her phone where I can see it and I follow the route to Anastasia's tattoo parlour. I make sure to remember the address and make a mental note to have some of my men stationed here at all times. I'm not taking any chances.

The drive to the tattoo parlour is silent, both of us unhappy that the other is going. "I'm just trying to keep you safe," I mutter, trying to justify why I'm here. "I don't need you to keep me safe, I've managed just fine my entire life," she replies, looking at the road ahead.

"I'm not risking it," I persist, clutching the steering wheel tighten.

I hear her suck in a sharp breath, "I think you forget who I am Vincenzo. I was the Queen of our Mafia once too, but more importantly I am your Mother. When I tell you to do something, you do it," her tone is cold but I know she's just trying to get her point across, for if she spoke in her usual gentle tone I would keep persisting.