No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 17

I adjust my suit once more before running a quick hand through my hair and walking out of my room.

I nod at Alessio as he flashes me a smile, walking downstairs with him to where Dad is waiting.

"You two go, I'm waiting for your Mother and sister and they're taking a while," Dad grumbles, looking up from his phone. His tone is annoyed but everyone knows he could never truly be annoyed at Mom.

"I still don't get why there's so many stupid events," Alessio grumbles, rolling his eyes as I take the keys off Dad and walk outside to where one of our cars is waiting.

"It's the American's fault," I mutter, "They're too showy it's ridiculous," I start the car and drive out of the estate.

"I heard their second-in-command has a little nineteen year old girl," Alessio says, making me cringe.

"Isn't he almost thirty?" I ask, shuddering as I realise the poor girl is younger even than Azalea.

"Twenty-eight," Alessio sighs, "She has got to be getting paid for that, there's no way that's voluntary," he says, making me chuckle.

"You seem to know a lot about them," I say slyly, knowing that my brother has too much honour to ever get in between a relationship.

"She's a studying criminologist, everyone in the Mafia knows about her," Alessio shrugs, a stupid excuse.

I hum in response and return my focus to the road, trying not to think too much about the literal teenager in a relationship with one of the most disgusting men in the underworld.

Ryan Walker. Second-in-command of the American Mafia. An absolute slob of a man who holds not an ounce of respect for women, or anyone in general. Part of the reason I refuse to ever make deals with them, their Don is the exact same as his dumbass cousin.

The drive to the ball is short, large gates opening as we drive into the estate. I stop the car in front of the large doors and Alessio and I get out before I hand the keys off to a chauffeur to properly park it.

I give Alessio one more look before we walk through the opened doors of the estate, following the lines of guards to a large room, filled with too many people.

"Please tell me you got us a table," Alessio mutters behind me, already holding a drink in his hand.

I nod and lead him over to where the tables are, finding the one I got us. I scan the room to see swarms of people already dancing, some talking over the two stories this room has and too many leaning against the bars scattered along the walls.

It's been a month since the auction, and since my tattoo I haven't seen or heard anything from or even about Anastasia Mancini or Le Aquile Rosse.

I know she's The Fiore Mortale, but I don't know why she's keeping a low profile. As far as I'm concerned she doesn't know we're onto her.

"This place is too busy even for me," I hear Alessio mutter from behind me, and I narrow my eyes at him when I see another glass in his hand.

My brother has always had a problem with substances, and although he's said he's quit most things, alcohol is something I fear he'll never quit.

"Did you guys see Ryan Walker's girlfriend?" I hear Issy whisper behind us. "She's Lea's age and already has a fucking kid," her eyes almost pop out of her head as she talks to us.

"Why does everyone know about this girl?" I ask, unsure of why my family seem to be so caught up in her.

"He's going around to everyone, making sure the entire underworld know about his young girlfriend," Issy rolls her eyes, "It's honestly disgusting, poor girl,"