No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 28

"Someone get me off this fucking plane," Alessio groans, stepping onto the ramp and taking a deep breath.

I can't help but mirror his relief to get off the plane, stepping out behind him as the cool air hits my face.

I walk down the ramp to the 3 cars waiting to the side of the runway, guards at every exit as they all drop their heads when I pass.

"No warm welcome?" I hear Everett chuckle, the corners of my lips tilting up.

"Guess no one's happy to see us," Griffon mutters, causing Everett to laugh softly.

"How many fucking cars do you need?" Ari says in a disgusted tone, giving me a look I can't quite make out.

"We figured you guys would prefer your own car over being crammed in with us," Dad says with a light smile,

"I call shotgun," Gabriel grins, winking at Anastasia as she narrows her eyes at him.

"Don't worry Ana, you're with us anyway," Lea chirps up, linking her arm through Anastasia's as she blushes.

I watch as the three girls along with Aunt Val pile into one of the cars, leaving the rest of us to watch them begin to drive off.

"The twins can go with you, we'll take Ari and Gabriel," Dad says, giving me a small smile before walking over to one of the two remaining cars.

"I call shotgun!" Alessio exclaims, taking the keys from me and unlocking the car.

"Looks like you drew the short straw," Everett shrugs, grinning at me as I roll my eyes.

Someone shoot me now.

I get into the drivers side and wait for the twins to get in before starting the car and pushing down on the accelerator, beginning the drive out of the airport.

The silence is immediately crushing, and for once in my life I silently beg Alessio to break it with one of his stupid comments.

Griffon clears his throat and I watch through the mirror as he shows Everett something on his phone, causing his jaw to lock as they look at each other.

"Everything ok?" Alessio asks with an awkward chuckle.

"Perfect," Everett mutters, and I can't tel whether he's talking to us or in response to whatever he's seeing on his brothers phone.

"Excuse me for a second, I just need to call Gabe," Griffon says, putting the phone to his ear.

"Are you sure?" he immediately says, looking at Everett as they both frown.

"Oh fuck your fucking contacts," Griffon snaps angrily, making my eyebrows shoot up.

"It would make sense," Everett says quietly,

Griffon groans as he massages the bridge of his nose, "You know, your connections are starting to piss me the fuck off," he says, and I risk a glance to Alessio as I hear Gabriel's irritated voice on the other end of the phone.

"How do we know they're not fucking with you?" he sighs,

"Ok why would they do that?" Everett says in an exasperated tone.

"I know, I'm sorry," Griffon says in a tight voice, "This whole situation is just getting more and more frustrating," he looks over to Everett who scowls.

"Without me we would be back where we started," Everett defends himself.

"Get Thomas onto it, he's dirty isn't he?" Griffon says in a hopeful tone, "Of course you have," he chuckles, leaning over to Everett. "He's already told Thomas,"