No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 40

"Ana?" I hear Ari ask, snapping me from my thoughts as I turn to face him.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" I ask absentmindedly.

"Gabe and Val have gotten into the cameras in the place Leonardo's staying in," he says gently.

"Oh right," I say, shaking my head, "Sorry, I'm just tired," I sigh.

"Griff's at the hospital now, why don't you go visit?" Ari suggests.

I nod, "Thanks," I mutter, giving him a small smile as he nods at me.

As I walk out of the room I find myself walking straight into Vincenzo, who immediately takes a step back.

"Sorry," I mutter, not bothering to look up at him before continuing to walk down the hall.

"Where are you going?" he asks,

"The hospital," I say, beginning to walk down the staircase.

"Let me drive you," he offers,

I shake my head, "I'm good,"

"Just let me come," he pleads,

"Why?" I ask bitterly, "Griff will kill you, and I have no intention of stopping him,"

"I know this is my fault Ana, just let me come and keep you company at least," he sighs, and I look up to see him looking at me.

I close my eyes as I rub the bridge of my nose, "It's not your fault Vincenzo," I say in a pained voice, knowing it's unfair to pin the blame on him.

"Let me take you?" he asks,

I nod, not having the energy to argue with him right now. I soon find him beside me, a silence falling between us as we reach the bottom floor and walk out the front door.

I wait for Vincenzo to unlock the car before I get in, putting my seatbelt on before I lean back.

Vincenzo gets in the car and puts it into drive, buckling his seatbelt before reversing out of the driveway.

He turns before stopping the car and driving forwards out of the estate; a suffocating silence between us, neither one of us knowing what to say.

The drive is silent, a silence so deafening I open the window, drowning out my thoughts with the wind. I keep my gaze fixated on the trees and buildings whipping past us, trying to find a constant to focus on.

After what feels like an eternity, we finally arrive at the hospital, the mere sight of the building making my stomach plummet.

Vincenzo drives into the underground carpark and parks the car, turning it off before unbuckling his seatbelt and looking over at me.

My eyes dart away from his before I get out of the car, shutting the door and beginning to walk over to the elevator.

For some reason I try to ignore Vincenzo, although it's hard, his body brushing against mine as we step into the elevator.

"I don't know if it's a good idea for you to see him," I say quietly,

"I won't," he says, shaking his head. "I'll wait in the waiting room for you," he says.

I nod my head slowly, hoping that Griffon doesn't see him, knowing that it won't end well if he does.

The elevator doors open and we step out into a bustling foyer, my stomach doing a somersault as we walk through the people to the front desk.

The receptionist gives us a wide smile, her eyes settling on me as I return her gesture with a smaller smile.

"I'm here to see Everett Patton," I say,