No Strings Attached

CHAPTER 42

"I feel bad leaving," Ari says, looking doubtfully at Griffon who shakes his head.

"Maybe we should all stay, I'm sure the De Santis' can get Leonardo without us," Gabriel says, his tone hesitant.

"Don't be an idiot, that makes no sense," Griffon says harshly, "The only reason they're even doing this is because of us and Ana, some of us have to be there,"

"He's right," I say quietly, "It doesn't make sense for all of us to stay for Everett,"

Ari sighs, rubbing the bridge of his nose as he thinks. "Griffon you stay in Italy then, the rest of us will go to the Vatican City and deal with Leonardo,"

Everyone nods, "We'll bring Leonardo back to Italy and deal with him how we like, then we can pack up and go back home," Gabriel says.

"Then back to life as usual?" Griffon says quietly,

"It would seem to be that way," Gabriel murmurs,

"I assume they'll reach to us every now and again to do some dirty work for them though," Ari chuckles wryly, as if trying to fill up the empty silence Everett would fill if he was here.

A silence falls between us, no one wanting to speak about the near future. A future with the possibility of one of us no longer being here. A possibility no one wants to face.

A knock at the door lifts our heads, "Come in," Ari says, clearing his throat. The corners of my lips tilt up as Vincenzo opens the door, visibly cautious to be entering the room.

"We're leaving for the airport now, so just meet us there when you're ready," he says,

"We'll be there in a minute," Gabriel says, "Don't bother to wait," he adds.

Vincenzo nods and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

"Sad to see him go?" Griffons grins at me, "Or maybe you'll stay?"

"Don't be silly, I'm leaving with the rest of you," I say sheepishly,

Ari raises his eyebrows at me, "So?" he trails off,

I shake my head, "No," I say quietly, ignoring the pit forming in my stomach. "I'm leaving with the rest of you," I say again.

"Let's go, we don't want to keep them waiting," I say, standing up and walking out of the room. I make my way downstairs to where my suitcase is waiting.

"I put your suitcase in the car with the rest, one of my men are taking them to the airport," Vincenzo says as I reach the bottom.

"Are the rest coming?" he asks, "Or staying with Everett,"

"Griffon's staying here, the rest will be down soon," I reply, "They'll drive themselves to the airport," I add.

"The rest of my family has gone, so you can drive with me," he offers, his eyes darting over my face.

I nod, feeling deflated after my conversation with Le Aquile Rosse. "Everything alright?" Vincenzo asks, "No bad news from the hospital I hope?"

"No, everything's fine," I sigh, "I'll just be glad once we finally have Leonardo," there's no untruths in what I tell Vincenzo, but it's also not the whole truth.

"Don't worry sweetheart, we'll get him," Vincenzo says, putting his hand on the small of my back as he leads me outside.

The nickname sweetheart has changed over the last few months. It used to have a mocking lilt to it,  as if Vincenzo was trying to provoke me. But now it's gentle. He says it as though he cares for me, calling me sweetheart in an affectionate way.