Page 35 of Useless Love

***

Carla and I head to a local bar after class the next day. We weren’t ever friends, but the past few months have been extra uncomfortable between us. Soon, we’ll be family. And now that I’m pretending to be engaged to her brother in my sister’s place, everything is a complete mess.

We sit at the bar, and the bartender actually lets us order drinks without carding us. As I sip my wine, Carla touches my shoulder and asks, “Are you okay? You look a bit down.”

Taking a deep breath, I smile in her direction and answer, “I’m fine. But I’ve been worried about why you wanted to meet. It’s always been awkward between us, and now it’s even worse.”

She nods. “Well, I just wanted to hang out and get to know you better. Even though we’ve been classmates, we haven’t talked much. Breakfast was weird. My mother was happy, but I guess I’m still adjusting.”

“I get it. By the way, your mom is nice. I really like her.”

“Thanks. FYI, she has your children’s names all picked out.”

I blush and then laugh. “Oh god, not another war.”

Carla tips her head. “Huh?”

“My mother has had grandchildren's names picked out for years. The two of them are going to have to fight about it.”

Carla joins me in laughter and I feel more relaxed. Why had I been so worried about meeting with her? Just pretty cool.

After sipping her cocktail, Carla chuckles to herself.

“What?” I ask.

“Honestly, I knew Carmine wanted you. I noticed it that day at the birthday party. But a Bencivenga and Gaudino getting together seemed impossible. You know? Who would have thought he ended up getting just what he wanted.”

I fall silent, sipping my wine. He’s not getting me. He’s getting Ari.

I try to look happy and respond, “When I first saw him in his suit, I couldn’t look away. However, like you said, I never imagined anything happening.”

She raises her glass in a toast.“Welcome to the family.”

I clink my glass with hers, faking a smile as guilt sweeps over me. I’m so tired of lying to these people. Especially when they’re so friendly and I’m starting to feel like I belong with them.

CHAPTER 12 — POWER GRAB

Carmine

I swear, problems don’t fucking take any days off; they give me no fucking sleep. The war recently ended with Bencivenga, but thanks to my old man, we were almost dragged into another one. This time with the fucking most powerful organization in the United States, the Satta.

Yesterday, I was planning a dinner with Arianna when Christopher called me in a panic. “Your old man has antagonized Satta!” he shouted at me through the phone.

Jumping to my feet, I barked, “Fuck. What did he do?”

“He approached Satta and offered our warehouse for some goods.”

I was already heading to my room to pack. “They typically use Salvatore for that.Why switch?”

“Salvatore’s warehouses are full. Your old man saw an opportunity.”

I paused to rub my temples. “Let me guess, he got their goods, and now everything is missing?”

“You fucking guessed it.”

“Son of a bitch. Even if it did get stolen, we’re fucked.”

“Exactly. Satta’s men came to collect, but your old man insists the goods were stolen. Then he had the balls to say he’s not paying.”

---