Page 16 of Useless Love

“Let's focus on the facts. I’m my father’s favorite human being on the planet. He’s trusting you to keep me safe, so he’s serious about making peace.”

I narrow an eye at her. When I was talking with Bencivenga earlier, Arianna didn’t seem like his favorite. She’s also a bit softer than I expected; her father said she was a bit like me, but I’m not seeing it.I’ll have my people investigate. I want to know everything there is to know about Arianna Bencivenga, and if she’s trying to hide anything.

“Look,” I say, “I understand that both sides claim to want peace. We should take this seriously. However, I’m not foolish enough to accept a rushed marriage, especially with a family who has been my enemy for years. Nothing personal, but you’re a Bencivenga and I need to trust you.”

She looks a bit hurt—genuine hurt—and I actually feel bad for saying I don’t trust her. Is she really just innocent in all of this?

I don’t like seeing her hurt, so I backtrack and say, “I…I accept your marriage proposal, but we will see how well we get along. Consider us officially engaged for now.” I glance at the guard. I’m going to take a chance and trust this girl for the time being. Lowering my voice, I add, “But, let’s keep our guards up. The engagement will give me enough time to research any potential traps planned by your father or mine. Remember, they’re not innocent men."

Her eyes go wide and she nods.

Good girl. If she proves trustworthy, I’ll tell her about any traps I discover. My gut is telling me something about this situation isn’t right, and I’m determined to uncover the truth.

Gaia

I feel guilty lying to Carmine. From the little time I’ve spent with him, I’m pretty sure he wants nothing more than to stop this war too. Running into this situation without speaking with my father or mother wasn’t wise. I must rectify that immediately.

When Carmine and Sal leave, my father calls me into his office for a chat. The stern man is seated behind his desk with a stony look on his face. His usual warm brown eyes are full of flames. I’m used to seeing him look that way at my sister, not at me. It was inevitable that he’d find out about our swap today, I just wasn’t prepared for him to look at me so harshly.

I sit in the chair in front of his desk, my stomach churning.

Father begins his sharp lecture with urgency. “In the future, before doing anything that could jeopardize you or your safety, I expect to be consulted. Do you understand?”

I nod, looking down at my feet.

“You know the consequences our family can face when dealing with the Gaudino family. What you did was irrational.”

“I only wanted to save Victoria.”

His gaze wavers for a moment. “What does Victoria have to do with this? Arianna was the only one I would ever offer.” He smacks a hand on the desk, then sits back in his chair. “Damn it! Look how easily your sister manipulated you. You’re too easily swayed, which is why I don’t want you around Carmine Gaudino. He is going to play you. This swapping business ends now.”

Finding some courage to speak up, I say, “But Father, he agreed to the engagement. And I truly feel he wants peace.”

“I can’t believe you’re my daughter. Saying things like this about a man you’ve only known for one hour. What are you thinking? Your naivety doesn’t make me confident that you can navigate the lion's den you’ve just entered. Carmine is a dangerous man.”

“But the swap worked. After meeting me, Ari was certain that Carmine would say yes, and he did.”

His brows draw together as he scowls. “Yes, he agreed, but what do you think Arianna plans to do once you help her become Mrs. Carmine Gaudino?”

“Help both families achieve peace.”

Father snorts and crosses his arms. “Is that so? My pet, you know how difficult your sister is. I chose Arianna because she never gives any of us peace. Once she’s Mrs. Gaudino, that house will never have peace again. The war will be over, but they’ll be stuck dealing with her foul attitude; my way of revenge.”

I stare at him, not believing my father would do something like that. Is he just tossing Arianna away? “Father, I thought—”

“I get no peace with your sister in my home. Why should they get any?” he jokingly adds. Since I don’t respond from being so shocked, he continues, “Now that you’ve started down this path, I give you permission to keep engaging with Carmine until the night before the nuptials. Keep him at a distance, but get him to like you and let his guard down. I’ve already told Sal that Arianna must remain a virgin until marriage or I’ll slaughter the rest of his family. He knows I’m serious, so Carmine won’t lay a hand on you. Once you switch back and they’re officially married, the Gaudinos will be in for a surprise.” He smirks to himself.

Father walks around his desk to embrace me. “Get some rest,” he says after kissing my cheek. “And in the future, don’t follow Arianna and her hare-brained ideas. She only ever gets you in trouble.”

After leaving Father’s office, I walk around the penthouse in search of my lying sister. Finally, I locate Arianna in the gym, casually walking on the treadmill and chatting on the phone.

Noticing my arrival, she quickly says, “Anna, let me call you back.”

“Tell cousin Anna I said hi,” I scoff. “Or you can lie about it.”

Rolling her eyes, Arianna says, “You heard, Gaia.” The call ends.

Walking over to the machine, I slam my palm onto the emergency stop button. Arianna stumbles, grabbing the handrails to stay upright.

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