Page 112 of Useless Love

Mother and Victoria also come to hug me while Nico hovers in the background. I glance at Carmine and for the first time, he’s not looking at me like he wants to punch me. Guess that’s some progress.

Everyone returns to Father’s bed and continues chatting about meaningless things for a moment. Then Father complains of some pain and gets Victoria, Mother, and Gaia to go get him some non-hospital food and items from home. He’s fussing so much that the three of them leave in a hurry, looking concerned for Father’s comfort.

Once they’re gone, I smirk and cross my arms, “You could have, just asked them to leave, instead of inventing things.” I expect Father to frown and ignore me like he always does, but he actually laughs at my joke.

Looking at me with kindness, he says, “Giving them something to do will make them feel better.”

Father orders me and Jr. Gaudino to catch him up on what happened today while Nico hovers off to the side, observing. Jr. Gaudino and I take turns giving him info and filling in the gaps for each other.

When we’re done, Nico comments, “How could uncle Agostini do that?”

But I ignore him, focusing on Father because he doesn’t seem shocked by anything. Which means he knows certain things and chose to keep them hidden. Figures. “You don’t seem surprised at your brother’s betrayal,” I say to Father.

He adjusts his pillow to sit up in bed higher. “I started having my suspicions when you were only five, but I guess you were too young to remember shooting him.”

I stare at him for a moment. “What? I didn’t shoot Uncle when I was a kid.”

Father chuckles. “Yes, you did. You were five when a masked man got past security. He was trying to kill me in my sleep, but you somehow heard the commotion and got out of bed. The son of a bitch had me cornered on the floor. You shot him right in the hip.”

I’m shocked. I have a pretty good memory and I remember other things that happened when I was five. Why can’t I remember something so major?

“It didn’t surprise me,” Father continues. “You were always tough and wanted to know everything about what I did for work. I let you handle an unloaded gun only a few times, and somehow you knew how to shoot one when it was needed. You fired the first shot, kept your hands steady, and hit the intruder right in the hip. When the masked man turned to face you, I quickly got to my feet to subdue him. Your shot also alerted the guards. The intruder fought me off, though, and managed to escape. I thought it was strange how easily he navigated everything; he knew my home like the back of his hands. Which is why we moved into the penthouse soon after. Harder to break into.”

Carmine glances at me, looking like he’s impressed. I only frown in return.

Father continues, “I didn’t go after the son of a bitch because I wanted to make sure you were okay. You looked shaken, though you never cried. That day, and the rest after, I kept trying to talk to you about it, but it was like you were suppressing it. One day, you were completely back to normal, like you didn’t even remember. A child therapist said you just needed time to deal with it, so I decided nobody should bring it up again. But I hunted that masked man for a year with no fucking luck. Then one day, your uncle’s wife let it slip that he couldn’t perform in bed due to a bad hip. I asked her when he had started having trouble with it, and it was around the same time the masked man had tried to kill me. I have kept a watch on Agostini since that day. Your grandparents would never forgive me if I killed their son without proof. I’ve been waiting for him to slip up, but I let my guard down too much and he took the opportunity.”

I can’t believe I shot someone when I was five and can’t even remember…

As I’m thinking, Carmine cuts in. “But why would he team up with Sal? My brothers killed your Uncle’s family.”

“Desperation. And…he and I both knew Sal wasn’t your real father. Sorry, son. It wasn’t my place to tell you that. But Sal’s real sons were never even part of the war, so in the end Agostini foolishly thought he could rely on Sal. That’s my assumption.”

I’m a bit lost, so I speak up. “Wait. Sal wasn’t their father? That doesn’t make sense.”

Carmine looks at the floor, so Father answers. “Sal’s father was the one to impregnate Claudia. So, technically, Carmine and Sal are half brothers.”

I scrunch my nose. “What? Eww.”

“Arianna,” Father says to me sternly. “Show some respect. Carmine just learned this today and shot the man who raised him, half-brother or not.”

I lower my head. “Sorry.” I’m still not Jr. Gaudino’s friend or anything, but that doesn’t sound rough. I can’t imagine how I’d feel to learn that my grandfather fucked my mother. I shive just thinking about it. So gross.

Carmine runs a hand through his dark, messy hair, looking like he needs some serious sleep. “You should know that my brothers and I never killed any of your sons. They did attack Agostini’s family, but Sal was framing us for the other murders.”

Father nods. “That’s all in the past now, so let this be the last time we speak of it. I arranged the marriage between you and my daughter because I wanted a resolution to this war. And I knew it was something Agostini didn’t want. But now it’s done and we can all move on.”

The two men share a silent understanding, then Father says, “Now, please excuse us. You too, Nico. I need to talk to my daughter alone.”

My heart pounds as I watch Carmine and Nico leave. I face Father, ready to get scolded.

“Arianna, do you think it is necessary to throw salt into Carmine’s wounds? The man just found out some disturbing—-”

Mid-sentence, Father stops and looks at me then, he smiles and opens his arms.“I haven’t gotten a hug from you since coming back from the dead.”

My mouth drops open; Father hasn’t wanted a hug in years. And the only time he’s touched me is to smack me around. He hasn’t given me a pat on the head, kiss on the cheek, or a single hug. We have just existed in the same house and family. But now he wants me to come over to the bed.

I rise slowly, cautiously, like this might be some trick, like I’ll get close only for his temper to change suddenly. But when I’m close enough, he groans and shifts until he’s able to stand, looking so frail in his medical gown.

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