Page 107 of Useless Love

“Fuck you and that ego. The Gaudino organization never had enough men to begin with, and your father still controls some of those traitors. My father is awake. If he learns you put his favorite person on the planet at risk because you’re trying to win a big dick contest, he will—”

I disconnect the call, then text her the location. God, she pisses me off, but she’s right. Gaia is more important than my pride.

“Almost there,” Christopher says.

Can’t wait.

Gaia

I’m in the backseat of the vehicle trying to be strong and not break down in tears. I don’t know the man who is driving—he looks like any regular hired thug. He’s big with muscles. He’s not in a suit though, only jeans and a shirt. But even though I don’t know him, I know he means me harm. Or he’s taking me to someone who wants to harm me. Who kidnapped me? Why?

I try to think of what Ari would do in a situation like this. She carries a gun, so she’d likely shoot him. Or she’d find an opportunity to knee him in the balls. I squeeze my eyes shut. I don’t think I could do either. I’ve never been strong like my sister. But I do have faith.

Please, God, help me get out of this. Please save me.

Finding a little courage, I ask, “Where are you taking me?”

“Shut up, bitch.”

I nod and keep quiet, glancing at my phone on the dashboard. As soon as this man got in, he pointed a gun at my head and demanded my phone. I can’t even call for help. But since I was taken right outside my building with Bencivenga men watching, at least everyone knows I’m missing. My family will come for me. Carmine will come; I only hope he finds me in time.

Am I going to die?

I’m tired of being helpless, always waiting for my father or others to fix things. But I can’t help it. At the worst time possible, I start crying. In my head right now, I can hear Arianna saying, “You do the most useless things.”

The man driving laughs at me through the rearview mirror, and I lower my head as I sob. Then I hold my stomach. What if I’m carrying Carmine’s baby right now? I need to try to be strong for that. Sniffing, I get myself under control again.

The car stops outside what looks like an abandoned warehouse. The driver removes the child safety lock, opens my door, and drags me out. His grip is so tight on my arm that I want to call out from pain, but he’s pointing a gun at my chest, so I bite my bottom lip and stay quiet.

He drags me inside the warehouse to a corner. Sal Gaudino is waiting there with a nasty smile. My stomach drops. Why couldn’t it have been anyone else?

I’m dragged to a chair and tied so I can’t move my hands or feet. I fight back more tears. Be strong. Just keep it together until help arrives.

Sal moves closer and gives me a slimy smile. “Look at the blushing bride.” He runs a finger along my cheek. “Carmine really won the lottery with you. Look at that pretty mouth.”

I try to look away but he grabs my chin, forcing me to make eye contact. “Keep your eyes on me, bitch,” he says. “Has your husband ever told you what he did to my family? He killed the love of my life and my children. Now I need a new body to warm my bed. It’s only right I have his.”

I swallow. Have me? Hearing those words makes me sick to my stomach.

His disgusting hand slides down my neck and over my breasts, feeling me up. “I’ll use Carmine’s bitch to repopulate the Gaudino family. I only hope Carmine hasn’t used her up too much.” I can’t stop a tear from slipping down my cheek as he shoves his hand between my thighs, touching me where only my husband should. “Did he turn you into a whore, sweetheart?”

One of his men clears his throat. “Sir…Do we have a plan for Bencivenga’s wrath? When he finds out you took his daughter and—”

Sal smiles. “Don’t worry about that. Agostini has some control and will have complete control of the organization soon. He’s already told me to enjoy the bitch.” With his hand still between my legs, he moves his mouth close to my ear. “I’ve often wondered what you taste like. I plan to find out tonight.”

Like the coward Arianna always says I am, my only solution is closing my eyes. Please, God…

Gunshots ring out around the warehouse and my eyes open. Sal’s men are all ducking for cover behind crates and furniture. Sal cowers behind my chair, trying to use me as a shield. I can’t move so I’m completely helpless to whatever is happening.

Sal is more of a coward than I thought I was—no self-deserving man would use a helpless woman as a shield. I’ve never wished death on anyone, so I hope God forgives me for wishing death on this man.

But surprisingly, I’m staying calm. I’m used to gunfire. That’s the one thing that won’t frighten me. If a spider appeared, I might pass out from panic. Yet, bullets whizzing over my head is a normal day sometimes.

Sal Gaudino is behind me, cursing, which Arianna would call useless. He should be doing something if he wants to save his ass.

I shake my head. “I guess Agostini doesn’t have any control over my family’s organization. So you were wrong.”

Venom flashes in his eyes, and he puts a knife to my throat. “Guess you’re right. Oh well. I’ll just kill you now so Carmine will suffer.”

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