Page 5 of Useless Love

Father greets her with a warm voice he never uses with me. “There’s my Princess,” he says.

Whatever. Instead of caring about my father’s lack of parental affection towards me, I start brainstorming. The men clearly don’t want me involved, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do my own thing in secret. I’m not a fan of making peace with the Gaudino scum that took my brothers. I want them all dead. But since Father gives me zero power, I can’t just order our soldiers to kill. I must scheme my way closer to the remaining members of the Gaudino organization and take them out subtly. But how?

I need to figure out where that meeting will be held.

Since no one wants me in the living room and I don’t want to return to the kitchen, I do my scheming in the hallway. Father must’ve opened up his cigar box because the sickly scent soon tickles my nose, mixed with the musky aroma of aged whiskey. More luxury meant to cover the darkness of our family’s true lifestyle.

When Ralph finally disappears from the archway, I inch closer to the living room again. I hear the low hum of conversations and catch glimpses of stern faces, each harboring their own motivations and alliances. It's a world of shadows and whispers, where loyalty is both a prized possession and a fleeting commodity. The tension is thick, the weight of impending decisions heavy in the air.

But everyone is talking too low for me to hear what they’re saying. And if I move closer, Father will only yell at me. Giving up, I retreat to my room and kick off my heels. The cool marble against my soles offers a momentary respite from the stifling atmosphere in other parts of the penthouse. I move to the expansive windows across from me, which offer a breathtaking view of the city, its towering skyscrapers bathed in the soft glow of urban lights.

I catch my reflection in the window, my own determined gaze. Gaia enters my mind, like she often does when I look at myself. We’re identical, so how could I not think of her? My perfect, beloved sister. I don’t hold her naivete against her, though; none of my siblings chose this life. Each of us are only trying to survive in our own way. Gaia chose to walk a path of obedience. Nico will get to rule this empire someday, so he chose power. And Victoria…I think she’s still undecided.

Me, I’m on a different path than all of them. I want revenge.

My next step is figuring out where that damn meeting with Sal Gaudino will take place.

Gaia

Father has allowed me to linger around the men at the reception, but only because I’m entertaining my Aunt Laura. We’re also tucked away in the corner where we can’t hear much of the men’s business talk.

Aunt Laura sips her espresso. “Everything is planned by God,” she says.

I nod mindlessly.

What a horrible day. Besides Luca, my cousins Dominick, Toni, and even Emma and Whitney are among the dead we buried today. I’ve cried so much my eyes hurt and life feels like it's drained out of me. Why can’t my family just have peace? Why do we all have to endure so much pain and loss? This is what Arianna calls the Bencivenga Curse.

Still, I love my family. Just like me, my father wasn’t given a choice—he was born into the Bencivenga’s life of violence and crime. I don’t blame him; once you’re in this life, there’s simply no escape. It’s a heavy burden, but no matter what it takes, he will defend our family’s organization. Yet, despite his hard demeanor, he isn’t numb to the loss of our family and friends in this ongoing fight. Sometimes, I think he wants peace as much as I do.

Sadly, the ceasefire will only give us temporary peace, even though the Bianchi’s are playing mediator between my family and the Gaudinos. Negotiations will get the killings to stop, but only a fool would think it’s permanent. That’s why I’ve been praying every day at the church. I pray extra long to God, asking that he gives both families a way out. Without divine intervention, these constant wars will result in entire families being wiped from existence.

“Luca is in a better place,” Aunt Laura continues. “It’s the rest of us who need thoughts and prayers.”

“Yes, you are very right, Aunt Laura,” I say while searching the room for any signs of Arianna. I’ve seen her lurking around a lot today where she shouldn’t be, which can only mean she’s plotting something.

I give Aunt Laura a gentle hug, and say, “Father will do everything possible to protect us.” Before she can reply, I slip away.

I need to make sure my sister isn’t still lingering. I don’t want her to get in trouble. No doubt about it, she’s thinking about something. Father often says when Arianna thinks, God should have mercy on us all.

I’m worried about her more than usual. When I finally got her to tell me about the rape, she seemed so numb about it. She told me that a Gaudino monster had her on her knees while he forced his cock in and out of her mouth. His gun was pointed to her head, which kept her from biting him. Luca burst in; he fought the man. Luca was shot in the neck and bled out while Arianna watched in horror.

While I was at home, oblivious to everything, Mother took Arianna to a doctor and confirmed that her virginity was still intact. I don’t think the doctor was lying for Mother’s sake. I hope not.

Arianna also confessed that Mother mentioned taking her to see a therapist. Obviously, Father can’t allow a single word to get out. Plus, he worries Arianna might accidentally reveal the organization's business to a therapist. Since it doesn’t look like Father will allow her to talk to a professional, I’ve been doing my best to help. I’m in my final year at university studying psychology. I don’t have a lot of experience, but I’m trying. Arianna is a tough shell to crack, though; it’s no surprise to me or anyone that she refuses to open up and talk. I’m surprised I got her to at least tell me the facts of Luca’s death.

Thankfully, as I’m searching the living room and hallway, I don’t see Arianna. She must’ve gone to her room.

“Gaia, what are you doing?” Father calls to me. “If you’re looking for something to do, pour some drinks for the men.”

“Yes, Father.”

I start to serve refreshments as Nico takes a seat next to my father. Nico and Father engage in a serious conversation, their expressions betraying the gravity of the situation. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation, and the flickering candles cast dancing shadows on the walls adorned with family portraits.

I move gracefully, pouring drinks for the men, my every action a careful dance in this clandestine world. The men are discussing a meeting, one that will happen tomorrow in this very room with our enemy. I can’t quite figure out what business they’ll discuss at the meeting—what negotiations will be made—but I can sense every man in this room has a vested interest in the outcome.

I’ve uncovered enough information, so I attempt to leave.

As I turn toward the hallway, however, my Uncle Agostini asks loudly, “Isn’t Gaia of age legal to marry?”

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