Page 49 of Useless Love

Carmine

Business demands my attention, and in no time, it’s been two weeks since I’ve seen my princess in person. She is busy finishing school and wants to get her degree early. Class equals homework and other stupid shit. I’d think she was avoiding me if I didn't know better. Well, I hope she’s not avoiding me.

I’m thinking about her as Christopher and I are having breakfast with some potential lawyers. We spend more money on lawyers than our fucking houses, so we need some good ones now that I’ve weakened my old man. I had to kill his lawyers, so our family needs new ones.

We’re close to the end of our breakfast when I spot Bencivenga’s youngest daughter. Shit, what was her name? I can’t remember, but she waves at someone and then says, “Arianna, over here.”

Naturally, my eyes follow hers across the room; Arianna walks in. The sisters embrace and chat about things I can’t hear from where I am in the restaurant. There’s my beautiful princess.

I turned to Christopher. “You handle the rest of this.”

He nods and I head over to see my fiancé. I can’t get too handsy with her sister around, but I’ve fucking missed seeing her in person. Chatting over the phone hasn’t been enough—she always ends the call early as soon as I start talking dirty. I think our last evening together might have made her too uncomfortable. Shouldn’t have pushed it that far.

Arianna glances up at me, meeting my gaze cooly, while her sister looks like she has seen a ghost.

“Carmine, what are you doing here?” the younger sister asks.

“Sorry…your name is?” I’m not trying to be rude, but I realize I need to get everyone’s name’s straight since I’ll be part of the family soon.

She frowns. “It’s Victoria.”

“Right. Sorry.” I glance at Arianna, expecting her to at least smile or scoot over in her booth so I can sit down. She doesn’t budge and she doesn’t look pleased to see me.

“So, uh, what’s brought you here?” Victoria tries again.

I laugh. “It’s a restaurant. I’m eating and doing business. I assume you’re also here to eat?”

Finally, my fiancee speaks up, “We’re eating and escaping the suffocating penthouse.” Her tone is a bit off. She sounds a little bitter, which is odd.

Victoria perks up suddenly. “I’m so excited for the wedding. I heard the date will be announced in two weeks. Right, Carmine? Is that true?”

I give Victoria a suspicious glance while Arianna nudges her. Why do both of these women seem…off? There’s definitely something up with Arianna.

Just then, a server comes to the table to take their order. I’m still standing here awkwardly, so I motion for Arianna to scoot over. She frowns but complies. Victoria is visibly uneasy that I’m joining.

When I turn to Arianna, she shows no emotion; instead, she places her order. “I’ll have black coffee, scrambled eggs, and a side of pancakes.”

Following her sister's lead, Victoria orders. Then, she lifts her phone and types away, her hands shaking a bit.

I glance at how antsy she suddenly is. “Victoria, is something wrong?” I ask.

Lifting her head, Victoria smiles. “No. Just, uh...”

“Ignore her,” Arianna says with an edge to her voice I haven't noticed before. “She just thinks she’s in love. Schoolboy romance is best handled between sisters.” She sips her water, giving me a direct, confident stare. She’s never looked at me so brazenly before. In her eyes, there’s a calm determination.

Many of my previous adversaries have given me that look.

What the fuck is going on?

“Like something you see?” she asks, giving me a smirk.

“Arianna,” Victoria scolds.

I glance between the two of them again. “As a matter of fact, I do. I see my beautiful fiancee.”

Arianna rolls her eyes and gives me a smug look. “Of course you do because I’m gorgeous.”

I frown. Why is she acting so off today? “Somebody sure is fucking full of themselves this morning.” Arianna only laughs. “When you say it, it’s a compliment. If I say the same thing, I’m egotistical.” She then rests her hand on my left thigh. “Fine, Daddy. From now on, I won’t think I’m pretty until you give me permission.”

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