Page 63 of Useless Love

“Happy birthday,” I told Mrs. Bencivenga, kissing her cheeks.

“Oh, you’re so sweet,” she responded, accepting my gift.

Then Antonio, looking very stern, said, “If it isn’t the head of the Gaudino family.”

“Also, your future son-in-law,” I toss in.

“Oh, that’s right. I forgot that part,” he smirks.I glance around the lavish interior, taking note of everyone at the party. No sign of Arianna or her sister.

“Your fiancee is in the kitchen,” a young man smirks. He shakes my hand.“I’m Nico Bencivenga. I hear we will be one big happy family Carmine.”

The fact that Bencivenga knew I was coming yet allowed his son to be present—his only heir—does show that he’s trusting me. It’s a sign of peace.

That’s a good thing.

Have I just been looking for trouble that isn’t there? Though my gut is telling me something is off, I can’t find the proof. I think I need to accept that my princess really did have a bad day where she wasn’t feeling like herself. Because Bencivenga is showing me signs of peace and I have no other proof anything is amiss.

Bencivenga smiles at me. “Gaudino, let's have our talk later. If you want to say hello to your future wife, she’s on the balcony. Then meet me in my office.”

Balcony? Nico said she was in the kitchen. Am I fishing for things again? His sisters are twins, so he could get them confused sometimes.

I walk outside to the balcony and find my princess. She looks drained and my stomach sinks. Something is definitely wrong. When she realizes I’m standing next to her, she goes pale.

You knew I was coming, so why are you surprised?

“Um, hi,” she says. “Um, let me get you some cake and show you around.” She tries to leave but I step in her path.

“No.”

Avoiding eye contact, she says, “But the cake is really good. I’ll just—”

“So you’re avoiding me again?”

“No.”

“Carla told me you called her to confirm my takeover. Why didn’t you ask me?”

“I didn’t want to bother you,” she whispers. Those beautiful eyes, seeking everywhere but mine.

“You could never bother me, princess.”

Water fills Arianna’s eyes. In a botched attempt to hide her emotions, she turns away.

My gut is screaming at me now. Something is wrong. She is depressed or sad about something, and I need to know why right now.

“What is it? Did someone hurt you?”

She shakes her head.

I move her to a more private area of the balcony so no one can see us, then I pull her into my arms. The floodgates open and she starts sobbing all over my jacket. Something has happened to her. I don’t even know who caused it, but I want their neck.

“Carmine…” she whispers, clinging to me in a way she never has. It’s like she’s afraid to let go.

“Princess, tell me what—”

“Ari, I need to see you,” a voice calls out.

I turn to see the mysterious twin sister I’ve been so curious about. She’s wearing the exact dress that my princess is wearing, her hair is styled the same, too. There’s really no way to tell them apart, except the sister is a little edgier. Her eyes are hardened and she’s scowling.

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