Page 76 of Useless Love

He gives me a remorseful look. “Sorry, princess. I have to deal with some work. I was hoping to spend some time with you today, but I will have to wait for now.”

I nod. “I understand.” I’m a little sad though, but he is here for business, and that comes first right now.

After his shoes are on, he comes to me and wraps me in a hug. “I don't know how long I'll be, but I'll be back as quick as I can. But just in case…” He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a pair of my panties, the ones I was wearing yesterday and threw in the hamper. To my amazement, he lifts them to his nose and takes a good whiff. Then he grins. “That’s what I like to smell. These will help me survive the day.”

I stare at him, shocked and embarrassed, my cheeks already feeling heated. “Carmine!”

He gives me a wink and then leaves the bedroom.

CHAPTER 22 — THE TIME IS NOW

Carmine

If looks could kill, everyone outside my bedroom door would be dead. I just want some time with my princess. I was hoping to get that at least a little bit before business came knocking on my door. But this shit with my old man can't wait.

My old man was spotted talking to an enemy organization, the Pellegrinis, so I'm worried about him gaining allies. He might try to attack me, so this trip in LA may need to be cut short. Right now, it's unsafe for my mother and sister to be anywhere except close to me, so I need to check on their safety.

Pacing in my office, my security team watches me expectantly. First, I try to reach Sammy, who stayed back in New York to keep an eye on things, but he's not picking up. Then I try to reach Christopher, who is always very responsive. He's also in New York watching the business. But he doesn't pick up. Growing more worried by the minute, I try calling Mother directly. No answer.

What the fuck is going on?

My old man is supposed to be powerless, so how the hell did I miss one of his loyal men? The one who helped him escape the house arrest? Which man is it that’s playing me? I can only assume that the old man has some hidden assets somewhere because he’s been making moves, yet I had him declared legally unfit. He shouldn’t have access to money, credit cards, or anything. But he’s plotting somehow and I don’t like it.

I feel backed into a wall, so I call my fucking father-in-law. If the man can trust me with his precious daughter, I can trust him with this much.

“Carmine,” he says flatly upon answering.

“How well do you know the Pellegrinis?”

After a pause, he says, “You expect me to reveal details about my organization’s connections?”

“Are we working on fucking peace or not? My old man is making moves and I don’t like worrying about the safety of my mother and sister. You can at least understand that, can’t you?”

He sighs. “We have a favorable alliance with the Pellegrinis for now.”

“My old man has been talking with them. Scheming.”

“And you want me to throw my weight around so the Pellegrinis will cut him off?”

“Exactly.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

He hangs up and I make some other phone calls to check on business back in New York—make sure whatever stupid thing my old man is trying to do hasn’t affected anything. A half hour later, Bencivenga sends a quick message to tell me it’s done. Then he says I now owe him a favor.

Fucking prick. The favor is giving him grandchildren and making peace.

I try again to call Carla and Mother but can’t get through. Fucking Christopher and Sammy still aren’t picking up either.

Suddenly, my phone rings from a private number, so I quickly answer.

“I shouldn’t have spared that bitch who made you,” a man says. I know the voice—it’s my old man. Seems he’s suddenly grown some balls.

“Thought you could get the Pellegrinis to give you some refuge?” I say. “You forget I have allies too. Mine are more powerful.”

“You killed my family,” he says darkly. “Now I’ll kill yours as I find you or those bitches.”

He hangs up. A knot is forming in my stomach so I try again to reach mother, Carla, or any of their fucking security.

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