Page 77 of Useless Love

I place what feels like a million calls to New York. I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I have meetings around LA I can’t ditch. I’m worried, but I trust Christopher and have to trust my men. Sammy, I’m still unsure about.

I leave and spend most of the day running around LA and neighboring cities trying to get some firm business agreements for the Gaudino family.

I’m running to a last minute business dinner, when a soldier tells me my princess is on the phone. Unfortunately, I can’t deal with her right now and tell my guard to tell her I’m busy. I still haven’t heard from my family or any of my main men. My old man is making threats, but I doubt he managed to do anything in this short amount of time. Still, I’m worried.

I spend the entire business dinner, squeezing Ari’s panties in my pocket, hoping to get back to her soon and hoping they’re some kind of good luck charm. After securing a good deal to help traffic more drugs into Cali, I can finally go home.

Right as I pull up to the house, Christopher finally calls.

“What the fuck have you been doing all day?” I roar into the phone.

“Shit. Sorry, boss. The safe house for your mother was compromised. We spent a good chunk of the day fighting assholes and then—”

I’m biting back panic now. “Are Carla and Mother okay?”

“You don’t know?”

“Are they safe!”

“Yes. Yes, they’re safe. I thought you’d be home by now. They’re in LA.”

I immediately end the call and rush into the house to find my three favorite women sipping wine and laughing in the living room. I pause for a moment to calm my heart because it’s nearly beating out of my chest.

Three pairs of eyes look at me. My mother smiles. “Well, you’re finally home.”

I’m still in disbelief. “That’s it?”

“What would you like me to say?”

My princess finally gets up and kisses my cheek. Her presence finally starts to relax me and the adorable way she’s looking at me makes my chest warm. It’s wonderful to have someone to come home to.There goes that feeling again.

“Hey Carmine,” Carla greets.

I got to give Carla and Mother a hug, relieved they’re safe. “What are you two doing here? Why didn’t anyone tell me? I’ve been a mess. Calling everybody all day.

Mother laughs. “Son, your fiancee called but you ignored her.”

“I didn’t ignore her. I had business.”

Mother continues, “Christopher took our phones since they may be tracked. They’re back home in New York. We don’t know who to trust because your father has loyal people everywhere. Also, we’ve been on a six-hour-long flight; security couldn’t communicate with you.”

Carla sips her wine and gives me an uninterested look. “Once we landed,Arianna was calling to tell you of our arrival.”

I look at Ari. “Sorry. I didn’t take your call.”

“It’s okay.”

Mother laughs. “If you had, you wouldn’t be so panicked.”

Everyone looked at me with various expressions. I pull my princess closer, into an embrace. “Sorry if you felt neglected today, Ari. I’ll take your call next time.”

She lowers her gaze, looking sad, and says softly, “I like when you call me princess only.”

Strange. “Okay. Princess.”

Gaia

Arianna.

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