Belonging (Made Men #2)

Two

And I would rather be sad with you, than be anywhere away from you.

Ginevra

Nico is big on traditions. We have traditions of all kinds – birthday traditions, Christmas traditions, Thanksgiving traditions, even fictitious traditions we will follow after our weddings. I think he likes them more than I do. But I love him, so I follow suit.

My birthday is usually very simple. We always eat waffles for breakfast. Earlier, my mom used to make them for the two of us. Once she passed away when I was 15, his mom took over. Now, we usually just go to this diner we both love and have a hearty meal of chicken and waffles for brunch. After, we usually go for a drive, or bowling or something. Something simple. Then, we cut a cake with my family, go out for dinner, and then watch Harry Potter at his place.

Its simple and lowkey, which I love. I'm not a big party person. So we leave that for his birthday. Those usually end in massive hangovers.

As I'm stuffing my face with the crispy chicken doused in maple syrup, Nico stares at me. "So," he says, "What's with you and Dante?"

"Me and Capo Bastone?" I say, "Nothing. Same old, same old."

Nico and Dante have...a weird dynamic. They used to be really close when they were younger, given how close they are in age. But since Nico chose not to join the mafia, things have been off between them.

The Riveras have controlled the mafia for generations. They are the strongest mafia family in the world. Nico's uncle, Mariano, is the Don, and his brother, Emilio is his Consigliere. Emilio is Nico's father. It was expected that Nico would follow in his father's footsteps and eventually end up as Consigliere himself. But he had never wanted it. He did face some resistance when he made his decision, but I am glad he stuck by what he wanted. I'm proud of him for it.

Nico shrugs. "I don't know, Ginny. He looked at you like he wanted to fuck you."

"Did he?" I perk up. I would so let Julian fuck me. I would let him do anything to me.

Nico rolls his eyes. "A little bit."

A giddy feeling rises up my chest. I've always wanted Julian, but I never imagined he would want me. Just the thought of such a possibility makes my spirit light up.

"Oh." I can feel a blush rise up my face, and I bite the inside of my cheeks hard.

"I've been thinking of getting a tattoo." Nico says, changing the subject.

I nod. "I'll do it for you. What would you like?"

Nico doesn't have any tattoos, except a black rose on his shoulder, signifying his allegiance to the Cosa Nostra. Even though Nico isn't involved in the dirty work of the mafia, he is still part of the family, and everyone in the mafia gets that tattoo.

"I don't know." He admits. "I saw this Greek symbol. Maybe that."

"Okay. Let me know when you decide what you want." I say. "So, what are we doing next?"

"Hot air balloon ride." He says casually, taking a huge mouthful of waffles. My eyes widen, and he smiles, his face still stuffed. "Booked it two months ago."

"I love you so much."

After hanging out for a while, and riding the hot air balloon at the carnival, Nico decides it's time to visit his family. I'm close with Bethany, his mother, and his little brother Matteo, because we're always at each other's houses. He tells me Bethany is really excited to see me, and I agree. Since my mom died, Bethany has been like a mom to me. She helped me so much in processing the grief of losing her, has been a pillar of strength beside me. Helped me out so much with so many things. I'm really very grateful to her.