I’m gonna go back to work today! I tell Nico. “Ive got to resume normal life.”

He nods. He is scribbling something on a paper while I do my hair in his guest rooms.

“What are you writing?”

He looks up for a moment. “List of chores. You need me to

To drive you?

“Yes, please. If you have time”

“Sure, Ginny.” He scribbles nr.

“Should I cook dinner tonight?”

Nics shakes his head. “I have a thing, tonight, I’ll cook, tomarow, Ravioliz

There is silence while he writes and I put on some light makeup, Finally, he sets the list down.

“I need to talk to you.” He says softly, I raise my brow at his tone. “What’s up?” I tuon away from the mirror and look at him.

“I have to go to Dante’s engagement party, tonight.”

“Oh, okay.” I say, “Who are you taking?

Please, don’t ask me. Please, don’t ask me.

“No one. I’m going alone. I just wanted to tell you.”

“You should go, have fun.”

“I don’t want to

want to go, but,” He shrugs. “He’s fam

family.”

“Of course you should go. He’s your uncle, and your Capo Bastone,” I say encouragingly. Its good that he told me, It sets things in concrete.

Nico Laughs. “He’s not my Capo Bastone. I am not made.”

“You’re still a Rivera. I comment. He shakes his head. “I know,”

I come closer to him and mess up his hair. He scowls. “Nicola Alece Lionelli Montefiore Rivera.” I say in my best Italian accent, giggling.

“Shut

tun. You te no better. Your name rhymes with that Justin Bieber song”

That is th

is true, yes.

“Did the doctor call?” He asks.

I nod. “Yeah, everything is fine. She prescribed some vitamins and wants to see me again next month.”

Ahight. Now come, I drive you.”

Nico drives me to work, where I stay till about seven,

then close un

and go back to Nico’s. I have leftovers for dinner and put on a movie in the living

I’m about hallway in to Before Sunset when there is loud hanging on the door. I glance at the time on my phone. It’s just ten thirty. Nico? But why would be knock?

I get a pan from the kitchen for safety and quietly open the dont

falian is leaning against the door, and he stumbles in when I open it, the pan falling from my hand with a loud thud as he grabs my waist to try to steady himself, but

we both fall down on the floor–him on top of me.

“Ginevra.” He slurs lowly. “Darlin…”

He smells of alcohol. His eyes are hooded as he looks up at me, those green–blue orbs, intoxicated. His lip is busted, and his cheek has a bluish bruise

on it.

“Get off me.” My voice is a whisper. “Please.” I can feel his weight crushing me, his elbow in my stomach Julian rolls over to the side, and I get up. still lying on the floor. He is wearing a suit, he came from the party. I glance at his hand, he’s wearing an engagement ring. Its a simple gold and platinum band. My heart aches. Not for me, because I’m suddenly overcome with the realisation that he left Nua alone at their party, and that he probably got drunk there.

Julian Just always creating messes.

He’s looking at me, lying on his back on the floor. “Come to me, please.” He says.

I shake my

head, staring at him. I’ve never seen him this way, crushed, messy, out of his senses.

I kneel down at his side, tucking a stray lock of hair behind his ear. “What are you doing, Julian?” I ask softly. “Where’s Nua? Why aren’t you with her?”

He smiles, without any mirth, and begins to get up. 1 grab him to support him, standing up with him.“1 can stand up on my own.” He comments. I let go of him.

y its like his touch is burning me.

suddenly

“You need to leave, Julian,“

He grabs my face and pulls me to him, pressing his lips softly against mine. I port my lips because I am used to. He tastes of whiskey. And regret. My hands work on their own. I push him away by his chest.

*You are engaged, Capo Bastone.” I say, and now its dawning on me, he is engaged, he is not mine, never was, and even though I knew this, the distance between us is only settling in when he is so close to me, his skin against my skin, and I have never felt farther away from him.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

He falls to his knees, hugging my legs. “I can’t touch her, Ginevra, I can’t kiss her, Look at her. She’s not you. She’s not mine.”

“Tam not yours either, Capo Bastone.”

“Fuck that.” He pulls away and stands up, standing only about an inch away, lowering over me. When he would do this when we were together, I would feel s

small,

protected. Today, I feel afraid. Sad. Anxious. Im not your Capo Bastone. I don’t want to be Capo Bastone. All this is happening because of that.”

“But you are.”

“Why did you leave a letter, mi paradiso?” He says. “I deserved more than that. I couldn’t even kiss you, touch you, hear your voice, nothing.” His eyes water, but he blinks rapidly, pushing the tears away.

“And I deserved better than sneaking out and false promises, I can’t be your whore anymore, Julian.”

“You’re not a fucking whore.” He says angrily, grabbing me by the arm, and pulling me flush against his chest, as his arm encircles around my waist. I twist against his hold, and then he’s being pulled of me

“Let go of her.” Nico yells, pulling Julian back, who stumbles a few steps. Nico rushes over to me, his hands wandering on my face, my arms, settling on

my stomach.

“Are you okay?” He enquires, “Did he hurt you? Is everything fine?”

I nod, “I’m fine

Julian takes a few steps forward. He lightly pushes Nico to the side. “Why are you doing that?” He asks him. “What? Ginevra? Why is he touching you like that?”

I look at Nico, biting my lip.

“Answer me,” Julian says softly, “Are you pregnant?“

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