Page 117 of Forged

“Good. I’ve spent a lot of years watching you punish yourself for things that were never your fault,” he continues. “Seeing you actually enjoy your life again is a nice change.”

I shrug. “Still getting used to that part.”

“Well,” he says, “keep doing it.”

He finishes the espresso and sets the cup aside.

“If Gabriel Santori is going to be around long enough, eventually he’ll need to cross paths with this family. If you’re sure about this, I’d like to meet him—sooner rather than later.”

“That can happen.”

I push the chair back and stand. But as I reach the door, Enzo speaks again.

“Lars.”

I turn.

“Just make sure you properly vet him.”

I nod once then walk out of the room.

The lights areon in the living room when I arrive home, soft music playing from the speakers, and the sight waiting for me on the couch makes something in my chest jump before I can stop it.

Neomi sits curled comfortably into the corner of the couch, one leg tucked beneath her while the other stretches across the cushions. Gabriel sits beside her, his arm draped casually along the back of the sofa while they talk quietly about something I can’t quite hear from the entryway.

For a moment I simply stand there, watching them.Witnessing their soft exchange is like a balm, lifting the stress of the day from my shoulders.

Gabriel notices me first. His head turns toward the door, and a smile appears when our eyes meet.

“Well,” he says easily, “there he is.”

Neomi twists around, brightening when she sees me.

“You’re late.”

“Five minutes,” I say, shucking off my jacket as I cross the room.

“Ten,” she corrects.

“Eight.”

“Still late.” She laughs.

I loosen my tie as I reach the couch, dropping both the jacket and the tie over the back of a chair before leaning over the cushions. Neomi tilts her face up toward me first and I press a quick kiss to her lips, lingering just long enough to hear the quiet hum of approval she makes in response.

Then I turn toward Gabriel. The kiss to his lips is softer but no less familiar, my hand briefly settling against the back of his neck before I pull away.

“Sorry,” I say, straightening. “My meeting ran long.”

Gabriel waves it off with an easy shrug. “I’ve had perfect company, no need to be sorry.”

Neomi gestures toward the couch cushions beside them.

“We’ve been plotting.”

That word alone makes me pause.

“Should I be concerned?”