Page 128 of Forged

“I’m not sure how to interpret that,” he jokes.

“No need to worry,” Zara says lightly. “Lars and Neomi have had so many wonderful things to say.”

I motion to Enzo.

“This is Enzo, Zara’s husband and practically my brother.”

Enzo extends his hand across the table. Gabriel takes it.

“Great to meet you, Enzo.”

Enzo extracts his hand and sits back down.

“Good to meet you too, Gabriel.”

Violette settles into her seat, waving a hand toward the empty chairs.

“Sit down before the food gets cold. Poor Zara is wasting away. She needs nourishment to grow my grandbaby in there.”

Enzo lifts his glass with a smirk. “Gabriel, you’ll learn our Matriarch is very concerned with the growth of the family ranks.”

“We need to be sure the Marchetti family thrives.” She points at Enzo. “And when I say I hope you only have girls, I mean it, Enzo. Make it clear to your swimmers that I want a woman to eventually lead this family,” she replies.

I choke on my wine. Gabriel’s jaw goes slack. Neomi coughs to cover her chuckle, then raises her wine glass. Dante sits quietly as he always does, his focus on Gabriel.

Neomi lifts her glass. “Um, how about a toast? To Marchetti women and the men who love us.”

Vi’s expression goes soft. “I’ll toast to that, Neomi.” She takes a sip, lowering her glass to the table. “And I’m looking forward to you joining Zara in giving me grandbabies soon.”

Neomi’s smile dissipates. “I’m not sure about that, Vi.”

Violette barks out a laugh. “I have a feeling it won’t be up to you. Marchetti men are quite virile; their sperm will disregard your birth control, and condoms stand no chance.”

My eyes squeeze shut as I rub my temples. “Oh my God, Vi. Please don’t say sperm at the dinner table.”

Zara clears her throat, changing the subject. “Well, we’vecovered expectations around reproduction. Gabriel, how about you tell us a little about yourself?”

He leans forward. “My life is a bit boring. I work in stocks and travel a good bit for that. I like to play the piano—started learning when I was five. It helps me to relax and clear my mind.”

Enzo sits back as the staff serves dinner. “Do you plan on continuing your travels?”

Gabriel looks at Neomi and me. “Not sure about that part anymore.”

Zara’s eyes sparkle as they dart between the three of us. “I’ll warn you, Marchetti men will have you changing your ways quite quickly.”

Gabriel winks at me. “I’m beginning to see that.” Then he looks at Vi, grinning. “And Violette, if my swimmers ever come into contention in the growth of this family, I must say that I will root for a boy to stand strong and protect the women in leadership.”

Violette laughs, lifting her glass in Gabriel’s direction. “Smart man.”

Neomi ducks her head, fidgeting with the edge of her napkin beneath the table, a shy smile tugging at her lips. The sight does something to me. My mind drifts to a future I never imagined wanting, one where she’s carrying our child. The details don’t matter. Whether that child carries my blood or Gabriel’s, they would beours.

Fuck, the thought makes my cock twitch.

Violette smiles broadly. “My mind’s made up, Lars and Neomi. We’re keeping him.”

Neomi shifts in her chair, crossing her legs. She cuts the chicken on her plate and turns to Violette. “Violette, give me an update on the new patch of roses in the garden.”

The conversation drifts away from reproduction to more polite topics—thank God. Gabriel listens more than he talks, answering questions and laughing at Violette’s commentary as ifhe’s been part of the family for years. He seems calm under their pressure, but I also see moments of hesitation. He doesn’t eat much, but I wouldn’t either if I were an outsider meeting my family for the first time.