Page 64 of Forged

I need to put some space between my overzealous aunt and my wife before I answer that question. Both women do as they’re told and I position myself at the end of the island between them.

I plant my hands on the marble and blow out a breath. “Neomi is?—”

Violette’s eyes catch the band on my finger and she grabs my hand. “Your wife? You got married?”

Neomi raises her hand to show Vi her matching ring. “That’s me…the wife.”

The room is silent for a few seconds, both women looking at each other and then me. Neomi slowly lowers her hand just as Violette launches herself out of her chair.

“Oh my God, dolce ragazza!” She grabs my cheeks. I’m a foot taller than she is, but she easily pulls my face down and places a loud kiss on my cheek. When she’s done, she doesn’t just release me, she pushes me back to get to Neomi.

“Violette, be gentle,” I warn her.

“Oh hush.” She waves me off and then stands in front of Neomi. I swear there are tears forming in her eyes.

“How did you meet? How did this happen?” She pauses, then turns to me, her expression sharpening as she lifts her hand and brings it down hard against my arm.

“Ouch,” I say, more amused than anything.

“Why—”smack, “—wasn’t—”Smack.

“Vi—” I start, trying to catch her wrist, but she slips free.

“—I—”smack, “—there?”Smack.

She plants her hands on her hips, glaring up at me like she didn’t just beat the hell out of my arm.

Neomi’s eyes go wide and she places her hand on Violette’s shoulder, diverting her attention.

“Don’t be mad at him, Violette.” She looks at me with soft eyes. “It was sort of my idea. From what we can remember.”

Violette relaxes and puts her full focus on Neomi. She takes her hand, stepping back to examine her from head to toe.

“You must be a very special woman, Neomi.” She wraps her arms around her in what must be a tight embrace, judging by Neomi’s bulging eyes. “Welcome to the family, sweet girl.”

“Thank you.”

Violette finally releases her and returns to her seat at the counter. “I won’t ever judge you for a whirlwind romance. I think it’s very romantic.” She smiles at Neomi. “And you’ll find that Marchetti men know what they want when they find it and they will protect it to their dying breath.”

Neomi glances at me, wrapping her hand around mine where it rests on the counter. “I believe I’m finding those points to be quite true.”

Violette gets misty eyed again. “Oh, you’re perfect.” She waves her hand toward Neomi. “Wonderful tits, childbearing hips and observant. Just absolute perfection.”

Neomi’s mouth gapes at her comment, but before I try to wrangle Violette in, I hear the lock on the door to the penthouse disengage again.

I run a hand through my hair in frustration. “Guess we’re having a fucking party.”

Enzo’s tall frame strides into the kitchen with Zara right behind him. As soon as he assesses our situation, his face breaks out into a mischievous grin.

“Ma beat us here. We were hoping to soften the blow.” He crosses the space, hand outstretched across the kitchen island. “You must be Neomi, I’m Enzo.”

Zara swats his hand. “Enzo, how dare you shake hands withour sister.” She walks right past me to Neomi, wrapping her in a hug. “Welcome to the family.”

Neomi smiles at me over her shoulder. “Thank you.”

I’m next in line when Zara releases Neomi. I hug her tightly.

“Hi, Zara. Missed you.”