The house had been a strategic purchase, close enough to the Donati operations but tucked away in one of Ironstone's quieter neighborhoods. Big enough to entertain, secure enough to fortify. Ivy had fought me on it at first, claimed she didn't need some mansion, but I'd won that argument the same way I won most of our fights lately.
"Your girl's good with kids," Grayson said, nodding toward where Ivy was making faces at Marcello, getting rewarded with baby giggles.
Leo stood beside him, arms crossed, but his expression had gone soft watching Meredith recline in one of the loungers. Herbelly strained against the fabric of her swimsuit cover. Had to be eight months along now, maybe more.
"When's the little one due?" I asked.
"Three weeks, give or take." Leo's mouth curved into something that might've been a smile on anyone else. On him it looked dangerous. "Can't come fast enough."
Jackson snorted. "Says the man who's gonna lose his mind the second she goes into labor."
"Fuck off," Leo said, but there wasn't any heat in it.
"You know what you're having yet?" I reached for my beer, taking a long pull.
"Son." The pride in Leo's voice was unmistakable. "At least, that's what they keep telling us. Won't know for sure until he's here."
"You pick a name?"
Leo shook his head. "We've got a few in mind. Figured we'd wait until we meet him first. See what fits."
Made sense. I watched Meredith shift in her seat, one hand pressed to her lower back. Sofia leaned over, saying something that made Meredith laugh. Elena appeared with what looked like fresh drinks, and Ivy transferred Marcello to Meredith's arms so she could help distribute glasses.
The alliance between the Hales, Donatis, and Savocas had solidified faster than anyone expected. The Malatestas had scattered after we'd cleared their holdings, most fleeing to cities outside our territory. We kept tabs on the ones we knew about, just in case, but they'd gone quiet. Smart choice.
My father had been thrilled with the arrangement. The Donati connections opened doors we'd been trying to pry open for years, and in return, we'd given them access to supply chains and political leverage they couldn't match. The Savocas brought muscle and old-world respect that carried weight in certain circles.
Together we'd built something formidable. Something that made other families think twice before testing boundaries.
"How's the new place treating you?" Grayson asked, pulling my attention back.
"Great." The word came out easy, genuine. "Ivy's settling in well."
Better than well, actually. She'd made the place ours in ways I hadn't expected. Little touches scattered throughout the rooms, her clothes mixed with mine in the closet, her toothbrush next to mine in the bathroom. The kitchen smelled like coffee in the mornings because she couldn't function without it.
Though that kitchen had seen some other uses, too.
My mind drifted to three nights ago, some stupid argument I couldn't even remember starting. Something about me being overprotective, maybe, or her being reckless. The specifics had evaporated the second I'd backed her against the new marble counter, her legs wrapping around my waist as I'd hiked up her skirt.
The memory sent heat straight through me. The way she'd gasped when I'd pushed inside her, fingers digging into my shoulders. How she'd bitten down on my neck to muffle her sounds, knowing the windows were open. The desperate rhythm we'd found, rough and fast and exactly what we both needed.
I shifted my weight, adjusting myself discreetly.
"Eric?" Jackson's voice cut through the haze.
"Yeah?"
"I asked if you needed another beer."
"I'm good." I cleared my throat, forcing my focus away from memories of Ivy's thighs trembling around my hips.
Across the pool, she'd reclaimed Marcello from Meredith. The kid had his face buried in her neck, and Ivy was rocking him gently, humming something I couldn't hear from this distance.She looked natural with him. Comfortable in a way that made something tighten in my chest.
Being the last surviving son in my family came with expectations. My father hadn't brought it up yet, probably giving me time to solidify things with Ivy first, but eventually the conversation would come. Legacy. Heirs. Continuing the bloodline.
The thought of Ivy pregnant should've terrified me. Should've sent me running like it would've four years ago when I'd been too broken to imagine building anything permanent.
Instead it just made me want.
