“Darling! Calm down,” Gabriella said.
“Whatever you say.” Luca smirked and took a big bite of garlic bread.
“All that garlic will help attract the ladies.” Noah smirked at Luca.
“At least it will keep vampires away.”
Gabriella slapped her hands over her ears. “Do not talk about vampires! I know they exist, but you stay away from them. All of you!”
“And therein lies the predicament of dating a Fierro,” Antonio said. “Finding a mortal who’s open-minded enough to accept the supernatural—and our powers, double-edged as they may be—is rare. I’m glad four of you managed to do it. If Noah needs help…”
“I do not need help!”
Antonio gave him “the look.” The one that said he was the patriarch, not to be interrupted or questioned.
“Sorry, Dad. It’s just that none of you know the story. And I don’t want to get into it.”
“You’re right,” Antonio said. “It’s your business, and maybe we should all butt out.”
“Thank you.”
“All except Misty,” his mother said hopefully. “He actually asked for her help.”
“I just said I was thinking about it. I’m changing my mind now.”
Misty’s brows raised. “Why? Are you worried I might tell everyone? I won’t, you know. Not even Gabe, if you don’t want me to.”
Gabe’s forkful of spaghetti paused on the way to his mouth. “Hey, we have no secrets from each other. Right?”
She chuckled. “Yeah…now. You kept a pretty big secret from me for a very long time. Little Tony was on his way before I knew it, and then I had to wonder what the heck I was carrying.”
“What?” several offended male voices said at once.
“Stop,” Gabriella said and pulled baby Tony onto her lap. “She didn’t mean it like that. And even if she did, I had the same questions when I was carrying each of you. It’s only natural.”
“Sorry, Ma,” most of them said.
“If only you all knew,” Antonio added, shaking his head. “Poor Misty went through hell. If you weren’t around to see the whole thing, you shouldn’t even express an opinion.”
“Damn right,” Gabe said. “I take responsibility for making the whole situation worse.”
Misty looked up at Gabe lovingly. “We’re together, and that’s what matters.”
All the couples squeezed each other’s hands or gave each other a peck on the lips. Noah wanted that, but could he have it with Kizzy? Or anyone, for that matter? How long could the family’s luck hold out?
Gabe tousled his six-month-old son’s hair. “I think Misty might be the best one to hear you out, Noah. She really was as close to ‘normal’ as anyone in this room. I won’t even ask what you two discuss.”
“Okay. I’ll talk to Misty, if she’s still willing,” Noah said.
“Of course. I’m finished with dinner, and Tony seems happy. We should talk now.”
Wiping his mouth on a dinner napkin, Noah rose from the table.
“You can use the man cave,” Gabriella offered. “We’ll stay up here until you finish your conversation.”
As he and Misty reached the door to the finished basement, Noah swiveled so he could see everyone still at the table. “Oh, guess what? Dante has a new girl too.” He grinned as he delivered his parting shot and turned everyone’s attention to his buttinsky brother.
* * *
