by Ashlyn Chase
She knocked the jagged glass out of the bottom of the window and they inched their way toward her.
She felt weight on the ladder behind her.
“Why did you stop, Arish?” Gabe had climbed back up.
“Two people inside. They’re scared as hell. I’m going in.”
“Go ahead. I’ll take them from out here.”
He was treating her as an equal. She had wanted to earn Ryan’s family’s trust and approval so much, and it looked like that was happening.
Gingerly, Chloe braced her boot on the windowsill. She managed to slide it inside, but her other foot slipped on the rung of the ladder. Gabe grabbed her and pushed her the rest of the way in.
Righting herself, she reached out and grabbed the little girl’s hand. She couldn’t have been more than four or five years old. The mother gratefully pushed her forward, saying, “Go with the brave firefighter, honey.”
Chloe picked her up and said to the girl, “Your mommy is next.”
She placed the young one in Gabe’s arms and he carried her down. She stopped the mother from climbing out after her with a hand on her shoulder. “He’ll be right back and then it’ll be your turn.”
The woman bit her lower lip and wrung her hands while they waited for Gabe to return.
“Are you doing okay?” Chloe asked.
The mom looked like she was gulping back tears and nodded. “I panicked and fell. I hit my head on something on the way down and must have been unconscious for a few minutes. When I think of what could have happened…”
Gabe appeared at the window, and both he and Chloe made sure the woman got onto the ladder and her footing was secure.
Chloe was about to climb out the window when she noticed flames licking around the closed door inside. Before she could get out of the way, the door exploded off its hinges and pitched her forward out the window and too far from the ladder.
She would have hit the pavement if Jayce hadn’t been there to catch her.
She groaned. “Thanks.” Way to show off, Chloe.
* * *
At the next Fierros Sunday dinner Chloe was an invited guest. Before they sat down Ryan had to ask her an important question, so he hung up her coat quickly and tried to bypass the rest of the family. He enfolded her hand in his and led her directly to the basement stairs.
They had just reached the bottom of the steps when Mrs. Fierro came looking for him. “Ryan!”
Before she saw Chloe, he whispered, “Meet me in the bedroom,” and then gave his lover a pat on the ass.
She jumped slightly but turned enough so he could see her grin.
“Oh, there you are!” Mrs. Fierro said.
Ryan halted and began to climb the stairs again. If he met her at the top, maybe she wouldn’t come down. “Be right there, Ma.”
He needed to talk to Chloe alone and in person. It hadn’t been possible for him to go out until everyone had agreed on “the plan” for his reemergence. He wasn’t sure she was going to like the decision that had been made on his behalf.
Mrs. Fierro gave him that special smile a mother reserves for a child who has just accomplished something wonderful. “When is your young lady coming?”
“You mean Chloe?”
Mrs. Fierro set a fist on her apron-covered hip. “No, Princess Kate.” She rolled her eyes. “Of course I mean Chloe.”
“She’ll be here any time, Ma. I need to speak with her for a few moments first. Alone.”
The understanding smile returned to her face. “I know. This can’t be easy for you.”
What neither of the women in his life knew was that Ryan had no intention of following the plan if Chloe couldn’t accept it. He’d adjust. He’d find a plan B—or C.
“Yeah. I really need to talk to her first.”
“I just thought I’d grab you before you did, in case you wanted to give her…” Mrs. Fierro twisted the rings on her left hand back and forth.
“What are you doing? No, Ma. That wasn’t the plan.”
She gritted her teeth and finally popped off the two rings that had worn grooves in the fourth finger of her left hand. “There.” She separated her diamond ring from the other plain gold band and held it out to him. “Pah. I know the plan, but I never thought it was a very good one. Son, men aren’t thinking of romance when they’re making decisions for someone else.”
He gazed at his mother with his mouth open. Reaching for the diamond ring, he said, “But this was your great-grandmother’s ring. Are you sure?”
She smoothed his hair back. “I am, if you are.”
He nodded, giving her a humble, grateful smile. “I am.”
“Then go ahead. Oh. By the way, I know she’s down there. Don’t keep her waiting.” Mrs. Fierro winked.
Ryan laughed. Nothing much got past his mom.
He admired the ring on the way to the basement bedroom. It sparkled as if it were new. He didn’t think his mother had polished it, but perhaps she had. The woman was a little scary in her ability to predict the future.
When he opened the door, he saw Chloe admiring his childhood trophies. He’d won some for track and field. A few for bowling. Hopefully she wouldn’t ask too many questions. He didn’t want to get sidetracked.
“So are we finally alone?” she asked.
“For a little bit.” While he strolled over to her, he tucked the ring into his back pocket.
She met him halfway and tipped her face up for a kiss. He enveloped her in his arms and pulled her closer. Taking a moment to gaze at her face, he noted her complete lack of guile. He appreciated the trust they shared, and the nervousness he’d had about their upcoming conversation eased.
His lips descended to hers in what he hoped was a tender kiss. It didn’t stay tender very long. She pulled him to her and wound her arms tightly around his neck. He yanked her up against his hard length. Heat built quickly. They were like glowing embers, always a whisper away from bursting into flames.
She opened her mouth and his tongue swept inside. For several moments, they sought and stroked, tasted and breathed each other.
At last, Ryan pulled back just enough to break the kiss, and the two of them panted for breath. Her hooded green eyes opened and gazed up at him.
“I can’t believe you’re standing here.” She ran her hands over his chest, as if checking to be sure he was solid. “When I thought you were dead, I died too.”
He rested his forehead against hers. “I know.” Before they got too caught up in the demands of their impatient bodies, he pulled away. “Please sit. I have to tell you something.”
She nodded and glanced around the room. Other than his desk chair, the only seat available was on his bed. He sat and patted the spot next to him. “I’ll try to behave.”
“I guess we’ll have to. I almost forgot we were in your parents’ house for a minute there.”
He grinned. “Yeah. I know what you mean.”
She sat down beside him, but left a few gaping inches in between.
He took her hand. “First of all, I love you, Chloe.”
“I love you too.”
“I know. I mean…I’m pretty sure you do. Otherwise I wouldn’t even be talking to you about this.”
“About what?”
“The future…and us.”
She remained silent. Her innocent eyes blinked up at him, as if she had no idea where he was going with any of this. Maybe she didn’t. This kind of thing didn’t happen every day.
“I want to stay with you, Chloe. You and my family and the fire service.”
She nodded.
“But the city thinks I’m dead. Hell, they even had a funeral for me.”
Her expression dimmed. “I guess things are a bit complicated now.”
Ya think? “Look. My family is important to me, and I know you love your
s…and Boston.”
Her eyebrows rose. “So?”
He sighed. “We Fierros protect each other. A family meeting decides what to do in complicated situations. You must have something like that in your family…”
She tipped her head as if thinking. “Not really. We argue. Me brother reminds us he’s the boss and then tells us whatever it is he thinks is best for all.”
Ryan nodded. “It’s sort of the same thing with us.”
Chloe snorted. “I doubt it.”
“Why is that?”
“Because you’re probably willin’ to do what you’re told.”
“And you’re not?”
She grinned, but didn’t confirm or deny his suspicion.
“Okay. Well, we may be more alike than you realize. My family gave me two choices. Both of them bad. I can go to Brazil, get plastic surgery, and trade identities with my cousin, who wants to quit the fire department. That way I can get a job doing what I love right away, at home, and he’ll be paid well for his cooperation.”
“Jaysus! That’s drastic. What does he think of that?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t asked him. The only reason they thought of it is that he’s not happy in the fire service. Then he can take a new identity and do something else.”
“So, how will he fake all the documentation?”
Ryan shrugged. “The family will think of something.”
“Well, I don’t know what he looks like, but I’m partial to your peculiar face—for some damn reason.”
He was insulted until he saw her sly smile. “I meant particular, not peculiar.” Then he laughed and took her hand in his. The warmth was exactly what he needed.
Her brow wrinkled. “You said there was some other choice?”
“I can get a fake ID and become someone completely different. Then I’ll have to create a whole backstory. Move. Start over. And without plastic surgery, I’d have to wear a damn good disguise and never return to Boston. It sounds like a total pain in the ass.”
“Oh, I don’t know… It’s not so bad.”
Suddenly, things fell into place. “Are you saying that’s what you did?”
She gave a slight shrug. “Well, I couldn’t very well say, ‘Hello, there. I’m a centuries-old Irish dragon without an existing birth certificate. Would you let me take your citizenship test?’”
He rubbed her fingers with the pad of his thumb. “Is this your real face?”
She smiled. “It’s the only one I’ve ever owned, freckles and all.”
“Good.” He swooped in for a quick kiss. As always, the magnetic pull made him want to hold her close and topple onto the mattress with her. But he couldn’t—yet. With a herculean effort, he pulled away.
“So, what are you goin’ to do?” she asked.
He shook his head. “I don’t know. I just know I want you with me.” He took a deep breath and dropped to one knee. Rooting around in his back pocket, he found his mother’s ring and presented it to her. “Chloe…”
Her eyes rounded.
“Will you—”
He didn’t have a chance to finish his question. She answered him by grabbing his collar and planting a hard kiss on his mouth.
* * *
Feeling like she was floating, Chloe followed Ryan up the stairs when his mother called out that dinner was ready. How this family would handle their news was anyone’s guess. She’d never been so nervous, and she didn’t care for the feeling.
She reminded herself that they might accept her. After all, they were a little different too.
Ryan pulled out a chair for her and she sat, scooting up to the table as he pushed her chair forward. Most of the “boys” were taking their usual chairs, but she noticed Luca bringing in an extra one from the kitchen. He took a space that had been set on one corner of the tablecloth. There was another son seated on the other corner. She thought his name was Nico or Noah.
“Our family needs a bigger table,” Luca said.
“Not necessarily,” Mr. Fierro said. He eyed Ryan as if knowing he wouldn’t be around much longer.
When everyone was settled, Ryan cleared his throat. “Um, folks. Chloe and I have an announcement.”
The salad bowl and bread basket that were being passed around were set down. The room fell silent. Chloe had her heart in her throat, wondering how Ryan would drop this bombshell, and if the family would blow up.
“Well, speak,” Mr. Fierro said.
Ryan took Chloe’s left hand and raised it. “I proposed and Chloe accepted.” Then he kissed her knuckles.
She held his gaze, so she missed whatever immediate reactions were occurring around the table. Maybe it was a good thing. No one spoke at first, but his smile helped her relax and breathe.
Finally Jayce asked, “Is that Mom’s ring?”
“Yes it is,” Mrs. Fierro answered before Ryan could.
“I’ll let Chloe pick out her own, later,” Ryan said. “I don’t want you to go without yours, Ma. But thanks for letting me borrow it.”
His mother waved her hand. “Borrow, shmorrow. I meant for her to have it. She’ll be married to the next Fierro leader, after all.”
Mr. Fierro sighed. “I wish you’d told me this might happen. I had no idea. Now our situation is even more complicated.”
Chloe was surprised by the elder’s words, but maybe that would explain the reaction of the others—or lack of one. “I’m a complication?”
Mr. Fierro chuckled sadly. “I’m sorry, dear girl. I didn’t mean it like that. Our Ryan is happier than he’s been in ages. And we’re happy for him. The situation was already complicated, but we’ll figure something out.” He shot his wife some kind of disapproving look.
“If the ring should go to someone else, I’m perfectly okay with that. I mean—it’s beautiful, and I would treasure it, but if there’s some kind of protocol I’d be breaking…”
“Not at all,” Mrs. Fierro said. “I can give my ring to anyone I choose. It was my mother’s and her mother’s before that.”
Chloe glanced around at the rest of the clan. The only one who seemed to be smiling was Sandra. She immediately reached across Ryan and clasped Chloe’s hand, giving it a squeeze.
“Welcome to the family, Sister.”
Chloe couldn’t help being genuinely touched and gave Sandra a soft smile.
Others murmured their congratulations, but the tone seemed tentative. She tried not to take it personally, telling herself they were naturally worried about their brother and they didn’t know her well.
Mrs. Fierro rose. Even at five feet, the woman commanded everyone’s attention. “Look, life is complicated. This is a celebration. I’m delighted to welcome Chloe to our family. Ryan deserves great happiness after all he’s been through…and I’d better hear some more excitement from the rest of you. We’ll find a way to keep them with us here in Boston.” She eyed Luca. “And we’ll buy a bigger table. But regardless, she’ll be the mother of our next generation, and I suggest you all remember that.”
Oh no. This wouldn’t do at all. Chloe had to tell them she couldn’t have Ryan’s children. She opened her mouth to speak, but Ryan squeezed her thigh. She looked to him, to see if he was trying to get her attention. Apparently he was, because he gave her a quick and subtle headshake.
“But…” she whispered.
“Not now,” he said.
“What’s wrong?” Mrs. Fierro asked.
Everyone focused their attention on the couple.
“Nothing,” Ryan said.
Chloe felt her cheeks heat. She didn’t usually blush, but when she did there was no missing it. Her very fair skin would turn bright pink and sometimes mottled. It wasn’t a good look.
“I can’t.” There. She’d said it. She glanced at Ryan and he was frowning. Well, too bad. She wasn’t going to mislea
d his family. If they didn’t like the truth, there wasn’t much she could do about it.
“What do you mean, dear?” Mrs. Fierro asked.
“I can’t have children. I’m sorry.” Chloe stiffened her posture and lifted her chin. “If you want your ring back, I completely understand. But I’m not giving your son back.”
Ryan smiled and gave her hand a quick reassuring pat.
“Did you know about this, son?” Mr. Fierro asked.
“Yes, I did. She told me weeks ago. I don’t care. I love Chloe.” He glanced around the table at the others and finally focused on Miguel and Sandra. “There are plenty of others here who can bring the next generation into the world.”
At that, Sandra blushed. Miguel looked at her briefly and they smiled at each other. “Actually,” Miguel said, “Sandra and I have an announcement too.”
Mrs. Fierro’s eyes widened and Chloe could almost see her holding her breath.
“We’re pregnant,” Sandra finally blurted out.
Mrs. Fierro squealed and rushed over to her daughter-in-law, practically squishing the life out of her.
“So, you’re pregnant, Miguel?” one of the younger brothers asked. “How did you manage that trick?”
“Shut up, Dante.” Miguel was grinning.
Chloe was thinking the same thing. She was glad someone else made the smart-ass remark. Letting out a sigh of relief, she was grateful to have the focus shift to the other couple.
Chapter 19
“Are you sure there’s no getting out of this?” Ryan asked, holding Chloe’s hand as they rushed across the dark street.
“Nope. I had to sit through your family’s reactions when you told them, now you need to be there for me when I tell mine.” She flashed him a smile. “And don’t complain. You’ll have it easy. My family is tiny compared to yours.”
“But they don’t know what I am.”
“They will.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?”
“I can’t not tell them. They’ll think you’re a ghost—or worse. A liar. Besides, me brother—well, he’s the prince. He needs to know everythin’.”
Ryan shook his head. “I still can’t believe you’re a real princess. I just meant it as an insult at first. Then as an endearment.”