by J. Sterling
“Maybe they know who he is?” I added.
We moved away from the door and told the agitated customers who had gathered behind us that everything was fine. Pasting on big smiles, we offered everyone a drink on the house, which made them forget the entire ordeal. Free drinks tended to make people happy.
The door opened and the two police officers from last night walked in. Nick and Frank ushered them over to a quiet area of the bar while I finished making and serving the free drinks we’d promised our patrons.
Once I was free, I joined my brothers. “Fill me in,” I said, wiping my hands on my towel.
One of the cops looked directly at me. “I was just telling your brothers that a member of the Luchessini mob family had been skimming off the top of his heists for years, back in the forties. Taking a little here and there and never getting caught. He got cocky. The only reason we have a record of any of this is because the items found in your safe were from just one heist, instead of smaller amounts from a bunch of them. You follow?” he asked me.
“Yeah, I follow.”
“So this theft was so large that it ended up screwing the family he stole from for years. And it’s how he got caught and eventually whacked by whoever he worked for. He wouldn’t give up the location of the money and jewels, and they’ve been looking. All this time.”
“It’s been over seventy years, and they’re still looking?” I asked, unable to believe it.
The cop nodded. “The story has been passed down through the generations. And each time someone new in the family hears the story, they start doing research and asking questions. Each one of them adds to the previous person’s notes. It’s extremely convoluted.”
“So the guy outside . . .” Frank gestured toward the door. “Is he part of that family?”
“No,” the cop said with a chuckle. “Which is crazy, right? He worked with some guys that Luchessini stole from originally. He knew that there was money hidden. He said he knew Sam Jr., and Sam recently confessed to him on his deathbed about the money being in the bar somewhere, but he wouldn’t tell him where exactly.”
“That’s why he wanted to tear it down,” I said, everything finally making sense.
“So, what happens now?” Frank asked.
The other cop chimed in. “We return the money to the rightful owners. The remaining living relatives in Vegas will be getting a rather large check and enough in jewels to provide for a lifetime. You’ll be happy to know that the family needs it, and it will make a huge difference in their lives.”
I smiled. “That does make me happy, actually.” It wouldn’t be satisfying to know that the money was going to someone who already had a fortune. I would have understood, though, because it had been theirs in the first place, but there was something about it actually making a difference that felt good.
“That guy isn’t going to come after us, right?” Nick asked, frowning.
“Nah. You guys are fine. He only wanted the money, and you don’t have that anymore.”
“But he’s going to jail because of us.”
The cop shook his head. “He’s going to jail for a long list of crimes that have nothing to do with you or this place. He won’t be looking for revenge.”
Despite the cop’s certainty, it took everything in me to believe him.
After we shook hands with the policemen and signed our statements, one of them handed me a large envelope.
“The deed is in there,” the cop said. “It’s in pretty bad shape, so we put it in a protective sleeve. Make sure you file it with the county so something like this doesn’t happen again.”
I held the envelope gingerly as I extended it to Frank, who stood there with his hand out, waiting.
Frank grinned. “I’ll take it to the courthouse.”
Life Changes
Sofia
“I’m still mad at you, you know,” I said somewhat playfully as Ryan rubbed my back in bed, but I meant it.
I was still upset with him for keeping the situation with the bar from me the whole time he was going through it. I considered it my job to keep my man calm, to help carry his load, to shoulder his burdens with him. But I couldn’t do any of those things if I didn’t know he needed my help in the first place, if he didn’t share his worries with me.
“I know.” He pressed a kiss against my shoulder blade.
“Promise me you’ll never keep things from me again,” I said sternly, making him promise for what had to be the fifth time since he confessed it all to me.
He pressed another soft kiss to my back. “I promise.”
I rolled over so I could look him in the eye. “You mean it?”
“Of course I mean it,” he said solemnly.
I believed him, but I also knew it wouldn’t be the last time I asked. We women could be relentless that way.
Hope started to fuss, signaling she was awake. Right when I was about to get out of bed, Ryan stopped me.
“I’ll get her.”
He strode over to our daughter and leaned down, his chest and abs on full display as he picked her up. There was nothing sexier in the world than seeing the man you loved holding the child you’d created together. He rocked her back and forth, cradling her in his strong arms, and I melted a little at the sight. She looked so tiny next to him, like it wasn’t possible that one day she would outgrow being held like that by him.
Ryan moved carefully toward our bed, his steps slow as he attempted to crawl back in. Hope cooed and stared up at him, her little fists clenching and unclenching as she turned her head toward Ryan’s shirtless chest and tried to suckle.
“Not gonna happen, little angel.” He moved her away with a laugh. “I don’t have the right equipment,” he added, handing her over to my waiting arms.
Each time I breastfed our daughter, Ryan watched like nothing had ever fascinated him more. And maybe nothing had? When you think about it, it’s truly a miracle the things our bodies are capable of.
Hope eventually fell asleep, her head pressed against my breast, and Ryan told me he’d take her so I didn’t have to get up. He scooped her carefully from my arms, her head supported just right as he laid her down gently in her bassinette.
“She still asleep?” I whispered.
“Didn’t even move an inch,” he said with a beautiful smile as I fought back a yawn. “Tired, angel?”
“Always,” I said, and it was the truth. I’d forgotten how exhausting babies were.
The bed dipped as Ryan got back in and pulled me against his chest. With my back pressed against him, I snuggled in, loving the way his arms wrapped around me and held me tight. This man’s arms were my home, a place I knew I’d always be safe, loved, and respected as long as I was in them.
About an hour later, I felt him stir, cool air hitting my body where his had just been, and it woke me momentarily. “You okay?” I asked, still mostly asleep.
“Just getting some water. You want some?”
“Huh-uh.” I couldn’t form any more words as I fell back to sleep. I didn’t even remember him coming back to bed.
• • •
The morning sun peeked in through the blinds, and I cursed myself for forgetting to close them all the way last night. When I moved, I immediately felt it . . . a foreign weight on my hand that hadn’t been there the night before.
Looking down, I felt my mouth drop open as I stared at the diamond ring on my left hand.
“What is this? Ryan? Ryan, what is this?” I shook his shoulder but he refused to budge, his eyes closed tight, his breathing relaxed. So I pushed him back and forth forcefully, doing my best to get him to wake the hell up.
“What’s wrong? Is the baby okay?” He shot up to a sitting position.
“The baby’s fine. What the hell is this?” I shoved my hand in his face, and he gave me a cocky grin.
“Looks like an engagement ring to me,” he said as he stretched his arms above his head.
“I know it’s an engagement ring. Where did it come fro
m?” I sputtered at him, half exasperated, half excited. I couldn’t pick a single emotion; too many of them were running through me at once.
“A jewelry store. You can take it off, if you want.”
“No.” I yanked my hand back so quickly, he laughed.
“So you like it?”
I stared at the sparkling oval diamond surrounded by a circle of smaller diamonds, and practically swooned. “Like it? It’s stunning.”
“And the rose gold?” he asked, knowing how much I adored the flattering tone against my skin.
“It’s unbelievable. Perfect.”
Ryan smirked at me. “So you’re going to keep it then?”
I wanted to smack him and kiss him at the same time. Staring at the ring on my hand, I waited for what felt like a full minute, but in my excitement, it was probably only about ten seconds.
“It depends,” I said slowly, thinking that two could play this game, even though I knew I’d lose.
“Oh, it depends, huh?” He grinned and I nodded, trying to keep my expression serious. “On what exactly?” He reached for my hand.
“On your answer to my question.”
“What question would that be?” His head cocked to the side, and his sly grin appeared again.
I held my hand in the air between us. “What’s this ring doing on my finger?”
I kicked off the covers like I was about to storm out, but the truth was that I was hot. Had someone turned the heat on?
He climbed out of bed, then placed his hands on my legs and spun me to face him. “Waiting for you to finally say yes.” He dropped to one knee.
“Yes to what?” I continued to toy with him as he reached for my left hand and pulled the ring off. I missed it instantly. With the ring now gone, my finger looked so sad and empty. I wanted to pout, but kept my mouth shut.
“To me, Sofia. Will you finally say yes to marrying me?” He held up the ring, his fingers dwarfing it. “Please say you’ll be my wife. I can’t wait any longer to make you mine.”
“Of course I’ll marry you.”
He pushed the ring back on my finger, and the world righted itself again.
“I can’t wait to be legally yours,” I told him. “You know I already am in every other way.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled his mouth to mine, our kiss slow, romantic, and deep.
Happy Ending
Ryan
I’d grown tired of waiting to put a ring on it, especially after Nick proposed to Jess.
I hated to admit it, but I was jealous of my little brother. And yes, I knew that I was the first Fisher to give our parents a grandbaby, and no one else had that going for them, but still. I wanted to be engaged and get married. Hell, I wanted it all . . . yesterday.
So while Sofia was passed out asleep—looking absolutely beautiful, I might add—I did what I’d tried to do once before. I put a ring on that otherwise empty finger. I figured if I wasn’t supposed to ask her yet, then it wouldn’t fit, just like it hadn’t the last time I tried to slip it on.
But it did. It slipped right on, and I smiled to myself as I tried to fall back asleep, knowing what the coming morning would bring.
When she shook me awake like a combination between an earthquake and a thunderstorm, I’d forgotten for a second what I’d done. My heart raced with the worry that something bad had happened to Hope.
It wasn’t until Sofia thrust her hand in front of my face, narrowly missing my nose, that I remembered what I’d done.
• • •
Three weeks later, we gathered at the bar to welcome Frank and Claudia home from their honeymoon. We had started doing more family things at Sam’s, even if it seemed like the least obvious place to do so. You’d be surprised at how family-friendly a bar could be when you were the one who owned it. To keep things legal, we got together when the bar wasn’t open to the public so we weren’t technically breaking any laws.
Frank and Claudia walked through the doors, glowing from their tans, and we all went crazy, shouting over one another and trying to get to them first.
Life was funny that way. You didn’t always think you missed someone while they were gone, but the second you saw them again, it hit you just how much you did.
I suddenly felt like I had a million things to fill Frank in on, even though there actually was nothing new. And I wanted to hear all the details about their honeymoon in Tahiti. Well, not all the details, obviously, but they had stayed in one of those over-the-water bungalows, and I wanted to hear all about that, thinking that I could surprise Sofia with a trip there one of these days.
Frank’s smile hadn’t dimmed since they walked through the doors, and I didn’t know if it was because he was so relaxed, happy to see everyone, or for some other reason.
Nick appeared at my side and nudged my shoulder. “Why won’t he stop smiling? It’s freaky, right?”
I nodded. “I was just asking myself the same thing.”
Frank headed toward us with that smile still plastered on his face. He pulled Nick and me into a group hug.
“Missed you guys,” he said, sounding more like me than I did in the moment.
“Is that why you won’t stop smiling?” Nick asked as we shoved him away.
“It’s creepy. Please stop.” I poked at Frank’s cheek, and he slapped my hand away—hard.
“Not sure why I missed either of you jackasses,” he growled, and before I could thank him for going back to normal, that damn smile reappeared. “You’re going to be shitty uncles.”
“What?” I sputtered as Nick said, “No way!”
“That took like two seconds.” I shook my head, crazy excited that there would be another Fisher baby running around soon. “How do you know already?” I stepped behind the bar and poured us each a shot, then handed them out.
Frank shrugged as he reached for his glass. “We think she was pregnant before the wedding, actually. It’s all Hope’s fault.”
I put my shot glass down and gave him a questioning look. “How exactly is it my perfect angel baby’s fault?
“Because,” he said proudly. “I saw her and wanted one.” He looked around and lowered his voice. “And then Claudia gave me that look when we got back home.”
“What look?” Nick asked, leaning closer.
“The look that said she wanted one too.” Frank said it in a way that made sure we knew that they were both to blame for this baby, and I bit back a laugh. “I told her I was going to put a baby in her, and she told me I’d better.”
“Best getting-pregnant story ever.” Nick lifted his shot glass in the air, and when he realized we weren’t toasting yet, he set it back down.
“She basically threw down the gauntlet,” I said, thinking how lucky they were that it worked out. It wasn’t always that easy for most people to get pregnant.
“No shit. I’d better. Good thing I did.” Frank’s smile reappeared. “But I’m sure it didn’t hurt that we’ve been trying ever since.”
“Who else knows?” I asked.
“It’s still so early,” Frank said, “and she’s nervous something could happen. But I’m sure by the end of today, everyone in this bar will know.”
“You’re going to be a dad.” I slapped his back and squeezed his shoulder.
“I figured if you could do it, anyone could,” he shot back.
We all laughed, raising our glasses. Then without a word being spoken, Frank and I stared expectantly at Nick, who threw one hand in the air.
“We’re not ready for kids yet, so stop giving me that look.”
“But you’re going to have kids, right?” I asked, realizing that none of us had ever talked about it. I’d always just assumed my brothers wanted the same things I did.
“Hell yes. I’ll help populate the world with little Fishers at some point. Just not now.”
His answer was good enough for me. “Here’s to all the little Fishers . . . the ones on the way and the ones yet to come.” I held my glass in the air, and
we all clanked them together before downing our shots.
Life was good, and it was just getting started.
The End
Thank you so much for reading more about all the Fisher Brothers we’ve grown to love! I hope you enjoyed their story.
Have you read my other books? Flip to the next page to see a list of all the other series and stand-alone romance novels I’ve written. I’d love for you to meet everyone else.
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Other Books by J. Sterling
In Dreams
Chance Encounters
10 Years Later – A Second Chance Romance
Daniel Alexander
Dear Heart, I Hate You
The Game Series
The Perfect Game – Book One
The Game Changer – Book Two
The Sweetest Game – Book Three
The Other Game (Dean Carter) – Book Four
The Celebrity Series
Seeing Stars – Madison & Walker
Breaking Stars – Paige & Tatum
Losing Stars – Quinn & Ryson (Coming Soon)
The Fisher Brothers Series
No Bad Days – Nick Fisher
Guy Hater – Frank Fisher
Adios Pantalones – Ryan Fisher
About the Author
Jenn Sterling is a Southern California native who loves writing stories from the heart. Every story she tells has pieces of her truth in it, as well as her life experience. She has her bachelor’s degree in Radio/TV/Film and has worked in the entertainment industry the majority of her life.
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