11. Maya
Chapter eleven
Maya
I peel away layers of gear, my shoulders protesting every movement. The acrid smell of burned grease hangs in the air, mingling with the scent of wet pavement. The midday sun bakes the scene, its warmth barely registering after the inferno of that basement and at least an hour of fighting the persistent flames.
I let my head fall back as I work my arms free. The coat’s familiar weight slides away, and cool air hits my sweat-soaked shirt, sending goosebumps racing up my arms. I sink onto the corrugated corner of the firetruck’s bumper. Every muscle in my body screams after hauling three terrified kitchen workers up those narrow stairs through choking smoke and then another grueling hour on the ladder platform, helping direct the master stream. But it’s a good exhaustion. The kind that comes from doing exactly what I’m meant to do. Satisfaction thrums through my veins. Everyone made it out alive. And that’s what matters.
But now, I need to hydrate. My throat burns from the smoke clinging to the humid air, and my hair is plastered to my temples.
“Good work in there, Thorne.” Chief’s voice carries over the organized chaos of overhaul, the scratch of pike poles, the crunch of boots on broken glass, the steady drum of water from the deck gun raining down on hotspots. He hands me an ice-cold bottle of water.
“Thank you, sir.” I straighten and untwist the cap, taking a long swig. “We found the three employees in the walk-in freezer. Smart thinking on their part, the insulated walls bought them time.”
“Probably saved their lives.”
Before I can agree, a movement just past him catches my eye. A certain firefighter is making his way toward me. Despite being nearly twice my size, Mack moves with surprising grace, and even though I can’t see his last name on the back of his uniform, I’d recognize that broad frame and long stride anywhere. His steps falter when he spots Chief, but he keeps coming. Seemingly determined to check on me, the overprotective giant.
Mack removes his helmet as he approaches. Sweat has transformed his copper hair to burgundy. It lies matted against his skin, and soot streaks his face. But that’s not what sends a peal of concern slithering down my spine. It’s the determined look in his striking green eyes. And the way his jaw is clenched so hard I see the muscle ticking.
Oh no. I know that piercing look. I saw it only hours ago, before dawn this morning, when Mack insisted on escorting me all the way to my apartment building. It’s the expression that made me grab his shirt and drag him down for one final fleeting kiss before we said goodbye. Before I jabbed the button in the elevator for my floor and then broke down the second the doors slid closed.
But the intensity radiating off him now? The way his shoulders are set as if he’s preparing to move a mountain? My pulse skips a beat. Then another as I draw a shaky breath and debate what to do. There’s no doubt in my mind Mack’s about to throw our agreement out the window, along with my career goals and everything I’ve worked so hard to achieve.
I want to jump up, to cut him off before he can say whatever’s about to come out of his mouth. To remind him how we agreed last night was one and done. No matter how much it hurts. But my legs tremble, and Chief is right here, and—
“You okay?” Mack asks, his voice rough. The choked emotion altering his tone makes it seem as if Mack doesn’t really care about the answer, but I know better.
I turn away but nod, unable to form words around a lump the size of Manhattan in my throat.
Chief flicks a glance between us.
“Mack,” he says, sternly before pausing as if carefully choosing his words, “did you want to discuss that transfer request you dropped on my desk this morning, before the call?”
I suck in a sharp breath, the crinkle of the plastic water bottle in my hand announcing my white-knuckled grip as my eyes snap to his. Transfer request?
Mack doesn’t spare me a glance. “I’m not sure now’s the best time, sir.”
“You listed the reason as Personal ,” Chief presses, studying Mack carefully. “Care to elaborate?”
Mack’s lips press into a paper-thin line. It’s a beat before he sighs and launches into what seems like a prepared speech. “First, I want to say what an honor it’s been serving under your command, sir. This crew, this station, it’s become family. Leaving is the last thing I want to do, but…” He trails off, only then shooting me an uncomfortable glance.
Chief’s expression hardens, and the older man takes a step forward, positioning his body in front of mine as if shielding me. “If you’re having an issue working with Thorne for any reason—”
“What? No!” Mack’s eyes go wide. “That’s not… I mean, I don’t have an issue because Thorne is a woman. Well, I suppose that’s technically not true, but…” He runs a hand through his hair, making the wet strands spike in chaotic directions. “I don’t have an issue working alongside a woman. Any other woman, that is. I swear it on my life. Sir, the problem is, I can’t serve next to Maya because…because I’ve fallen in love with her.”
The words hang in the muggy air like storm clouds gathering over Manhattan. My heart thunders in my ribcage, and before I can process what’s happening right now, Chief turns to me. “Is this true?”
I’m shellshocked and can’t help but glance up, craning my neck to meet Mack’s gaze. It’s a mistake because those fathomless green eyes, along with the profession of love and the sacrifice he was willing to make, have my carefully constructed walls crumbling like sand.
Nevertheless, a part of me doesn’t believe it.
“Is it true Mack’s fallen in love with me?” I say, my voice quivering. “You’ll have to take his word for it, sir, because this is the first I’m hearing of it.”
“But you’re not opposed to the idea? I mean, he didn’t create a hostile work environment for you at the station, did he?”
“No!” I exclaim, surging to my feet. “The feeling is…mutual.”
“This is against policy, of course,” Chief says, heaving a sigh. “The policy is there to protect you as much as protect the department. But in a way, I’m relieved.”
“Relieved?” Mack and I say in unison, wearing matching expressions of bewilderment, as if we’re reading from the same script.
“When I saw that transfer request this morning and read the reason, I was worried we had a serious problem on our hands. Discrimination isn’t something I tolerate in my station.” Chief’s stern expression softens slightly. “But finding out two of my best firefighters have developed feelings for each other? That’s the kind of issue I can work with.”
“You won’t have to,” Mack starts, his words interrupted by a metallic screech followed closely by a resounding crash from inside the building. Instinctively, we all tense, but Engine 17’s captain immediately calls out, “All clear!”
“Look,” Mack continues, “I know this isn’t the best time to explain, but I requested the transfer because Maya’s one of the most qualified firefighters at Ladder 24. She deserves to be there. And I wouldn’t leave if I didn’t know she’s in excellent hands. Brock and Jake will have her back. Plus,” he adds with a wry smile, “I’ll sleep easier knowing she’s keeping an eye on them, too.”
He’s really doing it? Mack is leaving Ladder 24 because of me. Because he loves me?
Chief nods. “Yes, well, that’s fine, but why request a station transfer? Why not just switch shifts?”
Mack’s brow furrows. “Jake said department policy prohibits any relationships between firefighters at the same station.”
Chief shoots him a sardonic look. “Maybe, next time, check the actual section text instead of taking advice from the station’s most notorious bachelor?” He shakes his head. “Policy prohibits relationships between firefighters on the same shift at the same station. C shift could always use someone with your experience.”
“You mean…” Hope lights Mack’s features. “I could stay at Ladder 24?”
“If you’re willing to work opposite shifts,” Chief confirms. “Though I expect both of you to maintain absolute professionalism during shift changes.” His stern gaze lands on Mack. “Maya, I’m not worried about. You, on the other hand…”
“Yes, sir.” Mack’s grin threatens to split his face. “Thank you, sir.”
Chief turns to go then pauses. “And Mack? Next time, maybe don’t let the first time a woman hears you say you love her be in front of your boss. And hers. Something a little more romantic might make for a better story to tell your grandkids someday.”
Mack’s jaw drops, but he recovers quickly. “Point taken, sir. And thank you.”
As Chief strides away, Mack’s gaze finds mine. His striking green eyes are full of so much emotion it steals my breath. But his look surely has nothing on mine. Because this impossible, towering, protective man was willing to give up his post for me.
“You were going to transfer stations?” I manage finally. “Leave your crew?”
He steps closer, and I can tell he wants to kiss me, but we can’t. Not here. Not now. Instead, his fingers graze my bare forearm, sending electricity dancing across my skin. “I’d have transferred to Staten Island if it meant getting to be with you properly. Getting to love you the way you deserve.”
“So, C shift, huh?”
“Worth it,” he murmurs.
“Mack, I…I don’t know what to say.”
His devastating grin reappears. “Say you’ll be my official date at Brock’s wedding.”
“Wait ‘til you see me in a dress.”
“Believe me, I’ve been picturing you in a dress for weeks,” he growls, his eyes darkening to a forest green so deep I want to get lost in them forever. “And believe me, I’ll make the most of it. But right now, we’ve still got hours of work ahead of us here.”
I can’t help it. I bite my lip. “Make the most of it, hmm? Is that a promise?”
“A promise you’ll wish you didn’t have to wait so long for me to deliver,” he mutters, his thumb tracing a slow circle on my skin.
“Pretty sure of yourself there, aren’t you, big guy?”
“Pretty sure of us,” he corrects softly, that wicked grin returning.
“You’re impossible.” But I can’t help smiling.
“Part of my charm.” His expression sobers slightly. “But right now, I need to go explain to Jake that his dating advice nearly got me transferred to Staten Island.”