“Sure, it is.” He didn’t even twitch.
With that, Luna launched into her most enthusiastic vocal performance, starting at 101 in English. Then she went for Spanish and Greek. By repeating each verse three times, she was at 85 when he broke.
“Stop! I surrender. The Corleone family could have used you instead of bullets.” His eyes were open, and his face contorted in pain.
“I’ll make you a deal you can’t refuse. Be nice to me?” Luna tried not to crow with victory.
“I make no promises.”
“Maybe we can start with some easy sharing. Want me to go first?”
“Be my guest.”
“I’ll tell you why I became a firefighter.” Ideally, if he could get to know her, he’d relax a little—provided they survived. “My parents died in a car accident. The social workers picked me up from school and drove me to Firehouse 15. Soto was my mom’s brother and Captain. I was nine, and he promised me the Cleveland FD would take care of me, no matter what.”
Williams hadn’t objected, so she kept going.
“And it did. I must have watchedthe Godfatherand Monty Python a million times with him by fifteen. He tried give me stability, kept me in my ballet classes, and moved to the burbs. I wanted to be a firefighter because I believe in family. Uncle hoped I would get over it. He sent me to college in Arizona, but I came right back. I worked in an office and joined a volunteer fire department. Firehouse 15 is the only place I’ve ever wanted to be. Want more?”
He said, “It was a very long story you could have summarized with ‘My parents died in a car crash. My loving uncle took me in, and now I’m a spoiled brat, desperate to never be left alone again.’”
“A brat?”
“You think you deserve things by virtue of being you without earning them.”
“That is not true!” she said, indigent.
“It’s not? This may be news to you, but I was around when you were a kid, hanging out at 15. Your uncle pulled strings for your entire career. Most candidates don’t get promoted to lieutenant on their first try at fourth year. Then your uncle asked McClunis to make you Captain.”
“It wasn’t like that! I took the civil service exams, same as everyone else!”
“Yes, you deserved to jump ahead of your ex-boyfriend who had four more years of experience in the department than you. It wasn’t too convenient that the revelation of your relationship led to Soto withdrawing his support for Clarke?”
“How did you—”
“Remember, not deaf?Soto aired the dirty laundry on Clarke during trick-or-treating in front of Baker. I assume the Chief was aware, though, unlike you, he’s too savvy to let his hormones run wild in the firehouse.”
“You are the worst! My uncle is protecting me. He’s dying, so don’t tell me how I’m spoiled. I’m going to be left alone again!”
“You just said the firehouse was your family. You live with your best friend, and you cling to any male in your vicinity.” For once, Williams seemed to be having fun.
“Are you mocking my pain?”
“’Life is pain, Highness. Anyone says otherwise is selling something.’”
Her jaw dropped. “You knowThe Princess Bride.”
“It was our favorite movie. My wife and I watched it a billion times.”
“But you’re so unfriendly… and mean.”
“Contrary to common firehouse opinion, I’ve gotten laid in the past.”
“Oh, my God. That was almost a joke. ‘Everybody come here. The captain might have a sense of humor. I may have a heart attack right now. That can kill me before the cold.’”
“At least you’d be quiet.”
“’Forget it, guys, he’s still and unlikeable asshole.’ It’s your turn to share. Why did you become a firefighter?”
