“Dad, being a firefighter is just as dangerous as being a cop.”
“When you go into a burning building, you are with your brothers. Even the ones who aren’t biologically related are like family. They have your back.”
“Mary Beth did have my back. She called the paramedics, and I’m fine.”
“Why do they keep putting a rookie into these dangerous situations?” Gabriella asked, wiping her hands on a tea towel and throwing it over her shoulder as she leaned against the kitchen sink. “You just started. Why do you have to be the one always going to these places?”
“I’m on duty. When you’re on duty, you have to go where the dispatcher sends you. I’m a cop now. Not a cadet. I respond to calls like any other cop.”
“I don’t think so. I heard about this sergeant of yours. Butts. I heard stories about him,” Antonio said. “He tased you on purpose at the precinct. I think he’s the one putting you into these situations. Maybe I’ll go down there and have a little chat with this SOB.” He pounded his fist on the table.
“Dad, you can’t do that.”
“If this guy has it in for my son, I have to do something. Would you rather I talk to the commissioner?”
“Shit no. Who told you he had it in for me?”
“I hear things. I have friends in a lot of places, okay?”
Luca glanced at Gabriella. “Mom, tell Dad not to go beat up Sergeant Butts, please.”
Gabriella shrugged. “I’m not sure I want to stop him.”
Luca turned to Dawn, his eyes begging her for help. “Can you talk some sense into these two?”
“I just want you to be happy and safe in your job,” she said, laying her hand over his.
“And why does this Butts man have to single you out?” Gabriella waved her hand in the air.
“It’s hazing. They do it to all the newbies.”
“I doubt that,” Antonio said. “I hear he doesn’t like firefighters. Fierros are legendary in Boston, and all of us are firefighters, except you.”
“Look, I’m going to be home for a few extra days, but when I go back, I’ll have a talk with Mary Beth and Joe and ask if Butts is acting out of character. I really think he’s an ass to everyone, not just me. But if I’m being singled out, I trust them to tell me. They’re good people.”
“Well, I don’t want the next place I see you to be a morgue. So if this guy doesn’t change, he’s toast.” Antonio pounded his fist again. “Capisce?”
“Capisce, Dad.” Luca turned back to Dawn. “Can you help me back downstairs? I want to lie down for a bit.”
“Okay.” Dawn wrapped her arm around his waist and was surprised at how heavily he leaned on her as they made their way back down to his room in the finished basement.
“Help me break out of here,” he whispered with a tired smile.
“No way. Your parents are just worried about you. And so am I. I texted you so many times yesterday and even tried calling but you didn’t answer.”
“I couldn’t. I was in that maze, trying to find whoever was crying in there.”
“I had a vision of Mandy being held there.” She helped Luca back into bed and cuddled beside him.
“I had a weird feeling she was there too. I heard weeping as soon as we got there. My paranormal hearing helped, but I couldn’t look like I knew exactly where she was by making a beeline for her.”
“I know it was Ice who hit you with the shovel. I just know it. I hate that prick.”
“It was a shovel?”
“Yeah, that’s what Officer Gulliver said. Ice probably didn’t want to shoot you, because the noise would attract your partner—but he’s always armed. I’m worried about you.”
“You’re worried about me? I’m the one worried about you. I don’t want you going back home alone. It’s too dangerous. They probably know we’re onto them.”
