Author Note: I own nothing that you recognize.

A HUGE thank you to VaBabe for being an incredible Beta, all of your suggestions are really helping me develop this story. You're awesome!

Chapter 1

Steph's POV

I just returned back to RangeMan after spending a productive morning picking up FTAs with Ram. Life was good. I wasn't covered in garbage, I had money in the bank and I was currently living with my sexy, loving, passionate boyfriend, Ranger, who also doubled as my boss.

My name is Stephanie Plum and I am 31 years old. I live in Trenton, New Jersey and am an employee of RangeMan where I work as a bounty hunter. I also run searches, do distractions and help with mountains of paperwork. I love my job and my life.

Ram is currently my partner and is a former sniper for the military. He's a badass.

Everyone I work with is a badass. I like to think of myself as a badass in training. I will never get to their level but I like to have something to aspire too.

Ram and I headed up to five so we could do paperwork. Ram would take care of filling out our FTA reports and I went to check my inbox for new searches. I also found a small piece of dark chocolate waiting for me. I couldn't help but grin.

I'm a recovering junk food addict. I've been much better since Ranger and I were officially dating but I seem to fall off the wagon…hard whenever he goes away on a mission or "into the wind" as the guys like to call it.

Ranger was recently gone for a few weeks and I may have put on some weight. I gained about ten pounds. He doesn't seem to mind or care but it bothered me.

So he cleaned out the cabinets and threw away all my junk food and I've been on a strict organic diet for the past week. I've also increased my cardio. Ranger's decided that I need to learn moderation considering I go from eating fish and steamed vegetables when he's home to living off Ben and Jerry's and Tastycakes when he's gone. So every other day he leaves a piece of dark chocolate on my desk.

If you saw Ranger on the street you would probably be terrified of him. He dresses in all black, he's over six feet tall with mocha latte colored skin and an insane amount of muscles. He also carries two guns and a knife at all times. His name isn't actually Ranger, that's just his street name. He used to be in the Army Rangers and the nickname stuck. His real name is Ricardo Carlos Manoso and he can be a scary badass when he wants to be.

He can also be kind, caring, loving, charming and sweet. At least he can when he thinks no one is looking. He may not be the perfect boyfriend but I like to think he's perfect for me.

I finished up my searches and wandered down to Ranger's office. He was just leaving with a large blond man. By the short hair and the ridiculous shape he was in I was guessing this was a new hire. Ranger's face broke into a full smile when he saw me. I felt my heart rate increase.

Damn the things that just the sight of this man can do to me.

"Stephanie Plum, I would like to introduce to you our newest higher Erik Tanner" Ranger said.

I held out my hand and said "It's nice to meet you Erik. Welcome to RangeMan."

Erik took my hand dubiously "I didn't realize RangeMan has a cheerleadering team" he scoffed.

What an asshole. I wouldn't normally mind being told I had a cheerleader's body especially in front of Ranger – but the condescension in this guy's voice made it clear it wasn't a compliment.

I didn't let the smile leave my face. "Well handsome, funny and charming. The ladies of Trenton better lock their doors" I said sarcastically.

Ranger raised his eyebrows at me. "Erik, Steph works as a BEA and is our best researcher. I wouldn't piss her off, you'll eventually need her" Ranger said mildly.

Erik looked me up and down with a smirk and then continued walking.

I shot Ranger a look.

"We'll talk later" he whispered before kissing me quickly on the lips then walking after Erik.

I just glared after them both before heading up to seven to change into gym clothes.

Lester's POV

I just met the new recruit Erik Tanner. Apparently he was an explosives expert. RangeMan never had a man that knew as much about blowing shit up as Tanner did. He was going to be an asset…if he could get over his problem with women.

We thoroughly research every man before he joins RangeMan and Tanner has a reputation of being disrespectful to women. He's never been violent but he sees them as only being good for one thing.

He is also the best there is in his field. He can disable just about any bomb there is and he's even better at making them.

Tank thinks that we can adjust his attitude. I'm not so sure. I can see how he would be an asset but none of the guys are going to tolerate Tanner disrespecting any of our women. Tank already claims he has a plan so we'll see how this works out.

I had just finished up my paperwork for the day and was heading back to my apartment on four. Alex had already finished up and should be waiting for me. I looked down at my left hand and smiled at the platinum band circling my ring finger. Alexis Lavoir and I have been married for over a month.

She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Alexis, who prefers Alex and is often called by her code name Ace, is a former CIA deep cover agent. That's right, I married an ex-spy. I may have accidently been the reason that she lost her cover and was declassified, but we've moved past that.

Alex and I technically met in Iraq about eight years ago when I was deployed and she was undercover on a mission. We "reconnected" a few months ago after I mistakenly researched a few of her aliases and she was let go from the agency.

Thank god I'm smooth and somehow got this amazing woman to fall back in love with me. I even got her to agree to marry me. We just got back from our two week honeymoon in Hawaii and we are thoroughly enjoying married life.

I walked into our apartment and headed toward the bedroom. Alex walked out of the bedroom and I froze at the sight of her.

Her dark glossy hair was gently curled and hanging well past her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes sparkled through thick frames of the fake glasses she was wearing. Her perfect lips were painted a deep red. She was wearing black stiletto fuck me pumps and little black satin panties. She had on a white lab coat over this ensemble and nothing else.

My body was reacting to the outline of her breasts in that coat. If the coat would just slip a centimeter to the left or right…

"Lester Santos?" she said glancing at the clipboard she was holding.

I nodded unable to speak.

"The doctor will see you now" she said smirking at me as she turned away from me walking back into the bedroom.

Oh fuck yes!

I chased after her slamming the door behind me.

I fucking love being married.

Elaina's POV

I was in the Bobby's fourth floor office at RangeMan preparing to meet the new recruit. Tank asked me to go over his insurance and the company policies as a favor. I am not an employee of RangeMan.

I am an attorney who is a partner in the Chase Foundation. The Chase Foundation is a charity which helps people with chronic illnesses ensuring that they receive proper medical care. We help with insurance issues, doctors, treatments and even nutrition.

We work with a lot of veterans helping them navigate though the government red tape and making sure that they receive all the benefits that their entitled too. I've been spending more and more of my time on the veteran side of things.

It was clearly the influence of my current boyfriend, Robert Brown or Bobby which he prefers to go by. Bobby and I have been together for about nine months. He is a former army Ranger and is now a partner at RangeMan. This company is his baby.

He is also a medic, bounty hunter and sometimes mercenary. Bobby has been trying to involve me more in his company business which is very sweet, but since I have my own business and my own career it's not exactly necessary.

I do occasional favors such as attend client meetings or review certain contracts for them but I refuse to take on a more permanent position, much to Bobby's chagrin. Tank asked me to meet with the new recruit because he was too busy today. I had an opening in my schedule so I agreed…and I knew it would make my boyfriend happy.

I heard a knock on the door and Ranger poked his head in "Elaina, are you ready for Erik Tanner?" he asked me.

"Of course" I replied walking around the desk.

A large blonde man entered the room. I judged him to be a little shorter then Bobby who was about 6'2''. I'm only 5'1''…5'4'' in the heels which I usually wear while working.

I held out my hand "Elaina Merritt" I said introducing myself.

Erik Tanner took my hand. "Aren't you a sweet little thing" he said as his eyes traveled up and down my body.

Ew. This guy was undressing me with his eyes. Isn't it his first day? What an idiot.

"Not particularly. Have a seat we have a few things to go over" I said gesturing to the chair, ignoring his creepy gaze.

He sat down and I began going over his contract with him. He clearly wasn't listening but I didn't see this as my problem.

"You seem a little uptight" he said interrupting me.

Is this guy serious?

I suppressed an eye roll and sigh and answered "I'm fine, thank you."

I continued explaining RangeMan's benefits package.

Erik Tanner once again interrupted me. "I bet you haven't gotten it good in a long time" he said as a small smile appeared on his lips.

Oh for the love of god. Is this guy serious?

Tank is going to fucking owe me for this shit.

"That doesn't really have anything to do with RangeMan's dental plan" I said and then picked up right where we left off.

"You're really cold. I bet I can make you hot. All you have to do is say the word" he whispered his eyes shining with intensity as he leaned towards me.

I refused to let my body recoil which was my immediate reaction.

He can't really be hitting on me. There is no way this approach would work on any woman.

I studied him for a moment.

No, he isn't hitting on me. He's trying to make me flinch. Well that's not happening asshole. Does he really think he can intimidate me?

I didn't allow my face to show any emotion. It's one of the tricks you pick up as litigator. You can't let the other side see you sweat.

I glanced at his resume and looked back at him "I see you don't list 'Excellent People Skills' on your resume – so let me spell this out to you. Not interested" I said mildly. "Sign on the dotted line" I continued sliding him his contract.

Erik Tanner's eyes were on the ground and he was turning a lovely shade of pink. Now that made me smile.

"Have any other questions or concerns?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

Erik Tanner looked up and glared at me. He then picked up the pen and signed his contract.

I heard a knock at the door and Ranger entered. "Are you all set with him Elaina?" he asked me.

"Yes, we just finished" I answered.

I stood and offered my hand to Erik Tanner. He took my hand and shook it, looking dumbfounded.

"Welcome to RangeMan" I said smiling at him.

Once they left I headed back to Bobby's apartment on four. Bobby was sitting at the island going over paperwork, most likely the medical supply inventory. I stood for a moment enjoying the sight of him.

He was a gorgeous man. He had light brown hair, which he kept very short and hazel eyes which sometimes looked green depending on what he was wearing. Like all the men who worked here he was in incredible shape. He was built slightly leaner than the rest of the guys but still had a broad chest and narrow hips. He was also the best man I've ever met.

There are days when I wondered what he was doing with a woman like me.

"Hey Baby, where have you been?" Bobby asked spinning in the chair to face me.

"Tank asked me to go over a new recruit's contract and insurance benefits with him. I used your office, I hope you don't mind" I replied putting down my purse.

Bobby's eyebrows raised "He asked you to talk to Erik Tanner?" he asked.

"Yes, I did it as a favor" I smiled at him.

"Thank you for helping out my company. How did it go?" he asked as he pulled me by the hand into him and encircled me with his arms.

"No problems" I answered.

Bobby leanded down and kissed me gently.

I broke our kiss and whispered "I figured since I wasn't getting paid, we could work something else out."

Bobby gave me a small smile and mumbled in my ear "What did you have in mind Ms. Merritt?"

I released my dirty blonde hair from my bun letting it fall down my back and then slipped my hands under my dress and pulled at my panties letting them fall down my legs. I stepped out of them easily.

I watched Bobby's eyes widen and then darken.

"I think you can come up with something" I said as I slid my arms back around him.

He kissed me softly and then I moaned as he slipped his tongue past my lips. I heard him growl as he picked me up easily and I wrapped my legs around his hips.

"Ms. Merritt, by the end of tonight you will owe me a favor" he whispered hotly as he nibbled my ear and carried me to the bedroom.

"I love doing business with you" I sighed as I began kissing down his neck.

Poor Erik Tanner clearly hasn't gotten it good in a long time, while I have it amazing every night.

Tank's POV

Ranger and I sat down to review the footage of Tanner and Elaina in Ranger's office.

"How did she look to you?" I asked.

"Fine, but it's Elaina" he pointed out.

I nodded. Tanner has issues with women which is specifically why I asked Elaina to go over paperwork with him. I wanted to record how he behaved around a woman when one of the partners weren't around. Elaina Merritt is also tough as nails and doesn't take shit from anyone, so I knew she could handle it.

What I wasn't sure of was how quickly Bobby was going to call me to the mats for asking her to meet with Tanner alone. I may have neglected this part of my plan when discussing hiring Tanner with him.

"He was rude to Steph. Called her a cheerleader" Ranger said.

"Shit. She didn't hit him did she?" I asked.

"She did good. Gave it right back to him. I'm proud of her" Ranger said giving me a grin.

"Well let's see how Elaina handled him and if Bobby is going to try to kill me tomorrow" I said.

I turned on the feed and Ranger and I watched as Tanner entered the room. Elaina walked over and shook his hand like a professional meeting his eyes with no intimidation.

Tanner took one look at Elaina and then called her a "sweet little thing." Shit.

To Elaina's credit she didn't even blink. She didn't even miss a beat when responding "Not particularly" then launching into the things that they needed to go over.

Tanner clearly wasn't listening and was just leering at her while she talked. Elaina either didn't notice or didn't care. Her look of cold indifference never faltered.

Then Tanner dropped his line about making Elaina hot and I felt my rage building inside me. Who the fuck does he think he is talking to a woman like that? One of our women.

I looked at Ranger's face and his eyes were filled with anger and his jaw was clenched.

We waited for Elaina's reaction while holding our breaths. I was waiting for her to lunge over the desk and throttle the man but once again she seemed to barely acknowledge what he said as she picked up his resume and made a smart ass comment about his excellent people skills and then bluntly told him she wasn't interested.

I almost laughed my ass off my chair when I saw Tanner's face turn beet red, Ranger grinned and shook his head.

That woman was unflappable. Bobby was still going to beat my ass once he saw this but I know now it won't be nearly as bad considering Elaina Merritt clearly had no issue standing up for herself.

"The guy still needs a fucking attitude adjustment" Ranger said looking at me.

"Agreed but I think we can handle it. We could really use a bomb expert" I pointed out.

Ranger nodded his agreement.

"Alright, I'm headed home. I will see you tomorrow" I said as I stood up. Ranger gave me a nod.

I drove back to my home on the out skirts of Trenton. The other guys have apartments at RangeMan. I was offered one on the seventh floor but I honestly liked having some space.

I love my business but at the end of the day I need to leave work at work. I wanted a personal life which is one of the reasons I've stopped going into the wind. I walked into my home and smiled when I entered the kitchen and Lula was at the kitchen table surrounded by books.

My woman is beyond impressive. Lula has been through some serious shit. Drug addiction, prostitution she was raped, beaten and mutilated by a sick bastard and instead of giving up on life she used it as motivation to turn her life around.

She quit hooking, cleaned up her act and got a job as a file clerk at Vinnie's bond shop. She started going to school at night and took the GED which she crushed and now she was finishing up her associates degree in sociology and was planning on becoming a social worker. My woman is a fighter and a survivor. I know she could really help people.

About six months ago the doctor told Lula she was pre-diabetic. Lula loves her junk food and was really upset, but like everything else in her life she took the bull by the horns. She said if she could survive the first thirty years of her life with all the drugs and abuse she'd be damned if food was going to kill her now.

Elaina and Bobby came over with a nutritionist and they sat down and came up with a plan for her. Elaina is always helping Lula with her diet and Bobby got her on a workout regime that she was willing to comply too. Lula has lost 40 pounds and is in excellent shape. Not only is she no longer pre-diabetic but her blood pressure and cholesterol have greatly improved. She still has her curves but now she's just a healthier version of herself and she's happier.

I walked into the kitchen and kissed her head "How was your day?" I asked her.

She beamed up at me "Fine, just gearing up for finals and I have a job interview next week" she replied.

"That's amazing honey! Why don't I take you to dinner to celebrate?" I said.

"I wish we could I just have too much work to do. Can we postpone till Friday?" she asked looking at me apologetically.

"Of course. I'll take care of dinner tonight why don't you go study in the office" I suggested.

"Thank you Pierre" she said as she stood up and gave me a long kiss in gratitude.

Between working full time and school Lula has been incredibly busy and I was really looking forward to graduation and getting my partner in crime back. Don't get me wrong I am extremely proud of her I guess I just miss all the time we used to spend together.

I took out some fish from the refrigerator as well as some asparagus and started cooking for the most incredible woman I have ever met.