And I'm back! Here's a new one that is different from what I've written before-on either fiction. So I hope you enjoy and please, let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: For the rest of the story, I do not own anyone you may recognize from the Plum world.
PROLOGUE
It was hot. Too fucking hot. Ranger wiped the sweat from his brow and hunched back down over his rifle. Quiet laughter came through the earpiece he was wearing and he gave an answering chuckle, eyes moving ahead to spot his spotter. She glanced down and gave him a quick grin.
"Get your eyes back on the target. Let's get this thing over with so I can get out of the hell and into a cooler climate. Got it?" She flashed him a quick grin and turned her gaze back to the target and waited, wanting to give the signal to Ranger so that they could both get out of Columbia. They'd been here for the last month and was just able to finally get a hit on their target, Jose Salvador (a drug lord who was providing dope for the kiddies), yesterday. Today they were watching him watch the news and conduct business on the phone. Thing is, he always had someone with him. This was supposed to be a quiet and 'don't let anyone notice he's dead until you're gone' thing. Unfortunately, the target wasn't cooperating with them. Yet.
Ranger went silent, eyes trained on the target's head while he played a game of dominoes with his son. His mind started to travel back to the day before he left for this god-forsaken place. His last favor had been called in and he'd be finished with his contract. He didn't plan on renewing it. He found that he wanted 'someday' with Stephanie. He tightened his jaw as the memory flashed through his mind.
He wanted to make that day special for her when he proposed. He went to Rossini's to pick up the order he called in. Glancing at the watch, he silently hurried the cook. He wanted to be able to spend time with Stephanie before he had to leave for god knows how long. After glancing at his watch again, laughter reached his ears. He ignored it until a flash of brunette curls caught his attention. He turned his head and saw Stephanie sitting with Joe. A diamond sparkled on her left hand. He turned and left. That night, he boarded the plane. Not caring if he came back or not.
Ranger was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the bushes move to his right. He ignored it, thinking it was just a squirrel or rabbit. He looked back to the house and frowned when he didn't see Salvador. He was about to ask Kelsey what was going on when he felt the cold steel of a gun barrel press itself to his left temple. He stilled and glanced up, coming face to face with one Jose Salvador. So that's where the bastard went. Damn.
"Well well well. What do we have here? I knew I heard someone speaking out here and decided to come to investigate. What I'm wondering, however, is how you could've missed the speakers that surround this house. Not a very good assassin are you? Now…" His words were cut off as blood seeped from the hole in his forehead. Kelsey dropped to the ground by Ranger and glared at him.
"Dumbass! Weren't you supposed to check out his security? How could you have missed the speakers??!" Ranger rubbed his head and sighed. No way did he want to tell her he missed the speakers, and the target moving, because he had been thinking about Stephanie. Again. Jumping to his feet, he walked away. Kelsey followed, grumbling about her 'dumbass forgetful partner who almost got himself killed'. He chuckled slightly and went to where he stashed his pack, pulling out the two-way radio.
"Chief. We're finished." It was time for him to go home. The diamond on Stephanie's hand flashed through his mind again. It was time for him to forget about Stephanie Plum.