Authors note: This is the first time I've ever written anything thats not for school so PLEASE PLEASE review and tell me what you think.
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Janet Evanovich. I make no money from this, its all in good fun, and all will be returned when i'm done, except maybe Ranger...and Tank...and...
Thirteen Steps
My name is Stephanie Plum and my life is a roller coaster. Not one of the little ones at the county fair that only have 2 cars and go like 20 miles an hour. My life is more like the ones at Great Adventure theme park. It goes about 100 miles an hour with sudden drops and unexpected turns, and don't forget the loops. My life has lots and lots of loops.
Why is this my life you ask? Simple. Men. Two men in particular, Joseph Anthony Morelli and Ricardo Carlos Manoso. Joe Morelli and I go way back, all the way back to a game of choo choo in his garage when I was six. If you think this sets a bad precedent for the rest of our relationship, well, you'd be right. Joe is Italian, a cop, and extremely hot. We currently exist in a state of off again on again that im told is an unhealthy pattern of behavior. My mother thinks I should hurry up, marry him and have children. I don't see that happening anytime soon. Carlos Manoso is known as Ranger and he's a more recent addition to my life. He started off as my mentor when I started my old job of Bond Enforcement Agent or bounty hunter. Ranger is Cuban American and hot doesn't even begin to describe him. We flirt a lot and we've had one incredible night. All this along with getting each other shot a few times and saving each others asses. Although I have to note that Rangers' been more helpful to me than I am to him but that's neither here nor there.
You might have noticed that I said my old job as a bounty hunter. I didn't quit to get married or go work in the button factory as Joe or my mother would like. I also didn't leave to work in another of the minimum wage dead end jobs that I've had when I got sick of being shot at, kidnaped or firebombed. Nope not me, why do the easy more acceptable thing. I did what any respectable Jersey girl who was sick of rolling around in garbage and sick of not being able to take care of herself would do. I went back to work for Ranger at his company Rangeman. Oh boy, talk about unexpected twists.
"Im sorry what did you say? Cause for a second there Cupcake I thought you said you're going to work at Rangeman" Joe said this while rubbing his forehead, but he wasn't yelling and I was still Cupcake so its not that serious. "I mean besides the fact that hes a crazed mercenary with no morals. Forget that he looks at you like you're dinner. What about the fact that anytime you get involved with him someone gets shot?!? Huh Stephanie? Have you lost your mind?!!"
By this point Joe was screaming and id had enough. "Excuse you Joseph Morelli I'll have you know that Rangers been shot more than I have and one of the times I was shot I was helping you!"
"Christ, I cant believe im having this conversation. I think im getting an ulcer."
"Relax Joe, im working in an office building for crying out loud. Nothing will ever happen to me at Rangeman. Especially with Ranger looking out for me."
"That's what im worried about Stephanie."
"Cut the crap Joe, I don't say anything about you going off and working with Terry Gilman."
"Here we go again. Just trust me."
"Do the same for me Joe and stop throwing a fit every time I mention Ranger!" Joe's pager beeped, he looked at it and turned to walk away. "I cant do this now I have to go meet an informant." Ugh! Stupid Morelli men who need 'em. I started walking to my Mini which has lasted far longer than anyone thought it would. Money was being passed by the cops in the parking lot who came out to see the commotion. Im glad someone gets enjoyment out of my life cause at the moment im not.
RING RING "What!?" "Is that any way to answer your phone? People will think I raised you without any manners. What's this I hear about you screaming at that nice Morelli boy in front of the police station? You know he wont want to marry you if you keep acting like this. Why my? Pam Wyzinski's daughter doesn't yell on street corners. Carol Fiorello's daughter doesn't go off and start working for some strange colored man. I hear the button factory is hiring..." " Mom? I cant talk now, gotta go, bye."
A black Porsche 911 Turbo pulled up to the curb. The tinted windows powered don and Ranger looked out. "Babe" The car drove off into traffic. I need a donut. I need therapy. I need to go to Macys.