I had this idea and had to write it down. Stephanie's been in danger countless times, but for the most part she's had some sort of warning that something bad was lurking. An unexpected event makes her reconsider her life. This story can be set anywhere between Twelve Sharp and Explosive Eighteen.
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to Janet Evanovich.
Business is slow at the Bonds office which is why I accepted to meet with Ranger at Rangeman this morning. He called me about a security detail and since I had no FTAs to chase after, here I am parking in the underground garage.
Plus, I need cash and a Rangeman check wouldn't hurt.
I waved at the camera and rode the elevator. I bypassed the control room and headed straight to Ranger's office, where he told me he'd be.
"Hey." Ranger spared me a quick glance before returning his attention to his computer screen.
"Hey yourself." I walked around his desk to take some forms. I read over the first page, my eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "An erotica shop?" I couldn't help as the question tumbled out.
"Babe." He smiled, before turning serious and giving me the details. The owner was a female and since she was just opening up her store she was often staying late. "That's why she contacted us. I have a security plan in mind, but I'd like you to take a look around the store before installation." He nodded at the forms in my hands for emphasis. "Feel free to make suggestions."
"Alright." Seemed simple enough. Definitely beats running after a skip. "Afraid one of your men would get distracted?" I teased, detecting a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"I have a conference call in a few..." His phone rang. "I'll catch up with you there." He told me before answering.
"Okey-dokey." I gave him a two finger wave and turned on my heel.
My cell phone rang as I left Rangeman. It was Morelli. We were on our on again in the on again/ off again roller-coaster that is our relationship.
I answered as I double checked the address of the erotica shop, giving Joe an automated greeting.
"So, we're good." He said. "I'll pick you up at six."
I braked right before I ran a red light. "What?"
"We're having dinner at my..." Morelli trailed off and I could imagine him staring down at his shoe. "You forgot."
"No!" Honestly if he hadn't called me, I wouldn't have remembered we were having dinner at his mother's. It was his brother Anthony's birthday. "Look, you told me last night while you were undressing. I didn't even know what I was agreeing to!"
He chuckled low and throaty. "You're such a cupcake." Before I had a chance to work out some sort of arrangement he told me to wear something sexy and hung up.
Damn. He was sneaky.
I found on-street parking and headed inside the shop. A short blond showed me around and I had to admit some interesting things were for sale.
"Any chance I can get one of those panic buttons?" Mary, she insisted I called her by her first name, walked me behind the glass counter where the register resided.
"I can make a note." I nodded, scribbling down the request. A creaky sound reached us from the back of the store.
"See! That's why I need a security system." The blond huffed, disappearing behind a curtain leading to a room in the back of the store. "People think this is some sort of short cut..." Her annoyed rant was cut short when she yelped.
"Is everything alright?" I hesitantly took a step forward. The silence that fell over the store made my heart jump. I parted the curtain carefully and stepped into the makeshift office/storage space. The outline of a man was highlighted by the light filtering in from the gaping back door. I didn't have a chance to react as the man turned his attention towards me, gun leveled my way.
I heard a gunshot and a shriek, probably mine, as the man stared at me. My chest burned and something trickled down my right side. I couldn't move for what seemed like an eternity, but was only seconds in real time. I felt my knees go weak and fell unceremoniously, hitting the carpeted floor with a loud thud.
There was movement around me along with voices, but I couldn't make sense of them. My eyes were unseeing, unable to focus as I struggled to suck in breath after breath. I closed my eyes, in hopes that it would help. I've been under threatening situations before, but this was sudden.
And so unexpected.
"Stephanie!" The call jerked me out of my musings. I stared up at Ranger, trying to push aside the haze of unconsciousness threatening to overtake me. He barked out orders to someone, his handsome face etched with worry. He said something to me, but I couldn't find the strength to answer.
"Stay with me." It was the last thing I heard before I blacked out.
Let me know if there's interest…