Author's Note: This takes place after Explosive Eighteen. Just finished the book and I am not happy. So...What happens to Ranger after Steph goes back to Joe once again? How does he react when he becomes attracted to another woman? This will take place in several POVs.

Warning: Not A Babe...This isn't exactly mean to Steph, but it doesn't highlight her...Ranger will be with another woman...and it does have spoiler alerts for books 1-18! Enjoy!

Road Trouble

Ranger's POV-

I clenched my fists against the steering wheel watching them turn white. Don't show any emotions. Don't lose control. Over and over I keep repeating those words hoping I can keep my control and my emotions in check. I can see out of the corner of my eye, Tank continuing to watch me closely. He knew what was going on, but he kept his opinions to himself.

After everything that happened between us in Hawaii, how could she go back to that cop? After the what happened in Barnhardt's closet, how could just hop back in Morelli's bed? I didn't know and I didn't understand. I love Stephanie, but at this time in my life I am unable to completely commit to a full time relationship. Steph knows this and understands it, but she runs back to that cop.

She claims she can't do casual, but isn't that what she has with Morelli. They are rarely seen in public together unless Steph has a car that explodes or finds a body. They hang out either at his place or hers; eating pizza, drinking beer, and having sex. I cringe inwardly at the thought of Steph having sex with that cop, but isn't that what they have; a casual relationship.

I actually let the little 'Burg' girl from New Jersey get under my skin. I would never allow that to happen again. When I need to get laid I'll go to Miami or Boston and find someone there. From here on out only one night stands. I'm done with caring for any woman. I'll still make sure that Steph is protected and a tracker on her, but myself personally, I'm out.

"The light's green." My second in command informed me. I looked up and indeed the light was green. I hit the gas pedal and we continued on our way to the Pine Barrens. A FTA had went missing and our source was sure he would end up hiding out in a cabin in the Barrens.

"A lot on your mind?" Tank asked me. I slid my eyes to meet his before focusing back on the road. Since when did my employees bother me when I'm in my driving zone. I kept my mouth shut and ignored him. He didn't take the hint. "What Steph did was wrong. We got your back, man." He told me and I gave a slight nod.

I pulled onto the dirt road leading to the cabin where our source told us that he would be hiding out. I was hoping that this guy would be here and that he put up a fight. I needed to land a few blows to get over this edginess I was feeling.

"What's your next action?" Tank asked me.

"We pick up our skip and get our receipt." I answered him knowing full well he wasn't talking about our take down. He snorted. "I meant with Bomber." He replied.

"We continue to have a tracker on her and give her help if she needs it, but I'm out." I explained.

He nodded. "Will do."

We continued down this never ending dirt road bumping along and hitting pot holes. Tank pointed out the window. "What the hell is that?" He asked. I slowed down and nearly groaned out loud at what I saw.

A dusty and rusted out candy apple green Toyota Corolla sat stranded on the side of the road but it was the driver that had me groaning on the inside. She looked short, maybe five foot or so and she was small. Wavy brownish blond hair hung loosely around her shoulders just shy of caressing her shoulders.

She was wearing a pair of tight blue jeans, a yellow t-shirt, and a pair of white tennis shoes. She looked young but old enough to cause serious trouble. I didn't want to stop to help, but the gentleman that was buried so very deep inside wouldn't allow me not to.

"Are ya gonna stop?" Tank asked me.

I looked over at him. "Do I have a choice?" My voice was gruff and full of sarcasm.

Tank shook his head. "No you don't." He answered.

I pulled behind the green car and parked. "Exactly."

Ashley's POV-

"NO NO NO!" I shouted at my ugly green POS. "You can't do this to me." I ranted at my stupid car. "Not after the freaking day I had. Please." Or even after the freaking year at that. I let out a sigh, popped the hood, got out and went around to the front of the car. I opened the hood and a cloud of smoke rose from the car and I choked in the fumes.

Once the smoke cleared I was able to get a good view of my car and just as I expected. I had not a darn clue at what I was looking at. It all looked the same to me anyway. Black, dirty, and greasy looking. I let out another sigh and looked around.

"Just what I thought I saw the first time. Nothing but trees, dirt, animals, and bugs." I said to myself as I shudder in horror. Why does this crap always happen to me?

This past year has been a nightmare from hell. I started out the year on top of the world. I was engaged to a very sweet and successful man who I thought I loved, I was on top of my game in gymnastics, I had lots of friends and I had a good car. Ugh! I kicked the wheel and almost cried when it hurt my toe. I hadn't cried in last six months and I didn't want to start again. If I did I would never stop.

Hearing a vehicle behind me, I turned around and groaned. As it pulled behind my little car, I could see two large figures in the big black Ford F-250 truck. "Great. Now I'm about to be beaten, raped, and murder. They'll never find my battered body deep in whatever hell hole I have dug for myself." Talking out loud to myself is never a good idea, but oh well what did I have to lose. Besides my life of course.

The man in the passenger side was out first and I found myself looking up. He was tall maybe six foot five and he was black with a bald head and huge bulging muscles. He was wearing black cargoes, black T-shirt, and black butt-kicking boots. He had a utility belt around his waist full of artillery and he was hot.

The driver followed behind and my eyes widen. No I would most certainly not be raped. These guys were too hot to rape any girl. If the other one had been hot this one was drop dead gorgeous. I felt my panties getting wet just looking at him. I shook my head. You swore off scum sucking men, remember? Yes I did. Be strong. I took in the second man quickly. He too was wearing black cargoes, black t-shirt, black boots and had his own utility belt. It made me wonder if they worked together somehow.

The second one was shorter maybe standing about six foot even. He had some type of Latino background with his mocha latte skin-which was the only color to describe it. He had long hair that was pulled back with what looked like a leather tie.

I had trouble tearing my eyes away from this very sexy man. Muscles seem to bulge on every inch of his body; his thighs, his arms, his neck, his shoulders, his back, and even his abs had muscles. I stopped myself from groaning. No more men. Remember that and you'll accomplish anything.

I plastered a smile on face and faced these two very hot men. "Good afternoon gentlemen. Thanks so much for stopping. And for helping me." I felt like I was rambling and looking like an idiot.

The tall one smiled. "How do you know we stop to help?" He asked me. I felt physically sick. They didn't seem the type to hurt helpless females but after this past year I didn't know what to expect anymore. He immediately frowned and came to stand beside me.

"I'm sorry. I was only kidding." He claimed. I nodded but backed up. He held out his hand. "I'm Tank." He offered his name. I swallowed hard, took his hand and put the smile back on my face.

"I'm Ashley. It's nice to meet you Tank." I told him. I really had no idea what kind of name Tank was, but with his size it worked. I let go of his warm large hand. This one made me feel safe while the other one well I wasn't sure what he made me feel yet. I glanced over the other one and he looked devoid of all emotion. I wasn't really sure what to do with that look, but I held out my hand anyway.

"I'm Ashley." I offered my name. His left eyebrow came up and if anything he just became more gorgeous. Which wasn't fair. He look down at my hand but didn't accept it. He walked past me and over to my car. Okay so the sexy one was a jerk. Of course. Should I have suspected anything else? Of course not.

Tank's POV-

I wanted to slug my boss. I knew he was having trouble coping with what Steph did, but it didn't give him the right to treat Ashley like she had done something wrong. Hell, I wanted Ashley to stick around. She was cute and sexy too. She had the prettiest brown eyes and hair that looked like silk in the sunlight. Her peaches and cream complexion was bereft of all make-up and it worked on her. And man she was little.

She frowned when Ranger walked past her to the broken down piece of shit she called a car. She shrugged and turned to look at me. I gave her a slight grin. "Ignore him. He's having a crummy day." I told her and she nodded.

"What seems to be the problem with your car?" I asked her.

She shrugged. "I don't know. It started acting funny about ten miles back. I made it here before it went kaput." I nodded and joined Ranger under the hood.

"Can you see what's wrong with the car?" I asked him.

He gave a small nod. "It's a piece of shit." He replied.

I chuckled and started actually looking at the car. It was a true piece of shit. This car was going to need a complete overhaul.

"Is there anything you guys can do to help it?" I heard Ashley ask behind us. We both turned to face her. She looked adorable standing there with her hands on her hips. Those jeans were tight but not so tight where it didn't leave nothing to the imagination. She was small all over but there was no doubt that she was all woman.

"You need a mechanic, Little One." I told her.

She frowned. "Any chance one of you is a mechanic?" She asked hopefully.

"Do we look like mechanics?" Ranger asked; his voice dripping with disdain.

She narrowed her eyes at Ranger. "I don't know. Why don't you frown and then I'll know for certain." She replied.

Ranger took a step forward and Ashley took a step back. I stepped up and blocked Ranger, cutting off his eye contact with Ashley. I could feel the anger waves coming off of him. For some reason this pint size woman set him off.

"Where are you headed, honey?" I asked.

"To Trenton."

I nodded. "We're from there ourselves. Why don't you go grab your stuff and we'll take you to Trenton. Then you can call a tow truck to come get your car." I offered.

Her teeth pulled in her lower lip and she gently began to gnaw on it. "Are you sure you don't mind?" She asked; her eyes flashing to a pissed off Ranger.

I nodded. "We're sure."

She gave me a smile which I returned. She really was cute. Too little for me, but cute. Once she got out of ear shot, Ranger let me have it. He punched me hard in the shoulder and I grimaced.

"Mats in the morning. 0500 hours." He ordered me.

I shrugged. I didn't care. I just wanted to know why he was being a hard ass. "What is your problem, Range Man?" I asked him.

"My problem is that we have a skip to retrieve. We don't have time to pick up little white girls that are nothing but trouble." He hissed at me.

"The skip isn't going anywhere. She needs a ride to Trenton. Are you really that much of an ass that you would leave her in the middle of fucking no where?" I responded with equal venom.

To anyone who didn't know us, it looked as though we were having a casual conversation, but to someone who did could tell we were both pissed off and gearing for a fight.

"Just because you want to get in her pants, doesn't mean I want to." Ranger threw at me. I clenched my fists and willed myself to calm down. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Ashley fast approaching us.

"I think the only reason why you're so pissed off, is because you do want in her pants." I taunted him. He was getting ready to deny that particular comment when Ashley joined us.

"Okay, I'm ready." She told us. She had one suit case and two duffel bags. I took her bags and ushered her towards our truck.

"Where to, Little One?" I asked as I threw her bags into the back of the truck.

"Knights Inn in the middle of town." She answered.

I held back my laughter as I watched Ranger's entire body clench tight. Knights Inn was directly across from RangeMan Inc. "I know the place." I told her as I opened the back door and she climbed in.

Once we were all settled in the truck with our seat belts on did she speak. "Is in a safe part of town? I'd never been here before." She asked.

I nodded. "Safest part of Trenton." I reassured her. I watched as Ranger continued to take small glimpses of her in the rear view mirror. He wasn't as immune to her as he wanted to believe.

Author's Note: Now please..not many people will read this, so if you are one of the sweet ones that is reading..please leave me a review! Let me know what you think. ...Again. I have never been to Trenton so anything with landmarks.. I make up!