The primary characters do not belong to me. They belong mostly to Janet Evanovich. Even though I'm not happy with her continued humiliation of this wonderful cast, I thank her for creating them and letting us play with them.

Update - Hey readers! I will finish the ending on Handcuffs and Heartache and I have actually written two endings for There is Only One. I could not decide on one and that's mostly why I haven't posted. I can't make everyone happy on the story, so I may post them both. Votes? Do you want both endings to that story?

Big Update - I GOT THE PUBLISHING CONTRACT! Woohoo! It's a multi-book deal, so I've been busy writing the sequel. I'll get a release date soon. It has been an excruciatingly long process. There will be three editors combing my book again, the artwork and formatting will be done and get this, they'll assign me a publicist. Snort. My blog can certainly use some work and the name will change. Will keep you updated. You can go to the publisher site and sign up for the email notice that will keep you up to date on the new releases. My book, WAY TO GO will come out first on Amazon and Barnes and Noble, then other sites and outlets. Just go to Omnific Publishing and sign up for the newsletter there if you want.

Want to give a shout out to my fellow writer and pro editor, jenrar for her amazing contribution. She helped to bring my book to life and guided me to the right places to send my manuscript.

You know how I've been ranting about JE and the stale Plum characters never moving forward or changing? I had been wanting to write a story that has been done by a few fanfiction writers here. So, this is not really a new story, just a new take. I wanted mine to tell a similar story, but wanted it to be unique. The story is current in the JE book series. It would take place nearly three years into Stephanie's career as a bounty hunter and her triangle with Morelli and Ranger. This story is heavy on the angst with a message and hopefully I'll get it to a happy ending for the characters. I can't remember writing a story so far, that didn't have a good ending. So, stay with it.

The story is told in the first person by Ranger. That is the main twist that I gave this story.

FYI - The first chapter is short. I wanted to save the drama for the next chapter. I won't keep you hanging long for the next chapter.

Rated M - For its very serious content and language.

I'm getting better at self editing. So, all mistakes are mine on this one!

Redemption

Chapter 1

Redemption -

The action of being saved, from sin, error, or evil.

A deliverance. A recovery. A repurchase of something sold.

Salvation, rebirth, absolution.

The action of gaining or regaining possession of something in exchange for payment of an obligation, or clearing of a debt...

The captain announced that we were making our final approach into Trenton-Mercer Airport. I looked out the window at the grey overcast sky over the city, and inwardly groaned. I hated this city now. I wanted to get this meeting over with and take care of other business, including a visit with my parents'. Then I wanted to get back to Miami as soon as possible.

I would normally prefer that my family come to Miami to visit, but my Papa just got out of the hospital after having had bypass heart surgery. Too much of living the good life and eating my mama's rich Cuban cooking, I guess.

The plane touched down and our flight hostess moved to open the door. She was a busty red-head and smiled at me, making a production of opening the door like she'd done earlier bending over to serve my drink. She made sure that I noticed all of her assets before she stood up and turned to me with a seductive smile. I thanked her and headed down the stairs. Tank was leaning against his black Hummer waiting. He smiled at me. "My brother from a different mother..."

I grinned at him. "Yeah, your mama was pretty like mine, but your fuckin' daddy, the garbage man, was a foul ball."

He furrowed his brows and gave me an angry look for a minute and then burst out laughing. "Good to see you too, Rangeman."

We hugged it out and hopped in his truck. He looked at me. "Man, ain't nothin' the same without you here. I ain't gay or nothin', but I miss you, man."

I grinned at him. "Yeah? That big cock of yours always swung both ways and you know it. I miss you too, brother. How are you and Lula?"

"We pretty good now. Finally worked out the cat situation. She's takin' allergy shots and the cats have their own space in the new house. Had this guy build this cool cat habitat with trees and steps, beds, boxes and perches all over the room. They love it. We have a cleanin' lady that takes care of it."

I laughed. "You're a fucked up Mr. T, is what you are, Tank."

He glanced at me and grinned. "I'll take that. He's the man, I like Mr. T, and I pity the fool."

"I know what to get you for Christmas. Some bling."

He looked at me and winked. "Hey, I believe in the golden rule. The man with the gold...rules." He was quoting Mr. T.

"So, how are things in Trenton?"

He sighed. "Pretty solemn at first. Getting better. The men miss Lester and his antics, and the rest of the team."

I nodded. "It's kind of the same way in Miami. It's different there now. Guess the adjustments will take some time."

He snorted. "These are big changes after so long a period of time. We should have made them a long time ago. Maybe..." Then he abruptly stopped and I knew what he was thinking.

He started again. "Well, the company had grown to the point where we maybe should have made these moves earlier."

I looked ahead at the road and sighed. "Yeah, changes were overdue for Rangeman."

We conducted our meeting and had a sit down with the company lawyers in Trenton and then convened for lunch. Some of the men, Hal, Cal, Ram and others wanted to meet us at Shorty's, our old lunch time and after work haunt. It had been Lester and Bobby's favorite place.

The men were jovial and told stories about Lester's escapades and conquests. Even the bad ones. How Bobby used to razz him and check him for std's ten times as much as every other man. We all chuckled at that.

The meetings had gone well. The Trenton office was doing well and moving away from fugitive apprehension and into personal security which was taking hold by word of mouth. We had moved into Atlantic City first, then into New York City and now we were getting calls from Los Angeles. It was a more lucrative business and safer for my men. We concluded meetings for the day.

When the limo arrived at Rangeman after we'd returned from lunch, I clapped Tank on the back and hugged him. I really missed all my brothers. I said goodbye, straightened my Dolce suit, and stepped foot into the limo headed to Newark to see my Papa.

My mother had invited the whole family over and had a spread laid out on the kitchen counters and table. She was all over me about not eating even after I explained that my men had wanted me to have lunch with them and it hadn't been that long since I'd eaten. I just wanted to visit with Papa and get to the airport for my flight home.

Mama got upset when I went to leave and begged me to stay the night. I did that inward groan thing again, but relented. I pulled out my phone and called the charter company and rescheduled my flight. I would be spending a few more hours listening to my sisters jabber and their kids screaming, and tearing through the house. Then would come the discussion about my personal life. The questions would begin, ending with the list of available women they planned to fix me up with.

I wrestled the sheets in the little twin bed all night long until I was wringing wet with sweat and it was fall. This is why I didn't want to stay overnight. My thoughts kept going back to that day. The one I didn't like to revisit.


I had been in my office doing paperwork and Zip had knocked and stuck his head in the door to tell me that Stephanie was headed to Stark Street. I sighed and picked up my phone off the desk and dialed her. "Babe, do you have a skip on Stark? Who's with you?."

Her reply was, "Um well, Lula had a last minute appointment and I'm just gonna do a stakeout. Surveil a little is all, and then I'm headed home."

I sighed. Sure she would. If she actually spotted her skip, she'd blast out of that car in a New York minute. Same old shit. "Babe, how many times have I told told you that my men don't even go to Stark without backup. Stop and I'll have somebody meet you."

Then came the snappy retort. "Ranger, I've been doing this a long time now, and I can take care of myself, you know." Then she disconnected.

I was swiping my hands down my face when Bobby opened the door and stuck his head in. "Just wanted to let you know I was headed out. What's up? You look stressed."

"Stephanie is headed to Stark, again, with no backup."

He shook his head. "When are you going to put your foot down with your woman? It's been long enough."

"She's not my woman!"

He smirked. "Bullshit! For God's sake, man up, and make your move. Then make her get some fucking training already."

TBC -