The place was packed when Morelli and I walked in. 'So tell me again, where the hell are we?'
We were in a huge; flash five star restaurant that Morelli had heard about by default from the police chief. 'This place is called La Bien, cupcake' He whispered his lips lightly brushing my ear. 'It's suppose to have the best food this side of America.'
Normally, I'm not intimidated easily but this place was full of people dressed up like they were about to walk down the red carpet. However, it wasn't as though I was in jeans, at Morelli's request I was wearing a black strapless sating gown that seemed to flow around me. It had taken me about five hours at the mall to find the gown and I had accessorised it with a small chain of dimities around my neck and wrist and six inch stiletto hills that were incrusted with a small intertwining strands of dimities. I looked up at Morelli and saw he was watching me, 'what?' I asked putting my hands on my hips.
'You're cute when you're freaking out,' he replied dropping a kiss on my lips. I was about to reply with a smart-alec comment I was really proud off, when the waiter approached us. 'Do you have a booking sir?' He asked standing in a way I had seen butlers do in the movies, i.e. with one hand on their hip with the elbow pushed back.
'Yes, it's under Morelli,' Joe replied pulling me close with his right arm.
'Very well sir, follow me please.'
As Joe and I followed the waiter I took the chance to look around at the place. Inside there were two levels of seating. It looked to me like the richest were upstairs so they could look down and juge those people not important enough to sit with them. The place was decorated in a silver and gold theme that made me feel as though I stood out like a sore thumb. The waiter stopped in front our table, which was situated in the middle of the floor. I was so amazed at the elegance of the table that I didn't realise the waiter was waiting for me to sit down. 'Earth to cupcake,' Joe whispered in my ear pulling me back to the present. ' Sorry,' I mumbled, blushing brightly as I slid into the seat.
'A waitress will be with you shortly,' the man added handing us a menu each.
Ranger's POVI was sitting on the second floor with my back against the wall when Steph walked in. I was in this god forsaken place at the request of a new client and was already on edge. The new clients name was Damien Black and although RangeMan could find no marks against his name, I was already getting the feeling that something wasn't right. However, Tank had talked to me just before I left and we had decided to have only one guy actually on the floor. Tom was new to Trenton having transfer from my Miami office, I could see him sitting a few tables away looking glum at the arrangements.
We had arrived fifteen minutes before my meeting was due to start and I had been sitting here patiently waiting when Joe and Steph entered. I could feel my heart race and my breathing shallow as I saw the outfit she had chosen and had to restrain myself from walking down there and pulling her off Joe's arm. I watched silently as Steph started to freak out and had to restrain smile because it was evident that this place freaked her out more than it did me. As the waiter lead Steph and Joe towards their table I held my breath, afraid of what her reaction would be if she caught me sitting up here watching her. Luckily or unluckily I hadn't quite decided, she didn't see me; also it was evident that her table was in a perfect position as far I was concerned as I could see her easily but she would only see me if she specifically looked.
I had been watching her and Joe so intently that I almost missed Damien making his way towards me. Standing silently I watched as this thirty-year-old Millionaire survey me up and down. It took he almost double the time it had for me to complete his survey but eventually he seemed satisfied and offer me his hand. 'Damien Black,' he said in his crisp English accent that would have made Steph laugh. I mentally slapped myself on the head; I wasn't going to let thoughts of Steph in, it was way to dangerous to my mental health. 'Carlos Manoso,' I replied taking his hand.
Steph's POV
It took me five minutes of starring blankly at the complicated looking menu to realise I was in trouble. 'Joe,' I mumbled catching his eye, 'do you have any idea what any of these dishes are?'
Joe smiled and nodded slightly,' some of them anyway, do you want me to order for you?' I nodded my head in reply and put the menu down.
'Can I ask you a question?'
"Of course Cupcake, you don't have to ask.'
'Why did you decide to take me to a fancy restaurant?' OK, so I'm fast at jumping from one crises to the next, once I realised I didn't have to worry about sounding like a clutz when ordering I started freaking out about why we were here in the first place. I mean I've been to dinner with Joe plenty of times, but the fanciest we've ever done is Pino's.
'Just felt like spoiling you tonight,' Joe replied giving me a questionable look.
'Why, did you expect and another motive?'
I smiled and shook my head, 'no just freaking out at the splendour of this place.
'Joe, can you afford to pay for dinner?' I had recently noticed the prices were ridiculous, can I multi-worry or what.
'I got a big Christmas bonus and thought I'd spend a nice chunk of it spoiling you.'
We stopped talking then as the waiter turned up for our orders.
………..
Dinner was amazing and I think at final count I had a miny orgasm at least once per bite. 'Dinner was amazing Joe,' I said.
Joe nodded and smiled, 'I know how much you like eating cupcake.'
Ranger's POVIt took me about ten minutes of conservation with Damien while we waiter for our food to realise he was most probably the most boring guy on the planet. After another twenty minutes I realised I was looking at him but was seeing Steph just over his shoulder.
Finally, we concluded the arrangements and dinner was finished. Not wanting to be the first to stand I waited for Damien to get up. 'Well it was nice meeting you Mr Manoso,' he said standing up. I could feel my heart start to speed up, something in the way his eyes were watching me had set of my personal alarm and my body tensed up ready to react. 'Unfortunately, we wont be having this pleasure again.' Then with a swift movement he swung round and short Tom in the chest.
People started screaming around me and I could hear Tank swearing in Chinese in my ear. The funny thing about all this was that I didn't even know Tank spoke Chinese let alone knew how to sware in it. I just stared at the guy who was now firing his gun at the people running for the door. Looking around quickly I spotted Morelli pulling Steph under the table. 'I want everyone to return to their seats immediately,' Damien yelled as ten more guys who obviously worked for him appeared from different strategic positions in the restaurant.
Damien who had easily achieved his wishes with the help of his muscle turned to me. 'I hope you enjoy the show Mr Manoso because you are going to be the last of these demons to die.' I could feel my pulse quicken as I looked at this guys crazy eyes and my eyes inevitable flickered and caught Steph's accusing glare.
NB. I know this sotries jumped right into the climax but the next chapter is going to take you back to how Steph, Joe and Ranger ended up at the resturant. Please review!!!!!
