Thank you, Ms. Evanovich for letting me play in this universe. Any recognizable characters belongs to their creator. Mistakes are mine though.
"Miss Plum, your presence is requested at our party on today's date. Please visit us at Rossini's at seven this evening. Come alone.
Jeff "The Boss" Jeffson
P.S. It would be most unwise to ignore this invitation. We know a lot about you and your family.
P.P.S. We do not like to wait."
As I read the message, I could feel the dread climbing up my back. It didn't help at all that the invitation was written with an elegant cursive on the equally elegant, and I assume expensive, paper. The signature itself was in a bloody scarlet color and, I have to admit, it brought the smell of blood to the front of my mind.
But let me introduce myself. My name is Stephanie Plum, I am a thirty – going – on – forty – year – old – single – by - choice female born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey. And as weird as it sounds, this invitation is not the weirdest thing I have ever received in my life. Unfortunately, my life is full of so many weird things, events, and people that I have learnt to simply go with the flow a long time ago. But on every step of my weird life, there are always two constants that never fail to accompany me.
First of them is a six foot plus Cuban – American sex god, a.k.a "Batman", a.k.a. Ranger, a.k.a Ricardo Carlos Manoso. He is an ex-military, sometimes bounty hunter, current CEO of a Trenton based security company called Rangeman. He is my best friend, my mentor, many times my savior and, not as many times as I would like, also my lover.
The second one is my spidey sense. That thing saved me multiple times already, and is now telling me to run away screaming and don't look back. The only thing holding me back right now is the mention of my family in the invitation I had just received. My life can be weird and unpredictable and, on many occasions, downright dangerous; but it is not the way my parents live. Or my sister's family. My grandma Mazur and I? Sure. Them? Not so much.
So in order to protect them from the crazies and weirdos of my life I decided on attending the said party. As I looked on my phone's watch, I noticed it was already five in the afternoon and started getting ready. Luckily I didn't have to take a shower so it was only to make my hair more manageable, put on some make-up and a dress that I knew men would like and I was ready to roll. During my makeup time, I rang my mom saying I will not be able to make it to the dinner due to the unexpected change of plans. I was ready in record time and left my apartment directing my car towards Rangeman and Ranger. It wasn't a bad idea to have someone know where I'm going after all. As I flashed open the gate to the company's underground parking, I waved to the camera and got into my usual spot. Yes, I have my usual spot in the garage already, as Ranger had never replaced the Porsche Boxter I managed to destroy. I took the few steps separating me from the elevator, when its doors opened surprising me.
- Babe.
In the middle of the elevator, supporting himself by the back wall there stood the sexiest man a woman could ever meet.
- Ranger. – Hey, we could both play this one word game.
- Sexy. – See, I knew he would like the dress. - What's the occasion? – He asked, entwining his arms around my waist.
- In the office, please.
As he pressed the button for the fifth floor, I could feel his hard body behind mine, and the feelings it gave me made me not want to leave his arms at all. We barely closed his office door behind us when he twirled me so I could face him and kissed me. My toes curled in my heels, fingers grabbing his shirt for support. I gathered all my strength he had just given me with that one kiss and broke it, time was something of the essence, and took a hold of my bag again.
- I came to ask you for the wires.
- Babe. – See here, the thing about Ranger is that he can make one endearment mean many things. While his first babe of today meant "Hello. I'm surprised to see you, but I like it anyways" that second one meant simply "start spilling".
- This afternoon, I woke up to an envelope on the pillow next to me. – I said giving him the invitation to read. – And I would usually ignore it if not for the fact that it mentioned my family. I mean hello, I'm not going to let anyone threaten my family or friends. I can take it, for crying out loud, I have taken on many weirdos. But my family is off limits.
As I said it his eyes met mine and for a brief moment, I could see a slight upward motion of his lips. Yes, he already knew that about me. It's not the first time I did something to protect someone I love. And as much as a pain in the ass I could be, I think he likes that about me quite a lot. I smiled at him in return and seconds later he had his phone in his hand and having quick conversation in rapid Spanish…. God, did I ever mention how his Spanish works on me? As I let myself contemplate on that, his office door opened and in came Hector leading Lester, Bobby, and Hal behind him. Hector gave Ranger the required equipment and stood back listening in on what was being said.
- Hal, I want you to take a look at this – he said giving the invitation to Hal. – Smells like blood to me. Check if you can provide me with a name. Lester, Bobby, go change. You will have a dinner meeting at Rossini's tonight at 7. – Both of them left instantly to fill out the orders - Babe, I'll be outside all the time…
- No. – I cut in before he could finish the sentence - I'm ok with Bobby and Lester on the inside, I'm quite grateful in fact, and they can mingle comfortably, but you they will connect to me immediately. People connect you with me. And he knows me. Or rather he knows a lot about me. He said so himself. He will expect you there. I came in here asking for wires because I want you to be aware of what is going on, because for the first time in my life I do not want to go blind into something I have no idea about. But I am not going to risk any member of my family. And want it or not, you guys are my family too.
After that silence overcame the room. Ranger's eyes were focused on me and I could tell he did not like what I said, but he also knew I was right. He sat down in his chair, gave me the wire, and observed me taping it to my bra. I could see his dark eyes getting even darker and I could not stop the low whimpering sound leaving my throat. At that he stood up from behind the desk and kissed me again, his legs between mine, both of his hands deep in my hair. I was ready to combust when I felt my phone vibrating by my side.
- I've gotta go. – I whispered quietly into his lips. – I have fifteen minutes to get there. I've gotta go. – And leaving his warm body, I left the room. I turned again in the doorframe and, catching his eye, winked to let him know we were not finished yet.
I got to the restaurant at two minutes till seven. I used the extra time to put some extra mascara and lipstick on me and give myself some more of the courage I needed and left the car to head inside. I couldn't do anything about the sexy mess of my hair that Ranger provided me with a few minutes' prior and I had to smile at the memory of that. God that man is a sin. With that the slight trembling of my legs and hands had lost its element of fear and gained one of passion and impatience. I walked out of the car, all the way to the doors where I finally decided to get mad at the situation. Giving a polite smile to the doorman I walked into the restaurant set on figuring out the issue at hand.
The hostess by the door greeted me and led me to the private room in the back corner of the restaurant. On my way there I had a chance to take a look around. At one of the tables the similar silhouettes of Lester and Bobby greeted me and let me take in a breath I knew I needed. They were already here. I was safe. Smiling slightly in their direction I followed the hostess who stopped by the doors not so far away from my two favorite Merry Men. She knocked lightly on the door and, opening them, announced my arrival and let me in. She set the menu on the table in front of me and waited until I sat down before ensuring me she will send a waiter soon for my order and wishing me a pleasant evening. I gave her my polite smile and, thanking her, turned in the direction of my host.
There were only three guys who sat at the table with me. Another three were, what I assumed their bodyguards, standing behind the backs of their respective bosses. All six of them in tuxedos made an impressive sight I admit, but even all of them combined couldn't equal to seeing Ranger and his Merry Men dressed up. And yes, I did see him like that quite a few times… I gathered my thoughts back before I could slip into Dream Land and focused on the men in front of me. Good thing too 'cause one of them just started speaking.
- Good evening Miss Plum – the one sitting opposite to me said. – My name is Jeff Jeffson.
- Good evening, gentlemen.
- May I compliment how well you look this fine evening?
- Thank you, you clean up quite nice as well. – Is the entire evening centered on the ridiculous chit chat now? But I guess they were saved from my attitude pushing me to voice that question by the entrance of the waiter. The guy smiled and took our orders and left but had the misfortune of slipping on the belt of my coat. I raised from my chair and helped him to his feet, and was in turn rewarded with a small earpiece being placed in my hand. I smiled at him and apologized for the trouble my coat being there caused him.
- Would you like me to take your coat to the coat check?
- No, thank you. I'd rather have it with me. Here, let me tie up my belt. – saying that I moved behind my chair and, squatting low, quickly put in the comm. unit in my ear. I tied up the belt quickly and moved back up expecting to hear Ranger's voice in my ear. – Once again, I'm sorry for the pain.
- It's ok. Not your fault miss… I will leave you alone now, your order should be here soon.
- Thank you – and I smiled brightly at the guy. He did good. – I'm sorry for that gentlemen. Now, if you can tell me what was the reason I was told to come here?
- You mean to tell us you are not aware?
- Would I be asking if I were? Mr. Jeffson, you or your goons broke into my apartment after the very long and eventful day that I had. Then you made me rush here and skip on one of the best snogging sessions I would have had participated in for quite a while. So how about you tell me what in the world do you want from me and I'll be on my way, huh?
They were all looking at me a little stunned and I smiled internally to myself. The very same moment the earpiece came to life and I could hear an impressed voice saying in my ears.
- That was impressive, Miss Plum. Very impressive indeed. My name is Martin Ramos, and I am a family member of our great uncle Alexander. I work for the BATF, and the guy in front of you, the one they call "the boss" is the head of one of the biggest gun dealing cartels in the entire United States. We need your help to take him in.
Thankfully he stopped speaking at that moment cause the man in front of me started speaking back again.
- We are aware that this morning you were a witness to a situation taking place in one of our buildings at Stark Street. The item that was supposed to be collected at the place had suddenly disappeared. We were hoping you could help us locate it.
- And what is the chance of you believing me telling you that I have no idea what you are talking about?
- Very slim, Miss Plum.
- Bummer, 'cause that is the truth. You said you know of me so I think you should know this one more thing about me. I am the worst bounty hunter in the entire universe. I sure have the guts and good instinct but am not in the best condition at all. I am constantly run out by my FTAs, rolling in the garbage and in the hospital they already know my medical history by heart. All I remember from today is me running after one of the FTAs, getting knocked out by a hit to the head and waking up just to be knocked out again. That's all I know. Next thing I know, I have a friend of mine waking me up and taking me home. I fell asleep and awoke to the invitation on the pillow next to me. Now I'm here. On that dinner party with you, alone. With a guy I want to snog the lights out of expecting me to come over asap so we can finish what we started on my way here. So if you'll excuse me, I'll take my leave.
- Please sit down, Miss Plum.
Unfortunately ( or was it fortunately?) this was the moment chosen by the servers to come in with the food. I took the utensils in my hand, spread the napkin on my knees and started eating. Goodness gracious it was delicious. As the first bite went down my throat I moaned loudly, complementing the food. I smiled to the servers and expressed my opinion with a wide smile.
- It's amazing. My compliments to the chef.
The servers smiled back and with a promise of forwarding the compliments to the chef, they left the room. I went back to eating and didn't pay attention to my company until I heard a groan from one of the men. As I raised my eyes, the view would have made me blush but I have seen the same expression on ranger's face and I knew how much better it could look. The six men looked at me in astonishment and with painful looks in their eyes. The fidgeting told me how uncomfortable the guys were and I hardly suppressed the smile threatening to come out. Call me an evil woman. Well, I guess I am, but I love to have a little control over men. The complete silence during the meal was working for me, letting me think about the meeting in general. Was it really possible that something like that happened? Did I really leave with something important to them and wasn't even aware of it? Knowing my luck, it is a possibility. As the last bite of the meal was consumed, the boss spoke again.
- As much as we would like to believe that story of yours, the item is still missing and the only person gone from the scene was you. So, forgive me if I have heavy doubts about your innocence. As incompetent as you claim to be, from what you said, you also have good instincts. Let's hope that those instincts will help you in locating it.
- Touch my family, and if I find it you will not see me and it ever again. – I said as I stood from the table. I was by the door already when I turned and because my Burg – instilled - manners made me do it, added – And thank you for the dinner. It was delicious.
And with that I walked out of the door.
Please let me know what you think. It is my first story in this universe and written quickly and under influence of my dream... Should I continue this?