Chapter 1: One step higher
My name is Stephanie Plum.
My Hungarian and Italian heritage has left me with brown curly hair and blue eyes. My small and adorable nose is all mine.
I work as a bounty hunter for my cousin Vinnie and have been at it for nearly four years now.
During that time I've been thrown in garbage, shot at, set on fire, had a bomb taped to me, kidnapped several times, held hostage, flung off a bridge and handcuffed naked to my shower rod.
My now-permanently-ex-boyfriend, Joseph Morelli, was responsible for that last part.
Morelli is a dark haired and dark eyed 6 foot of pure Italian stud Police Detective with testosterone leaking out of his ears.
When I was 6, he taught me a game called Choo-Choo, where I was the tunnel and he was the train. Unsurprisingly, we only played in his dad's garage and if I was wearing either a skirt or a dress.
And when I was 16, he relieved me of my virginity on the floor of a bakery I worked at. Three years later, I ran him over and broke his leg. Revenge is best served cold.
Joe was also one of my first FTAs (fail to appear) with a high bond which I really needed if I wanted to keep a roof over my head. Turns out, the schmuck was clean of his accusation and I suddenly had boyfriend who really liked to share my bed.
About a month ago, he came to my apartment and told me about his new promotion. Yeah, of course I was happy for him. The only catch was he expected me to move to Idaho, marry him and be a house wife and mother to half a dozen kids.
So after a little quarrelling, arguing, him-accusing-me-of-seeing-Ranger and a beer bottle hitting the opposite wall on my part, we decided to call it quits. For good.
Whose Ranger you ask?
Well, Ricardo Carlos Manoso is Trenton's very own Batman. Only with a housekeeper named Ella instead of Alfred the Butler.
Commonly known as Ranger, he's 6ft of mocha-latte muscled deliciousness with dark brown eyes and smooth black hair he ties back in a low pony tail.
He owns a high security branch called Rangeman, like me only…better. He also catches FTAs with high bonds that I would never be able to handle on my own.
The Rangeman employees or Merry Men as I like to call them, or nothing but the best of 200 pounds of pure muscle and the army of big brothers I never had who love to place bets on how long a car lasts with me as the driver.
Once, for one glorious night, Ranger was my lover. I was one of the very few people who saw this incredible Adonis naked.
Even the morning after, when he told me to be with Morelli, I was still hired to take on jobs for Rangeman which once paid off my rent for the rest of the year.
But my hunger for him was never satisfied.
Making due on stolen kisses and just cuddling in bed in the meantime while my relationship with Officer Horny was on hold never filled my needs whenever Batman and I were within 6 inches of each other.
Once I bid a final goodbye to Joe, it was like a curtain of fog had vanished from my senses and suffocated Stupid Stephanie.
Sensible Stephanie took her place.
Why has it taken you this long, Stephanie? Morelli only kissed and humped you because he was just horny.
Yet Ranger, on the other hand, kissed you because you made his gun smell like orange blossom.
What other man would do that?
Not Morelli.
I was in my living room; face down on the couch after yet another messy chase with a skip, when my phone rang.
I grabbed it without looking up. "Talk,"
"Babe," Came Ranger's voice, "You sound angry."
"Wouldn't you be if a man whose testosterone levels are higher than his IQ and wanted for stealing a crate of condoms dragged you through the mud?"
There was silence for a heartbeat. "That depends, how big was he?"
"When you say 'big', do you mean his height or his p-"
"Okay, I get it!"
I smirked.
"Anyway, I was wondering if you were interested in doing a job for me."
"What kind of job? Like a distraction?"
I felt him hesitate for a moment. "Well…Sort off. It's more of a mission. It will take about a week and a half, tops."
"I'm interested, but what about Rex?"
"He can stay on 7. Ella will look after him."
"Great! So what do I have to do? When, where and what to wear?"
I could hear him take a heavy breath. "I can't discuss details on the phone so I'll have Lester pick you up in an hour. But you need to pack just one outfit. You won't need anything else."
My eyes narrowed. "Can you be more specific?"
"Something…racy but not slutty. Oh and Babe, remember to make the underwear…sexy."
He hung up.
Feeling a jolt of excitement whizz through me along with a bunch of thoughts and questions that did nothing for my curiosity, I leapt off the sofa and went into the bathroom for a quick shower.
After I finished, I quickly dried off and hurried to my room to dress into a pair of old jeans and a blue tunic.
It took me a good fifteen minutes to finally decide on packing a bold leopard print halter top dress that went just above my knee. My best friend and sometimes partner, Lula, bought me it as a thank you present. I have to say, I looked good in it.
I carefully folded it into my duffel bag along with a pair of black 4 inch heels and a red corset bra that laced at the front with matching panties.
Setting the bag near the front door, I went into the kitchen to get Rex ready for his stay at Rangeman.
It wasn't his first time there and it always made me smile to think that the big, muscled boys who took out dangerous criminals would be protecting my hamster.
"Come on, Rex." I said, taking off the lid of his cage and scooping him up to put him in his travel carrier. "You're going to be staying at Uncle Ranger's while I'm gone."
Ranger doesn't know he's an uncle to a hamster but I was kind of hoping he'd be his new daddy someday.
I packed a few things for him like saw dust, rodent treats and a few extra bowls.
By the time I zipped up the bag, a knock came from my front door. I dropped Rex's things next to my duffel bag and opened it.
Lester stood in the hall way, hands in his pockets and a blank expression on his face.
This wasn't like him. The annoying yet lovable guy, who usually had a cocky grin plastered on his face and made over-the-top hand gestures, looked as though Christmas had been cancelled.
He offered me a smile that never reached his eyes.
"Hey Beautiful," He glanced at the bags, "Ready to go?"
I did my best to smile back. "Yeah, I'll just get Rex."
With his cage under my arm and Rex in my hand, I found Lester already standing by the elevator holding my bags.
When we were inside and heading down to the lobby, I started to worry about him. Lester usually never shut up and he had barely said a word.
"Are you okay?" I asked. "You're never usually this quiet."
He looked at me and half smiled. "Yeah, I was just thinking about some skips me and the boys are after this week. It involves some kids."
I didn't fully believe him but I decided to leave it at that. Lester had a big heart, along with some big muscles from all his time on the mats thanks to his big mouth.
The elevator doors opened and I followed him to a black SUV. He placed my bags into the back before taking Rex's cage from me.
I got into the passenger seat with Rex on my lap and before I knew it, Lester was driving us to the Batcave.
Hal came to meet us in the garage.
He was kind of an aloof guy but even the look on his face when he came to greet us gave me an uneasy feeling.
"Hey Steph," He gave me a small smile. "Boss is in his office. He wants to speak to you privately. I'll take your little buddy to Ella. Lester will take care of your bags."
He held out his hand for Rex and I reluctantly handed him over.
I looked at him through the plastic. "See ya, Rex. I'll miss you."
I kissed my finger tip and placed it on the carrier before heading towards the door that lead to the main building and I swear I heard someone let out a sigh.
But I didn't look back. I approached the elevator and pressed the button that would take me straight to Ranger's office.
"Babe."
Ranger's favourite greeting for me which happened to mine too.
"So what's this mission? Are we going to go all Batman and Wonder Woman!?"
He smiled a very small smile before turning serious again. "You've got 2 choices. You can either learn what the mission is about first, or, you find out what the terms are."
I cocked my head slightly. "Mission."
He barely nodded as he picked up a file. "We're being sent to an uncharted island owned by a very dangerous South American mafia gang who specialise in every drug known to man and banned lethal weapons."
Ranger opened the file and took out the first sheet of paper and handed it to me.
There were mug shots of 3 men, who were scary just to look at, and 4 names.
The first was Cortez Fermin "The Smile" Monaldo. Mocha skinned, chin length black hair, dark eyes, 6'2, 180ibs but what caught my attention was the rigged scar that curved from the right corner of his mouth to the tip of his cheek bone. No hints for his nickname.
Next was Ezio Martese "Shades" Callisto. Tanned, spiky black hair, blue eyed and 6ft at 199ibs with a large light brown birthmark on his shoulder listed as a distinguishing feature.
And finally Riqui Pedro "The hook" Othello. Fair skinned, cropped hair, grey eyes, 5'9, 167ibs, has a scar in the shape of hook on his torso according to the unique character traits. Very original nickname.
There was no photo or description for the last name; Nigel Nero "Nightwing" Sarbello.
Ranger answered my unasked question when I looked back up at him. "You'll get a chance to see what Sarbello looks like when we land. I think you'll get a good description of him."
I stared at him for a while. "Okay…so why have you asked me to come? Am I supposed to play the typical tramp who hasn't got 2 brain cells to rub together, in a distraction?"
He looked at me for a moment before giving me one of his rare smiles. "Not exactly. Distraction, yes. Tramp, no. To bring these men down, a lot of evidence is needed. It'll be a lot easier with their eyes on you."
"Okay, I get the idea. So what do I have to do?"
His smile dropped and his poker face reappeared. "Firstly, when we arrive, make as little eye contact with them as you possibly can. Secondly, only speak when you're spoken too and finally," He tossed the folder back onto the desk and stepped closer to me, placing his hands on my shoulders. "You must do exactly what I say. That means you must obey every order I give you, no matter what. Understand?"
A chill went down my spine as I nodded. "What are terms?"
Ranger took in a deep breath before exhaling slowly. "Stephanie, this is probably the most dangerous mission I will ever take you on. We're dealing with a group of very treacherous men, they don't let anything or anyone get in their way and they'll take what they think will be beneficial to them. Once you're on the plane there's no changing your mind at the last minute. When we're there we're not leaving until we get what we need. So answer me truthfully, are you sure you want to do this? Because now is the time to withdraw."
His brown orbs pierced into my blue. I had never seen him look so serious or restless.
I firmly nodded my headed. "I'm sure. But one question."
He gave a nod.
"If the mission is so dangerous, why did you ask me? Aren't there other women who are more capable?"
Ranger let go of me and shrugged slightly. "Other women? I can't say there are." He brought his hand to my face and caressed my cheek. "But the real reason is because you're the only woman I trust, Babe."
I smiled and leant into his hand. I knew there was more I was capable of doing than just cooking and cleaning like the perfect Burg wife. I was already one step higher since my break up with Morelli. "When do we leave?"
He glanced at the clock. "In 10 minutes."