Standard Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm just having fun and I'm not making any money here.

This is a babe story but no cupcakes are hurt.

Much thanks to my amazing beta, Cristi0819.

Philadelphia Distraction - Chapter 1

Reviewing the file on Ron Martin, I debated what to do. Martin was a skip wanted for rape. He had a history of abusing women. He had run to Philadelphia and we knew he was staying inside one of the clubs he owned there, where he was guarded constantly. There was some information that his guards often helped and participated in the assault of women, generally of hookers who didn't report the attacks. I couldn't wait to get my hands on all of them and most of my men felt the same way.

I knew getting Steph's help on a distraction would be our best hope of grabbing Martin, but admittedly I didn't want her too close this guy or his guards. She never said no to me, even when she should. Tank, Lester, Bobby and I had worked out a plan earlier today that we believed would keep her from harm, but we all knew distractions had a way of going awry despite the best plan. I hadn't even asked Steph to do the job yet, but I felt better about asking knowing we had a way to keep her safe.

She answered my call on the first ring, "Yo."

"Yo yourself, Babe." I couldn't help but smile at her greeting. Only Stephanie could bring a smile to my face with just a syllable. "I have a distraction job in Philadelphia I'd like you to think about. I'll bring the file over for you to review."

"I'll do it. What time do you want to pick me up? How should I dress?" Her quick response and loyalty to me didn't surprise me, but it did as usual leave me humbled. I often wondered what I did to deserve her in my life.

"Babe, you should at least look at the file and hear our plan." I needed and wanted her help, but never wanted to make her feel pressured.

"I'm sure you and the guys have planned to the hilt, you can fill me in on the drive over." I heard the determination in her voice and knew to let it drop.

"Would you spend the weekend with me in Philadelphia? I have a great hotel suite downtown. We could spend the weekend after the distraction and just relax." She and the cop had broken up about three months ago and I had long ago promised that I wouldn't leave her bed empty for long. This time, however, I wasn't just interested in her bed, but her heart. It was time for me to man up and I wanted to make sure she knew that I was serious this time.

"Um…" She took in a deep breath and I knew she was trying to protect herself, knew that she wasn't sure about my offer. I'd broken her heart more than once with all my 'condom but not a ring' bullshit.

"Babe, I just want the chance to date you properly for a bit. There's no pressure, I promise." Those words were hard for me to say and I knew that I needed to earn her trust back. She trusted me to keep her safe, but she couldn't trust me with her heart just yet. I knew I had damaged that part of our relationship, but I was determined to atone for my sins.

"Okay, I'd like that. What should I bring?" I could almost picture her chewing on her bottom lip as she held the phone to her ear, her wild hair framing her gorgeous face.

I wanted the chance to romance her a bit so I'd already made reservations for one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia tomorrow night. "Something dressy for tomorrow night's dinner, casual the rest of the weekend."

She let out a little sigh. "Okay, what about the distraction? How slutty?"

I'd allowed myself to get a little distracted by her acceptance of my plans to romance her that I'd almost forgotten about the distraction job that had to be done first. "Martin likes just a notch above street corner slutty. I'll pick you up in two hours." Normally, I would have hung up after that but I wanted to man up and do right by her for a change. "Bye, Babe."

She giggled. "Did you just say bye to me, Ranger?"

"I did." I hung up then knowing that she understood what I was trying to do.

Packing my bags and grabbing equipment took me most of the two hours. I tested and retested the mic Steph would wear. I didn't want to leave anything to chance, didn't want her alone with Martin or his guards for any length of time.

The core team, along with Hector, Ram, and Hal met me in the garage. They would all ride over in two SUVs while Steph and I took the Porsche. At Steph's building they waited in the parking lot while I went upstairs to get her.

I knocked once. Normally I would have let myself in, but again I wanted to prove to her that I wanted to change, wanted to be the man she needed. She opened the door and smiled, her blue eyes twinkling at me. She was in a red tank top and impossibly tight jeans showing off every amazing curve of her body. My body immediately wanted to react, forcing me to fight the urge to press her into the wall and claim her on the spot.

She turned and grabbed some things from her bedroom. She held up a blue dress in front of her. "Will this work for the distraction?" I could imagine her in it and I knew she'd have Martin and every single red-blooded male in the joint panting after her.

"It's perfect, Babe." I grabbed her bag and led her down to the car.

I filled her in on Martin and the plan for the distraction while we made the drive. She took it all in stoic stride, her faith in me and my men to keep her from harm didn't allow her to dwell on the potential danger. We knew that chances were slim that she'd be able to get Martin outside. He didn't like to leave the safety of his club, which housed a small apartment at the back where he was apparently living.

We figured Martin and his guards would take Steph back there. Hector would make sure to disable to the apartment's alarm system so that Ram, Tank and Lester could climb in through the back window and get control of Martin and his guards while keeping Steph from harm. Since we were going to be in Philadelphia and I was less likely to be recognized, I was going to be in the bar keeping an eye on her. Hal would be inside with me, too. Hector and Bobby would be at the back door just in case Martin tried to get Steph into the car he kept back there.

Checking in at the hotel, I held her hand as we rode the elevator to the penthouse. She was gorgeous and I fought the urge to kiss her deeply. I wanted to, but knew that I needed to keep my mind sharp and focused on the job tonight. If she got hurt because I was distracted I would have a hard time forgiving myself.

I sat in the living room listening to her get ready while my mind replayed every part of our plan tonight. I tried desperately to block out the images of the women Martin had hurt in the past. My muscles were starting to twitch, itching to wrap my hands around Martin's throat when Steph appeared. The sight of her in that blue dress made my mouth run dry. "Babe."

She blushed and looked down at her impossibly high heels. Standing up, I approached her with a mic in hand. Smiling, she tilted her head and let me place the mic between her exquisite breasts. I tried not to linger but my fingers slid across her smooth skin anyway. When she shivered at my touch I couldn't help but grin, but I forced myself to step back.

"I'll be inside keeping an eye on you. We'll do everything we can to keep you safe."

She squeezed my hand and smiled. "Of that I have no doubt."

She stayed in an SUV with Bobby while Hal and I got set inside Martin's club. I spotted him easily and heard in my earpiece that Hector had the apartment alarm disconnected. Tank, Lester and Ram were ready to climb inside the minute we knew Steph had Martin on his way. We couldn't be sure if he would take her to the apartment or his office just down the hall. They would wait outside between the two windows ready to move the minute they knew for sure where to rescue their Bombshell.

Bobby's voice came through my earpiece announcing that Steph was coming in as I watched Martin and his guards in a corner booth checking out the club patrons. Watching the door open, I couldn't help but smile at my Babe. I tried to keep it hidden behind my blank face, but she was gorgeous and radiant, testing everything about my control at every moment.

Martin's guards took notice of her right away. I felt myself bristle when one of them approached her at the bar. The urge to stand in front of her, to make them back away from my woman was incredibly strong, but I knew that I couldn't let my possessiveness ruin this job. I listened to Steph through my ear piece and was amazed at how well she could do these jobs. In general she was a terrible liar, but for some reason she always pulled these jobs off without a hitch.

The guards introduced Steph to Martin, who invited Steph to join him. They sat in the corner talking and flirting for a long time. I watched and felt a growl wanting to work its way loose when Martin's hands started touching Steph's bare shoulders and fingering at the spaghetti straps holding her dress up. Because Martin owned the club we weren't able to have someone behind the bar and I began to worry when another round of drinks was served. Steph didn't have much of a tolerance. She drank, but mostly played with her straw making sure to keep Martin interested in her, not how much she was drinking.

Martin leaned in close to her and said something the mic couldn't pick up. My fingers clenched into fists as I thought about what he might have said of the plans he had for my babe. I wanted to punch him for even thinking he could talk to her, let alone touch her. Yet here I was asking her to let him manhandle her. What kind of man was I that I would ask the woman I love to be touched by such filth?

Shaking my head, I tried to get my mind back in the game. Martin's mouth was still next to Steph's ear when I saw her eyes close. Whatever he was saying was beginning to get to her, but when she opened her eyes they were full of determination. I'd never known anyone, not any soldier or psychopath as able to pull up reserves from deep within like Steph could.

Martin stood up, extending a hand to Steph before leading her down the hall. The guards were close behind and my stomach clenched knowing that she was going to be alone with them for just a minute before my men could get to her. Slowly I stood up and made my way to the entrance of the hallway, wanting to be close just in case. Hal followed me, both of our bodies tense as we geared up for action.

A door closed in my earpiece just before I heard a small gasp come from Steph. I rolled my shoulders knowing that Martin or one of his guards had probably just grabbed her. Her voice was strong when it filled my ear, "In your office, sugar? I thought you said you had an apartment back here. Wouldn't a bed be nice?" That was all the guys outside would need to hear to know where she was and be on the move.

Her question obviously angered Martin because a slap echoed in my ear and sent me running down the hall towards her. Steph cried out as the sounds of a struggle and ripping clothing filled my earpiece. I kicked the office door down, my eyes quickly taking in Stephanie sprawled out on top of a desk; one of Martin's guards had her arms pinned down over her head. Martin was standing between her legs, his hands on the waistband of her panties, her dress was torn, exposing the lacy bra she had on underneath.

All thought left my head as I went after Martin, an animalistic growl leaving my mouth as I stalked him. I knew my men would handle the guards. Tackling Martin, I knocked him to the ground and began pummeling him, my fists connecting over and over again to his face. Blood was spurting out of his nose when I felt Tank and Lester each grabbing my arms and trying to pin them to my body and pull me off Martin.

Tank's hands were vice grips on my wrists as he leaned toward me using his body weight to slow me down. I felt his breath on my neck as he leaned into my ear. "RangeMan you need to stop, you're scaring that Little Girl and she's had enough tonight. She needs you." His voice was stern but quiet and it invaded the fog of my rage and reminded me of the woman I needed to care for.

Letting out a deep breath, I stood up and looked around. Steph was standing in a corner, her body wrapped up in Bobby's windbreaker as he tried to get her out of the office. He was trying to protect her so that she didn't have to see me kill Martin. Steph's eyes were wide with fear as I approached, but she wasn't crying.

I couldn't be sure at that moment if she was afraid of me or if it was just the entire night making her so frightened. "Babe?" I opened my arms as I approached her, hoping she'd take the invitation.

She nodded and stepped into my embrace. Kissing the top of her head, I pulled her close into my chest. "I'm so sorry, Steph. Let's go outside." Tucking her into my side, I led her outside and into the passenger seat of one of our SUVs.

Tilting her head up to look at me I caressed her cheek. It was red and swelling from where she'd been slapped. "Who hit you?" I'd only gotten my hands on Martin but if it was one of the guards who'd hit her, I'd be sure to get my hands on them, too.

"Martin." Her voice was a quiet whisper. She was being strong. She'd keep it together for the cops, but I knew she'd crash later. I was hoping I could help her stay calm until we were alone.

"Did they do anything else to you?" Seeing Martin's hands on her panties reminded me again of all the possible things that could go horribly wrong during a distraction. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when she shook her head no.

Bobby, Hector, and Tank approached as Hal and Lester stood sentry over our prisoners. "Babe, I need to talk to Bobby and Tank. I'll be right back."

She nodded, her eyes were dull as they met mine making my heart ache in a way I didn't know was possible before that moment. Hector stood and talked to her, their friendship was a constant mystery to me but I knew he'd help her stay calm while I checked in with my team.

Bobby handed me a few towels to wipe the blood from my hands. "You broke Martin's nose and maybe his jaw." His eyes met mine and I nodded. I knew that my loss of control meant that we would have to talk to the cops. I had no regrets except that maybe I hadn't gotten my hands on the guards who were so very willing to hold Steph down while Martin violated her.

Sirens were approaching and I knew that this night was going to get a bit longer. "It goes without saying that I want to keep Steph out of it as much as possible."

Tank and Bobby nodded at me as the cops pulled in. It took about 45 minutes to get everything cleared with the cops. I held Steph against me as she gave her statement, wanting to make sure the cops were extra gentle with her. None of this was her fault and I didn't want them to upset her at all. She was her usual, amazing self. She stayed calm but kept Bobby's windbreaker pulled tight against her body as she talked.

When the cops left, Bobby examined Steph's face quickly and gave the standard advice of Ibuprofen and ice. "Thanks, Bobby." She gave him a wide smile. "Do you want your jacket back?"

I wasn't surprised that she had a smile for him or that she was worried about giving him his jacket back. Her dress was hopelessly torn underneath that jacket, however; and I wasn't too keen on the idea of her taking it off and being exposed. Bobby just shook his head. "You can give it back to me in Trenton."

Giving my team a nod, I steered Steph towards my Porsche. I could feel a few small tremors running through her body though she was trying to hide it. The adrenaline was leaving her and I wanted to get her somewhere private so that she could let go. Buckling her into the passenger seat, I let my thumb run across her cheek as I met her eyes. "Babe, what can I do for you now?"

"Can we go back to the hotel? I'd like to take a shower."

I nodded and shut the door, jogging to the driver's side to get her out of this club parking lot. As I pulled into the street I felt her eyes on me as her hand gripped mine tightly. "It's over now, Babe." I drove us as quickly as I could to the hotel wanting to get her alone and reassure her and myself that it was indeed all over now.