I pulled into my girlfriend, Lynn, snow-packed driveway, and sighed. She had been watching my youngest child, Soren while I ran errands and I was so not ready to pick him up. He wasn't a bad child, just very…energetic. For a three year old it wasn't anything extreme…but none the less exhausting. Cranking the engine off and stowing my keys and cell phone in my pocket I opened my door.

"Excuse me." A deep voice said as I closed my door.

The man's voice startled me, causing me to slip on the ice and snow trodden drive. Large dark hands gently grasped around my waist saving me from crashing, more than likely, onto my face.

"Jesus!" I yelped, pushing myself upright and out of the man's grasp before turning around. "You scared the sh.." I stopped mid-sentence as I turned around twisting quickly out of his grip and coming face to face with the most gorgeous man I had ever seen. "Holy Shit." I whispered.

The man had dark skin, a little lighter than milk chocolate, with short shiny black hair. His eyes were intense making the dark brown color almost black. Looking up at his face, as he was a good three or four inches taller than my 5'9", I noticed a small smile curl up the edges of his perfectly proportioned lips.

"Mrs. Coillier?" He asked, his voice soft. I nodded dumbly, unsure that my mouth would actually operate. "Mrs. Anne Coillier?"

I cleared my throat. "Yes. I'm Anne Coillier. Can I help you?" I glanced back at my Lynn's house to see her leaning against her kitchen sink at the pair of us.

He reached into the pocket of his black leather jacket and pulled out a card.

"My name is Carlos Manoso. I need to speak to you." It had began to snow again and I watched, open-mouthed, as snow softly gathered on his wide shoulders. Shaking my head I eyed the man. He was wearing black CAT boots, black cargo pants and a black sweatshirt under his leather jacket. Creepy, I thought to myself, normally only serial killers, cops and special forces guys wear all black.

"Ummm…I am really busy right now." I said, shuffling uneasily towards the steps leading into Lynn's kitchen. "Maybe I can call you later, and set up an appointment or something." I turned my back, holding his business card over my shoulder. "I have your number." Clicking the automatic locks on my key remote, I reached for the door. Before I could open it, a hand grasped onto my shoulder.

"Ma'am, this isn't something that can wait. I'm going to have to speak to you now." His voice was stern, but not unfriendly. Never the less, it made an involuntary shiver run up my spine. As a military wife, I learned early that strange men in uniform (no matter what they looked like) were bad news. I turned, looking into the man's eyes. He was still standing on the ground, making him face to face with me one step up.

"I don't know if I feel comfortable with strange men coming up to me and forcing their attention onto me. I am a married woman." I forced my voice to remain calm. "If you would like to have this conversation with my husband present, I can have that arranged."

"If that would make you more comfortable, that can be arranged." He flipped out his phone and began dialing.

"Are you calling him?" I asked, nervous at the implications of this man knowing my husband's personal cell phone number.

"Would you rather?" He flipped his phone shut.

"Yes, in fact I would." I pulled out my phone, staring at it for a moment. It was one in the afternoon, and I knew for a fact that he was going to be in the middle of teaching a class. He wouldn't answer the phone even if I called. I swore softly under my breath. "How about this? You let me go inside for a moment and talk with my girlfriend. This is her house, as I am sure that you are aware, and I know for a fact that she is sitting on the other side of this door freaking out."

"We will wait here." He crossed his arms and planted his feet squarely above his shoulders in a stance that screamed 'don't fuck with me, lady'.

"We?" I asked, looking beyond him. He motioned his head towards a large black SUV parked right behind me. Well shit, I thought. How did I miss that?

"My team."

I nodded before wrenching open Lynn's front door and stepping inside.

"Oh my God!" She screamed quietly. "Who the hell is that?"

"I have no freaking clue." I told her reaching into my pocket and extracting his business card. "He says that he has to talk to me…like NOW."

"Creepy." She took the card out of my hand. "Carlos Manoso..it says that he owns a company called Rangeman Securities. What the fuck do you think that means?"

"I have no clue." I shuffled past her and grabbed a cup out of the cabinet next to the refrigerator and got myself some coffee. As I was stirring in my favorite creamer I asked."How was Soren?"

"Good." She grabbed her cup and refilled it, adding cream and sugar. "He's sleeping right now…little bugger got a hold of the cat again. Fritz is gonna have a bald spot for a while."

I groaned, closing my eyes and leaning against the counter top. "Shit, I am so sorry, Lynn."

Shrugging her shoulders she smiled. "It's the cat's own damned fault. He knows not to tempt the beast."

I laughed, knowing exactly what she means. Soren was a little beast, but Lynn loved watching him.

"So.." she said after a moment's pause. "What are we gonna do about Rambo sitting outside. "Want me to call Jake and have him get rid of him?" I laughed and shook my head no. Jake was her husband. At 6'4" not many men would want to be gotten rid of by him.

"I think I should just see what he has to say." I looked out the door's glass pane to find him standing in the same position that he had been in when I left him. "He doesn't look like he is going anywhere does it?"

She laughed, which made me giggle like a teenager. "Let me put on some more coffee and you can bring him in here." She waved her hand towards the small kitchen table. "I even have some cookies I made for the kids' afternoon snack."

"He doesn't look like the kind of guy that eats cookies, does he?" I took another sip of my coffee and glanced again at the mysterious man at the door.

"Probably not." She poured what was left of the coffee into a carafe before setting it on the table and began working on another fresh pot. "But he does look like he could eat your soul."

I snorted, coffee almost spewing all over. "Jesus Christ on roller-skates." I gasped. "Give a girl some notice, will ya''?"

"Alright, let the beast in." She motioned toward the door, and set a plate of sugar cookies on the small kitchen table.

I swigged the last of my coffee, setting the cup in my usual spot at the small table and sighed. I pulled open the door.

"Come on in." I motioned inside. "We've got coffee and cookies. Let's have our little chat inside, without the snow."

"Yes, ma'am." He shook the snow off of himself, and wiped his feet before stepping inside.

"But before we start this whole conversation." I began, putting my hands on my hips. "You call me ma'am one more time and you're getting booted out on your ass."

He chuckled, and nodded his head. "That shouldn't be a problem. What should I call you?"

"Anne would be fine." I stepped back and heard a gasp from Lynn. I shook my head, realizing that Lynn finally saw how gorgeous he was. "This is my friend, Lynn Thompson."

"Lynn." She stuck out her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Lynn. Carlos Manoso." He smiled, a perfect set of whites and dimples. "You can call me Ranger if you'd like."

"Nice to meet you too, Ranger." She said, turning to waggle her eyebrows at me. "Sit. How would you like your coffee?"

"Black." He said, pulling up the chair facing the door.

Lynn poured him a cup of coffee and refilled both her and my cup before we all took a seat.

"So.." I wrapped my hands around my cup and blew softly to cool it. "What can I do for you, Ranger?"

He set his cup down and folded his hands on top of the table. "Do you know a Mr. Francis Anderson?"

"Fuck me." I shook my head. "Yes? What did he do now?"

"You mean…THE Frank?" Lynn exclaimed. "Your old boyfriend, Frank?" I nodded, twisting one of my twin French braids in my fingers.

"Mr. Anderson has deflected, Anne." He stated as if I knew the implications of it. Sensing my confusion. "He has decided to send Intel to a group of Afghani militants that are affiliated with Al-Qaida. He has since gone missing. The last known information that we have is that he is coming after you before attempting to skip out of the country. From what we have gathered, he has a rather…dangerous obsession with you."

"Yeah. You could say that. Psycho ex-boyfriend should have been my minor in college." I groaned exasperated and thunked my head on the table. "Bobby is going to be pissed." I lifted my head to find his face completely impassive. "So, why exactly does that bring you here to me. I mean, it's not like I'm going to hide him, or go with him."

"Actually, that's not it." His voice was just as without emotion as his facial expression. "There are a few people that are looking for him because of…let's call them…bad business deals. They found out about you, and are hoping to get to you first as leverage on getting their money back from him."

I began to shake. "Me?" I squeaked out, trying to take deep calming breaths. Lynn placed a hand on my back and started making slow strokes across my shoulder blades. "Oh, God…my children."

"Your children will be safe. We are here to make sure of your safety as well as your family's."

A blood curdling scream echoed from the living room, and all three of us jumped to our feet.

"I'll get him." Lynn said, rubbing my upper arm comfortingly. "It'll be okay, hon."

I looked over at Ranger, who was still standing, hand on his back and eyes darting dangerously around.

"Relax." I chuckled softly, as I sat back down. "It's just Soren. You don't have children, do you?"

"Actually, I do." He said. "But she never made that sound that I am aware of. Is everything okay?"

I nodded, wiping the tears that were threatening to fall from my eyes before taking a deep breath. We needed to get back to the subject at hand. "So, what exactly does this protection detail mean for me?"

He was quickly back into business mode. "We will be with you everywhere you go, as well as stationed with your children."

"What about my husband?" I asked, fear starting to swell in my chest. "What about his safety?"

"He is going to have someone partnered with him, under cover. The last thing we want to do is totally uproot your entire family. If Mr. Anderson suspects too much, he might become desperate."

I nodded, putting my coffee once again to my lips but didn't drink. I had to get myself under control before I freaked out. I took a sip, closing my eyes for a moment and calming my heart rate.

"I need to go and speak with my husband, and pull my son from school." I spoke, beginning a list in my head. "I am sure that this means that he will have to be pulled from school?"

"No." He sipped his coffee. "We have spoken to the principle and she has agreed with letting us put a few men in the school as student teachers. Your son will be monitored his entire day and be safe."

I nodded, and took another sip. "I am assuming that this guarding will start immediately?"

He nodded. "I have my core team with me now. They will assist me as your personal guards. Where you go…we go." He smiled, and I couldn't help but to follow suit. His smile was soft and kind, showing how compassionate this rough-looking man was.

"Fabulous." My voice was a little shaky, but the attitude that was intended was still there. He smirked slightly and shook his head. "I have to check on my son before I head over to see my husband. He's instructing right now so he isn't going to be answering his phone."

Lynn strode back into the kitchen, closing the door separating the kitchen and living room and setting a small baby monitor on the stove.

"He's out cold again." She sighed.

"Night terror?" I asked, already knowing the answer. She nodded, sitting back into her chair and picking up her coffee.

"He has only woken up a few times, but thankfully he has gone right back to sleep." She took a sip of coffee and looked from Ranger to me. "So, what's the plan for my girl here?"

"I guess that I have a personal entourage."

"Nice. As long as they look like Rambo here, you'll be swimming in hotness." Lynn giggled as she watched my face redden.

"I don't know about that." Ranger said, shaking his head slightly. "But we are all fully trained and more than capable of maintaining the safety of the family. Although, I have been told that we are rather intimidating."

"Intimidating?" Lynn said. My mouth still agape at the hotness comment. "My husband is scary. You are a pretty boy. A little nerve-wracking…yes. But scary…nah…you aren't scary."

Ranger smiled, this time showing his teeth.

"Why don't you take Mr. Mysterious over here to visit with Bobby and I will keep Soren?" Lynn said, picking up a sugar cookie and dunking it in her coffee. "I'm sure that you would be done in time to get the kids from school."

"Mrs. Thompson, I would like to leave a few of my men here for Soren's protection. Would that be okay with you?"

"Only if you call me Lynn." She said, smiling. "Why don't you go and get your men and I will get some extra cups out."

"Lynn." Ranger began.

"Any one visiting my home is offered a cup of coffee, Ranger." She said blatantly. "And cookies, or sandwiches. I'm an Army wife…we are hospitable…not hostile."

Ranger chuckled at this and pushed himself back from the table. "That you are, Lynn, very hospitable. I will go and get them now."

"Let them know to be quiet..Soren is still sleeping and I would like to keep it that way."Lynn spoke sternly poking a finger in his direction. "And don't let the door slam when you go out."

"Yes, ma'am." Ranger said with a mock salute and a grin. We watched him gingerly shut the door behind him and walk down the drive to the awaiting SUV.

"I think that I am going to like that man." Lynn said, tipping her coffee up against her lips. I turned to look at her and smiled. Only Lynn would be able to communicate so casually with a man like Ranger, and then threaten bodily harm without breaking a sweat…or her smile. I watched as her facial expression changed and her mouth hung open, coffee cup stilled at her lips.

"What is it?" I asked turning my attention to the SUV. Three giant men piled out, and began walking towards the house. "My God, Lynn! Those men are HUGE!"

Lynn glanced back at her small kitchen table and then back to the men striding confidently towards her door. "Do you think they will fit?"

I laughed as a soft knock was rapped on the door. Without a second passing, the door slowly opened and Ranger walked in, followed by the three giants from the SUV.

"Mrs. Anne Coillier and Mrs. Lynn Thompson, these are my men Tank, Santos, and Cal." He pointed to each man as he named them. Tank was the largest, standing at I would guess at 6'8". He had to duck to walk in the door and was nervous about the ceiling fan. He had very dark skin, hair and eyes. It was obvious where he got the name Tank…he was definitely built like one. Santos was adorable. His height was closer to Ranger, but he wasn't as broad. His dark hair was spiked and bleached at the tips, matching the playful smirk on his face. He was obviously of Latino decent, with dark caramel skin and the most striking green eyes. Cal was the oddest of the bunch. They were all extremely attractive, and he was definitely of the same caliber. It was the giant flaming skull tattoo on his forehead that threw me for a loop. He has light brown almost blond hair cut short. He was taller than Ranger, but shorter than Tank and built like a professional wrestler. His eyes were soft grey and twinkled with mischief.

They nodded at their introduction, but stood stock still. Damn, military men don't know when to loosen up.

"Why don't you boys have a seat?" Lynn said, pulling out the cups from the cupboard and placing them on the counter next to the now full coffee pot.

"Thank you, ma'am." They said almost in unison before gingerly sitting down at the small table. Lynn was right to worry about the welfare of her table, as they all looked like they could render it to toothpicks in seconds.

"Cream, sugar?" I asked, gathering the essentials in my hands and setting them on the table.

"Anne, these men are just part of my team. The rest are monitoring your home, your oldest son at school and your husband. Santos and I are going to be with you to visit your husband, while Tank and Cal stay here with Lynn and Soren."

He looked at me as if my acceptance of this choice was needed. I shrugged my shoulders. "It doesn't matter. I don't know any of you from Adam."

"Anne, let's get you over to visit with your husband." Ranger gently put a hand on my elbow. "Thank you again, Lynn for offering your home to me and my men for the time being. We will be back shortly."

"I have my phone." I told Lynn, expressing wordlessly with my eyes that she should call me if anything were to happen. She smiled and shook her head.

"I am going to call Jake and let him know what's going on so he doesn't freak out when he gets home to find all these men in the kitchen. He might think that I've finally caved to one of his sick gang-bang fantasies."

All three of the men sitting at the table coughed, spitting coffee out of their mouth and hacking.

"Jesus." Santos gasped.

"Santos." Ranger barked, glaring at him.

"Sorry, boss." He replied. "Just..I had a flashback."

"Grandma Mazur?" Cal asked. Santos just nodded. "Shit, man..there's no way she is that bad."

I shook my head as I walked out the door…less afraid of Soren and Lynn and more fearful of Ranger's men not having permanent damage. Ranger beeped the SUV open as I unlocked my car's doors and pulled out my purse.

"I don't know how my husband is going to take to me showing up to his work with another man." I joked as Ranger opened the passenger side door.

"I am sure that he will understand once we explain everything."

"I hope for your sake he does." I giggled.

****AUTHOR's NOTE:

Okay, so this is the one story that I have started so far that I am just not sure if I am going to continue it. Let me know what you think. It's not really a traditional FF. Please review and let me know if I should continue it …or toss it in the lost cause folder.

As always, thanks for taking a chance at reading something I posted.