Warnings for more smut. Same disclaimers apply.
As I hung up the phone I glanced down at my watch. It was now twenty minutes till two. I shut my computer down, grabbed my coat and bag, and took the elevator two floors down to the lobby. As far as mornings went this one hadn't been too bad. I didn't come away with a lot of information, but I did get the name of the bar where my flasher hangs out. There's nothing better than arresting drunk guys. Okay, what I meant was, I like nothing better than arresting drunk guys who also didn't have a history of being crazy. With most drunks all you do is sit and wait outside their home, or outside a bar, until they drank themselves unconscious. Then you just haul their unconscious bodies back to jail. Easy money. But on rare occasions, or in my case not so rare, you come across guys who would like nothing better than to try to light you on fire, or chase you around with a chainsaw after an all night bender. It sounds a little far-fetched, I know, but I've had both of these things happen to me before. And I'm not anxious to repeat either one.
I got into my car and set out for Rangeman. I used the ten minute drive to do a little self-analysis. I know Ranger loves me, but he's been clear in the past about not wanting to be in a serious relationship. Am I ready for the possibility that Ranger views this as casual sex? And on the flip side, what if he decided he wanted a relationship? Would I be willing to commit to a guy I didn't really know that much about? It was hard enough being involved with Morelli, and we'd known each other since we were kids. I didn't have a ready answer for any of these questions, so I went the denial route and told myself it was just a lunch date and nothing more.
I fobbed my way into the underground garage and parked in one of Ranger's private spaces. I waved at the security camera that was pointed at me in the elevator, keyed my way up to Ranger's seventh floor apartment, and knocked on the door. When there was no response I figured Ranger was probably running late, so I let myself into his apartment to wait. As soon as I stepped into the hall, I could tell right away that Ranger might not have been here, but Ella had. I could smell something amazing coming from the kitchen, so that's where I headed.
A few minutes after I had thoroughly checked out Ella's offering, the apartment door opened and I heard Ranger's keys land in the silver tray by the door. A beat later he was standing across from me in the kitchen. Our eyes met and held. And as delicious as Ella's lunch probably was, I was no longer interested in it.
"You have a choice," Ranger said, his eyes still on me. "Lunch first or dessert?"
I looked at the tray Ella brought up. There was no dessert anywhere around. "What dessert?"
Ranger smiled. Not the usual half smile, either. This was the full on, eyes crinkling at the corners, smile. And it was directed at me. No translation needed. I was on the dessert menu. Even though we spent last night together I could feel my face, along with other parts of me, heating up.
Ranger crossed the room to where I was standing. "You're cute when you blush like that," he said, running his fingers through my curls.
I narrowed my eyes at him, "Cute?" I know cute wasn't considered an insult, but it was a word I would never willingly use to describe myself. Children were cute. Kittens were cute. Bathrooms were cute. A woman should be described as sexy, or hot, or irresistable. Not cute.
"You're also cute when get mad," Ranger said, brushing kisses along my cheek.
Okay, maybe cute wasn't so bad. And the way Ranger was pressed up against me wasn't bad either. I could feel every muscle in his chest, felt his heart beating. And I could also feel the result of us being this close together.
By the time Ranger got to my mouth I was pretty sure I was melting. I knew people could spontaneously combust, but I've never heard about anyone actually melting. I think I was as close as anyone could get. He kissed me, and when his tongue met mine I had to wrap my arms around his waist just to stay standing.
Ranger broke from the kiss, "Lunch or dessert?" He asked again, his lips brushing my ear.
"Dessert," I said. "Definitely dessert."
"Good answer," he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward his bedroom.
I've stayed in Ranger's apartment a lot. And I've spent a considerable amount of time in his bed, but this will be the first time I'll be in his bed with him on a more than platonic basis. Ranger's bed had three hundred thread count sheets. The pillows were soft and smooth. And his quilt was just the right thickness. I thought sleeping in it was as close to heaven as you could get. I had a feeling my opinion about the bed was about to improve.
Ranger kicked his boots off and pulled his shirt over his head. I stood there and stared as his pants and socks were added to the shirt on the floor. He was perfection. He was deliciously muscled, had flawless dark skin, and he always smelled great. The only fault that I could find with him was that he was too far away. That problem was soon solved when Ranger used the front of my shirt to pull me to him before he discarded it. His mouth was back on mine, and he had me so distracted I almost didn't notice the loss of my bra. I did, however, notice when his hands moved to the waistband of my jeans and I felt them, along with my underwear, slide down my body to join his clothes on the floor. His hands were firm on my waist as he lowered me onto the bed. Ranger followed me down, his body half covering mine. His lips were pressed against my lips, and his hands were moving from my breasts, slowly down past my stomach, and continued going lower still. I used to think that Ranger's fingers were best at picking locks and pulling triggers. I now knew, my nails digging into his back, that Ranger's fingers were way better at something else entirely.
"Wow," I said, when I found my voice.
Ranger was busy kissing the spot on my neck where my pulse was frantically beating. He stopped for a second and looked at me. "There's more where that came from, Babe," he said. His lips returned to my neck, then followed the same path his hands had taken moments before.
Ranger's mouth stayed on my body. I was sure that there wasn't a part of me that didn't receive his full attention. And when he put his mouth to me for the third time, I think I may have lost consciousness. When my breath finally decided to come back into my body, I opened my eyes and looked up at Ranger. His eyes were dilated black, and there was a slight sheen of sweat covering his skin. I could feel him pressing against me and knew he was close to letting go, but still didn't seem to be in any hurry. I thought it only fair to speed him up a bit. I ran my hands along his shoulders, down his chest, and then wrapped my hand around him. Ranger's mouth was inches from mine, and I felt his swift intake of air as I ran my thumb over him. Then it was my turn to catch my breath as Ranger came inside me. He told me a while ago, jokingly, that his ass wasn't his best part. Ranger wasn't joking. I can happily agree with him that his ass, although pretty damn fantastic on it's own, was indeed not his best part.
Hours later I was laying across Ranger's chest, my head pillowed on my hands."Where do we go from here?" I asked Ranger.
"We're already in bed," Ranger said,"but I guess we could try out the bathroom or kitchen."
I smacked him lightly on the chest."I'm trying to have a serious conversation here! Connie and Lula saw us together outside of the bonds office this morning. That means I'll be getting a call from my mother and grandmother tonight to ask if it's true. And by tomorrow morning the whole Burg will know."
"And?" Ranger said.
"You don't care that people will think we're a couple?" I asked Ranger.
"In case you haven't noticed, Babe, I'm not real concerned about what people think of me."
"What about my family?" I asked Ranger."They'll be expecting you to come to family dinners. And you can only use the excuse that you're working so many times before they figure out you're avoiding them."
"You come from a scary family, Babe," Ranger said,"but I've dealt with worse. You could help the situation by getting your grandmother to stop picturing me naked whenever she sees me."
I burst out laughing. "Sorry," I said to Ranger."God himself couldn't stop her from doing that. It's the price you have to pay for being hot. Woman are going to picture you naked, so you're just going to have to get used to it."
"You think I'm hot?"
Was he kidding? If you looked up 'hot guy' in the dictionary you would find a picture of Ranger."Well you do have a cool car," I told him."That helps."
Ranger smiled at me.
The other major problem, aside from my family, was how Morelli would react when he finds out about Ranger and me. What if Lula was right and Morelli tries to confront Ranger? I bit into my lower lip, trying to think of a way to voice my concern without making the moment awkward.
"Now what are you worried about?" Ranger asked me.
"Joe's reaction," I said. "You don't think he'll come after you, do you? I don't want him to get himself hurt."
"I've always known that his biggest issue with me has never been about how I run my business," Ranger said."I can deal with him without having to touch him. The question is, can you?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"It means," Ranger said to me,"that I'm not going to be a happy man if I see him with his hands on you."
I had a feeling that was a huge understatement.
"Isn't that a double standard?" I asked him."Your hands were always on me even when I was with Morelli."
"That was different," Ranger said."I was just pointing you in the right direction."
"And you're saying that you're the right direction?" I asked him.
"Yes."
"Just out of curiousity, why do you think you're better than Joe?"
"I don't give ultimatums. I'm not going to tell you to quit your job. Or demand that you change your life for me," Ranger said."But if I do feel like you're in danger, I will get involved whether you want me to or not."
"Fair enough," I said."What happens if things don't work out between us? We work together, too. If we drive each other nuts, who would I call if I needed help?"
"I'll stick Tank with you," Ranger said.
I made a face. Tank is strong, trustworthy, and can handle just about anything. That doesn't mean, however, that he's a fun guy to be around. Tank doesn't talk. And I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm a royal pain in the ass most of the time.
"I'm kidding," Ranger said. "I've been with you from the beginning, Babe. I don't see that changing whether or not we're sleeping together."
"Good to know," I said to Ranger."But if you do have to send someone how about Ramon or Lester? They're nice to look at."
Ranger pulled on my hair and gave me a dark look. "You want to be careful," he said to me."I can hire someone permanently to watch you who I guarantee won't be nice to look at."
I knew most of the guys that work for Ranger and the majority of them were scarier than hell. I'd hate to see who Ranger would hire next.
"On second thought," I said, "Tank might miss hanging out with me. Maybe we should hold off on the scary guard thing for now."
I lifted my head off of Ranger's chest to look at the clock on the bedside table. It was after six."Looks like we'll be having leftovers for supper," I said to Ranger. "We never did get around to eating lunch".
"Are you hungry?" Ranger asked me.
"Yeah."
"I guess I'd better feed you then," Ranger said to me."I know how you get when you haven't eaten. And my plans for you this evening don't include you being cranky."
"Would these plans be the same as your afternoon plans?"
"Babe, it took this long to get you into my bed. I'm not about to let you out of it till I have to."
I wasn't sure if I should be worried or excited. Ranger slipped out of bed and I watched him put his pants on commando. If it wasn't for the multiple orgasm afternoon I'd just had, I would have pulled him back into the bed, but since I was hungry I decided to drag myself out of it, instead. I looked around for something to wear and Ranger's discarded T-shirt was the closest thing to me, so I picked it up off the floor and put it on. It was miles too big, but it was comfy and still smelled faintly of Ranger's Bulgari shower gel. Ranger took my hand as we left the bedroom and led me to the kitchen.
I put the plates Ella had brought up in the microwave while Ranger uncorked a bottle of wine and poured us each a glass."How did your meetings go?" I asked Ranger, as I was setting the food out on the breakfast bar.
"Good," Ranger said."I landed two new accounts and I'm one step closer to selling the Atlanta company. How was your day?"
"I got a lead on one of my skips," I told him."I found out the name of the bar on Stark Street where my flasher hangs out."
"You're not planning on going to Stark Street alone, are you?" Ranger asked me.
"Yeah. Why?"
"Let's talk about your history on Stark Street," Ranger said."You met Ramirez there. And as a result of that you were stalked twice. More than one of your cars had been stolen or have received a new paint job. You pissed off a gang and had a contract taken out on you. And most recently, your grandmother had to shoot a guy's ear off to keep you from being dragged out of your car. And don't forget that you were covered head to toe with paint from a guy shooting at you with a paintball gun."
"The paintball thing doesn't count. You were with me at the time." I said to Ranger."And some good things have happened on Stark Street."
"Name one," Ranger said.
"I met Lula there. And I never would have met her if it wasn't for the Ramirez thing."
"And you consider meeting Lula a good thing?"
I thought about it for a second. Lula could be a royal pain at times, but she's been there for me when I needed her. And I couldn't see my day to day life without her."Yes, I do."
"You're still not going there without me or one of my men," Ranger said.
"Did anyone ever tell you that you can be unreasonable at times?" I said to Ranger."I'll be fine. And look at it this way, I've never been shot on Stark Street but I was shot twice in my own apartment. So, statistically speaking, I'm safer sitting outside the bar."
I thought it was a good point but Ranger didn't look convinced. I blew out a sigh, "I'm not going anywhere right now so let's not spoil the rest of the night by arguing about my safety," I said to Ranger.
"All right," Ranger said, standing up,"but I'm not going to change my mind. And we will be arguing about it tomorrow."
I put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and turned back to Ranger. "You're such a bully," I said to him.
"And?"
I rolled my eyes at him and went back to my seat, and my wine.
"Are you ready for more dessert?" Ranger asked me.
"For someone who never eats dessert," I said to Ranger, "you seem awful interested in it all of a sudden."
Ranger smiled at me. Ranger thought I was amusing.
"What have you got?" I asked him. "Birthday cake? Brownies? Ice cream?"
"I've got something better," Ranger said to me.
This was true. And that was saying something. Not many things could top birthday cake. Ranger scooped me up off of the kitchen stool where I had been sitting, and carried me into the bedroom. Seconds after being tossed onto the bed, Ranger's clothes hit the floor for the second time.
Something was dragging me awake, I opened my eyes and squinted into the room. The bedroom was still dark, and the alarm on Ranger's bedside table was ringing.
"Ulk," I said. Not having had a lot of sleep last night, I closed my eyes and snuggled closer to Ranger trying to ignore it. Ranger reached out to turn the alarm off then gathered me to him.
"What time is it?" I asked him.
"A little before five," he said.
"In the morning!"
"Yeah. And as much as I'd like to stay in bed with you, I have to go to work."
"You only work two floors down. What's with setting your alarm for the middle of the night?" I asked him.
"It's not the middle of the night," Ranger said."And I like to do things early."
"What kind of things," I asked.
Ranger's hand found my breast."Would you like me to demonstrate the things I'd like to do," Ranger asked, brushing his thumb across my nipple."Or just tell you about them?"
Desire spread through my body, but I knew there wasn't enough time to do anything about it."You still have to shower and get dressed," I said."You'll be late."
"Not if you shower with me," Ranger said to me.
"Nice try. But Ella should be here soon with breakfast and she might get the wrong idea about me."
"And that would be what?" Ranger asked.
I knew that Ella, and the rest of the building for that matter, thought Ranger and I have been sleeping together all along. But, now that we seem to be starting some sort of relationship, their opinion of me seems to matter more. I didn't want to become the subject of the Rangeman rumor mill.
"That I'm easy," I said. "And cheap."
"Steph," Ranger said, "You're many things, but easy isn't one of them. And you're definitely not cheap. How many of my cars have you destroyed so far?"
"I'm glad my feelings amuse you. Now go take a shower before I do something I'll regret."
Ranger smiled and kissed me on the forehead."This isn't the first time you've spent the night here, Babe. And Ella already likes you. She was hoping we would end up together. Don't worry about it." And he got out of bed.
Life must be simple when you're a man. No complicated emotions to think about. Men can walk around naked without worrying about what they look like. Of course, I thought to myself, watching Ranger walk into the bathroom, Ranger didn't have to worry. He looked entirely edible naked. Men also don't seem to care if people gossiped about them, or about the person they're sleeping with, but I was raised in the Burg. And in the Burg, if you were born female you had a certain set of rules to follow. And if you didn't do as you were expected, the whole town got involved.
Which reminds me, I never got the dreaded phone call from my mother last night. I didn't think she'd be shocked by the news, but I also didn't think it was going to make her very happy. Ranger's job is more dangerous than Morelli's. And he doesn't seem to be interested in getting married. So in my mother's book, this was two strikes against him, already. I didn't know if I should go over to my parents' house first thing and get it over with, or take the coward's way out and avoid the unpleasant. I opted for avoiding my mother. When in doubt, go with what you know.
I got out of bed, and crossed the room to Ranger's walk-in closet. I grabbed the terry cloth bathrobe that was hanging by the doorway. The robe was bought for Ranger but he never wore it. Ranger wasn't a robe kind of guy. He was either naked or dressed. Ranger didn't do lounging around. I, on the other hand, hated doing the hair-makeup- getting-dressed thing. And I'm not a big fan of being naked. So, from the first time I'd stayed in Ranger's apartment, the robe has become mine.
I walked to the kitchen and, as expected, Ella knocked five minutes later. I opened the door and Ella came in with a tray of breakfast food, and a lot of energy."I knew you were here," Ella said to me, smiling."I brought you an omelet and coffee along with Ranger's usual breakfast. I hope that's okay."
"Yeah," I said,"an omelet is perfect."
In any other place but Rangeman someone knowing where you are, and what time you got there, would be a little creepy. But I've worked in the control room and I've stayed in Ranger's apartment, so the loss of privacy is something you eventually get used to. The smile on Ella's face, however, made me nervous. She looked like she knew what went on last night and was very pleased by it. I knew that the front gate, elevator, garage, and Ranger's foyer were all monitored. But I never thought to ask Ranger how Ella always knew when I stayed over. I hope it was Ranger telling her, because the thought of the control room calling Ella and informing her of my whereabouts, was way beyond my comfort zone.
"Would you like me to set the table in the dining room for you?" Ella asked.
"No, that's okay. The kitchen will be fine."
Ella put the tray down on the breakfast bar and turned to me,"I don't usually get involved in Ranger's business, professional or personal, but I just wanted to say that I'm happy for the two of you. Ranger's a good man. And he deserves all the happiness in the world, and you definitely make him happy."
I didn't know what to say. I was speechless. Ranger was right. I didn't need to worry about Ella having a bad opinion of me.
She gave me a brief hug, and turned to leave the kitchen."If you need anything," Ella said,"just let me know."
"Thank you," I said, walking with her back to the front door. She left as quickly as she came. I closed and relocked the door and went back to the kitchen to wait for Ranger.
I was sitting at the bar pouring coffee when he walked in a few minutes later. Ranger was dressed in black Rangeman tactical gear, his hair still damp from the shower. If I didn't enjoy looking at him so much, I'd complain about the fact that all Ranger had to do is take a shower and he came out looking perfect. While even on my best days, I still have to rely heavily on mascara and hair gel.
"You just missed Ella," I said to Ranger.
"I can see that," he said, sitting down at the bar."Did she insult you? Demand that you leave?"
"Very funny," I said to Ranger."She did the opposite. She said that I make you happy."
"You do," Ranger said."Not to mention angry, frustrated, and exasperated."
"Admit it," I said to Ranger, "your life would be boring without me."
"Maybe not boring," Ranger said, taking a whole-wheat bagel from the basket Ella brought,"but I'd definitely worry less."
"What's to worry about?" I asked, digging into my omelet.
"How much time do we have?"
"I told you, you don't have to worry about me, " I told him, "I can take care of myself. I thought you would've given up on the safety lectures by now."
Ranger looked at me with dark eyes."You should know better than anyone else, Babe, that when I want something I don't give up until I get it."
I thought back to last night. Yep. He got what he wanted all right. And then some. We both did.
"What else could you possibly want?" I asked him.
"I want you to be more careful." Ranger said."I also want you to call me when you're ready to go after your skip. I'll be going with you."
This didn't sound good. On one hand, Ranger coming with me ensured that my skip would be caught and I would have money to pay my rent. On the other hand, just because we were sleeping together doesn't mean he gets to tell me what to do."Are you going to spend your days following me around now?"
"Not all of them."
I blew out a sigh. "I thought Morelli was unreasonable when it came to my job," I said to Ranger."But you might be worse. What about all that stuff about not asking me to change my life or my job?"
"I didn't ask you to change your career," Ranger said,"I asked you to call me so I could go with you."
"Isn't that the same thing?" I asked him.
"No," Ranger said to me."And I remember telling you that I'd step in if I thought you were in danger."
"But I'm not in danger. No one is after me." Not that I know of, anyway."And I don't think going after a drunk naked guy warrants a bodyguard. "
"Babe, I'm only going as back-up so no one tries to shoot, kidnap, or attack you," Ranger said."Admit it, your track record isn't all that good."
Okay, he had a point, but I didn't have to agree with it.
We finished breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen. Ranger went to finish getting ready for work. When he came back out he had his gun holstered at his hip, and his jacket in his hand. I followed him to the front door, and watched as he pocketed his keys for the Turbo.
Ranger wrapped his fingers around the big shawl collar on my robe, and pulled me flat against him."I'll be out most of the morning," Ranger said."But I should be back at Rangeman by noon. I'll be available any time after that to go with you."
"This is just about Stark Street, right?" I asked him."You're not really going to insist on going with me on every case I get. And what about you? Do I get to butt into you're work now that we're together?
"You can try," Ranger said.
"But will it get me anywhere?"
"Maybe," Ranger said, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me even closer.
"That's not fair," I said to him,"you're trying to distract me."
"Is it working?"
I blew out a sigh."How about we agree to give each other space when it comes to our jobs," I said to Ranger. "I'll try not to be so nosy. And you can stop being so protective."
"Babe," Ranger said."I like your body the way it is. I don't want to see any bullet holes in it."
"I'm not going to get shot today," I told him, praying I was telling the truth.
"I'll see you this afternoon."
"Is there any way to convince you that I don't need help?" I asked him.
"No," Ranger said, brushing a light kiss over my lips.
Somehow the belt on my robe slipped and Ranger's hands found their way inside. His fingertips traced my ribcage and skimmed down my spine. Ranger gripped my hips and held me to him, his lips touching mine.
"If you let me have my way on this," Ranger said,"I'll make it up to you tonight." Then he kissed me. The kiss was slow and deep, and I was thinking less about work and more about what would happen when we got home.
Ranger broke from the kiss, and looked at his watch."I'm late," he said.
"Whose fault is that?"
"Yours," Ranger said, giving my body a once over."You know how much I like seeing you in my robe and nothing else."
I looked down at myself. Ranger had the robe untied, and he was definitely seeing everything.
"Hey, my belt was tied when we started this conversation," I told Ranger.
He kissed me again, retied my robe, and took a step back towards the door."We'll finish this tonight." Then he was gone.
After Ranger left, I took my time getting ready. I started off with a long shower. Ranger's shower was my second favorite thing in his apartment, his bed being the first. Especially with him in it. And I figured if I took long enough, I could stop off at Tasty Pastry before killing time at the bonds office.
It was after eight by the time I deemed myself clean and looking presentable. I left Ranger's apartment and headed down to the garage. There was almost nobody at the bakery so fifteen minutes after leaving Rangeman, I was walking through the front door of the bonds office. I knew Connie would already be there, but I was surprised to see Lula come in not long after me. Once I looked around the office, though, I realized that Connie had most likely threatened bodily harm if she didn't, judging by the files piled up everywhere.
After we had polished off the doughnuts, I helped Lula and Connie out with the filing before asking Connie if I could use her computer. While I was there it wouldn't hurt to take advantage of the search programs that the office had. I was hoping to get more information on the people my FTA hung around with. If I could find Roger Jarvick before he made it to the bar I figured I wouldn't have to call for backup, since I wouldn't actually be on Stark Street which was what Ranger was concerned about. I knew there was a chance that this could blow up in my face, but I was willing to risk it.
Ninety minutes, and one numb ass, later I had a lead. It seemed Jarvick had lunch plans with one of his drinking buddies in a diner off of Market Street.
"You up for lunch?" I asked Lula.
"What kind of question is that? Do I look like a woman who turns down lunch?"
Even though she looks surprising good in neon spandex, I had to admit that she looked like a woman who never turned down lunch, dinner, breakfast, a midnight snack, or an all you can eat buffet.
Lula paused while gathering up her stuff, and looked over at me."You're payin', right?" She asked.
I managed to stop my eyes in mid roll."Yes. Roger Jarvick is meeting someone at Diamond's Diner. I'm hoping we can catch him there," I said to her."If we do, we won't have to worry about him being drunk and showing us his goods." And I could get out of calling Ranger.
Ranger might be a little annoyed at first, but I think he'd also be proud of me. Maybe. I hope. If not, I could probably find a way to make it up to him. An image of Ranger in the shower momentarily distracted me. He said we could pick up where we left off tonight. Maybe I could convince him to spend part of it in the shower. I shook my head to clear it, and focused on the task at hand.
"You ready to go?" I asked Lula.
"Hell, I'm always ready," she said with a suspicious pat to the ten pounds of leather she was calling a purse.
I wasn't about to ask what she was carrying, because I really, really didn't want to know. And what I didn't know couldn't land me in a cell right next to my skip, right?
We were finishing up the last of our fries when a red-eyed Jarvick dragged himself to a corner booth across from a man that looked only marginally better than he did. Looks like someone had a rough night. This was going to be a piece of cake.
Lula and I each ordered a piece of pie and we lingered over it waiting for our skip to finish up his lunch special. After his bill was paid, we stayed seated until he said goodbye to his friend and walked out the restaurant alone. We followed closely behind until he was about twenty feet from his car. I shouted for him to stop, and in the second he turned to look back at us, he reminded me of a deer caught in headlights. That was, of course, right before he bolted towards his car.
I wasn't sure if it was the belly full of food he had just packed away that slowed him down, or the thought of two hundred pounds of angry black woman that was currently heading in his direction. I was guessing the latter, but either way he wasn't as quick as he needed to be, and Lula managed a tackle that would have made any NFL player proud. As soon as Lula rolled off of him, and focused her attention on breathing normally again, I had Roger cuffed. We secured Jarvick in the backseat of my car, and headed towards the Trenton PD.
I was looking for a parking space in the lot when my cell rang.
"What are you doing at the police station?" Ranger asked.
"Umm... dropping off Roger Jarvick and getting my capture receipt."
There was a moment of phone silence. It was hard to tell if Ranger was still on the line, or if he had hung up on me.
"Ranger?" I asked."Are you still there? You're not mad, are you?"
"Babe."
I let out a breath. I was pretty sure that was the what-am-I-going-to-do-with-you babe. He wasn't going to give me a hard time about not waiting for him. That was good, since I had plans that included him and they wouldn't be nearly as much fun if he was upset with me. I had already gotten one man that I was after today. Now all I had to do was hand him over to the boys in blue so I could enjoy my reward when I got the other.
