A FEW HOURS TO ERASE..
Later that day Ranger had arranged for a few of the Merry Men to track the signal of the Mercedes and assist me in the takedown. I was ecstatic. I was alive and Ranger hadnt riddled my body with bullets. He also had the guys doing my beck and call, under the condition they keep me alive. Maybe Batman has gone soft, I should ask Tank later if somethings up. Hed probably bought me a casket without informing me, and was just waiting until he had excuse enough to throw me in it. I felt bad because I kinda make the man bleed money. He had once told me that he wrote everything off that he had bought me as his Entertainment fund when he filed his taxes, I was beginning to wonder if caskets were covered under such heading?
I made my way to the office to meet up with Lula, I wanted to give her fair warning that I had already told Ranger about his car. The Merry Men were supposed to be there within a few minutes and if they picked on her, she should atleast be disarmed first.
Connie after making sure her last top coat of Revlons Fire Red had dried correctly, had given me a stack of new FTAs that she had divided between Ranger and I, "Fresh outta jail.. love that new felon smell."
Lula chimed in, "Yeah, they all come with a guaranteed flight or fight."
I love Connie, I respect her. Shes the Betty Boop of the Burg complete with the Mafia uncles and a gun pocket in her purse. She always had a weapon on her and considering most of her outfits were skintight in more than one place you only had to wonder where. She was tough as nails, kinda. A few years back wed kidnapped a guy and tried to beat some information out of him, it lead to a nail file being used and I believe some hair pulling or pinching. Weve both since blocked that memory, Ranger discovered us and it embarassed us enough to forget permantly.
Tank and Hal made their way into the office rather quickly leaving the car parked out front idling. "Hey, our guys in the area Bombshell. If you hurry we can catch him and then well go get some Pinos." I figured they were trying to keep me happy, or buying me my last meal if there was a scratch on the car.
"Hey guys, Ranger just pulled up in the Cedes." We all looked up to see Vinnie walking out of his office. Then as collective realization dawned upon all of us we swung in unison to the front window, just in time to see the Mercedes and the SUV go up in flames. BANG! The blast threw us girls along with Vinnie on our asses, the front window shattered and The Merry Men, were off like a shot.
"Shit"
"Fuck"
"Damn"
"Sonuvabitch, Im never coming out my fucking office ever the fuck again. Connie get the goddamn glass people on the phone and get me the fucking number to the aquarium" Slam, the door cutting Vinnie off from the rest of the world had been closed. "I feel like fish today"
We all shuddered at the mention of the aquarium. Yikes! Vinnie has a thing with animals, theres been a rumor about him and his duck for a very long time.Then there was that Halloween incident and the black cat. Ewww.
"I may have just thrown up in my mouth" Lula covered her mouth again as she felt another wave of nausea pass over her.
The chimes on the front door brought us out of thought and facing a very pissed Tank and an equally enraged Hal. Morelli was dead on their heels and staring straight at me, not as equally pissed, but not very happy.
"Cupcake, I think this belongs to you." he handed me the charred strap to my Chanel purse.
"I forgot that was in there. That was Chanel and ahhh geeez, my Macys card." I slumped against the wall and slid down onto little bits of glass and debris.
"Are you okay?" he looked generally concern, I couldnt control it and a flood of tears started."Ah Cupcake." He picked me up and waited for my tears to slow. "You wanna talk about it." I sniffed and shook my head.
"NO, I want a bag of Boston cremes and fries from Mickey Ds and then I want to shoot Dungeons toes off one by one."
"Babe, we both know your aim isnt the best, youd be lucky to hit his foot. Youd probably shoot off your toes first, and I wouldnt want that, I like your toes. Theyre one of those "tingly" spots you love so much" I looked directly over Morellis' shoulder into the molten chocolate eyes of Ranger. By the look on Joes' face he hadnt realized Ranger was there either."Besides, youre a better target than shooter."
"Manoso, Fuck you." Joe grabbed my shoulders and then kissed me full on the mouth, tongue and all. "Bye Cupcake. Ill meet you for dinner tonight, I have something to give you." He turned my face to look him in the eyes, I knew that look. Sex. "I know youll love it."
"You cant always buy her off with a meatball sub, shell be full someday." Ranger never let his eyes leave Morelli as Joe walked out the front door checking his service revolver for bullets.
"He will shoot you someday, you know this right? Its Superman not Batman that is bullet proof."
He held my eyes as he said, " If he was that good a shot, youd have kids by now. That reminds me, you and I need to go shooting sometime very soon."
I blushed and flushed and got warm in every place that made me forget about Morelli. "You said it yourself, I make a good target."
"Hate to break up the party yall, but Steph can you give me a ride home? There are cops all over my ride and you know the cops give me the runs."
I snapped back to reality hating to take my eyes off of Rangers lips, I was really getting used to the idea of Batman and Wonder Women getting it on. "I parked Big Blue out back, give me a few minutes."
"Well need more than that." Ranger whispered in my ear. "Wait here." I closed my eyes thinking of all the delicious things Ranger could be getting or doing right now.
"Babe" I opened my eyes to an FTA file and a cell phone. This wasnt exactly what Id been thinking of.
"What the hell?" Ranger chuckled, he saw the obvious disappointment on my face.
"You are again working for Rangeman, this is one of my FTAs and this is your new Rangeman employee cell. Speed dial one thru three are my phone, Tank and this office. You can program anything else you want."
"Why am I working for Rangeman?"
"Babe, how the hell else are you gonna work off my car? I mean I can think of a few ways, but I know Morelli will protest. Not that I give a fuck." He pulled me close as if to whisper in my ear, but where his hand was traveling was no secret.
"But Ranger, Ive done nothing but screw up lately. Why would you even think about putting me on your payroll? Have you gone nuts? Bombshell is more than a nickname, more like a warning." I sighed and he pressed me closer.
"Babe." He said it as if everything I just said had meant nothing, he held me closer and kissed the top of my ear. He caressed my back making soft circles rythmically until I physically calmed down.
"MMMMMM, ohhhhh" I hadnt realized I moaned outloud, but the way Ranger pushed me into the gun closet he had. I was cruched under his weight against the door in a second and was happy to be there. "Dont stop." His hands had found its way between my legs and was trying a variety of different combinations to get me to open up to him.
"Steph" Lula called thru the back door.
"Shit."Ranger stiffened, and not the way I had wanted."Next time, I wont stop. Ill take you where we stand, no matter whos watching." Kissing me one last time he unceremoniously pushed me out of the gun closest
"Christ" I ran my hands over my clothes smoothing out the wrinkles and gave Carl and Big Dog, my two favorite Blue and Whites a wave goodbye. Big Dog smiled, and Carl chuckled. "Coming Lula."
"I could had you coming, had we not been stopped." Ranger walked passed me and outside to talk to the remaining men on scene.
I walked outside and over to Big Blue. Fishing the keys out of my pocket and opening the door in one fluid motion trying not to make eye contact and the "I know that look" look from Lula.
"Girl, that look should come with after sex chocolate."
"What?"
"The way that man was just looking at you says more that dessert, it says Mine."
"Come on, lets get you home"
"Lets get you a cold shower and a new toy from the Pleasure Treasure"
Shit.
----------------------------------------------------
"Ah, Christ!" I made the sign of the cross after the look I had just received from my mother. After dropping Lula off I headed straight to my mothers house, shed either have pineapple upside down cake or a clean oven I could stick my head in. I had smartened up, today I was wearing sexy underwear.
"Stephanie dear if you had a normal job, you wouldnt need my cake everyday." HA, that is where she was wrong, even if I had a normal job I would still eat her cake everyday!
"Ma, Im fine. Im just trying to fill up because Im gonna be parked out front of a bar half the day." I heard my mother sigh dramatically. Apparently that was something she didnt want to hear "I wanna be there by two and stay until my guy leaves." James Irvin was by all means a schmuck, hed been picked up for talking dirty to a nurse and slapping her ass while she was stitching up his arm after a bar fight. She had called a security guard and then a fight ensued between the two of them. Both she and the guard had opted to press charges. "Kinda like a daytime stakeout Ma."
"A stakeout, can I come? Or is that code for an afternoon quickie with Mr.Ranger Danger." My Grandma Mazur had found her way into the kitchen and was heading for the fridge."I wonder if he wears a speedo or goes "Commando" Steph would you know?" She scavaged around for a bit, trying to find something I was assuming to snack on, although I had a feeling she was just stalling for time."Nah , youd have told me, Im not as uptight as your mom." My mother threw a wistful glance towards the cabinet where she kept the whiskey, then right back to her coffee cup. I pretended to be extremely interested in the ceiling. "If I was 20 years younger Id pull a Croc Hunter and wrestle my way into his pants for some Afternoon Delight of my own." With those last words and a new Coke, Grandma Mazur made her way back to the livingroom singing "Afternoon Delight"
Thats my Grandma, Grandma Mazur. Shes a hellcat. Her hobbies include but are not limited to; Wakes' and viewings, playing look-out at said wakes' so a co-conspirator can pry the lid off the casket because in her own defense, "We come all the way down here to pay our respects and get a last glance in, we should get the last glance. Besides, I wanna be able to ask for a specific person to due my wake make-up. What if its the greatest make-up job ever, and nobody ever sees it?!? Thats not good advertising then, they should advertise." She wants my job, she hits on my boyfreinds, and well Im not saying shed be any worse then me. Hell with my luck shed knock my job out the park. She already has a jump on me, she carries a bigger gun than I do, and shes shot more times than me also.
My mother asked me to check and make sure the front door and windows were locked, by the time Id made my way back into the kitchen she was giddy, glowing and handing me a bag full of food. This woman worked fast. We could hear my Grandmas singing grower louder as she was making her way back to the kitchen. "Make sure you and Joseph come to dinner Friday, Im trying his mother stuffed peppers recipe." I was then pushed out the backdoor with the shade pulled down in my face. Twice today I had been pushed out a door.
"Shit, I was supposed to have dinner tonight with Joe!" I could always put off the stakeout until one of the Merry Men were free. Since the SUV and Mercedes were torched Dungeon had become priority numero uno.Tanks favorite cd was in the truck and Dungeon was gonna donate his teeth to the Tooth Fairy to make reprieve. I smiled at the idea of Tank actually putting the teeth under his pillow.
I made my way to Rangeman to park Big Blue and pick up an SUV, plus I had to stock up on pepper spray and cuffs, due to the fact theyd been in my now torched purse. I knew from the file my guy normally leaves the bar around five, just so he can stumble into work around six. I still had three and a half hours before I got to meet up with Mr.Wonderful. I had called his boss to make sure he was scheduled for the night. I walked into Rangers office adamant about showing off all of my assests and newly purchased "Ranger-like" dogtags. I was clad in black on black cargo pants and cotton tee, I was even wearing Kevlar for show. I explained to him the plan of action, while showing him the pepper spray, handcuffs and recently issued Rangeman Glock. I planned on pulling alongside Irvin while he stumbled the several blocks to his job, and around the midway point Id offer him a ride and zap him in the neck, when he became distracted by the twenty dollar bill at his feet.
"I want one of the men to escort you, Im not sure I trust you with a real gun in such close quarters with this guy" Shows what Ranger knows, Im gonna have the gun tucked under the seat. I hate guns, and frankly real bullets scare the piss outta me. Twice today the two KnowitAlls in my life were wrong, this day had potential. I smiled.
"Ranger theres no need, this is a piece of cake." MMM, cake, I forgot about the bag in the car" Its a great plan, I know it doesnt deviate much from this mornings' plan but thats the beauty of it. Come on, a great plan can only fail once."
"Babe"
"What? Whats with the look?"
"You amaze me."
"Thanks I think"
"I cant believe you think its gonna work this time around Steph."
"It will, it has to." Wait, Steph?
"And if it doesnt" Ranger made his way around the desk and started playing with a stray curl. Damn rebellious curls.
"It will" Rangers warm fingers were making little circles against my neck, nice.
"Youre not ready." He leaned in and barely breathed the words into my ear.
"The hell Im not" I couldnt really remember what I wasnt, but I knew I was still adamant about it.
"Take Tank atleast, he has no leads on Dungeon yet" He pulled slighty away and the smell of Bulgari began to fill my lungs after I had reminded myself to breathe again. He kissed my neck, I melted against him.
My cell vibrated and it was a text from Lula, "Morelli stopped by." Shit. Im still with Morelli, I woke up and jumped back into the conversation after I took a minute to remember what wed been talking about. "I said no, I want to do this alone."
He pulled completely away, and then sighed outloud,"You have a slot open on your utility belt, dont forget your taser"
Im assuming that was a dismissal. I think I just won. I was feeling happy, so I kissed him with so much force and passion I needed a donut afterward. Id won, the man deserved to have a little bit of his pride given back to him.
For once Ranger was speechless and not just quiet. I was whistling dixie.
When leaving the garage I saw Tank in the SUV behind me. I stopped whistling, lost again, dammit. Does anyone ever win against that man?
-------------------
Its 4:30 and my ass is numb Im restless and I have nothing left to eat. I cant believe I have to sit here another 1/2 hour or so, "Geez." My cell phone chirped and the readout said Batman.
"Yo"
"Yo yourself, my ass is numb"
"Babe, although Id love to discuss your ass, I have something for you." Like what, a bullet to put myself out of my misery, I thought.
"You lied to me." My blood was kinda boiling, I was pissed off, cramped in a tight space and had no one to talk to.
"I asked you if you wanted to take Tank, that never meant that I wasnt going to send him"
"What information would that be?" Tank was still parked two cars back, and seemed just peachy, I had the urge to shoot him in the foot, maybe then he wouldnt seem so content.
"Theres a bag of Boston Cremes under the back seat for you, I had Hal put them in the car while you went for your taser. Proud of you Babe, for being so patient."
I might have moaned outloud." You cant buy me off with donuts, Ill still be mad at you."
"Dont get cream on my seat Babe, Ill leave you to decide which type of cream Im implying." He hung up, and I wondered whether or not that was a partial goodbye. He said "Ill leave you" which is forewarning of the disconnect, I think.
I scrambled over the console into the backseat and hit the floor, hard. I knocked the air outta me, but I found the prize.
I jumped back up front and had stuffed half a donut in my mouth when I decided I was just bored enough to figure out all the do-hickeys on my phone. I hit a button on top and it brought up SpeedDial 1, and asked me to state the name.
"WhA da helm?" The phone repeated back to me, "whA da helm," and asked if that was correct. I punched the number 2 for no, and then repeated "WHAINJHER." The phone started talking again, but I became distracted when Irvin fell out of the front door of Curtain Call Bar.
I turned the engine over after he reached the end of the block. The phone said "Name saved," and repeated "WHAINJER" back to me, "Shit, Ill have to change that." I crept up on Irvin a few blocks later and ended up sitting at a red light.
A yellow VW Bug pulled up alongside of me and the driver was rocking out to The Fray, I looked over at him and my heart hit my throat. Dungeon was now doing air keyboard during a solo moment. I swallowed the rest of my third donut and and punched Tanks number into my cell.
"Sup?"
"The driver of the yellow VW sitting next to me is Dungeon."
"Got it, you need to abort your mission Bombshell."
"Not on your life," the light turned green and Dungeon turned right."Make a decision"
"Im calling Ranger, you be careful."
"Dont pull too many teeth, the judge still needs to understand him later." I hit the disconnect and followed after Irvin once again.