Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers, and I am only borrowing them. There are several original characters that are mine, and I claim them as mine.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who review as guest as well as those of you who don't allow PMs. I love the reviews and want to tell you that I read and appreciate them all. Thank you all.

Spoilers: Anything from the books 1-12 might be used for the most part, but I won't rule out anything from all 19 of the books. Please note that the time-line for the books has been altered to fit the story, and people and incidents might have been added.

I would like to give a special thanks to Jenn from BCRU. She has been doing quotes from book 9, and the quote in the first chapter here is what gave me the idea for this story. Hope you enjoy. Thank you also to Dreemseeker for all your input as Beta. Thank you to the ladies at BCRU for answering my questions as well.

Chapter 2: They're Going To Kill Me

Connie's POV:

I opened the folder Stephanie handed me and my only thoughts were, 'They're going to kill me!' How the hell was I going to tell my family that I was married to their worst enemy? And not just married to him. I was pregnant with his baby. I was no longer Connie Rosolli. I was now Connie Bianchi and my husband was Rene Bianchi, eldest son to Giovanni Bianchi, my family's biggest rival mob family.

I turned to Stephanie and tried to speak but all that came out of my mouth was a choked squawk. I did an impression of a fish and finally put my head in my hands and burst into tears. I felt Stephanie's anxiety as she patted my back and promised she would find a way to help me. When I finally got control of my emotions, I lifted my ravaged face and heard Steph's squeal of alarm. I looked at her with a puzzled expression and wondered why she was looking at me so strangely. I could finally stand it no more and asked, "What?"

She gave me a weak smile and said, "You're not exactly looking like yourself."

I grabbed the rearview mirror and turned it so I could check out my appearance. I strained to be able to see into the mirror and screamed. Bells and whistles started going off in the SUV and the headlights started flashing off and on. Steph was swearing as she looked around desperately for a way to shut off the noise. When the white flashing lights of the vehicle were joined by flashing red and blue lights, I looked at Stephanie in horror. "What am I going to do?"

She bit her lip and looked frantically in the back seat. She grabbed something and said, "Here, quick get under this and scoot down on the floor so they can't see you."

I scrunched down in the foot well, in front of the seat, and draped the blanket over me, silently praying that no one would want to look too closely inside the SUV. The sounds were nearly deafening by now, and before I could cover my head with the throw Steph had handed me, I watched her as she laid her head against the wheel. From my vantage point I couldn't see or hear anything that was going on. But I really couldn't face anybody right now, so I had to trust that Steph wouldn't let anyone find me. When the sounds suddenly stopped I sagged in relief. I heard Carl Costanza talking with Steph and I strained to hear what they were saying.

"What set the alarm off, Steph?"

"I don't know. I might have screamed when I heard a noise."

"What are you doing parked back here so late at night?" Carl asked, "And isn't that Connie's car?"

"Oh really? I thought she'd be home relaxing at this time of night."

"Uh huh. Care to try again?"

Even blind I pictured Stephanie rolling her eyes at Carl before saying, "Gee…I don't know Carl. Would you believe I'm here because Connie asked me to find out who she married in Vegas?"

I froze when she said that, and was planning ways to murder her, when I heard Carl laughing as he said, "All right, Steph. Keep your secrets. I'll follow you back to RangeMan. There are rumors flying around about the Bianchi family making some moves. I just hope we aren't headed for a mob war."

At the mention of the Bianchi's I bit down on my lip, so I wouldn't accidently make a sound. I was starting to panic again, but then I heard Stephanie say, "I'll be fine, Carl. After all, I'm in a RangeMan vehicle."

"No can do, Steph. I'm not leaving you here on your own at night. If you don't want me to follow you, then you need to call Ranger and have him meet you here."

Steph sighed, "All right, Carl. I'll let you follow me to RangeMan."

I heard the SUV start up and slowly move forward. I moved the blanket so I could finally see. Steph glanced down at me and said, "I'll be as careful as I can. Can you squeeze back up here?"

I tried but I seemed to be stuck. After my fourth attempt I started swearing. "I'm stuck. How the hell am I going to get out of here now?"

Steph pursed her lips a bit and said, "Ranger will help us with that."

I took a deep breath. I glared at her and said, "You are so lucky Costanza didn't believe you about my hiring you to find out who I married."

She chuckled, "Amazing isn't it. I told the truth and it was so far out he didn't buy it."

I had a sudden thought, "What if he puts two and two together when I start showing?"

"I don't think he will. But if he does, you can trust Carl not to say anything."

I felt the tears roll down my cheeks. "I hope so. I'm scared, Steph."

She looked down at me and I could see the compassion on her face. I knew this was why so many of the skips she'd had, became fast friends. She lifted her gaze once more to the road and a few minutes later we were turning into the RangeMan garage. I heard a horn honk and Steph gave a finger wave as she said, "They're gone. I'm going to park and call Ranger to come down to help us get you out of there. Okay?"

I nodded. "What are you going to tell him?"

"The truth. You can trust him to have your back, Connie. Besides, we might need him and the guys if we have to deal with the Bianchis."

I hesitated. I'd hoped I could keep this secret forever. I placed my hand on my abdomen and I felt a tiny flutter. So soft, as if a butterfly had landed on my hand and flapped its wings.

Stephanie asked worriedly, "What's wrong?"

I looked up at her, with an overwhelming feeling of awe, and said, "I think I just felt the baby move."

Steph smiled and said, "That's what is going to make this all worth it."

I nodded.

She pulled out her phone and pressed a button before holding it to her ear. I heard the "Yo" from where I was and watched her face light up with joy. "Hey, Ranger. Can you come down to the garage please? I have a slight problem I need your help with. Maybe you could bring Bobby too." She listened for several seconds and then if possible, her smile got even bigger before she disconnected the call. After placing her phone in her bag she removed the keys and stepped out of the SUV.

At that same moment I heard a voice saying, "Hey, Beautiful."

"Hey, Les. How was your date?"

"I think I'm in love. Kari and I went out dancing after dinner. She's awesome—smart, sexy, funny. I could go on and on."

"I'm glad, Les. She seems like a really nice girl."

I heard a squeal and then Ranger's voice sternly saying, "Santos! Put Steph down. I thought you had a date."

"I did. I took Kari home and came back here to turn in for the night."

I was frustrated because I couldn't see anything, only listen. I was betting Lester had shocked everyone because he was such a player and for him not to utilize his charm on a woman was unheard of. My opinion was vindicated when Bobby let out a chuckle. "Man, since when have you ever failed to press your advantage?"

"Stick it, Brown. Kari's a classy lady. She deserves more than just a single night. Hell, I don't think a million nights would be enough."

There was a whistle, my guess was Bobby's. It was his voice that said, "Don't tell me you finally met your match?"

There was silence for a minute and then Stephanie was saying, "I'm happy for you, Les. You guys make a great couple."

"Thanks, Beautiful. Now I just gotta make sure I don't screw it up."

"You'll do fine, Les. Just trust your instincts."

I tried to move, but still firmly stuck, I let out a sigh and decided to get Stephanie's attention back to helping me out of this cramped position. "Hey, Steph!"

Both Bobby and Lester said, "Shit!"

Stephanie laughed and said, "Glad you guys are aware of your surroundings."

Suddenly the front passenger door opened and I looked up into Ranger's face. He had one eyebrow raised and I could see amusement in his eyes. I glared and told him, "One smart comment and you've had it."

Just then Bobby and Lester peeked over his shoulder. Lester was the one that asked, "What are you doing all scrunched up on the floor, Connie?"

"I'm stuck. What the hell do you think I'm doing down here?"

Lester's eyes widened and he put his hands up in the air as he took a step back.

Steph moved into sight. "I was hoping you guys could help me get her out of there."

Stephanie's POV:

I couldn't help the squeal of alarm when Connie lifted her face. If I thought she looked bad in Vegas without lipstick, it was nothing compared with what I was looking at. Her mascara had run with her tears and there were black tracks down her cheeks as well as black smeared around each eye giving her a raccoon look. Her skin was blotchy from crying and her eyes were bloodshot. As for her hair, it looked like a family of bats had taken up residence and turned her hair into a rats nest.

When Connie asked me why I squealed, I was reluctant to tell her. I mean after all, I knew what it was like to be on the wrong end of looking bad. I tried to sugar coat it by telling her she wasn't looking herself but that didn't appease her, so she moved the rearview mirror for a look.

I was totally unprepared for her high pitched scream and my eyes widened in horror as bells and whistles started going off in the SUV and the lights started flashing off and on. I started swearing as I desperately looked around for a way to shut off the noise. I'd tried everything I could think of and was trying to find the damn wires so I could cut them all if it would only stop the infernal racket. Somebody was going to get an earful when I got back to RangeMan. Ten frustrating minutes later the flashing white of the SUV lights was joined by the familiar blue and red flashing lights from a police car. I only hoped it was somebody I knew, even though I knew I would have to endure their teasing for the rest of my life.

Connie looked at me in horror. "What am I going to do?"

I bit my lip and looked anxiously around. I grabbed an ugly brown blanket from the back seat and handed it to her as I told her, "Here, quick get under this and scoot down on the floor so they can't see you."

In her haste to get on the floor, Connie folded herself so she was lying in the space between the seat and the dash with her knees scrunched close to her. I worried she might be squishing up too much, it couldn't be comfortable especially with a baby on board. There wasn't a centimeter of space left as she placed the blanket over herself in the nick of time.

I was relieved to see Carl Costanza walking up to the SUV. I powered the window down and Carl asked me to pop the hood. I quickly did as he asked, suddenly the noise ceased. With the beautiful silence, I finally relaxed in gratitude.

Carl came around to my door and there was a grin on his face as he asked, "What set the alarm off, Steph?" As grateful as I was to Carl for turning off the alarm, I wasn't ready to answer a bunch of questions. But I did want to keep his attention away from Connie. Carl looked at me funny when I said I thought that a loud noise nearby had set off the alarm. Our brief conversation probably didn't give him any of the answers that he had been looking for. He was suppressing a grin at my explanation.

Lucky for me the truth was too farfetched for Carl to believe and he laughed as he told me to keep my secrets, and then he told me about the rumors flying around about the Bianchi family. Shit! That was something Connie really didn't need to hear right now.

I reassured Carl I would be fine, after all I pointed out, I was in a RangeMan vehicle. Unfortunately, Carl was unwilling to accept that and insisted on following me, or I would need to call Ranger to come meet me here. I gave in, figuring the sooner we got rid of him the sooner I could get Connie out of the cramped space on the floor.

I started the SUV and assured Connie I would drive as carefully as I could and asked if she could get back up on the seat. After some attempts to move, we both knew that she was well and truly stuck. When she finally gave up trying to get out of the position she was in, she was really getting worried so I told her I would call Ranger to help us.

I had to chuckle when she glared at me and told me I was lucky Carl didn't believe me about her hiring me to find out who she married. Poor Connie, stuck like she was, she was starting to worry about everything. I tried to reassure her that Carl could be trusted, and so could all of the guys at RangeMan.

A tear rolled down her face as she told me she was scared. I glanced at her with compassion and then returned my gaze to the road. A few minutes later I'd reached the garage on Haywood, and pulled into the entrance before stopping. Carl honked and I sent him a finger wave. I told Connie I was going to call Ranger and he'd help us get her out of there. Then I assured her everything would be all right.

When she asked what I was going to tell Ranger, I told her, the truth. I knew she could count on Ranger to have her back and I told her so. I also knew that if we were going to deal with the Bianchi family, we were going to need Ranger and the guys.

I saw a funny expression cross Connie's face and asked her what was wrong. There was a look of awe on her face when she told me she'd felt the baby move. I was a bit worried, because if I remembered high school biology right, then she shouldn't be feeling the baby for at least two more weeks. I pushed that thought aside and smiled at her.

I called Ranger and asked for him and Bobby to meet me in the garage. My eyes widened as Ranger told me he'd be right down, and then he mentioned he'd already gotten a call from Costanza. Apparently Carl and Big Dog had received a call from the station saying there was a report of an alarm going off and they had to leave Pino's before their food was ready so they could check it out. When they saw that it was me, they thought it best to give Ranger a heads up.

I was throwing the keys and my phone in my purse when I heard Les calling out to me. He came over and I talked to him while I waited on Ranger and Bobby. Les was excited about the woman he'd been dating for the past few months. I'd noticed a change in him and wondered if this could be the one. I told him I was glad for him and that she sounded like a really nice girl. When he lifted me and twirled me around I squealed. Ranger chose that moment to arrive and told Les to put me down.

There was some good natured ribbing from Bobby and we spent a few more minutes on the subject. My attention was brought back to why I'd asked Ranger and Bobby to come down in the first place when Connie called out to me.

I laughed when Lester and Bobby realized that I wasn't alone, and I just had to tease them about not being aware of their surroundings.

Ranger went to the front passenger door and opened it. I heard Connie grumbling at him. Lester and Bobby were peeking over Ranger's shoulder when Lester asked, "What are you doing all scrunched up on the floor, Connie?" I guess he wasn't prepared for her to growl at him too. Lester's eyes widened and he put his hands up in the air as he took a step back.

I joined them and said, "I was hoping you guys could help me get her out of there."

The four of us stood looking down at Connie scrunched on the floor. Her head was pressed against the glove compartment and her knees were pressed against the front of the seat. I looked up at the guys in expectation and noticed the shocked looks in Bobby and Lester's eyes. I looked back to see what had them speechless and realized Connie looked even worse now than when she'd seen herself and screamed. She looked hot and sweaty and it looked like there could be a bit of saliva rolling down her chin.

Her voice was barely audible as she said, "You better get me out of here quick. I think I'm going to be sick."

The guys got to work and with a bit of swearing and straining, they were able to get her moved sideways and then Bobby wrapped his arms around her from behind and lifted her out while Lester had gone around to the driver's side and maneuvered her legs around. Once her feet were on the ground she motioned frantically for something to throw up in. I moved out of range as Bobby handed her a small garbage can.

Once she had finished throwing up, she wilted against the side of the vehicle. I was starting to worry a little more because Connie was whiter than a ghost. Suddenly she sagged and I yelled for someone to catch her. Bobby managed to grab her before she hit the ground.

Ranger quietly asked, "What's going on, Babe?"

I looked up at him and whispered, "Connie's pregnant."

Ranger's eyes narrowed, "Take her to the infirmary and give her a once over to make sure she's okay. Give us a call when she's awake."

Bobby nodded and he and Lester moved toward the elevator. While we waited for the elevator to come back down, I quickly caught Ranger up to speed, including the part about Connie marrying Rene Bianchi in Vegas and having no memory of it except for a photo and the baby she was carrying. I also told him what Carl had mentioned about the Bianchi family.

By the time I'd told him everything that I'd found out, the elevator had come back down to the garage and we'd made our way up to the penthouse. As we entered the apartment, I suddenly remembered the drama with the SUV. I stopped in my tracks and put my hands on my hips as I turned to face him.

"Just whose idea was it to rig the SUV with supersonic hearing damn it!"

Ranger smiled his full 200 watt smile and there was a twinkle in his eyes. I glared as I waited for his answer. "The guys thought it would give you an edge, if someone came up to you and tried to kidnap you. When the sounds started they would be momentarily startled and enable you to, hopefully, get away from them."

I rolled my eyes, "What it did was scare the shit out of me and I nearly went deaf."

Ranger wrapped me in his arms and leaned in to whisper against my ear, "Sorry, Babe. We thought it would be a good idea."

I frowned, "I've never seen this kind of thing in any vehicle. How did you get hold of it?"

He kissed the corner of my mouth and I felt his tongue touch my lips. I fought the moan that cried out for release. I had the sudden impression Ranger was trying to distract me to get me off the added bells and whistles installed on the SUV. I moved my mouth so his was more fully over mine and when the kiss ended I stepped back and glared at him. "Talk!" was all I said.

Ranger chuckled and lifted his hands in a surrender motion. "All I can tell you is that it's a prototype, Babe."

I sighed. Figures.