Ranger's POV:
I angled my Porsche 911 to the curb across the street from the bonds office, killed the engine and stepped out into the street. The traffic on this street is thick this time of day, so once I had a clearing I jogged over to the bonds offices and pulled the door open. From what I could tell, Connie was the only one in the office as of now and though her appearance showed that she was in control, her eyes told a different story.
"Hey, Connie. How's it going"
"Oh hey, Ranger! Ugh, aside from the fact that I am doing the job of three people rolled into one, things are good. Thanks for asking! I could really use some help here, Ranger, you know anyone who could do some clerical work? You know, filing and answering phones and such?"
Is this what she wanted to discuss with me? If I knew someone who could do some filing for her? Clearly not, right?
"Ugh, no Connie not off the top of my head, sorry."
"Oh, it's just as well. I'd probably have to spend a week arguing with Vinnie to hire someone else to help out anyway because he's such a tight ass and would rather see me drown out here than pay even minimum wage for a file clerk."
I'm pretty sure she went on to call him every Italian obscenity in the book, before I was able to get her to focus back on the task at hand…which I am still trying to figure out.
"So, Connie, I got your message about the files, oh and that you wanted to discuss something with me. Does this involve Rangeman or the skips you got there?
"Eh, well kind of, Ranger. Well, it doesn't have to do with Rangeman but it does have to do with one of the skips that I have for you."
Silence…is she going to continue or is this a guessing game, because as much as I like Connie, I really don't have the patients for games.
"Connie?"
"Oh, sorry Ranger. I was just trying to think of the best way to explain the situation. Ok, here goes nothing…I have a favor to ask of you and it really isn't up your ally but I am asking you not as the office manager of the bail bonds company that you pick up skips for but as Connie Rosolli, the person."
Ok, this is definitely odd and interesting. This must be related to the feeling I had this morning.
"Ok, shoot."
"Well, Ranger, I have this friend, best friend actually, who has also gone FTA but for good reason. In fact, she called me the day of her court date and told me she wasn't going to make it and that she had a good reason for not being able to and that when she could go in she would return to the system willingly."
"Ok, so what does this have to do with me?"
"Well I am hoping that you will agree to escort her in and that you will do it as soon as possible. You see, my friend is also Vinnie's cousin and Vinnie, the rat bastard that he is, went behind my back and marked her as FTA , then proceeded to hand her file over to Joyce without me knowing."
"So, Vinnie turned on his own cousin. Ok, I get your frustration there but why don't you just have Joyce escort her in."
"Ahh, well that is where it gets messy. See, Joyce is the reason Steph is in this predicament in the first place." Connie let out a big sigh and continued. "Without going into great detail, because I am sure you don't want me to waste time with that, Steph and Joyce have some very bad blood between them. Steph basically knocked Joyce out with a one punch to the face a few weeks back. "Connie went on to tell Ranger, "Joyce of course retaliated by pressing charges and Steph was arrested."
At this moment Ranger had to stiffen a chuckle. The thought of Joyce Barnhardt going feet over head by a one punch was pretty funny. Joyce constantly tried hitting on Ranger when they would happen to be at the bail bonds office at the same time and she was just uncomfortable to be around, not to mention he didn't trust her worth a dime. Ranger already liked this "Steph" person…even though she is related to Vinnie.
"Ok, so let me make sure I understand this…your friend is FTA and you want me to pick her up so that Joyce doesn't get to her, correct?"
"Yeah, basically. Joyce was actually already at Steph's apartment once this morning and I am sure she is looking for more than an apprehension and body receipt, she's looking for trouble."
Connie looked away from Ranger for a moment and giggled, before looking back to him and saying, "The funny part about this is that there is no way in hell that Joyce would ever succeed in apprehending Steph anyway."
At this point Connie was no longer giggling; she was full on laughing…almost hysterically. Maybe she needs a vacation; I mean she said she was basically doing the job of three people.
"I'm sorry, Ranger, you would have to know Steph in order to understand where I am coming from. Well I guess you may understand a little after seeing her apartment. Anyway, I was wondering if you could meet Steph at her apartment and escort her down to the station. I will meet the two of you down there and re-bond her immediately. The reason I don't want Joyce to have the chance to run into her is because Steph does not need anymore problems right now. Joyce is a skank ass bitch and it is all her fault why Steph is in this shit to begin with."
After Connie finished her rant on Joyce Barnhardt she handed me the five files, plus the file on Stephanie Plum. I immediately opened the one on Stephanie to glance over it and was a little shocked at what I saw.
"Connie, why is Stephanie Plum's bond so high for just a first time minor assault charge."
Connie again burst into laughter and this time it was the hold your side and wipe your eyes kind of laughter…it really caught me off guard and that doesn't happen too often…at all.
"Oh, again Ranger I am so sorry. You see, when Steph was eighteen she kind of had an accidental run in with a now Vice Cop, Joseph Morelli, do you know him?"
Hell yeah I know him and I am not too much of a fan. He's a hot head with a temper and he thinks that he's entitled to just about anything and everything. Any chance he has he is trying to make trouble for Rangeman. It's just a good thing we have a solid relationship with Joe Juniak, the police chief.
"Yeah, Connie, I know of him."
"Well, again, I won't bore you with all the details but Steph basically ran him over with her grandfathers Buick and though it was rendered an accident, people from the Burg talked of if it truly was for weeks. Anyway, at the seen she kind of had a disagreement with one of the cops and was arrested for being combative. It didn't amount to much of anything at the time, just a few small fines, but because she had an arrest history and the fact that she just moved back home a little under a year ago after being gone for nine years, and from god knows where with no real history of an address, the judge set it a little steeper than normal."
This had me grinning on the inside. I really am starting to like this chick. This woman sounds quite interesting, and a bit mysterious, which again makes me wonder about my feeling this morning. Too bad she is probably a dog. I mean you can't be related to Vinnie Plum and have a decent looking bone in your body, right?
"Alright, Connie, I will help you out. In fact, I think I will head over there now. Do you think she is home?"
"Yeah, she told me she would stay in until I sent someone."
At that I pulled my mirrored shades back over my eyes and turned to head back to my Porsche when I heard Connie pipe up one last time.
"Oh and Ranger, be careful with Steph, she's very special!"
"Oh I won't be rough with her, Connie, you don't have to worry about that."
Just then she let out a single laugh and said, "Ranger, it's not her that I am worried about. Believe me, she's not Malibu Barbie."
At that comment I was pushing the tinted door of the bonds office open and stepping into the sweltering New Jersey heat and heading for my car.
On my way to Stephanie Plum's apartment building I couldn't get that final statement Connie made out of my head. What did she mean she's not Malibu Barbie? I mean I didn't expect her to be, she's Vinnie's cousin. I expect her to look more like Vinnie with longer hair and boobs. Ugh, a shiver went up my spine at the thought of that, and not the kind good kind of shiver. Well, Manoso, look at it this way you get to pick up an easy skip and take em' in and now Connie owes you a favor. Win-win!
I reached Stephanie Plum's apartment building at 9:45 a.m. Not wanting to waste anymore time than I already had agreeing to this favor I jumped out of my car and did a light jog toward the door of the apartment complex. I took the stairs two at a time until I reached the second floor and walked down the hallway to her apartment. Knowing that she is waiting for me I knocked twice on her door. When no one answered I withdrew the gun I had strategically placed at the pit of my back with my left hand and with my right I picked the lock, which was remarkably easy. I mean, I am a master at B&E, but her locks are basically useless. I slowly entered the apartment and when I did I could hear what sounded like blows to a punching bag. I know this sound all to well. After passing through the kitchen I came to an opening that led to the living room and that is where I saw one of the more interesting things I have witnessed in a while. I guess this is what Connie meant with that comment about her apartment giving me a better understanding of Stephanie Plum.
Performing a very impressive kickboxing routine right in front of me is the very beautiful and sexy backside of what looks to be a 5'7" curly haired, brunette female. Adjusting my cargos, I thought to myself, "This can not be Vinnie's cousin." From my vantage point this women has a body of a god and judging from my conversation with Connie, this can't be Stephanie Plum. However, I guess I still haven't seen her face. There are three bags she's working with, two standing floor bags and one hanging, and she is dancing melodically, ferociously and impressively around all three, hitting blows to the bags with feet, knees, fists and elbows. I found myself in awe, and for the second time today it is something that doesn't happen often.
It looks as if she has ear buds in her ears, which is probably why she did not hear me knock. I crept up behind her quietly and when I was just a few feet away she brought the knee of her left foot up to her chest and then with all the force she owns she extended it right into the center of my chest. I stumbled backwards hard and when I looked up she had a gun pointed at my face. Where the hell did the gun come from and where the hell did mine go?
"Who are you and what do you want?" The voice with the gun pointed at me said.
I was still hunched over trying to regulate my breathing after having the wind knocked out of me. What the fuck, Manoso, did you let your guard down? This sort of shit doesn't happen to you. Women don't kick you with all the force in their body and then pull a gun on you. In fact, no one pulls a gun on you. You are "Ranger" the best of the best, what was that all about.
I raised my head to look her in the eyes and explain to her who I am and that Connie sent me, but when I did I was speechless. I was looking into the most amazingly beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. We just stood there in silence for a few minutes, she still pointing the gun at me, but me taking in the beauty that she was. After prying my eyes from the force field that was her own; I examined the rest of her. She has long curly brown hair, pale milky white skin, perfectly pouty lips, a curvy well toned body to kill, and then back to the most intense pair of eyes I have ever seen.
Finally I broke our silence and explained to her, "My name is Ranger and I was sent by Connie to escort you to the Trenton Police Department for re-bonding."
She furrowed her brow as if not sure to believe me and said, "Well, if you are who you say you are then just hold tight for one minute while I grab my phone and give Connie a call to see if you check out."
With that she kept her gun and her gaze on me while reaching to a side table for her cell phone. After about fifteen seconds I heard a one sided conversation between Stephanie Plum and Connie.
"Hey Connie, its Steph."
"Yeah, I think he is standing in my living room right now."
There was a period of silence before Stephanie firmly said, "Connie, I didn't hurt him…well not bad at least."
"Look, I need to make sure this is who you sent for me. About 6'2", mocha skin, dark silky hair?" Sexy as hell?
"Shit , judging from the smirk on his face and the laughter in your voice, I said that out loud didn't I"
"Alright, Connie meet us down at the station in twenty, ok?"
"Oh and Connie" pause "Thanks for all your help!"
All I could do is smirk when Stephanie voiced her thoughts on how she viewed me. Judging by her reaction I have a feeling she accidently speaks her thoughts often.
Stephanie hung up the phone with Connie and said, "Well, Ranger, looks like you check out. Connie trusts you and because Connie is one of the very few people in my life that I trust, I guess I trust you to."
With that she put the safety back on her gun, handed it over to me and turned with her hands behind her back.
At that moment the smirk repositioned itself on my face. The thought of placing this woman in hand cuffs is definitely at the top of my list, but not in the sense of dragging her down to the police station. Shaking the thought from my head, I moved toward her and placed a hand on her beautiful and smooth shoulder to tell her that I don't think the cuffs are necessary if she is voluntarily going. Immediately my thought process was sidetracked when a jolt of electricity sprung through my body at the instant connection of our touch. I think she felt the same reaction by the way she jumped and spun around. After a minute of staring intensely into each others eyes I broke the silence and said, "Babe, I don't think the cuffs are necessary. Let's just get you to the station and re-booked so that we can get you back home as soon as possible." She just tilted her head slightly to the side and smiled. Dios, what a beautiful smile!
Stephanie's POV:
I was really in my rhythm today with my bag workout. I mean I am always good, no great, with bags, but today was different. I felt as if there was just a little extra energy in me or a positive aura near by. Whatever it was, I was definitely enjoying it.
I was moving gracefully to the music of my iPod, striking blow after blow with various body parts as I began to sense that I was not alone. Without showing any concern or attention with my body, my mind went to work on who could possibly be in the room with me. My "Spidy Senses" were not on high alert so I didn't necessarily feel in danger, but you can never be too careful when someone breaks into your home. I mean, the polite thing is to knock, am I right?
After about a minute I felt their presence draw near me and a tingle shot itself up my spine. While internally battling the affects the tingle had on me and without making my knowledge of the intruder known, I lifted my left knee and forced a ferocious back kick into the chest of a very strong and sturdy person. I then immediately drew my leg down and with lightning speed reached to the holster under my side table which housed a 9 mm with a full magazine. Aiming it in the direction of his head I noticed his gun had fallen to the ground with the blow of my kick. Satisfied, I asked, "Who are you and what do you want?"
He was still slightly hunched over and looked to be trying to steady his breathing. Guess my kick had some impact on his tough build. I'll brush my shoulders off later.
After a few seconds the man in black straightened his body and we locked eyes and boy were they the most amazing pools of molten chocolate. It was all I could do to not go weak at the knees and drop my gun. He is fucking beautiful. The sexiest most amazing looking man I have ever seen is standing five feet away from me in my apartment and I just struck a blow to his chest and have a gun pointed at his head. Nice one Plum!
Focus Steph, you still don't know if he is here to kill you or not. Although, judging by the lack of negative tension and the increase in sexual tension, I am almost sure he is not here to kill me.
He interrupted our exploration of each other with, "My name is Ranger and I was sent by Connie to escort you to the Trenton Police Department."
Though I was pretty sure that he was being honest I opted to make a quick phone call to Connie. He seems sincere, but again you can never be too careful when you are willingly letting down your guard and putting your life in someone else hands. Well, at least I can't be; experience has taught me that.
"Well, if you are who you say you are then just hold tight for one minute while I grab my phone and give Connie a call to see if you check out."
I reached to the same side table that housed my gun and grabbed my cell phone. After dialing I placed it to my ear. After a few rings I heard the familiar voice of my best friend.
"Hey Connie, its Steph."
"Steph. I am guessing Ranger is there?"
"Yeah, I think he is standing in my living room right now."
"Did you hurt him? How much damage did you cause? I mean Ranger can definitely take care of himself better than anyone I know, but I think he may have been a little confused on the impression I was trying to give of you, which may have caused him to be a little less cautious…I don't know really, I mean I guess I don't really know him. I just really need him to pick up those other five FTA's when he is finished bringing your ass back in and I…"
She's rambling,
"Connie, I didn't hurt him…well not bad at least."
"Steph…"
"Look, I need to make sure this is who you sent for me. About 6'2", mocha skin, black hair?" Sexy as hell?
The laughter that came from the other end of the phone quickly told me that I said that last part out loud.
"Shit, judging from the smirk on his face and the laughter in your voice, I said that out loud didn't I?"
"Yea, Steph, you did!"
With a slight sigh I went on to say, "Alright, Connie meet us down at the station in twenty, ok?"
"I'll be there!"
"Oh and Connie"
"What's up, Steph?"
"Thanks for all your help!"
"Anytime!"
With that I hung up the phone, sat it back on the table and clicked on the safety to my gun. Turning it over in my hand so that the butt of it was facing Ranger and said, "Well, Ranger, looks like you check out. Connie trusts you and because Connie is one of the very few people in my life that I trust, I guess I trust you to." And the odd thing about it is that it was true. I had barely met this man, I know absolutely nothing about him except that he is a bounty hunter for Vinnie's bail bonds company and that he is the most amazing piece of Latin muscle, no any culture of muscle, I have ever seen!
Ranger took the gun from my hand, sat it on the table and I turned so that my back was facing him and my hands were in the position to be cuffed.
After a few seconds I felt a hand touch my shoulder and instantly a shock fired through my entire body and I jumped and turned to face the man standing in front of me.
A minute of silence had gone by. The two of us just stood there with eyes locked, taking each other in. He eventually broke our silence with, "Babe, I don't think the cuffs are necessary. Let's just get you to the station and re-booked so that we can get you back home as soon as possible."
Babe? Huh, I should be offended, right? I mean he doesn't know me, I'm not his babe. There is only one man that I allow to nick name me and that is Lole and even he didn't brand me with the nick name of "Wonder Women" until returning from my first mission. Oddly enough, I wasn't offended. Nope, I was actually a bit flattered at the remark and before I could control myself my lips parted and I flashed him a bright smile. He didn't seem to mind though.
