Disclaimer: The primary characters in this story belong to Janet Evanovich. I make no money for this work.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the reviews for the first chapter. I hope you like this update as well. This chapter gives some back story for Stephanie. Thanks to FairTaxGirl and Margaret Fowler for reviewing this for me.

Previously:

I was about 30 feet from my car when I realized there were two men standing next to it. One was clearly Derek, my Mighty Mouse boss and the other was the reason Mighty Mouse was giving me shit lately. The other man was Michael, Derek's best friend and my ex. Damn, this day just keeps getting better.

Control, Chapter 3

I slowed and debated whether or not to act like I hadn't seen them and just head back inside. It's been a long day and I don't have the energy for this shit right now. I figured if I went inside, they would just follow me, so I trudged along to meet my doom.

As I walked up to my car, Derek sneered and said, "Stephanie, it's 7:00. Why are you still here?" I bit back my smartass remark and said instead, "I wanted to stay caught up with my paperwork."

Derek replied, "As long as you remember that overtime has to be pre-approved." Michael finally decided to speak up and said, "Steph, I've been trying to get in touch with you for a week. I've left messages on your home phone and your cell phone. I even called your parents' house this weekend."

I cleared my throat and said, "Yes, I got your messages."

His face turned a little red and he said, "Why didn't you call me back then?"

"I didn't call you back because I made it very clear that I don't want to talk to you again." I didn't want to do this here. All I wanted was to get in my car, drive home, grab a beer and soak in a bubble bath for two hours. Why won't he get the hint and stay the hell away from me?

I moved to get in my car and Michael grabbed my wrist. "You can't avoid me forever, Steph. We need to talk." I tried to wrench my wrist from his hand and he held on tighter. "You're not going to get away that easy." He was turning redder by the minute. I had never been afraid of him before, but I started to feel a little prickle of fear. Derek certainly wasn't going to be of any help. There were several veterans still sitting outside the building and one of them would surely hear me and come help if I yelled. I was about to start screaming when I heard, "Ms. Plum, I'm glad I caught you. I had a few more questions after the meeting today."

Michael released my wrist and we all turned to look. It was Mr. Manoso, Cal's boss. I had never been so happy to see someone in all my life. I tried to keep my voice from shaking and said, "Certainly. We can talk right now." I turned to Derek and Michael and said, "We'll have to continue this at another time."

Michael leaned close to me and said, "Yes, we will continue this," before they both walked away.

I leaned against my car and took deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. When I looked up, Mr. Manoso was standing in front of me. "Are you okay?" he asked. I nodded and said, "Thanks for the rescue. I was about to panic."

He nodded and said, "That's understandable. Why don't you let me buy you a cup of coffee? I don't think you need to drive right now."

I mustered up a smile for him and said, "Thanks, but I don't want to put you out."

"You're not putting me out. I know a great place right around the corner."

"Then that would be great. Thanks." He led me to his car, which turned out to be a friggin Porsche 911 Turbo. "Wow, the security business must be booming," I said.

He gave a slight nod and said, "Yeah, the bad economy actually works in our favor." He opened the passenger door for me and walked around to the driver's side. Damn, but that is one fine man. His walk was even a thing of beauty.

He got in and drove us about a mile away to a little café. We both ordered coffee and I also got a chocolate pastry. Chocolate is good for the soul. We sat at a small table and were both quiet for a while before he said, "Has that guy given you trouble before today?"

I sighed and said, "He's my ex-boyfriend and he doesn't like the 'ex' part. He's been calling me non-stop, but he's never pulled anything like this before."

Mr. Manoso thought for a minute before saying, "I know it's really none of my business, but keeping people safe is what I do for a living. He looked out of control. Is there anything I can do to help?"

Damn, I had to stop the drool from leaking off my chocolate pastry. This incredibly hot guy also seems to be a caring, nice man. I wouldn't have imagined that. "Mr. Manoso, I appreciate the offer, but I'm really hoping this will go away on it's on. He doesn't have a long attention span."

He took a sip of his coffee and said, "First of all, please call me 'Ranger.' Secondly, I know I don't know this guy as well as you do, but he didn't look like he was going to get the hint anytime soon. Next time he may catch you somewhere that you're really alone."

I thought about this and said, "I understand what you're saying, but I don't know what you could possibly do to help."

He leaned forward and said, "Ms. Plum, I can take a look at your security at home. I could also have a talk with him if you'd like."

I tried to smile and said, "Please call me Stephanie. Thanks for the offer, but I really can't afford a security system, but I do live in an apartment complex with a guard station and gate. You talking to him would probably make the situation worse. Michael works at the VA too. He's an accountant. That's how all this started. Michael got really jealous of me talking with a male co-worker and started making all types of accusations. There was nothing going on with my co-worker. He's a happily married man and we're just good friends. Michael wouldn't believe me and started turning up when I went to lunch with friends or when I went out for a drink at night. I finally told him that if he couldn't trust me, we didn't need to date anymore. We'd only been going out about 3 months and I didn't think we were that serious. After we broke up, he started leaving messages on my phone saying we were 'meant to be married' and I had 'ruined his plans.' I really have no idea where he got that idea. We never even said we were exclusive."

Ranger looked at me for a moment and said, "That's my point. You were not in a serious, exclusive relationship, yet in his mind he has the two of you headed for the altar. He's out of control. Men like him don't think rationally. I know you don't want to think you were dating a man who would hurt you, but I'm sure he was able to put up a very good front for a while. He just can't maintain that front. It takes too much out of him. Don't worry about the cost of the security system. We can work out some kind of deal. As for talking with him, just let me know if you change your mind. Where do you live?"

I gave him the address and the name of the apartment complex, Merrimac Arms and he gave a nod and said "My company, RangeMan, provides security. I'll let the men at the gate know that Michael isn't to be allowed in."

I smiled and said, "Thank you. I better be getting back to my car so I can get home. It's been a long day." Ranger nodded and we walked to the car. Once he was also seated, I asked him a question I had thought about throughout our time in the café. "By your nickname, I take it you are former Special Forces?" He nodded and replied, "Yes, 12 years active duty, 8 with the Rangers."

Wow, he must have some serious skills. I don't think I had ever treated anyone from Special Forces before. "Where did you serve?" I asked.

"The Ranger's primarily serve on specific missions, but I've done my time in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and some other places that are classified."

I nodded and asked, "Are you still in the IRR?" He looked surprised, but said, "No, I opted not to go IRR because of my business, but I still do consulting work with the Army from time to time." He looked over at me and gave me an odd look that seemed to be confusion.

"Is something wrong?" I asked. He replied, "No, nothings wrong. Most people don't ask me a lot of questions, that's all."

I laughed. "I can see why. You and Cal are both rather intimidating."

He gave me a brief smile. "I'll drop you at your car and then go up to see Cal. I brought him some real clothes to wear. I don't think he likes the hospital scrubs."

"I don't blame him. Just make sure there are no belts or shoestrings or anything that could be used as a weapon. The nurse on duty will search the bags before she gives them to Cal."

He nodded and said, "About Cal, do you really think he's got a good chance of getting this under control?"

I thought about this for a moment and said, "Yes. He's young and healthy and appears to have a good support system around him. It's important that he continue treatment right now. The longer PTSD goes without treatment, the harder it is to manage the symptoms. We'll do a lot of education with him and at our next meeting I'll explain more of the long-term options available to him. It's good to see that he's got an employer who cares about him. That's not always the case."

Again, just a brief nod. "I'll be there for the next meeting as well. Later, I may ask Cal if our company medic can also attend."

I was a little confused by this. "You have a company medic?" Ranger said, "Yes. My company runs much like the military. The medic, Bobby, was a medic in the Army and he provides the same role in RangeMan."

Ranger pulled up behind my car and said, "It looks like it's all clear. Here's my card. If Michael gives you any trouble, feel free to give me a call. You should have someone walk you to your car when you leave the building." He handed me the card and our hands touched. I felt an immediate spark all the way up to my hair. I looked at Ranger and his beautiful dark brown eyes seemed to dilate in front of me. I had the most insane urge to lean over, grab him by the shirt and kiss him until we both passed out from lack of oxygen. I cleared my throat and said, "Thanks for the coffee and the rescue" and got the hell out of there. He stayed parked behind me until I started my car and moved forward.

I stopped for the stop sign leading off campus and wondered what I had gotten myself into now. I felt my Hungarian hormones raging and thought I would go home for a nice, long cold shower courtesy of one gorgeous man in black.

Ranger's POV

I watched her drive away and thought about following her home, just to make sure she made it safely. I really didn't know her well enough to be that intrusive, though. Instead, I called the control room and was patched through to the guard gate at Stephanie's apartment complex. Ram and Zero were on duty and I let it be known in no uncertain terms that Michael was not to be allowed into the complex and they were to call me if he attempted to visit her.

After I finished, I went to see Cal and left his clothes at the nurses' desk. Cal had started his new medication and seemed a little sleepy, which was a good thing. He hadn't slept well for over 3 weeks. I left after only a few minutes and told him to call if he needed anything.

Walking back out to my car, I made a decision. I pulled out my phone and hit speed dial one. "Tank, I want a background search on Michael Drake, ASAP." As I ended the call, I couldn't help but wonder what the hell had gotten into me. This pretty social worker had me thinking some very protective and possessive thoughts. I had only met her today, but I decided right then and there that I wanted to get to know her a lot better.

A/N: Thank you all for reading and reviewing. I promise, much more about Cal and his treatment in the next chapter.

IRR – Inactive Ready Reserve – military men and women who are technically out of the service, but willing to be called back if there is a need.