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My arm felt like it had been yanked out of the socket, and I was still trying to get air to pass into my lungs. Daniels was wasting no time talking to me anymore and was making a straight shot for the back door. Funny thing was, I saw no back door, only three different hallways. He chose the last to the right and yanked me again.

"Hurry up, if you're the one that was after me, then you're not too bright at your job, so I'm sure someone else sent you in first and I don't plan on bein round when they bust the doors down."

I could only give him a death glare and fight to pull my arm from his grasp.

"Now, now missy, I've got a gun in a holster on my hip and I will shoot something pretty off of ya if ya pull against me again."

Getting shot was not on the list of things to do that Ranger had told me. But then again neither was blowing my cover and getting yanked out a back door with a drug runner and possible murderer. So I chose to take the threat of being shot very seriously.

Daniels had finally reached the door and right before opening it pulled out a cellphone and dialed a number. "I'm at the back with someone, pick me up now! They're here and I ain't dealin with this shit right now! Too much riding on these next few runs!"

Somehow air found its way inside of me and I could speak again. "Look, how about you just let me go on my way and I'll be out of your hair. Trust me you don't want the people I'm with after you trying to get me."

He laughed at me and smacked me across my face. I felt the sting spreading across my cheek and up into my temple. A bitter taste of blood rolled from my lips. This asshole! I was just trying to reason with him!

"Stephanie, that's your name isn't it? Don't try and wiggle ya'self out of this one. You're stuck with me, and until I get out of here, ain't no one getting you back. So stop with the talking, or I'll follow through on my promise of shooting you."

Randy Daniels was no longer the man with cracked lips smiling at me, copping a feel every chance he could. Now all I saw was pure evil in his eyes, and I didn't want to go and piss that kind of person off.

I heard a horn honk and Daniels yanked me through the door. I held my breath half expecting Tank and Lester to drop down on him, but no one was there. What could have happened?! I started to shake with worry while I was being tugged along, hoping they'd get here before I was thrown into the vehicle.

It was then that I realized the issue. The whole back of the bar was closed in by huge brick walls. The only entrance and exit was a sliding gate and it was on the complete opposite side of where the Merry Men had originally thought.

Shit, shit, shit!

Still it hadn't even been five minutes since this craziness had started, Ranger should be here any second! I just had to make a diversion that wouldn't get me shot in the process. And with Daniels moving me closer to his pickup truck with every moment, I would have to act fast.

I made a gasp and tripped over my heel, hearing Daniels mutter something that sounded like "bitch" under his breath.

"I can't walk! I think I sprained my ankle in my heels."

"Too darn bad, get up. We gotta get going or my guys are gonna have a field day up on those rooftops."

Wait, what? Guys on rooftops?

"What do you mean guys on rooftops?" I was still making a big show of holding my ankle and wobbling, trying to slow the pace.

"My insurance coverage sweet thang. You should already know I've got connections up north. They told me to be expecting company, but who would have ever of thunk that it would be something as fine as you. We're going to have fun on my next few runs."

Oh God, he couldn't mean what I think he meant.

Suddenly I couldn't hold it in anymore and started screaming. "Ranger! Tank! Lester! Get me the hell out of here!"

Ranger heard Stephanie yell out for him and his heart skipped a beat.

"Get to her! NOW!"

Lester and Tank couldn't figure out why Steph hadn't come through the front door, but Ranger knew something was up when the mic had gone out. So he had sent Tank and Lester in the front to pull her back.

Except now Lester and Tank were saying there were three doorways leading to the back door and all of them were locked and not budging.

Shit, Steph, hold on!

Ranger jumped out of the SUV and made his way around to the back of the bar. Brick walls were not easy to scale, he had to find the entrance gate, knowing if he didn't see it now it would be on the other side.

He made his way to the opposite brick wall and could hear a truck engine and the sounds of someone being dragged and panting.

Babe!

Ranger hadn't meant for shit to hit the fan like it was. Randy Daniels was supposed to be a quick in and out. And a way for Stephanie to get away from the rumors flying around the Burg about her and Morelli. What the hell had happened?

He'd finally made it to the gate and was slowly turning the corner when a shot rang out. It took him a second to realize that it wasn't a bullet meant for Stephanie, but for him.

"And who might you be fella?" Daniels had spotted him and was holding his arm up as a means of signaling to hold off on the shooting.

"I'm the one here to recollect what's mine."

Ranger allowed himself to turn around and take in his surroundings, knowing he wouldn't be shot at just yet. Daniels had Stephanie pinned to the wall by her throat and had the look of a crazed man in his eyes.

"You ok Babe?" Stephanie looked like she was going to lose it, but was managing to keep it all together.

"I asked ya who you were and you give me some crock answer like you're here for what's yours?" He yanked Stephanie's hair at that moment causing her airways to be blocked further by Daniels' hand.

"That's right. No need to worry about my name, you'll be dead before you learn it. Now put her down and let's talk"

Daniels just laughed in his direction. "In case you didn't notice, wise-ass, I've got some insurance up on these rooftops looking out for my best interest. And this fine thang seems to be my best interest right now." He started running his hand up Stephanie's shirt and Ranger heard a whimper.

He'd had enough, there was no way this game was going on any longer. Who gave a damn if he got shot, he wouldn't put Steph through it. Yet as soon as he went to make a step he heard the faintest voice, shaking with fear.

"No, Ranger, stay there."

"Babe, its going to be ok. Do you trust me?"

Stephanie's only response was silent tears rolling down her cheeks. Down to where a trickle of blood was coming out of her mouth.

Damn why is she bleeding? That bastard hit her!

"I don't want you to be shot over me. I'll be ok, really."

"Well how sweet of ya to try and save his neck, even though your neck is in my hands." Daniels sneered. "But I do believe I hear others tryin to get out of the back door I locked. So in my best interest I'll leave you here for now, but don't ya go feelin too safe. I'm gonna come back for ya, and we'll go on those runs together like we spoke about." And with that Daniels shoved his mouth onto his Babe's mouth and took off for the pick-up truck.

Ranger was boiling, waiting like Stephanie had asked so that insurance wouldn't take him out. But as soon as she dropped to the ground he was by her side, shaking her to wake back up from shock of what he'd let her get put through.

I felt warmth around my body, and for some reason I knew it was Ranger. Maybe it's because I smell the bvlgari. Oh it felt so much better to be in his arms than Daniels.

Daniels!

I jerked up and my hands went to my throat and I was gasping in air knowing I didn't need to, but wanting to feel the sensation of air freely going through me just the same.

"Babe! It's ok! I've got you! Tank is pulling the SUV around now, and Lester's getting you some water."

I couldn't answer so I just let myself feel safe for the time being in Ranger's arms. He had my head propped up on his shoulder and I was letting myself enjoy what little time Ranger would allow me in his lap before the guys got back.

Much to my surprise when the SUV was pulled around Ranger didn't let me go. Even on the ride to the hotel he held onto me, whispering in my ear that I was alright.

"Babe, we're back at the hotel. Tank and Lester are out getting extra rooms. Can you walk?"

"Umph" My throat still wasn't working how I would have liked it too.

"I'll carry you in."

I went to push him away because I could walk, I was only faking the sprained ankle earlier, but he pulled me tighter to him. So I let him carry me and rested my head on the part of his shoulder where my head fit perfectly. And in this position I fell asleep, exhausted from the events of the horrible night I really didn't want to remember the next day.