Chapter 4

A/N: Last chapter's El Perdido was a restaurant in Breckenridge, CO where I fell in love with the man who became my husband.

After last chapter's fun, things get a bit more serious.

Ranger POV

I woke up at my usual 04:30, but there was no Stephanie. Her jeans were gone but everything else remained. Her messenger bag was still here, she could not have gotten far.

I called down to 5. "Did Stephanie leave?"

Hal answered, "She tried. We watched her leave your apartment and go down to her car. It was like she was sleepwalking. She couldn't find her gate fob or car key so I carried her back to your office. She's there now."

"Did she say anything?"

"Yes, but I'll tell you in private," Hal answered.

I wasn't aware Babe suffered from somnambulism. I put on sweat pants and a t-shirt and flip flops and went down to 5th floor. Hal met me in the stair well.

"At first she wasn't responsive, but when I opened her car door, she started sobbing saying she's a whore, keeping two beds warm and how she's going to hell. When I got her to your office and onto the couch, she went back to sleep and has been quiet ever since."

"I'll take her back upstairs." Babe was sound asleep and didn't stir and I picked her up and carried her back to bed in my apartment.

I'd have to talk to Bobby tomorrow about this nocturnal walk-about. Was it stress, was it the alcohol? Thank heavens she was being monitored.

000

Stephanie POV

A little smutty...

Waking up in Ranger's bed, I don't feel as bad as I should. The bedside clock read 8:30; it is neither too early nor too late. My mind wandered back over the previous day. "A simple request, do the grocery shopping" my mother said had turned into another disaster. This time Mr. Margola and Mrs. Giuseppe are facing medical costs, my reproductive organs are going to dry up, my mother and I are on the outs, but most of all I missed my father's birthday and the Italian Crème cake. Joe and I are off for good or at least I feel it is over. The Merry Men and probably Ranger are ready to bury Joe in some unmarked grave, burn Bella at the stake, and yeah, I embarrassed myself in front of Ranger again. There was something else, waking up in Ranger's office, but I couldn't quite remember. After such an exhausting list, my head really did hurt. Perhaps it was my head getting banged around or maybe the margaritas. I needed at least aspirin or...

Ranger came in with the Cure. That man really does have ESP. The smell of warm French fried made my stomach rumble in anticipation, not nausea. My eyes were shut as he gently tickled the bottom of my nose with several fries. Automatically my mouth opened, like a baby to the nipple. Ranger carefully inserted two fries into my mouth and kissed my forehead. My revelry was interrupted by the bed sagging as Ranger sat down next to me. I moaned and opened my eyes and found myself staring into those luscious chocolate eyes. "You always know what I need."

His eyes sparkled, "You hurt my ego. I'm now second to French fries and Coke?"

Yipes! I thought Coke and fries were the Cure, throw in Ranger, smelling of Bulgari, just inches from my face and I was suddenly sober.

"We need to talk," he said in a low, thick voice as he caressed my cheek avoiding the bruised side.

I knew what I wanted to do with him and it wasn't talk. He was already dressed for work with his t-shirt that left not a micro-millimeter of space beneath the fabric and his sculpted chest, shoulders, arms, abs…..yipes! The little evil in me thought I could get those clothes off without even touching them. Taking up the Coke I began licking the straw sensuously and slowly as my eyes bore into his. Did I notice a slight change in those eyes?

"Babe."

Oh good, I was having an effect on him. My mouth moved to the straw tip and I began slowly sucking up the liquid and alternated with licking the straw. I moaned in ecstasy. It wasn't a ploy, the cold cola was settling my stomach.

He didn't move, his breathing didn't change, but his eyes dilated a bit. He was like a predator, waiting for the prey to come closer or become distracted. Only his eye pupils moved, growing larger. I wasn't looking any lower, I had my own action going on down below.

I took a French fry and put the tip into my mouth and held it before slowly sucking it into my mouth and moaned. I've never be stalked by an animal predator but watching his eyes I couldn't help but think of a panther about to pounce. Suddenly he lurched forward and wrapped his mouth around the French fry. His left hand had grabbed the Coke container to keep it from falling and without breaking our lip lock he set the container back onto the bedside table and pushed me back. The fries were in my lap and were about to get squashed. Oh decisions protect the fries or allow Ranger to continue?

Fortunately I didn't have to make the decision; he moved the fry box to the side as he swung his leg over me. His kisses started north on my lips, lingered for a long time on and in my mouth, then started down my neck. I don't remember getting undressed last night but I did recognize Ranger's t-shirt covering my body. He pushed the shirt up to my neck as his lips traveled south tasting the nipple summits before continuing south my navel's depth. As Ranger's mouth and hands explored my geography, I was stuffing French fries in my mouth. This was new, Ranger and French fries. I was getting hotter. By the time his kisses got to the Dark Forest Ranger mumbled, "Lose the fries, I don't want you to choke."

He was right of course. I was so primed, I had actually forgotten about the fries. I was still in orgasmic aftershocks when he moved back up towards my mouth and smirked, "Bet your fries are cold."

"What fries?" I asked blankly.

He smiled and glanced at the clock. "I did want to talk about yesterday and earlier this morning, but now it will have to wait until this evening."

"Can you give me a clue?"

"No. It will take time, time I don't have now."

He rose up off the bed, bent over and kissed my forehead, nose and mouth. "Please be safe, the Burg vibes are stronger today."

I reached up and wiped his mouth, chin and cheeks. He looked at me questioning my motherly attention.

"Think where they've recently been," I smiled a very satisfied smile.

He smiled his thousand watt smile, "Be safe and don't go crazy."

Well, I didn't get him out of his clothes, who said that was second best. WOW! I zapped the remaining fries in the microwave and finished them along with the cola. As I ate I thought about what just happened and the Burg vibes? What did he mean what happened earlier this morning?

Ranger and I usually did not engage in sex when I was in a relationship with Joe. I tried very hard to keep the two separate. I've slipped up from time to time, but generally I've been pretty loyal. Yet less than 24 hours after the Giovanchini market incident I'm back in Ranger's bed. As pleasurable as it is, this isn't right. A voice plays in my mind, "...whore keeping two beds warm…" Whoa, where did that thought come from?

Then there were the vibes as Ranger called them. Was Ranger planning retribution on the Morellis? Perhaps the Morellis, beyond Joe, were primed for retribution on me? What would my life be if Joe lost his job? Sure he hit me but I did blow my own cool. How much more gossip could I take? Maybe Eddie and my grandmother were right, I should be far away. But first I needed money and that meant back to work.

I padded off to the bathroom for a shower. Ranger, Bulgari, Coke and fries there was no way I could have a hangover, but I did still have a headache. I needed Tylenol.

Fortunately I had extra clothes in Ranger's closet. They were mainly Rangeman uniforms but I did find a clean white low cut t-shirt to go with the black yoga pants.

My hair actually cooperated so I didn't need to pull it up with a band once it was dry. No zits or other blemishes from my encounter with Bella yesterday. The bruise from where Joe hit me wasn't the worst I've had. There was makeup in a basket under the sink from previous visits to this apartment….and probably the need to hide previous bruises. Concealer and a light foundation helped with the bruise. I figured today was an eyeliner, light shadow and three layers of mascara day. After all, Ranger did mention the "vibes." A fierce mask might be a good defense. No doubt there would be blow back from yesterday at the market. Before I left the bathroom I looked carefully, "Babe, you are looking good!" I said to myself.

000

I breezed into Tasty Pastry for doughnuts; it was my treat as I had been so well treated earlier in the morning. Kathy Zulinski was behind the counter and was wide eyed when I approached the display cases.

"Did you really call Joe sfacime? (Devil's sperm)

I had to suppress a giggle, "No I said Bella's spawn."

She paused for a moment and asked, "Is there a difference?"

I laughed out loud but said nothing.

"Did he really hit you?"

I nodded yes. "I'm glad it happened in public. I get enough bruises with my job, he'd try to pass off where he hit me as another work accident."

"I remember Katarina, Joe's aunt, had to wear sunglasses even in winter hiding her black eyes. I don't remember Angie having bruises, maybe she stood up to her old man."

I was thinking it was more likely Bella was nearby. I didn't want to discuss Morelli history so I tucked the dozen doughnuts under my arm and bid Kathy good-bye. When I entered the office Connie looked no worse for the pitchers of margaritas, maybe she has her own "cure." However, Lula was flat on her back, one arm thrown over her head, "Oh thank heavens, I thought I was going to die from lack of sustenance." She stumbled to the desk and grabbed a raised chocolate glazed doughnut and a pink iced cake doughnut.

She reversed course and headed back to the couch. "When Ram and I walked out, I saw the black Turbo pull up. You didn't toss your cookies in Ranger's the car did you?"

"No, I was cool. Maybe it was the water." No use mentioning the parking lot faux pas. As I finished my Boston Creme I casually mentioned, "It is time Joe finds a new woman. Let someone else deal with Bella."

"This is different. Usually you two just get mad and separate for a while. Are you quitting Mr. Hottie?" Lula asked.

"This time he hit me. I draw the line at physical abuse. We yell at each other, wave our arms, and throw hand jesters; you know Italian conversation. It's never gotten physical."

"Maybe we could find him someone with their own Voodoo curses," Connie said.

"The only other one I know is Grandma Mazur," I said.

The three of us paused, thinking about Joe with my grandmother. Connie and I started laughing; "That's not a picture I want in my head," Connie snorted. Lula looked green like she might lose her doughnut.

Wiping her face with a napkin Lula asked, "How do we get Joe a new woman?"

"The old fashioned way, post his phone number on a bar bathroom wall, perhaps with a little description: 'Italian stallion: Needs training,' then his phone number." Connie suggested.

Not bad, I thought, but the phone was the kicker. He uses his cell phone for work. He'd be upset receiving random calls from unknown women. "I'm going to have to talk to someone about this?"

"Ranger?" Connie asked.

"No, I think someone with a sinister and devious side"

Lula began fanning herself, "Ranger has a sinister side, muy grande."

"No, no, he's more mature. I need someone who is sinister, devious, and still childish.

000

"Hello Beautiful," Lester smiled and gave me a bone crushing hug.

"I need advice, Lester."

"Dump Ranger and come away with me," he said as he wiggled his eye brows. Darn it, how to people do that eye stuff?

I kissed his cheek, "Oh Lester, you'd hate being #2."

"What makes you think I'd be #2? I've got everything my cousin has and I'm smart enough to know where to keep it."

I gasped and pushed him back, "LESTER!"

He replayed his last line back to himself and actually blushed, "Oh Beautiful, I'm soooo sorry, that's not what I meant. I meant I'd keep you close…no, that's not it…..I'd keep you safe and not disappear for weeks or months." He continued to blush and I think I was blushing too.

Once we both got our blushes under control I continued, "Lester, I'm planning a bit of revenge on Joe that doesn't draw blood."

Lester rocked back and laughed. "Oh darling, when the guys saw the video we were falling all over each other trying to come to your aid and squash Joe. Drawing blood would be so much fun. I know a dozen guys, at least, who would gladly pound him into a pancake in your honor."

I was stunned. "I don't want anyone in jail because of me."

"Stephanie, you may be #1 with Ranger, but you are loved and respected by all at Rangeman. Initially you brought fun to the office with your exploding cars, rolls through the trash, but then we got to know you. You have brought light to our dark lives, you love us and care for us without first judging us."

I had heard this before and found it embarrassing and probably over blown. "There is really a video of him hitting me?" The gossip was bad enough, but to be on Facebook was far worse. I still value what little personal privacy I have….now probably…had.

He nodded, "It might go viral but Hector is working on a way to erase it."

"Nooooooooo! The police will need it as evidence. I don't need thousands of hits of my head snapping back or Bella casting her curses, but it may help my case."

Lester pulled out his cell phone and sent a text, maybe to Hector and then turned back to me, "What type of revenge?"

"Maybe revenge isn't the right word. He's always saying he's the only man I need and I'm the only woman he needs."

Lester looked like he wanted to say something, but held back.

I continued, "He wants a woman who will stay home, tend the house and kids."

"Beautiful, you have far too much light, way more intelligence, to fall for his crap let alone be a Burg housewife."

"It's what I've been raised to believe was my future."

"No, no, that was your grandmother's and mother's future, not yours. You have amazing analytical skills. Your thinking processes are far more complex; analytical, abstract, convergent and divergent. It is a gift that would be lost as a stay at home mother washing windows and changing diapers."

I remained quiet, I didn't understand what he was talking about.

"So you are really finished with Joe this time?" Lester said once again snapping me back to our conversation.

I caught the dig…this time. How many times have Joe and I separated after arguing over my job, olives and peanut butter, going to his mother's house for dinner? Yet the lure of sex, literally on demand sex, kept us coming together again. Joe and I never went on a date, just ate or drank beer, watched a ballgame, and had sex. Maybe that was Burg life because I couldn't think of anything else my folks did, though I wasn't sure about the sex part anymore.

I answered Lester, "We have been apart for several months, but my mother keeps inviting him to dinner in hopes of reconciliation. I figured our relationship would go out with a big explosion. I don't know if the market incident qualifies, but the relationship is over. We both have tempers but his got physical."

"I'd say the exchange in the market was a pretty big explosion. Do you want to be involved with that…..family? Bella as a grand-mother-on-law?" he asked.

Subconsciously I knew that was one reason I couldn't commit. Hosting Mets' day at home with the Morellis including Bella would be hell on earth. He hated my job, I loved my job. I hated his job the way it pulled him away at all hours day and night. He apparently liked his job. There wasn't real love between us; it was a carnal friendship, buddies with benefits. Friendship-love is a whole different ballgame than committed Love with a capital L. My relationship with Ranger was apparently just friendship buddy as well with very infrequent benefits. Was I really in love with either man?

"Lester in addition to getting him a woman committed to him, I want him to think he left me. If he thinks I dumped him, his Italian ego will go gonzo and who knows what he'll do," I added.

Lester ticked off his fingers: "So he wants a stay at home wife, a baby machine, he wants to be in control, and he probably wants to continue…" Lester suddenly stopped.

I was confused, "What else Les?"

Lester shook his head no.

"Lester, please…"

Lester was momentarily flustered and attempting to quickly back track. Recounting his fingers he said, "That's all, I miss counted."

I was pretty sure Lester was going to mention Joe indiscretions, but I didn't want to know. There have been hints about Joe's "other women." I haven't been monogamous in the relationship either. "He needs someone who is totally, 100% into him and the relationship. It's not me."

"How do you figure to do this?"

"Lester, I want him swamped in women. He needs his ego stroked."

"And probably something else," Lester sneered.

"I knew I could count on you too pull this conversation down into the gutter."

He laughed. "How do you propose to swamp Joe with women?"

"Years ago he wrote about taking my virginity on the stadium and men's bathroom walls."

"He what? That dick." Lester was going into rhino mode.

"Let it go Lester, it was years ago. Now I'm thinking about doing something similar in women's bathrooms."

Lester's eyes became shaded, "Graffiti? Do you women still have graffiti in your restrooms?"

I thought about it. He's right. It's not like it was year's ago. Today it is gang signs and they are often painted over quickly. "Yeah, you are right. That won't work."

"Why not use the Burg's communication system? It's so fast to spread rumors about you, why not use it on Joe?"

"You mean like he hit me?" I was confused.

"That's already out there. No, that he's available."

"I'm not going on Facebook or those other sites," I said angrily.

"No, use the Burg grapevine, lose lips and flapping tongues."

"What a brilliant idea, Lester!"

"Second only to you leaving Ranger and running away with me."

I slugged his shoulder.

Lester laughed, "You still hit like a girl. You need to be working out in the gym and get some force behind that hit. Contact your girlfriends to start spreading the word Joe is desperate for a new woman. And I'll have some guys spread the news in town."

I giggled, "Campaign Italian Stallion then?"

000

I needed space between me and Ranger. I remembered he wanted to talk about something after work, but I needed time. Subconsciously I knew nesting with him so soon after Giovanchini's was a bad idea. "Lester, would you go back to my apartment with me? I need to feed Rex and gather clothes and take them to the laundromat."

He looked at me funny, "You trying to be a domestic goddess?"

No, usually my mother does my laundry, but she and I …well, we are on the outs. I'm desperate for clean clothes. " I failed to explain the real reason though I think Lester knew; if Joe was there or showed up, things might escalate into real violence.

Lester accompanied me back to my apartment. The closer we got to my door the more professional he became and the more reluctant I became. Taking my keys he drew his weapon, unlocked the door and walked in a few steps. He turned and hissed, "Stay out here." After several minutes he returned with a stone face, "You've had a visitor."

I pushed passed him and went in no more than a few feet and froze. I knew I didn't leave the couch torn to shreds, the furniture broken or the kitchen cabinets turned inside out. I rushed to Rex and found the aquarium over turned and broken on the floor. "Rex!" I yelled.

Immediately I was down on the floor looking for my hamster. Finally Lester called, "He's under here." Rex has burrowed under the couch cushion on the floor. I ran to the bedroom only marginally noting it too was destroyed and grabbed a shoe box. It wasn't hard, they were scattered around the room empty of their contents. I didn't have time to wonder where the shoes had gone. When I found a box and top that matched I went back and carefully poked holes in the top for ventilation, scooped up some fallen wood shavings carefully searching for glass shards. The shavings went into the box then I picked up Rex and put him into the box.

With my little house mate secure, at least until he ate through the cardboard, I looked around the apartment; everything was destroyed. All the furniture was broken and torn open. My bedroom was also in shambles. The bed was broken, mattress torn open and worst of all, my clothes were in shreds. A peek in the bathroom was nothing more than every liquid container had been turned upside down and smeared over the walls and floor. I actually screamed when I saw my shoes floating in the bathtub.

Lester called somebody. I didn't know who. I went and sat in the hall with Rex in the shoe box. Soon two area cops came up the stairs, Costanza and Big Dog.

"You OK?" Carl Costanza asked.

I shook my head yes. Not a tear in sight. "It wasn't incendiary, obscene graffiti, or a dead body, but everything is destroyed….again." Everything was gone, ruined, broken. Suddenly I jumped up and went back into the living room. "They took the TV."

"What?' Costanza said.

"Whoever did this took the TV. It was Joe's TV."