Ranger's POV:
"Tank!" I growled as I exited the elevator on the fifth floor. "Update. NOW!" I was pissed. I couldn't believe she would just take off. Running from something I would assume. But what? Morelli? If it was, I would have to kill him.
"Sir, we were able to see the truck pull onto the interstate from a traffic camera south of Trenton." Tank answered.
"And?" This wasn't a fast enough update for me. It was 2 am, she's had two hours. She could be heading anywhere. My blood was beginning to boil. I needed her to be found now. Did she know how many psycho's were out there at this time of night? And what if something happened to the truck? She would be in the middle of nowhere.
"Ranger." Tank interrupted. "We will find her. She might have done something rash, but she's a smart girl. " I just stared at him.
"What the hell?" How did he know what I was thinking?
Tank smiled. Then gave out a small laugh. "You said that out loud Ranger. Guess she has more of an effect on her then you're willing to admit."
Fuck. "I want her found. NOW!" I slammed my hand down on the control table and the guys jumped.
"Maybe she doesn't want to be found Sir." Lester piped up. That kid always had his two cents to put in.
"Lester." Tank warned.
"No I'm serious. You know how she hates Trenton. Maybe she and the cop fought it out. She probably just wants some time to think."
"With my forty thousand?"
"Come on boss," this time it was Bobby who spoke up, "You already bleed money for her. Least you can do is help her out."
This was unbelievable. " Help....her.....out..." I ground between my teeth. I had been doing plenty of that for years now. Lester nodded his head. He must have understood what I was thinking, either that or I was going crazy and pulling a Stephanie. Groan.
" You have boss, we know that, she knows that. But you fucked it up too." I glared at the kid. He didn't even flinch. What the hell was going on. Mutiny " You push her at someone she doesn't want, and you push her away from someone she does want, while the whole time you lead her on then disappear."
Tank spoke up. His voice was quiet. "They're right boss. She loves you. " I hung my head at the words. It couldn't be. I had tried so hard for her not to. " It's you boss, not Batman she loves. You. And I'm sure sending her back to the cop fucked her up even more.." He laid a hand on my shoulder.
Fuck. I had pushed her away. I did it to save her. And now I had pushed her so far she was running, away from me. It hit me like a sucker punch to the stomach. I didn't want her to leave. I needed her here with me. Fuck the cop and fuck my lifestyle. I needed her. I sighed and stood up.
"Okay..." I started. I tried to pull my mask down. It wasn't working. " I...I...I just need you to find her. Drop all other files. Find her." Lester, Bobby and Tank stood in front of me, frowning.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you need us to find her?" Lester asked. " I ain't doing shit until you admit it."
" Yeah, you can fight us all you want, but she deserves the best, and we think that's you. So man up." Bobby chimed in.
I looked at Tank for support. He just shook his head. "You already do Ranger, just say it. Because if you get her back, you're going to have to say it to her for the rest of your lives."
"I don't believe in marriage." I stubbornly responded.
" You will." they all replied. "Now why should we do this for you?"
I sighed and gave in.
"Because I love her. And I need her. And if I can't have her back, Rangeman will be yours." I nodded at Tank and left the room.
