It took me a while to post this next chapter, but it finally came out. Thanks for the amazing support. Oh, for those who wanted Grandma to see a naked Ranger (and don't mind venturing into the M section) I started a series of oneshots of Stephanie and Ranger heating it up ("Babe Adventures"); in chapter 2 Grandma gets a load of naked Ranger and more.
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE.
Grandma Mazur was surprised to see me.
"What's going on?" I asked what brought her over to Rangeman. She told me that after dinner she went over to my place to spend the night, just in case I needed something.
"When you didn't open the door I thought maybe you were asleep." Grandma went on to tell me she dialed my number, but got no response. "I could hear the phone ringing in your apartment." She thought something had happened to me. "Like maybe you passed out and needed medical help."
Geesh.
"So, I convinced your super to let me in. When I didn't find you, I knew I was going to need some help." She got Lula to tell her where Rangeman was. She didn't want to worry my parents or launch a police investigation. "They take too long." Her eyes sparkled when Ranger joined is in the living room, fully dressed.
"Stephanie will be staying here for security reasons." He motioned Grandma to take a seat.
"Are you working some sort of undercover assignment?" Ranger shot me a look and I nodded, telling her the basics of the situation. "Damn skippy he deserves to be locked up."
Ranger asked Grandma to keep the knowledge on the low. We didn't want to spook the guy.
Grandma did a locked lips gesture. "Will I get a gun?" She definitely wanted in.
"No." Ranger stated.
"That's okay. I have my own." Ranger sent me a quick disbelieving look. I shrugged as best as I could.
Since my mother knew Grandma was spending the night with me, we went back to bed. Ranger gave his spot to Grandma, leaving me to share the bed with her. Her soft snores weren't conducive to sleep. I lay there awake for a long while, mulling things over.
I honestly don't think I'm the target in this situation. I just happened to be a nuisance the day my shooter decided to strike against his ex-wife. Even if we can't locate him his court date is only a few days away. And in the worst case scenario he'll be doing time for shooting an unarmed woman.
S&R
The next morning I managed to convince the new guy at Rangeman to drive me to my parents' house to drop Grandma off. He couldn't be more than twenty. He said his name was Jesse and though he looked solid, he still needed to put on some more muscle to rank along the sides of the other Merry Men. He'd heard talk about me which was probably why he scrambled to do as I asked. Fine by me.
Jesse parked his standard Rangeman-issued black SUV in front of my parents'. I walked Grandma to the house with Jesse keeping close behind us. My mother met us at the door.
"Joseph's worried, because you haven't answered his calls." My mother looked me over, trying to verify for herself that I was okay.
"Stephanie's been taking her pain pills and sleeping." Grandma explained, sending me a discrete wink when my mom nodded in understanding. My mother stared at the man in black standing behind me, putting two and two together before shaking her head. It showed her disapproval of my association with Ranger.
After a quick chat I was escorted back to the SUV. As soon as Jesse drove away from the curb his phone rang. By the look on his face and from what I could hear he was getting his ass chewed. He was in trouble.
"I have to take you back to Rangeman." He shot me a sideways glance, passing the cell phone to me.
"Hello?" I chose to play it innocent. It was Tank. He'd just returned from whatever the heck he'd been doing and wanted me back at Rangeman before Ranger got back. "Okay." I said I just had to make a quick stop at my apartment and hung up.
Poor Jesse didn't know he didn't have to obey me. I took advantage, giving him directions to my apartment building. I knew that once I was back at Rangeman I was going to be under more surveillance.
Gotta love the seniors in my apartment building. There was a parking riot, forcing Jesse to slow to a stop in the middle of the parking lot. I dug through my shoulder bag for my keys, hopping out of the car when I had them in my hand. "I'll be quick." I shouted, making my way to the lobby. Jesse was torn between finding a parking space for the SUV and coming after me.
I took the elevator to my floor, walked down the hall and inserted my key in the lock. The reason I wasn't answering anyone's calls was because my cell was still in my apartment. Ranger told me he'd called me before coming to get me so I figured the phone had to be in my bedroom. I spotted the device on the floor and picked it up. I was scrolling through missed calls and text messages when I heard footsteps headed my way. I figured it was Jesse.
Wrong.
"Where is she?" A rough voice demanded. I looked up, finding myself face to face with my shooter. I felt rooted to my spot, the hairs on my arms standing up on end.
"…" I opened my mouth to speak, but no sounds came out.
"Where. Is. She?" The teeth-grinding inquiry elicited goose bumps all over me. I shook my head, trying to tell him I didn't know. He looked derailed. When he lunged at me I finally snapped into motion, ducking below his outstretched arms.
My shoulder felt like it was on fire as I ran out of the bedroom. The front door was closed. I couldn't risk getting caught, so I went to my kitchen. I fiddled with the cookie jar, pulling out my Smith & Wesson. I leveled the gun in front of me even though it wasn't loaded. What a surprise.
"Stop!" It was awkward to hold the gun in my left hand, but I bluffed anyway.
"Don't make this difficult." The man snarled, telling me it was none of my business. He took a step closer to me and I pulled the trigger out of reflex. The bullet made impact with the counter behind the man, missing him. I guess my gun was loaded after all!
"Stop." I warned, keeping the gun pointed in his direction. He moved quickly, knocking me to the ground in a flash. I landed on my left side, the gun skittering away from my reach. The hot pain radiating from my right shoulder kept me down.
"I'm not asking again." I stared up my shooter, a sinking feeling settling over me. For a split second while he planted his feet on either side of my body I felt weak and tiny. But here's the thing, I've learned that when survival instincts kick in they overtake you. And that's what happened. The moment he leaned closer, intent on intimidating me, I saw my chance. I took it, connecting my knee with groin. His eyes crossed, pulling back. I shoved him away, taking advantage of his momentum to throw him on the floor.
I flew out of my apartment and down the stairs, the adrenaline pushing me forward. I bumped into Jesse in the lobby.
"I heard a gunshot." He said, fearing I'd gotten hurt on his watch. I gave him the rundown of what happened. "Stay here." Jesse went up the stairs, gun drawn.
I waited. My pounding heartbeat still raced.
