a/n There is a new Anthony, Lester, Ranger oneshot on my blog tonight. It is in Anthony's folder, enjoy. 6.13.13

Undercover

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7

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Michelle

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We got all gussied up in our rich girl glad rags. We got "dressed" as Steph insisted Manoso had meant, with our small but deadly automatics in thigh holsters.

Steph had called Billings after we saw Manoso. He didn't pick up his phone so she left a breezy message. "Captain Billings, this guy Manoso is just as good as you promised! Maybe even better."

She quirked her eyebrows at me and grinned. She continued, "If all goes as planned the takedown will be tomorrow night. If necessary we will regroup and try another night but I think this is it. Manoso doesn't seem like a man to waste time and effort. We will check in when we can, but we won't have our phones and other equipment. We're really just decoys or distractions. We'll probably be back in Philly by Monday or Tuesday. Byeeee.''

I said, ''You're bad, Steph!''

She smiled some more. "When I'm bad I m excellent!''

The party was lavish. Lots of hot young party people of both sexes, loud music, weed and blow, champagne, fine food. I thought Steph was a bit shocked by the mirrored trays of cocaine. I tried a smidge. Huh. Real. And high quality, too. I figured the drugs were props to lull any suspicions the cartel people might have.

It turned out that Manoso, Stewart and Santos were hosting a high stakes poker game in the main cabin. We were invited to join, but Steph said, ''You gotta be kidding.''

Manoso said, ''I'll bankroll you, querida. And your lovely friend.'' Indicating me.

There were maybe nine or ten men at the table. None was our quarry. I love to play poker and said, ''I'd enjoy sitting in.''

Stewart sat me down next to him. "I'll bankroll you, Michelle. You can always repay me later.''

My nipples contracted and I felt breathless. This man was almost as frighteningly sexy and intimidating as Manoso. He was very good-looking with beautiful blond hair, looked natural blond—longish on top, buzzed short on the sides. The earlier cornworws were gone. His face was wonderful, high cheekbones, straight nose, lovely winter tan, and meltingly hot black Latino eyes, unusual in someone so blond. He was slim but broad shouldered and muscular. He had an educated voice, honey soft and sweet like Manoso's. And he had a smile that could light up the world.

Steph lounged by Manoso's shoulder but refused to play. "Really there's not enough money in the city of Miami to bankroll me, darling.''

We played. I lost my concentration for a few hands when I realized what the stakes were, but then I recovered and began to win now and then.

Stewart whispered in my ear, "I'm relieved. I thought bankruptcy was looming.''

His lips against my cheek gave me shivers.

Finally there was a stir of excitement. A man and his entourage entered the yacht's lounge. A pockmarked ugly guy, Latin American, I guess, looked reptilian actually, swept into the room.

''Ah! Carlos! I hope I am not too late to join the game, mi hermano.''

Manoso stood up and met the man with a warm handshake and then an embrace.

He said, "Alberto! I've been waiting for you all evening.''

And he slapped a set of cuffs on the guy quicker than my eye could see. The other men at the table had risen when Manoso did and overwhelmed the men who were with Alvarez.

Tank said, ''Bunch of pussies. Jeez.''

The local cops and DEA and Feds all arrived en masse, sirens and lights screaming.

Steph grinned at Manoso. ''I got to say, you do get your man.''

''Would it be trite to say 'my woman' too?''

''Huh! You wish, mister.''

He laughed out loud and grabbed her. The kiss went on and on, Manoso's men smiling indulgently, me with blushing cheeks.

''Haaarumph!''

''Hey, Captain Billings!'' Steph was still smiling even though her lipstick was now smeared.

Behind Billings' back, Tank cleared his throat and when Manoso looked at him, Tank mimed wiping his face. Manoso pulled a handkerchief out and wiped Steph's lipstick off his own mouth and cheeks. He handed the hanky to Steph who looked at him with puzzlement. He took it back and gently blotted the lipstick smears from her mouth.

Tank nodded and said, "Okay, boss.'' He folded his arms and resumed looming.

Billings turned to see who had spoken and why. Tank looked angelic. Not great on a 30-year-old, really huge linebacker-type's face. He looked guilty as hell. It was pretty clear the 'boss' in question wasn't Billings.

Steph said to Billings, ''So. What's up?''

Billings seemed at a loss for words.

Steph stood hands on hips and said, ''I know, you want to tell me and Michelle and Mr. Manoso and his crew what a really great job we all did tonight? Right? And you want to tell Ranger he's worth every penny he charged you, right?''

Billings said, ''You're Ranger? The—bounty hunter? Omigod.''

Steph smiled some more. ''Captain Billings, I'd like to introduce you to Carlos Manoso, street name 'Ranger' in the Northeast—my husband.''

Manoso gave Billings his minuscule nod and smiled his million dollar smile.

He said, ''We can leave,ladies. Tank and Les will finish up here.''

Anthony leaned in and whispered in my ear, "How about dinner tomorrow night? We can go to a lovely little place I know. It's in Paris.''

Stephanie giggled. "You're always luring girls off to Paris!"

"I am not! It's just that..."

I intervened. "Do you have a street name too?''

He smiled. Same million dollar smile and I turned to look at Manoso again.

I said, ''Are you guys…?''

''You can call me anything you like, Mitch.''

''Yum,'' I said.

He nodded. ''Yeah, that's what they all say.''

"It's his hacker name," Syephanie translated.

Anthony grabbed my hand and we made our escape, closely followed by my partner Stephanie Plum and her hot hot hot husband.

''Paris, anyone?''

tbc