Disclaimer: I'm not making any profit, just having some fun. The characters belong to Janet Evanovich as do any recognizable settings.
I try to edit closely but there will be mistakes. Since this is just a hobby I don't worry too much about small mistakes.
Spoilers for up to 19…
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Cal turned on the GPS and called up the address he entered yesterday for Marge Sellars' house. We rode in silence for the first few minutes and I was hoping that it would last the duration of the trip. But when Cal pulled the SUV on to the Trenton Westbound Bypass Cyclops cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
"Stephanie I want to apologize for the way I spoke to you the other day. My choice of words was no better than the cop's. You don't deserve to be spoken to like that, by anyone, especially someone you hardly know."
"Thank you, Ty. Can I call you Ty?"
"Sure, most of my friends who aren't in the business call me Ty."
"Ty, Joe's not a bad guy. You saw a bad side of him that day, but he's really a good guy."
I looked at Cal hoping he'd back me up, offer some sort of verbal support that confirmed my defense of Joe. Cal cut his eyes in my direction and then nodded and offered a grunt. Great, Rangeman communication skills at their finest.
"I'm sure he's not a bad guy. But I'm also sure he's not the right man for you," Cyclops said under his breath.
Cal grunted again, and cut his eyes at me nodding in agreement. I sighed and turned to look out the window. It's a terrible thing for everyone around you to keep reminding you of something you can't have.
"Bombshell, how are we going to do this?"
"I usually try to call and make contact with the skip. If they answer and I can confirm their location I push my way through until they're apprehended. When I work with Ranger I usually call the phone number in the file and Ranger does the rest. It's easier that way because the skips are scared shitless of him. Sometimes they just walk out to the car on their own."
Cal gave me a knowing smirk. "Since Sellars' has a history of violence let's play it safe. You call and make contact try to find out where he is for sure and I'll apprehend him. Deal?"
"Deal." I said shaking Cal's hand.
"Alright Bombshell work your magic." Cal said.
I found Marge Sellars' phone number in Tommy's folder. I dialed the number and waited for someone to answer. On the third ring someone picked up the call.
"What?"
"Is this Tommy Sellars'?" I asked using my sex kitten voice.
"Yeah. Who wants to know?"
I gave Cal the thumbs up sign and we exited the car heading for the house.
"This is Carrie Greene from high school. I can't believe it's really you," I cooed into the phone. Stepping carefully on the wooden porch steps so we didn't alert him to our presence, giving an opportunity to run or grab a weapon. Cal put his hand up in a universal stop signal and then counted back with his fingers from three. On zero I knocked on the door.
"I don't know any Carrie Gr… Hang on there's someone at my door."
"Tommy Sellars you are in violation of your bond agreement with Vincent Plum Bail Bonds," I said.
"Yeah so?" Sellars' said.
"So I'm here to take you back to the police station to reschedule your court date. Once that's done someone from the office will come to repost your bond," I explained.
"Fuck you."
Cal took a menacing step forward and reached out grabbing Sellars' shoulder. Tommy winced and dropped the phone he was still holding. "The lady said you need to go to the police station. I'm here to make sure you don't give her any trouble."
Sellars nodded and stepped out pulling the door closed behind him. Cal cuffed him and walked him to the SUV. Cyclops got out of the backseat and helped Cal get Sellars loaded and tethered in using the shackle bolted to the floorboard. Once Sellars' was secure Cyclops leaned into the backseat and cleared his throat to get his attention.
"The lady will be riding in the front seat. I don't want to have to remind you that she's to be treated with respect. You will watch your mouth, and your actions. Got it?"
All the color drained from Sellars' face and he nodded his head darting his eyes in my direction and then again at Cyclops. "Yes."
Cyclops opened the door for me and waited until I was seated and buckled in before closing the door and getting in the backseat. When Cal pulled away from the curb I couldn't stop the brief smile that crossed my face in less than an hour I'd made two thousand dollars. I could pay my rent and tuck some away in savings. Once again I'd somehow managed to keep my head above water.
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I ran through the door of my apartment and glanced at the clock on the microwave.
"Shit I'm going to be late," I said to Rex as I ran past his little home into the bathroom.
I turned on the hot water and stripped out of my clothes. If I didn't waste time and pulled my hair into a twist or braid I could skip washing my hair. I lathered my body with a nice floral body wash and then shaved my legs. I rinsed my body quickly and hopped out of the shower.
Looking at the mirror proved I'd need to start at the beginning with my makeup so I scrubbed my face clean and toweled it dry. Then I applied foundation and blush. I lined my eyes with a soft brown and used a brown shadow on top. Then I set it all with powder. The last touch was three coats of black mascara. The finished product was a little softer than usual but appropriate for a dinner party in the Burg.
I grabbed a hair bush to begin working the tangles out of my hair. Then I gathered it into a low ponytail and twisting it into a bun securing it with bobby pins and enough hairspray to double the smog in Jersey. I ran into my bedroom digging through the closet looking for a dress. In the back of the closet I found the perfect dress. It's dark green with long sleeves and a simple modest neckline. I paired it with dark brown dress boots. I added my fake diamond earrings and a silver bracelet.
I heard the door open and boots walk into the apartment. A glance at the bed side clock told me I'd finished just in in time. I gave myself one last look in the mirror and stepped out into the living room.
"Hi Cupcake, ready?"
"Yeah. Did you remember to get the wine?" I asked.
"I stopped on the way over here and got two bottles of Merlot. I don't know much about wine so I just bought a couple that cost about twenty bucks."
Ranger knows about wine I thought. Just another way he's different from Joe. I shook my head to clear it daydreaming about Ranger was dangerous to my heart.
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"Stephanie, Joseph come in, dinner is almost ready," Mrs. Morelli said.
"Hi, Mom," Joe greeted pausing to place a kiss on his mother's cheek.
"Good evening, Mrs. Morelli. Thank you for inviting me to Sunday dinner."
"Of course Stephanie, you're always welcome. After all you're Joseph's girlfriend," Mrs. Morelli said emphasizing the last word.
"Dinner smells great Mom. We brought a couple of bottles of wine."
"Thank you Joseph. Your Aunt Loretta and Uncle Salvador are in the dining room having antipasto with Grandma Bella."
I saw Joe cringe slightly. Joe's family wasn't as crazy as mine, but they weren't off by much. I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and Mrs. Morelli took the wine into the kitchen. Joe took a deep breath and we walked into the dining room. Joe's Uncle Sal was his Dad's brother. I'd met him once at Stiva's funeral home. He was a typical Morelli man. Although rumor has it his biggest weakness was the horse track.
"Salve Joey!" Sal said never taking his eyes off my chest. "Avete sempre avuto in modo con le donne. Cio e un bella ragazza. Lei e sembra che lei potrebbe darvi molti figli."
"Stephanie doesn't speak a lot of Italian Uncle Sal. So we'll have to speak English tonight," Joe said before leaning into to whisper in my ear. "Uncle Sal said I was a lady's man, and that you were beautiful."
"Somehow," I whispered back, "I don't think that's all he said."
"He also said you looked like you were good in bed and you look fertile."
"Oh," I said shooting Salvador a death glare.
Joe walked around the table kissing his Grandma Bella. He hugged Loretta and then we took our seats at the table. There was already an open bottle of wine on the table so Joe poured us each a glass and asked his grandmother about her health. Grandma Bella started reporting about her latest doctor's visit. Loretta poured herself another glass of wine and gave me a look that said she wasn't the least bit interested in what Bella had to say.
"Joseph can you help me carry the dishes to the table?" Mrs. Morelli called from the kitchen.
"I'll go stay here and talk to Grandma Bella," I said.
Loretta stood up from her place at the table. "I'll go too."
Dinner started with a traditional Mista salad, followed by cannelloni with garlic bread and green bean and tomatoes. By Burg standards the dishes were typical but they were delicious. Conversation were kept to safe neutral topics like the weather, Bob the dog, weekly events at St. Paul's, and Joe's chances of making Sargent soon.
When everyone was done with dinner I offered to clear the table. Joe offered to help me. Joe brought into the kitchen and wrapped up the leftovers while I rinsed the dishes and put them in the drainer. When I was drying my hands Mrs. Morelli came into start the coffee and slice the cheesecake.
"Stephanie can you look in the cabinet next to the sink and get out the dishes for dessert."
"Yes ma'am."
"I do hope that you and Joseph will be able to work things out for good this time. He told me yesterday that you're thinking of taking a job at Trenton Fidelity Bank."
"Mickey McDouglas is going to hire several tellers for the new branch. He told Joe he would consider hiring me if I was interested. It's something I've been thinking about."
"Well good. No one wants to see you get hurt. Besides I think you'd both be happier if you quit working for your cousin.
The doorbell rang and Mrs. Morelli muttered something about unexpected visitors and hurried from the kitchen to answer the door. I finished pulling out the dishes and noticed a large tray sitting on the island. I wiped it down with a towel and set the cups, saucers and dessert plates. I took one last look at the tray and kitchen and pushed open the door stepping into the living room.
Maria Piccoli was standing in the entry way holding an empty cake plate. "I didn't mean to interrupt a family dinner Mrs. Morelli," she said making eye contact with me. "My mom asked me to bring this by to you. She said you forgot it after Bridge Club last week."
"We were just about to have dessert and coffee why don't you join us," Mrs. Morelli asked. I knew it would be rude to not invite her to join us, but it didn't make the invitation any easier to accept.
Someone stood from the couch and walked across the room. Salvador. "Come on dear," he said taking her by the arm and directing her sit on the sofa. "You sit by Joe."
Loretta gave me a pitying look. "Sal, honey, I think Stephanie was sitting there, maybe Maria would be more comfortable somewhere else."
"It's fine Loretta," I said. "Maria is a guest."
"Mrs. Morelli flashed her eyes at me and then turned to walk into the kitchen. "Stephanie, could you help me with the coffee and cheesecake?"
"Yes ma'am."
"So dear who are your parents?," Grandma Bella asked Maria as we were leaving the room.
Grandma Bella never asked about my parents, she's always giving me The Evil Eye or putting curses on me like Vordo. Joe says she's crazy and I should ignore it but the last time she'd put a curse on me I had sex with Ranger. Come to think of it that was less of a curse and more of a blessing. I've really got to get these thoughts about Ranger under control I thought shaking my head in an effort to reboot my brain.
"I think I have a coffee carafe that will do in bottom of the china cabinet could you look for me?"
I nodded and walked through the swinging door that connected the kitchen and dining rooms. After looking through the cabinet for a few minutes I found a pretty glass carafe with matching sugar and cream pieces. When I walked over to the door I could Joe and his Mom talking in hushed voices.
"You have to tell her to leave. She can't stay here, not tonight, not with Stephanie here, it's risky."
"Joseph, Maria is a guest in my house. I won't ask her to leave. Stephanie understands, she said so herself."
"Mom..." Joe started to protest but was interrupted.
"Joseph Morelli you will not embarrass me in a front of a guest," Mrs. Morelli scolded.
"What about Stephanie?"
"She's fine. I don't think she'll say anything. Besides you never went out with Maria. She just came over for dinner a few times when you two weren't together."
"Yeah," Joe responded "I don't think Stephanie is going to see it that way."
I looked down at the coffee service in my hands and suddenly remembered what I was supposed to be doing. Just get through dessert. Remember what Ranger says "Anyone can do anything for a little while if they remember to keep their head on straight." I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders, then pushed the door open with my hip.
"Is this the set you were looking for Mrs. Morelli?"
"Yes. That's the one. Thank you,' she said giving me a warm smile."Now you two go back in the living room and ask Bella to come back in here to help me."
For the next hour I watched as Maria shamelessly flirted with my boyfriend. Leaning across him to pour coffee, and add sugar to her cup, touching his leg when she laughed at Sal's terrible jokes, pressing her hand to her chest, crossing and uncrossing her legs. Joe was trying to ignores her advances scooting across the couch to get away from her roaming hands, and only making eye contact with his Mom, Grandma or me. Eventually Mary Elizabeth excused herself to go upstairs and rest and I took the opportunity to be excused to the bathroom.
When I came back from the bathroom Maria was gone and Joe was waiting at the door with my jacket.
"Ready to go Cupcake?"
I walked into the living room and said goodnight to everyone then walked over to the entry hall. "Thank you for everything Mrs. Morelli. Dinner was delicious."
"Thank you, Stephanie. You and Joseph must come back soon. I don't see enough of my son. He works too much."
Joe handed me the jacket and kissed him mom on the cheek. He opened the front door and we stepped out into the cool fall air. Joe walked to the driver's side of the truck and hopped inside. I pulled on the door handle of the passenger side, it was locked. I tapped on the window and Joe pressed the unlock button. Once I was inside he started the SUV and pulled away from the curb before I was settled into the seat or even had my seatbelt buckled.
My thoughts drifted to Ranger. He always opened doors for me. When it was a car door he waited for me to be settled and buckled inside before closing the door. Ranger was always considerate. Joe was well he was Joe. I shook my head and brought myself back to the present.
"Joe why did Maria Piccoli come to your Mom's house tonight?"
"I don't know Steph. I told you that she's been chasing me for years. It's only gotten worse since my Mom tried to fix us up during our last breakup."
"So there's nothing else?"
"No," Joe said running his fingers through his hair. "I'd never cheat, Cupcake."
"I know. It's just that well she seemed very interested in you."
"Cupcake."
"Joe," I sighed. "Don't okay. Just don't push it tonight."
We finished the ride to my apartment in silence. When Joe pulled into the parking lot I asked him to just drop me at the door. After a quiet moment Joe pulled under the awning and stopped.
"Have you decided about the job at the bank?" Joe asked.
"I don't want to work in a bank, Joe. I like the freedom I have now."
"I see," Joe said slumping down in the seat and tightening his grip on the steering wheel. "I don't want to fight with you tonight."
"I don't want to fight with you either."
"Would you at least talk to Mickey about the job? It might not be as awful as you think."
"I'll think about it."
"That's all I ask," Joe said before leaning across the console and kissing me goodnight.
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I woke up at three o'clock and looked around the room. I was alone in my apartment. I'd expected Joe to come back at least to fight with me. Only he didn't. I woke up briefly at midnight waiting on Ranger, only he didn't come either. Now it was three hours later and I was awake again. This time I realized I was also alone with my thoughts.
I rolled over on my stomach and stretched out taking a deep breath and trying to clear my mind. I lie there in the bed looking at my nightstand staring at the sheet of paper I'd written my thoughts on earlier. I was ticking through my reasons for not wanting to work at the bank. Then I thought about Joe's reasons for wanting me to take the job. Sure it was safer, and I would be less of an embarrassment. But I always thought that loving someone meant accepting them for who they were, not wanting them to be someone else.
Then I thought about how I'd been comparing Joe to Ranger earlier tonight. Was I wishing he was someone else by comparing him to another man? Maybe, if I was that wasn't fair to Joe. After all he hadn't done anything wrong. He was just different.
I flopped over on my back and squeezed my eyes closed. "Sleep… Sleep… Sleep... Sleep..." I was chanting in my head. Only it wasn't working. I wasn't any closer to sleep than I'd been twenty minutes before. I tried deep breathing, counting, and naming all the flavors at Baskin Robbin's. When I looked at the clock the next time it was four-thirty. I sighed and got out of bed. The Golden Girls were coming on now. How sad I thought, I've memorized the late night television schedule.
I dozed lightly on the sofa for the next three hours. At seven I got up and went to the bathroom. Then I pulled on my running clothes and trainers. Fifteen minutes later I was panting and sweating but I was starting my second lap around track. I'd also made a decision I was taking a mental health day. I needed some happy and I was going to find it for myself.
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I'm going to update again soon. I'm so jealous of those writers that can produce a chapter a day. I know I'm a lot slower and not nearly as talented as most. But I appreciate you indulging me by reading my story. Thanks in advance for you reviews and comments.
