Disclaimer: Not mine
AN: Thanks again for all the wonderful reviews and to my beta, Elaine. Without your encouragement, this would still be sitting on my hard drive. Warning for language for those who are offended. Frank is a little angry.
Ranger's POV
Steph and I stood up and walked over to the two men. Steph hugged both while I shook hands and saluted the General. I quietly explained the situation to the two men and our plans to take Morelli in as well as the bond money for the company. Frank said, "I can't believe that coldhearted bitch is pulling this shit. She has some real control issues and I never said anything because you seemed to be able to handle it baby girl."
Steph sighed, "I know Daddy and I can handle it but when she started talking about me marrying Morelli the nightmares started again. Then when Grandma called me today I knew I had to do something so I went to Vinnie's. I was surprised when Ric showed up and we will have words about this later." She gave them both meaningful looks. I was happy I wasn't on the receiving end of that look.
Frank was fine with the men entering his home to take Morelli back to jail and even happier with what it meant to the bottom line of Rangeman. All too soon we heard Helen call us to the table. Morelli was standing next to a chair and Helen directed Stephanie to sit next to him.
Grandma Mazur chuckled and said, "No way Helen. I want to sit next to sweet cheeks here." She pinched Morelli's ass with a mischievous gleam in her eye and continued, "They say you have the best ass in Trenton but I have to disagree. I think Ric over there's got a better one. Of course I haven't tried it out but I would never disrespect Stephanie like that."
It took all my training to keep me from running away screaming. I'll have nightmares about that old woman grabbing my ass or my junk. Stephanie better be ready for one hell of a night. I'll need a lot of sex to get that thought out of my brain. Thank goodness Frank spoke up, "Cut the shit Edna and leave Ric alone."
Edna's POV
I stood on the stoop watch a fancy black sports car pull up. It wasn't Stephanie's, hers was white and Helen hated it. I loved it. It made my doo dah tingle when she took me for a ride in it. I have no idea what goes through Helen's head at times. She let that animal rape my baby granddaughter but Mark made sure he paid the price for that one. Mark had friends in the Navy and they made that Morelli boy's life hell on earth for years. When he tried to become a Seal they made sure he washed out. I don't think he was cut out for it anyway. Of course after two years my baby granddaughter ran him over with the Buick breaking his leg. They were only too happy to give him a medical discharge.
Helen badgered Stephanie until she married that worthless Dick Orr. Why would any man want people to call him Dick? I mean he was one but still. Anyway, when she caught him cheating, Helen told her to stick it out. What kind of mother would do that? Who cares if he was a rich, stuffy lawyer? Now, she wants that poor girl to marry this cop. Her and Angie Morelli have been plotting and planning the wedding of the century. It's got the earmark of a three ring circus from what I heard. Glad it won't ever take place.
I watched a real hottie get out of the car and open the door for Stephanie. Look at that, manners in this day and age. Will wonders never cease? I bet he's got a great package and know how to use it too. Look at that ass; I'd like to sink my teeth into it. I watched him pull her to him and lay one hell of a kiss on her. I knew it; he's got to know how to keep a woman happy. I watched them as they approached us. I saw Helen out of the corner of my eye with the tightness about her mouth and she became more upset when Stephanie said he was her old college boyfriend. Wow, the Army did that boy good. I would love a hot man like that. Yummy.
We went inside and sat on the couch. Stephanie told me they were going to take in that Morelli boy because he skipped out on Vinnie. I heard Helen on the phone telling Stephanie that it wouldn't affect Vinnie's business. Right, because any business can lose a million dollars in one shot. I swear sometimes I think Herbie must've dropped Helen on her head - a few times. Hot damn, I'd have the inside scoop for the beauty parlor tomorrow and Bella Morelli can suck it. That is if she even knows how.
I slipped into the kitchen to help bring the dishes out and see if Helen needed any help. That Morelli boy was looking a little pale after finding out that hot bounty hunter was out there and he's the ex-boyfriend. He's too arrogant to think they'll take him in the house. He relies on Burg niceties too much and Helen is the perfect Burg shill.
I heard the men come in. I followed into the dining room and Helen tried to separate Stephanie from her Ric. Not happening. I pinched the Morelli's boy's ass. Nice and firm. I laughed when he yelped like a girl. I'll have to feel that package; his bulge isn't as big as Ric's over there but oh well. I haven't felt anything hard in a long time. I'll have to enjoy it while I can.
Stephanie's POV
I love my grandmother, she just grabbed Morelli's ass and he yelped like a girl. Thank goodness she just said she'd leave Ric alone. I'm not sure I like the thoughts she has of my man. We sat down and passed around pot roast, salad, mashed potatoes and gravy. Mom had even made asparagus. My mother tried to make small talk with Morelli and draw me into the conversation. I was sitting next to Ric and he was talking to Daddy and the General. They were talking business, Ric was telling them about several new accounts they had. Frank asked, "I saw your car out front. You decided on the Porsche?"
Ric smiled, "Yeah, the 911 Turbo is 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. They are also known for their reliability."
Morelli decided to make a few comments, "Like you can afford that car, I should run the VIN to see if it turns up stolen. I think as soon as I clear my name I'll start an investigation into the financials of not only you but your business." He was smirking and my mother gasped in horror.
Daddy was pissed, "Morelli cut the fucking bullshit. I told Helen you were not welcome in my home but she disregarded my feelings once again. Now you are insulting Ric who spent the last eight years serving this country. This man runs a tight business that he has not only put his own money into but Mark and I have put money into it as well. The three of us own the business, if you mess with him – you mess with us."
I heard Morelli yelp again. Grandma must've grabbed his junk. Morelli continued to eat, glaring at Ric, then after a few minutes he starts again, "So Stephanie, have you chosen a date for the wedding?"
I choked and sputtered on my wine, "What?!"
Morelli gave me one of his patented seduction grins, "Well yeah Cupcake. Your mother said you couldn't wait to marry me."
I hoped the look on my face showed the horror I felt, "I don't know where you get off Morelli but I'd sooner marry a dog than marry you. I don't need to settle for some dirty cop knocking me up to give my life meaning. I have a MBA from Princeton and a lot of money in the bank. I don't need you."
Joe began to whine, "Come on Cupcake. You know you want me bad."
I shook my head, "In case you didn't notice Morelli, I have a man next to me who I'm dating so I don't need you."
I watched Lester and Tank make their way behind Morelli. You would think a cop would be more aware of his surroundings. I watched with fascination as Morelli jumped when Tank put his hand on his shoulder and said in a deep voice, "Bond enforcement – you missed your court date Morelli."
Helen screamed at the sight of the two men. I giggled. Morelli sat there with a look of shock. Tank yanked him up while Lester slapped cuffs on his wrists and the pair hauled him out the front door amid his screaming. Helen began to cry as she screeched, "How dare you thugs break into my home and assault one of my guests."
Daddy came to the rescue, "Can it Helen. I said they could come in and pick up Morelli. The business will make a nice profit on this capture. I know how much you enjoy cashing those checks, so you can go shopping."
Ranger's POV
It was quite a show at the Plum's dinner table. Frank and Mark had asked me to come to dinner on more than one occasion but I knew Helen didn't want me there. I had been there while I dated Stephanie in college and it was… unpleasant. Helen acted the perfect hostess but that was it, an act.
Morelli was in rare form tonight. He wasn't too smart if he was baiting Stephanie. No wonder she was helping to take him in. We followed Tank and Lester as they hauled Morelli out the front door. I could see the neighbors peeking out their windows while others came out and blatantly took pictures or called others. I don't know how my Babe survived growing up in this stifling environment.
I heard Helen Plum start yelling at Stephanie, "How could you, Stephanie! You are a disgrace to the Burg and you are no daughter of mine. You chose this... man," she said with clear distaste, "over a good hardworking man like Joseph. You have ruined his life."
I turned to look at Stephanie, her eyes were blazing and I knew I was about to see her let it loose. "Fuck you Helen," she screamed. "You're the one who refused to allow Daddy and I press charges against Morelli for raping me when I was 16. He's not a good man, he's been charged with murder. You'd rather see me married to a rapist and murderer than an honorable man like Ric simply because he's not from the Burg?" I watched as she took a deep breath and continued in an icy tone, "I'm glad you're not my mother and I don't need you." She walked over to Frank and Mark and hugged them both while she whispered in their ears. She turned to me and said, "Come on Ric. I'm ready to go." She then walked over to her grandmother and kissed her cheek before continuing on to my car.
Helen stood there stunned then shook her head and called, "Get back in the house young lady. You can't walk out on dinner. What will the neighbors think?"
I climbed into my car, took her hand in mine and drove back to Haywood in silence.
