I just wanted to thank everyone who took the time to read my story and a special thanks to all of you who took the extra few minutes to review. It always brightens my days to read what you think of my story. I also want to send out a special thank you to Lisa, aka Blessed Babe for her support and beta'ing and also to Connie, who made sure I stuck with writing even though I wanted to give up. They are my little guardian angels and mean the world to me.
Disclaimer: As usual, all characters are the property of JE. I am making no money yada, yada, yada
WARNING: For Adult Content & Language. Not Cupcake Friendly. I don't know why, but even when I don't intentionally try to hurt Joe I still manage to rip him to shreds. Sorry!
EPILOGUE
6 Months Later
JPOV
When I'd answered the phone, a week ago, and realized it was Manoso on the other end, it was all I could do to not scream. Spending the past six months of my life trying to find any dirt I could on this man, I'd come up empty every single time. I'd even spent almost two months on the Abruzzi angle and couldn't come up with a shred of evidence that even hinted that Ranger, or any of Ranger's men, had anything to do with Abruzzi's suicide.
When he told me he wanted to meet with me, I'd initially told him to shove it and hung up on him. Then somehow, my captain found out about the request and ordered me to meet with him. So I walked into Shorty's, looking for the bane of my existence. Not only had he gotten my girl, but he'd also turned me into the laughing stock of the precinct. Everyone new about my investigation into RangeMan and everyone also knew that I hadn't turned up anything.
Spotting Ranger easily seated at the back table in the corner with his back against the wall, looking completely relaxed and still wearing his sunglasses, I rolled my eyes thinking how predictable he was. I made my way to the booth and sat down. He didn't move or acknowledge my existence for almost five minutes and I my irritation level climbed quickly.
"What the hell did you want to see me for?" I demanded.
The corners of his mouth twitched up, a sure sign that I was amusing him. I could feel my blood pressure rising.
"It's come to my attention that you've been doing a lot of digging in my back yard. Honestly, I've let it go on for far too long because I've been a bit too preoccupied with much more important things." He told me and a slow smile spread across his face.
My blood pressure sky rocketed because I knew those important things had everything to do with Stephanie. She was supposed to be at my house right now, as my wife and the mother of my kids.
Before I had a chance to say anything, he removed his sunglasses and leaned towards me. "I've had enough of your shit, Morelli. I'm not the thug you think I am. I've spent the past fifteen years working for every law enforcement agency in the country and some outside of the country. I have higher security clearance than you can even comprehend. The only thing you can do with all your digging is piss me off. And basically that's what you've done." He growled at me.
"Oh yeah, you might have everyone else fooled, but not me. What about Abruzzi?" I demanded.
He cocked his head to one side. "Abruzzi committed suicide, Morelli." He replied confidently and damned if I didn't believe him, even though I knew he was lying.
"I've actually done loads of undercover work for more agencies than I can remember and I've done so much investigative work for the TPD that it's ridiculous. For some reason, I have this incredible talent at digging up dirt on anyone." He said with a shrug.
"But the one agreement I had with TPD was that I'd never investigate you because you always had that on again/off again relationship with Stephanie. And like I told you in the hospital that day, Stephanie's well being always concerns me. I knew that if I found something that would hurt you then it would hurt Stephanie as well. So the TPD agreed that they'd never ask me to investigate you." He explained.
A sinking feeling wormed its way into the pit of my stomach. I didn't like where this conversation was headed.
"I've actually stopped working with law enforcement. My only job is keeping Stephanie happy and maybe doing a little work at RangeMan, but since you decided to piss me off, I decided to make an exception." He told me coldly.
I knew immediately that I was screwed.
He reached down on the booth beside him and picked up a manila folder and threw it on the table in front of me.
"That's your copy. I have one of my own."
I opened it up and felt all the color drain from my face. There were pictures of me with hookers on Stark Street; pictures of me at underground gambling establishments; and itemized logs of how much hush money I'd taken from the Grizolli family. I couldn't believe who I'd turned into. How had I fallen so far? I realized that Ranger was talking to me again.
"There's an opening in Philadelphia for a detective. It's time you moved. It took me about two weeks to dig this up on you. You had six months and found nothing on me. At first, I was just going to go to the Chief with it and say screw you, but I knew if I did that it would kill Stephanie. I'll never understand why, but even after all the shit you put her through, she still cares about you. She still considers you a friend and wants you to be happy. If I took this to the Chief, you're life would be over. If you transfer to Philly, you have a chance to start fresh. You'll still be close enough to your family to see them, but far enough away from old habits. I will be watching you though. This is your one chance. If you start doing this shit again, I won't give you another break. Are we clear?" He asked, rising from the table.
I just nodded my head and he walked away. Shit, now I owed Manoso. Could my life get any worse?
SPOV
I watched the love of my life walk out of our apartment on his way to a meeting and couldn't help but smile. The past six months had been the best of my life. I never imagined being so happy.
After Carlos and I decided to try a relationship, we went all in. I'd moved into his apartment less then two weeks later and I hadn't felt even a twinge of fear that I'd lose myself. I knew Ranger loved me for me and would never ask me to change.
I let my grandmother move into my old apartment and she and my dad were as happy as they could be. My mother was horrified by the entire situation, but since I hadn't spoken to her since I'd left the hospital six months ago, I really didn't care one way or the other.
About a month after we started seeing each other, I met Carlos' mother and we got along like we'd known each other for years. I thought it might bother Carlos at first, but it actually made him happy that his family accepted me with open arms. It meant the world to me as well.
Carlos and I had spent the past month and a half traveling around the world. I'd balked at the idea at first, but Carlos had insisted. He said he wanted to show me the world and that he did. To see Carlos relaxed during our trip was amazing. The fact that I feel closer to him than anyone I've known in my life sometimes feels like I'm living in a dream world. I can't believe I almost gave up who I was just to make other people happy.
For some reason, I've been thinking about the day I woke up at the hospital without my memory often lately. It only lasted for a few hours, but it changed my entire outlook on my life for the better. Looking down at the ring on my finger, I smiled. If the last six months was any indication, then I couldn't wait to see what the next sixty years held in store for us.
