CHAPTER 8

When I got to the truck Ranger was inside staring straight ahead, and he didn't speak a word as we drove to our undisclosed location. He was usually in the zone when he drove, but something in the air felt tense. I was getting increasingly uncomfortable with the silence, so I reached over to the radio and turned it on. I settled on a classic rock station but kept the volume low. After about 15 minutes we passed an industrial area of Trenton I wasn't as familiar with.

"There are actually two of them tonight you'll be luring outside" he voiced without warning, and I visibly jumped in my seat. "Their names are Ronald and Donald Talley. Brothers who went on a tri-state armed robbery spree a few months back. They like to pick fights at bars, so Lester will be seated close to them to give them an excuse. Take a seat nearby and wait for Lester to make a nuisance of himself to grab their attention. When they try to defend your honor, Lester will try to make a hasty exit when they challenge him. If they don't follow, you'll be Plan B. Try to lure them out after that by asking them to escort you to the car. Act afraid that Lester is waiting for you. Tank, Bobby, and Hal will be positioned out front for the take down, along with Lester. I'll be inside near the front entrance to makes sure nothing goes wrong, and will follow you out." He kept his eyes pointed straight ahead as he grabbed a folder from the center console and placed it gently into my lap.

I opened the folder to find two 8 X10 glossy photos. They both showed a man of about thirty-five with a deep tan, shaved head, no neck, and plenty of stubble. He would have been rather handsome except for the cold, dead eyes that stared back at me. "Ranger, do you have a picture of the other brother?" I asked.

"Identical twins."

"Oh." I said stupidly. Duh. If I'd looked closer I would have noticed that one of them had a pierced ear with a giant diamond stud and the other had a deep scar above his eyebrow. "So what is their type usually?" I asked, trying to figure out how to play my role.

"They usually go for a fast, leggy blonde, so Lester is there for the extra incentive."

"Hmph." I grunted and I furrowed my brow, feeling insulted. So they wanted Superslut Barbie and they were getting Skipper? I didn't like being relegated to Plan B.

Frankly, I thought this whole scenario was a little too planned out, even for Ranger. Usually he left me to my own devices when it came to distraction jobs, and I was surprised that he was putting Lester in such a risky position instead of leaving it to me to get them outside. Wasn't that the whole point of having me there? I mean, I didn't have a bat belt and my ability to fly was questionable, but when it came to being sufficiently slutty to get a man's attention I had some definite skills. I decided I was not liking this plan.

"Babe."

"Yeah?"

"Just want to give you a little extra cover on this one. These are not nice guys." Darn ESP.

"They are rough with their women. And they like to share…everything." he explained.

I gulped and my stomach got queasy. But the burg girl in me came out, so I lifted my chin up in defiance and answered "I bet their momma still dresses them alike." I mean really? How scary can they be with rhyming names?

I saw the corners of his mouth twitch upwards, but his blank stare returned in an instant and he still didn't turn to look at me. Nonetheless, I felt the tension in the truck cab ease a tad as we pulled up to a bar. It wasn't much more than a hole in the wall, but the proximity to several large business and industrial complexes made it a prime hangout for the nearby mix of middle management types and blue collar workers coming off their shifts. Ranger parked about a block away, and I eased out of the cab and started walking towards the entrance. He stayed back to let me enter the bar alone, but I could feel his powerful presence behind me without turning to look.

It didn't take more than thirty seconds to spot my target. One of the brothers was bellied up to the bar, as was Lester only two stools away. I didn't see the other brother, and the only seat at the bar that wasn't taken was between him and Lester. I steeled myself and marched up to the bar, sliding seductively into the empty seat, brushing casually up against the suspect. The stool was high, so I made sure when I stepped up that I leaned a tad far and my skirt rode up high his direction. I motioned to bartender, and in a throaty voice I ordered a "Screaming Orgasm" with an extra Amaretto shot without batting an eyelash. The brother didn't even give me a second glance and kept sipping whatever amber liquid he had swirling around in his glass, but Lester stiffened in his chair.

I wasn't pleased with my guy's reaction. I'd show this Ronald or Donald guy that short and slightly chubby chicks with brown curly hair are where it's at! I figured it was time to pull out all the stops, and decided that I wouldn't wait for Lester's move. I was going to defend my own honor here as a brunette. After all, this was a matter of principle now.

A minute passed, and after paying for my drink I swiveled around to face away from the bar and slightly towards Ron or Don or whoever he was. I let a little of the milky white cocktail dribble out of the side of my mouth as I took a slow sip, then used my tongue to languidly lick it off of my pouty crimson lips. I made sure my multicolored bangles jangled a bit as they slid down my wrists to help garner some attention before I pulled the lip licking routine. I felt his eyes glance my way, and right on cue the other brother came out of the restroom and walked towards us.

The second brother stopped a foot away from me and grunted "Miss, you're in my chair."

Unfazed, I faked a surprised look and began to look from one brother to the other like I was watching a Wimbledon tournament. In the lustiest voice I could conjure, I cooed "Well excuse me boys. Double my pleasure, double my fun." I gave a sexy smile and a toss of the head, hoping desperately that quoting spearmint gum commercials was a wise move. I heard Lester let out a strangled cough on the other side of me.

The second brother just stood there for a moment, but then gave a shady smile. He motioned to the bartender and ordered an extra dry vodka martini over my shoulder. He still didn't say anything, so I tried again.

"Would you like your seat back? I kept it nice and warm for you…" I asked. I wiggled my ass on the chair a bit, then thrust my chest out extra far as I moved to step off the stool.

"No that's alright Miss…what was your name?" he asked.

"I'm Tiffany Amber. And you are?" I figured if I didn't have the right hair color that the name should be accurate.

"I'm Ronald, and this is my brother Donald." I decided now would be a bad time to make a lame joke about rhyming names.

"Nice to meet you both. I know you must get this all the time, but I really can't tell you two apart" I replied, trying to sound a bit ditzy. After all, I was trying to let my fairer roots show here. I pretended to ignore the scary looking scar above Ronald's eyebrow. "I think I'd have to inspect each of you very thoroughly to help me out."

Now Donald turned to face me and gave a matching shady grin. The bartender put the martini on the counter behind me, and Ronald reached past me to grab it. I locked eyes with him and didn't lean to the side, so that he had to brush my bare skin in several places to grab his cocktail. As he pulled his drink towards his mouth I smoothly plucked the skewered olive from his martini and in a voice dripping with desire I asked "Do you mind Ronny? I'm really into sharing." I put careful emphasis on the word "sharing" and made sure to cut my eyes over to Donald as I did.

I don't know what came over me, but it was like I'd done it a hundred times before. In one even move I popped the olive into my mouth with the red pimento facing out, drawing the miniature plastic sword out seductively, then trailing my blood red nails across my lips. Before they could blink I bit off the back end of the olive while holding it in my pursed matching red lips. With a loud popping noise an instant later, I sucked the pimento right out of the middle and swallowed it whole, leaving the empty olive shell in my lips. Then in one polished move I bit down on the olive and devoured it in one bite, licking my lips and moaning in the process. Lester started to fall out of his chair and had to grab the bar to steady himself. Ronald and Donald's expressions were carbon copies, jaws both dropped to the floor and eyes wide. It was hard not to giggle. Bite my dust Barbie!

They shut their mouths at the same time, then turned and nodded at each other. I took this as my cue and did a sexy slide off the stool and took a few steps towards the door, then tossed my head over my shoulder. I seductively curled my finger at them in a "come hither" gesture. Donald kept his eyes locked on me as he threw a twenty down on the bar and they both walked up behind me. Ronald moved to my right and Donald to my left, and they each put an arm around my waist. I started walking towards the door, and evil minds must think alike because in unison they both slid their hands down to cup a cheek of my ass and gave it a simultaneous rough squeeze that was a little painful. For the first time since I'd come in I noticed Ranger sitting low in his chair at a table near the entrance. When the three of us approached the exit the usual anonymous stare Ranger perfected for these situations turned into a glower when he saw the twin's hands drift lower.

As I stepped out into the cool air of the night both hands disappeared off my butt as a swarm of huge men jerked the twins away and threw them down on the concrete in a string of curses. I kept walking at a leisurely pace without looking back, secure that the action behind me would end in a flurry of handcuffs. I whistled a little tune while I walked to Ranger's truck, feeling very victorious. I still couldn't decide what color my new car should be. I pondered while I pulled the wire out of my bra cup.

My musings ended pretty quickly when I saw Ranger striding up to where I stood waiting for him. He stopped a foot short of me and in a crisp voice said "You changed the plan Babe."

"Well, I don't see why blondes should have all the fun." I offered weakly.

"Get in." he commanded, his voice still sounding sharp as he jerked open the passenger door.

I crawled into the cab, and he shut the door loudly behind me. It startled me so much that I dropped the wire on the floorboard. I fought off a rising panic as he circled around the front of his truck. Was he mad at me? I'd never seen him like this. I was used to the perfectly controlled Ranger with the impassive countenance. The look that had crossed his face in the bar reminded me of grimace Joe would get right before he started yelling at me.

He got in the truck and turned to face me, his eyes piercing into me and his jaw tighter than a snare drum. Unsettled, I went on the offensive. "Really Ranger! I don't what just crawled up your ass and died, but you have no good reason to be mad at me! You hired me for distraction, so I don't see why I should have to put Lester in unnecessary danger when I can get the job done without him. I can't pick your locks, hotwire your car, or do any of those Rangeman Jedi mind tricks, but I can slut myself up enough to make your average man want to screw me!" I instinctively ducked my head into my shoulders, waiting for the return volley like the one I usually got from Joe when I made the first attack.

Instead, Ranger shot across the seat and grabbed me, crashing his mouth onto mine. There was nothing controlled about him as his hands wandered madly from my face to my waist to my hips, ending up in my hair while he kissed me hard and his tongue tangled with mine. Suddenly a Ranger induced screaming orgasm seemed like a fantastic idea. I took my hands and placed them on his lower back, raking my manicured nails up to his shoulder blades. I heard him groan and mutter "Yes Maam you can..." His muscled chest radiated warmth through his tight black T-shirt, and pressed up against my scantily clad torso his heat seemed to scald my skin. He was huge and hard pressed up against my thigh. His hand moved to my other thigh and slid up under my dress, and I had no luck suppressing a loud moan as I felt a burst wetness only inches from his wandering fingertips. He moved his lips to my neck and started kissing and tracing his magic tongue down towards the promised land. "You are anything but the average man..." I whispered breathily. We both froze as a knock on the window startled us.

"Ahem." At the sound of Lester clearing his throat Ranger sprung back to his seat with the grace of a tiger, slowed his breathing, and smoothly rolled down his window about halfway.

"Uh...boss. Sorry to interrupt, but needed to let you know that we'll be taking one of them to the hospital first. There was a broken bottle on the concrete when we took him down, so he'll need a few stitches. Hal will bring the other one to the station." Lester wasn't even attempting to wipe the wide grin off of his face.

"Okay. Call me when you get there." Ranger replied as he rolled the window back up and stared straight ahead, his expression revealing nothing.

As Lester walked away I could see his broad chest vibrating with laughter. I was still slid halfway down in my seat breathing raggedly, so I sat up quickly, checked my hair, and smoothed down my skirt while trying to appear normal. Mentally I was still making out with Ranger. Without a word, he started up the car and put it into gear. I noticed as we drove past the rest of the Rangeman that a few of them handed Lester wads of cash as we passed. What was that about?

We drove silently back to my apartment, my mind and heart racing. Even though he sat in stillness a few feet away, I could still feel his hands on my body and his lips on mine. I'd never seen him so unrestrained. Well, I had once. The memory of that made my breath catch in my throat and now I was surely blushing. I thought of a hundred things to say but none of them seemed right for this situation, whatever it was. The minutes passed like hours, but finally we pulled up to my apartment.

Ranger shifted in his seat across from me, and pulled a check out of his shirt pocket. I reached out to take it when he held it out, and as his fingertips brushed mine we both went stock still. "So should I leave it as is or make it out to Tiffany?" he said with the corners of his mouth hitched up slightly, and I felt the awkwardness ease a bit as I pulled my hand away.

"Cute." I replied with an eye roll, then opened the car door and stepped out into the night.

"Bye Babe."

I was so startled that I stumbled and was barely able to stop myself from falling face flat on the asphalt. When I faltered I also broke the heel on one of my gold pumps. "Damn it!" I swore loudly. Before I could even straighten up Ranger was at my side, handing me my gold clutch purse that had fallen into a puddle. I smoothed down my skirt again, hoping my dignity was more intact than my poor shoe. It was the first time I had ever heard Ranger say goodbye. Ever. To anyone.

"You okay?"

"Uh...yeah. Must have tripped on something." I said, scanning the perfectly even, pristine parking lot at my feet. We stood there for a moment, and I started to feel uneasy again, so I just blurted out "Well goodbye then, I'll see you around. Thanks for the job" in an overly cheerful voice.

I turned to walk away, and tried desperately to look graceful as I hobbled to the apartment entrance on one heel. I failed. Then I felt his hands brush my back, and before I knew it he swept me up into his strong arms. I found myself staring at his brawny chest rippling through his tight shirt, my body tingled everywhere that his arms made contact. He carried me effortlessly into the lobby, and gently placed me back on my feet on the soft carpet. Somewhere along the way I'd put my arm around his neck, and it there it remained as I now stood inches away from him, my mouth still hanging open.

I dropped my arm and remembered to shut my gaping mouth. "Thanks Ranger" I croaked out. Half of me wanted to jump back in his arms, but the other half of me wanted to turn and run up the stairwell as fast as my uneven gait would allow. Then Ranger stepped back and nodded almost imperceptibly, and then he turned and left. I stood there wavering on my one good shoe in the entrance, watching him drive away. I didn't even bother to slip off the offending shoe, and wobbled up to my apartment feeling like I had just been hit by another truck.

I collapsed on top of my bedcovers still dressed, the events of the evening whirling around in my head. I fell asleep instantly, but it was far from restful. At first it was because of impure dreams about Ranger, but I was also starting to have some really strange ones too. I was always in a small room and couldn't get out, and the only door would start to open. I would never see the person coming through the door, but I was terrified of him. In this dream I reached around for something to defend myself, but there were only broken shards of my cookie jar on the filth covered concrete floor, and for some reason I couldn't move very well. I was wearing a burgundy dress, but the fabric turned into blood and dripped down my naked body as the dark figure walked closer with his hands stretched out towards me. I woke up screaming in a cold sweat at 3am.