Chapter 9

As he drove downtown, Ranger's thoughts turned to the professional side of his life. He had several new irons in the fire that would require his full attention. Plus, he needed to make a trip to D.C. soon to wrap up his government contract. After his last mission, he had made the decision to terminate his long-standing agreement to work black ops. It was time to leave that physically demanding work to the younger generation.

The expansion of RangeMan he had planned would more than fill the time he normally devoted to his government contract. The offices he'd opened in Atlanta, Boston and Miami, as well as Trenton, were doing extremely well, and the staff he had in place ran each operation like a well-oiled machine. He needed a new challenge.

And that challenge was the opening of two new RangeMan offices, one in Las Vegas, Nevada and one in Sedona, Arizona. Each of those cities had grown considerably in the last decade, especially with regard to the high-end personal, residential and commercial security needs, which was RangeMan's specialty. He intended to personally oversee the opening of RangeMan's newest offices, which would require spending weeks at a time away from the east coast.

In retrospect, the timing couldn't be more perfect. With his usual decisiveness, Ranger concluded that Stephanie needed some time to herself without any pressure from him. Tank had filled him in on the local gossip regarding Joe Morelli. The cop was keeping time with a military widow and it looked like it was getting serious between them.

He didn't know how Steph felt about Morelli's new girlfriend, but it had to be a blow to her ego, if nothing else. On top of that emotional roller coaster, she was struggling to make ends meet, and Vinnie was browbeating her about bringing in his bottom of the barrel fugitives. He would make sure, in his upcoming absence, that she had the help she needed to do her job, safely and quickly. She didn't need him adding any more stress to her life, and he could see that just the thought of moving in with him had increased her anxiety. Stephanie was one woman who didn't respond well to ultimatums or pressure. He'd give her the space she needed.

The bar and grill where he was to meet his new attorney was located on the ground floor of a high-rise apartment building. It was dark and cool in the tavern, and the low hum of voices barely rose above the background music. This was a classy place, several steps up from Ranger's usual haunt of Shorty's, but he fit in either venue seamlessly. This evening, he was dressed in businessman attire as was the rest of the bar crowd, though he always stood out no matter how he was dressed.

As he made his way through the people gathered in front of the bar, a slender arm rose up over the crowd and beckoned to him. He let his eyes scan down the rest of the body attached to that shapely arm and got his first glimpse of his new attorney. He wasn't disappointed.

Mia Foster was a stunning redhead. Her hair was short and curly, and her eyes were a deep midnight blue. She was tall and willowy with a shape that would make any man sit up and take notice. The beige wool suit she was wearing molded beautifully to all her curves, and she had curves in abundance. Her blouse could barely contain her overflowing bust. When their eyes met she smiled and to Ranger's surprise, he smiled back.

John Killigrew had opened his law firm decades ago and had built it into one of the most successful firms in the region. Killigrew, Killigrew & Foster had been a natural choice for Ranger when he was establishing RangeMan, and the firm's president had personally handled all of Ranger's corporate and personal legal needs for years, but now he was retiring. He was turning his top accounts over to Mia Foster, who'd made partner several years earlier. Ranger had only dealt with the elder Killigrew, and this meeting was his first with his new attorney.

"Mr. Mañoso," Mia extended her right hand, still smiling at Ranger as she studied the man before her. They shook hands and Mia introduced herself. "I'm Mia Foster. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. i hope the change in meeting locations didn't inconvenience you."

"Thank you for agreeing to meet after regular hours. And please, call me Carlos. I imagine we will be spending a lot of time together in the near future. There is no need to stand on formality. John said he was leaving me in excellent hands and I would have to agree." He slowly released Mia's hand and realized he was still smiling.

Ranger recognized the look of appreciation in her eyes and had a moment's awareness that she might be seeing a similar look in his eyes. It wasn't arrogance that made him wonder if she was thinking about coming on to him. He knew women found him attractive, and usually he was careful not to lead them on.

She smiled at Ranger again and softened her voice. "John gave me strict instructions to treat you like royalty, Carlos. I'm looking forward to serving all of your needs." Gesturing for Ranger to join her at the corner booth, she sat down and he slid in across from her. "And speaking of your needs, I have the contracts you requested. I do have some questions, though, about the terms and conditions you specified. We can do this here, or if you'd prefer some place quieter, my apartment is upstairs."

He thought he heard an oblique flirtation in her choice of words. Ranger rarely flirted with women and never in the course of business. Well, except when it came to Stephanie. There was something about Mia that reminded him of Stephanie. Maybe it was the curly hair or the blue eyes. Happy hour was in full swing at the bar and the decibel level of the room had increased noticeably in just the few minutes he'd been there. "Let's move upstairs," he said, raising his voice to be heard. "I have a few changes I'd like incorporated into the contracts. It would be easier to do this where we can have an uninterrupted conversation."

Mia smiled again and gathered up her briefcase, leading the way to the back door of the bar. Ranger followed, assessing his new attorney. Mia was young, vibrant and self-possessed, unlike her grouchy and ancient predecessor. She also had a much more shapely rear than old man Killigrew. He was going to enjoy working with Mia Foster. He grabbed the door and opened it for her, his hand lightly on the small of her back as they entered the lobby.

A short elevator ride later, Mia ushered Ranger into her apartment and set her briefcase on the coffee table. "Please, make yourself comfortable, Carlos," she said. Ranger moved a throw pillow and sat down on the end of the couch while Mia opened her case. She handed Ranger a file folder and said, "My questions are written on stickies. Look them over, and I'll get us something to drink."

An hour later, all Mia's contract questions had been answered, the new clauses Ranger wanted had been inserted into the document, and a second bottle of wine had been opened.

Mia gathered up all the papers from the coffee table and put them in her briefcase and placed the case on the table next to the front door. When she returned to the couch, she announced, "Finally, off the clock," and sat down very close to Ranger, one bare leg tucked up under her. She had removed her suit jacket, and the blouse she was wearing had a sheer quality about it, leaving her considerable assets on display.

"I'm impressed," Mia said, looking at Ranger over her wine glass as she took a sip. "You've managed to build quite a successful multi-state company in a short amount of time. And now you are expanding in two of the most lucrative markets in the Nation. I'd love to help you negotiate the deals for your new offices in Vegas and Sedona." She swirled the red liquid around in the goblet and cast her eyes down. "Before I joined Killgrew, I did quite a bit of real estate work on the west coast. I guarantee you, I could get you a smokin' hot deal."

Ranger sipped his wine and then set the glass on the coffee table in front of them. As he leaned back, his arm draped across the back of the couch. "I might take you up on that. My plans are to lease or buy existing buildings and retrofit them to my needs. We specialize in using state of the art equipment... and sometimes, experimental models. I will require total control of the buildings so I can insure they are 100% secure."

Mia laughed, a throaty laugh. "John alluded to the fact that you live and work in another world from the rest of us. A real mystery man. I find that fascinating," Mia gushed. "You have intimate access to some of the region's most powerful people, with hidden cameras watching them 24/7. You guard not only their property, but their bodies." She lowered her eyelashes and then glanced back up at Ranger. "I envy your clients."

Ranger was silent for a bit. "That's the security business," he replied. "Not unlike what you do from a legal standpoint. You are privy to people's most private secrets and you guard them through legal means. I guard them through physical means."

She let her gaze slowly trail down his well-formed body before looking back up. "You're a very physical man. I like that. I work in a verbal world where words have all the power. Sometimes..." Mia's fingers lightly caressed Ranger's arm. "...I miss the simplicity of being physical."

Her intent was obvious. Ranger pulled back a little and took a long and appraising look at her. Her business suit, while professional, showcased her extremely feminine figure, and she moved with a sensuality any man would be drawn to. Reluctantly, he admitted to himself that he was attracted to her, so it was with sincere disappointment that he told her, "Mia, I have a rule. I don't mix business and pleasure." He watched as her lower lip plumped into a glossy pout. Again, a little shock of disappointment flitted through him, followed quickly by a feeling of relief. It was nice to have a rule to reinforce his good intent.

"Well, Mr. Mañoso," Mia said in a husky contralto, "one of the first things I learned from John Killigrew…" Her voiced dropped into a whisper, "Some rules are meant to be broken." She leaned in and pressed her lips against his.

The kiss surprised Ranger. He expected to feel desire, though he wouldn't have acted on it. He'd learned from past experience that getting involved with a woman he worked with could have unwanted results. But when Mia kissed him, though one part of his body reacted, the rest of him was untouched. The urgent desire wasn't there, not like it was with... her. There was no desire to take it further. It was a new feeling for him.

Mia sat back, a puzzled look on her face. "Well, I guess you take your rules seriously. All right. No pleasure, only business...for now. But if you ever change your mind..."

Ranger stood up and buttoned his jacket. Mia rose also. "I won't," he said. "I appreciate your opening up your home to me so we could finalize the contracts tonight, but, in the future, let's hold our meetings either at your office or mine."

Mia nodded. "You're the client. Your wish is my command." She let a slow grin pull the corners of her mouth up. "John Killigrew did say to treat you like royalty."

Ranger gave her one of his almost smiles. "I'm glad we understand each other. Good night, Mia."

"Good night, Carlos," she replied, opening her front door. "Until the next time," she murmured as he strode down the hall to the elevator.