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Masquerade

Chapter 9

Reika looked back and forth between the two women. Stephanie's entire demeanor was calm. The look on her face said she hardly believed Liliana do anything. Liliana looked ready to jump across the kitchen island and throttle Stephanie. Only Bobby who was standing close to her seemed prepared to grab her and attempt to restrain her if needed.

"Liliana, you know nothing about this contract." Stephanie said calmly, her voice leaving no room for argument. "This isn't up to you."

"We helped you get out!" Liliana raged against her. "And now you want to come back! Don't you think you're being hypocritical?"

"This coming from the person who couldn't believe I sat down with two skips to watch a marathon before taking them to be re-bonded." She shot back.

"I wanted you back, not to sign another contract!"

Stephanie gave an un-amused laugh. "What did you think would happen if I did?" Not waiting for an answer, she turned and led the two generals out of the kitchen. Everyone stood there watching to see what Liliana was going to do.

"Well…" Reika gave a slight shrug, "At least we got the band back together!"

Bobby, Tank and Lester gave her questioning looks. Dash rolled his eyes affectionately and ruffled Reika's hair. "I'm sure we'll see Steph down in the music room before long."

"Let's just hope she's not doing it at 3 am again." A man walked in through a side door.

"Braden!" Reika smiled. "When did you get back?"

"About twenty minutes ago." Braden looked guilty as he cast a glance in the direction he was sure Stephanie had gone. "I was hoping to clean things up on the Shelby before Steph sees it." He saw the guys and grinned. "Well, fuck, when I heard Steph was going to Colombia to do some saving, I didn't realize it was going to be to get your happy asses."

Tank's deep laugh boomed out across the house. "Braden, last I saw you, Ranger was about to have you shipped to Siberia in your boxers and a knife."

"What can I say, my witting charm undid him?" He laughed.

Lester clapped him on the back, "You should be glad he's upstairs unconscious."

"I have no worries." Braden replied confidently.

"Feeling brave man?" Bobby smiled.

"More than I should when it comes to dealing with Ranger." He chuckled. He looked back at his house mates. "So…who's cooking dinner?"

"I will." Reika shooed them. "Sit, sit. I can whip up a quick stir fry, or some pizza, what's the vote for?"

"Pizza." Seemed to come from everyone. She giggled and bounced into the kitchen. The men, and Liliana sat at the dining room table where they could continue to talk and include Reika in the conversation. Before she finished sitting, Liliana walked to the fridge and grabbed several bottles of beer.

"You gonna share, or hog them all to yourselves while you contemplate chopping Steph's arm off?" Preston asked as he walked in.

"You guys are worse than nosey little old ladies." Lil grumbled as she handed off the beer bottles.

"Hardly," Reika mixed water, yeast and flour together, "Quiet isn't exactly your forte when it comes to arguing something you're passionate about."

Liliana scowled, "You guys want her signing another one?"

"Of course not," Braden leaned back in his chair. "But we've kept her protected for a long time."

"Fat lot of good that did us. He found her."

"Yes he did." Braden agreed. "Now it's time to settle things. Be a little realistic, Lil. There's only one person who can stop him, and you know it."

"What about your friend Iris?" Lester spoke up. "You've mentioned her a few times, and Bombshell seems to know her." When he received startled and confused looks from the others at the table, he looked at his beer bottle then back at them continuing, "Look, in the past you guys have praised her for her abilities. You've said she's the best of the best. Better than Ranger, at least you think so. Why not call her back and see if she can help with this little problem?"

Liliana had begun picking at the label on her beer bottle. "It's up to Stephanie if Iris gets involved."

"Look, I love Bomber, really I do," Lester said, "but she's getting involved in something none of us want her in. Call in your friend so she can be the one to do this instead of her."

"That's really not possible." Preston told him.

"Sure it is. Pick up the phone and dial her."

Reika manipulated the dough the way she wanted as she watched the conversation, Lester's eyes caught hers and she looked back down at the dough. Damn, but she knew he could make her talk if he put his mind to it. She had to stay strong.

Lester began speaking again, "Look, just tell Steph that we need her to call—"

"Stephanie is Iris." Liliana snapped.

"What?" All three Merry Men looked at her.

"Stephanie is Iris." She repeated. "Iris is Stephanie. Two very different people inhabiting the same body with no happy middle ground."

"Iris is the one who came to get us." Bobby stated. "Shit it makes so much sense now." He thought back to Iris's appearance in the dungeons. He knew he had recognized her. Maybe not seeing her face, but something had told him he knew her. That they all knew her.

Tank drank his beer and contemplated the stories they'd heard about Iris over the years from this group. Iris was a woman that Preston and Braden had told Ranger even he couldn't handle her. She was pure fire. The stories…well, when he thought about them now, they fit Stephanie. Stephanie herself was fiery, in a way that Ranger could never control, but he knew his friend, and he would never try to control her.

He had many more questions, but something held him back from asking. He wanted to know more, but remembering how protective Stephanie was of this particular bit of her life, he would wait to see what she told them. He liked to believe that despite this secret, he did know her, and that she wanted to talk to Ranger first. It was the way she worked, at least that's what he assumed.

Liliana watched as the former Rangers looked contemplative at the idea of Stephanie being Iris and smiled a little. The type of person Iris was contrasted with the type of person Stephanie was. It had been a large part in why Stephanie had needed to get out years ago. The memories of those last months flew through her mind and it made her want to go and stop Stephanie from signing on to anything that would cause a relapse.

Knowing she wouldn't get away with doing that, she settled for leaving the table and walking out the back door. The large lake loomed before her as she made her way to the dock. Now that Stephanie was back, she wondered how long this particular job would go. Secretly she wanted it to go on for months. She had missed the camaraderie she and Stephanie shared. They had always worked best together. She hadn't lied to Stephanie when she told her anyone else they brought in was never up to the par Stephanie had set.

No, she thought sadly as she leaned against a pole at the end of the dock, Stephanie and Ranger were the best of their particular worlds, and to replace either of them was extremely difficult and highly unlikely. Of course, now that Ranger and his men were here, perhaps dealing with Rodrigo would be much more manageable this time.

She hoped so. Someone had to help Stephanie tame Iris and Ranger was the only person who had the ability to do it.

/\/\/\/\/\

Stephanie locked the doors to the study and faced the two generals. Reggie and General Cruise. She had never grown comfortable enough to call the General by his first name. Mostly, she had always thought of ways to torture him because of what a hard ass he'd been during her training.

"You two couldn't wait until Liliana wasn't in the room before bringing up a contract?" She asked.

General Cruise looked amused. "Plum, she took one look at me and knew why I was here."

She sighed. "Fair enough. Have a seat." She directed them to two chairs sitting in front of a large mahogany desk. She took her place behind it, sinking into the comfortable leather chair that had been waiting for her. She gave General Cruise a long, hard look. "Are you really here to have me sign another contract?"

"Of sorts." He admitted handing her a folder. "This one is unusual for us, but quite frankly, you're the only person we know who has a remote possibility of succeeding at this."

Stephanie looked at the contents of the folder and stared at it in surprise. The contracts she had signed in the past usually kept her for two years at a time, but this one…this one was for one specific mission, with no way to call her back for any other reason. The pay would be pretty impressive, but that barely crossed her interest.

She gave her attention back to the two men. "Why this?"

"Stephanie, Rodrigo targeted Ranger to get to Iris." Reggie sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I've talked to Ranger in the past, and he admitted there's a woman he loves, but due to his lifestyle and past—"

"Yeah, yeah," She waved a dismissive hand at him, "Heard it, and proved him wrong."

"But it's your past that you two are going to have to worry about right now." He continued. "The two of you are both very skilled and can keep one another alive, but Rodrigo was able to take Ranger unaware, which in itself is highly unusual. You know that."

"We know you wanted out, Steph," Cruise said, "We gave that to you. You had fulfilled your promise plus any additional contracts you had signed. We're willing to continue to honor that request, we just want you to consider doing this one last bit."

Stephanie sighed. "I don't know. I'm not going to lie to either of you, but last time I dealt with Rodrigo, it was bad. You know that. You saw what happened."

"We're not disputing it's going to be tough, Stephanie." Reggie said. "But truthfully, you are the only one who can get close to Rodrigo to stop him."

"He wants to kill me." She said. "The contacts that I've got in his employ say he rages against Iris all the time. Claims she's still alive."

"Yes, well, perhaps leaving him a bouquet of irises wasn't the best move on your part." Cruise retorted.

Stephanie smirked. "He started it. He took what's mine. I don't share." The looks they gave her made her laugh. "Oh come on, I'm sure he figured out who I am well before we knew it. I could feel it back in Trenton. Either he's been to the states and was following me around, or he's had someone doing it for him." She picked up a pen and tapped it on the desk. "This is going to be the only one, right? You can't suddenly pop up at my door and say 'Let's go kick ass'?" She scanned through the fine print as she spoke.

"Nope, this is completely locked for this sole mission." Cruise told her. "Signing this just helps you make sure all your resources are still available to you."

"They already are." She had made sure of that the moment she got that envelope in the mail.

"Consider it extra insurance." Reggie said. "The same thing applies once it's over though—if you're interested in doing anything else we can always—"

"You know that's unlikely." Stephanie cut him off. "I'm staying to protect what's mine, and to teach Rodrigo a lesson. After that, I'm gone." She signed her name at the bottom of the contract.

Cruise stood and took the file from her. "I'll wait in the car." He knew Reggie wanted a moment with his 'niece'.

Stephanie turned her chair so she was looking outside. She could see Lil standing on the dock and knew she was simmering. Reggie was still in the study. "What did you tell my parents when you saw them?"

"That there's no reason for you not to come home alive." He replied walking over to stand next to the window.

"How do you feel knowing you've lied to them?"

"I didn't lie to them." He faced her and leaned back against the window. "You have no reason not to come home alive."

"Rodrigo is—"

"No match for you. Especially now that you have Ranger."

"I don't know that he's going to want to help me after this." Steph's voice was soft, almost whispering, but Reggie heard her.

"He'll help you. That man loves you and anyone with eyes can see it. I've told you before, if there's someone you want to hold your secrets, you can count on Ranger." He smiled, "Plus, he's not going to leave your side when he finds out your Iris. He's heard stories of you for some time."

Stephanie groaned, "I can only imagine what they've told him."

"Just enough that he asked me once if you were still in the field. He almost looked disappointed when I told him no."

Stephanie didn't answer. She just looked back out the window. Reggie reached over and squeezed her shoulder. "Stephanie, Ranger is going to be your biggest asset and ally in this mission."

/\/\/\/\/\

"Smells good, Reika," Stephanie said half an hour later as she finally emerged from the study. She badly wanted to go check on Ranger but knew she needed to talk to Liliana first. She walked out to the dock and leaned against the other pole. Anyone inside the house would see them on opposite ends of the dock. To an outsider, it appeared they were completely ignoring one another.

"It's a short contract." She said when Liliana refused to say anything.

"How short?"

"Just after Rodrigo. Then I'm done."

"There's a loophole in there."

"No loophole."

"Shit." Liliana looked relieved, "They must be desperate to get rid of him."

"Makes sense. Rodrigo can make a lot of countries squirm." Stephanie answered. "At this point it's more of a world favor than a country favor."

"Can you handle doing things again?" Lil looked at her this time. "You'll have to train again."

"I know." She nodded. "Good thing I've got a full gym in the basement."

"Full of all sorts of interesting weapons to play with, " Liliana laughed, then got serious. "You talk to the boys yet?"

"They weren't in the dining room when I went in there. I imagine the game room is in use right now."

"They know you're Iris."

"Thanks." Came the dry reply.

"It wasn't intentional." Liliana looked at her and shifted from foot to foot. "Lester just kept wanting to call Iris and have her come in and take over for you…"

Stephanie nodded in understanding. She could see why there had to be a stop to that thought and fast. Liliana kept talking though, "But they don't know how, or why, or anything. I think they just realize it makes sense if you are her, based on a lot your habits."

"I'm not Iris." Stephanie said absently.

"Yeah, you are." Lil gave her a firm look. "But you're you at the same time."

Ignoring the statement, Stephanie looked back out at the lake where a thunderstorm was rolling in. "Reika is nearly done with dinner. We should go in and gather the men."

"Yeah, ok—hey, if you're back does that mean you're in charge again?" Lil asked.

"Yes."

"Damn."

"Oh, and you remember that comment you made about having slept with Ranger in the past?" Stephanie smiled evilly and stepped closer to her.

"Um…yes?" Liliana tried to take a step back.

Stephanie walked into the kitchen to the smell of deliciousness. Reika made wicked pizzas, she thought. Pino's would go out of business if her friend was ever to go into business in Trenton.

"Dinner smells great, Reika." Stephanie told her.

"Thanks…hey, where's Lil?" Reika asked knowing Stephanie had gone out to talk to her.

She shrugged and walked out of the kitchen. Reika raised her eyebrows and went back to finishing up the pizzas. The backdoor opened again and Liliana walked in, dripping wet.

"What happened to you?" Reika gasped out.

"Let's just say Stephanie didn't appreciate me advertising the fact that Ranger and I slept together in the past." She replied.

Reika pressed her hand to her mouth in an effort to keep from laughing. "Go change before we eat." She turned and walked out of the kitchen to go let the men know dinner was about to be done.

She didn't get far before arms reached out and forcefully yanked her against the wall, pinning her there. The feel of cold steel against her temple made Reika freeze all movement as she looked up at the person who had gotten hold of her.

"Ranger!"

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