Chapter 10
A month went by and there was no contact from Ranger. Nothing. Tank and some of the guys met Lula and I out at a club one night. I was at the bar ordering a drink when a really handsome guy walked up close beside me and ordered a drink and slapped down a bill and told the bartender he was buying mine too. I turned and looked at him. He was older, maybe mid thirties with wavy, unruly sandy blonde hair, bright blue eyes with long lashes, perfect teeth, a sexy mouth, and dimples. He was about six feet tall and drop dead gorgeous. Hot guy in light bleached low cut jeans for sure. He said, "Hey." That's it.
"Uh hey…thanks for the drink."
"You're welcome." No come on line, nothing.
"I'm Stephanie Plum."
"Greg Neil."
"Do you live here in Trenton?"
"No, Philly. Just working here." This was like peeling an onion. Almost painful.
"What is your work?"
"I play keyboards and piano. I'm working with a musician who's recording an album."
"Well Greg, that's interesting."
"What's your occupation Stephanie?"
"I do fugitive apprehension."
This got a huge grin from him and finally a reaction. "As in?"
"Bounty Hunter."
"No shit? That is very cool. A female 'Dog'."
I grimaced at the image. "Um…thanks I guess."
"You're welcome and you're much prettier than the 'Dog'." Then I smiled.
"Stephanie, my buddy Bruce would love to meet you. Would you consider coming to a show as my special guest?"
"Who is Bruce and what show?"
"Bruce Springsteen concert." I spewed my drink through my nose; very unlady like. Greg laughed and handed me a napkin.
"Your buddy is Springsteen, The Boss?"
"Yeah."
"Holy crap! I think this is the strangest conversation I've ever had. Can I bring a friend or two or three? Actually, it has to be three or nothing or one will kill me."
He laughed. "Sure. So tickets and backstage passes for four?"
"Uh…please. When is the concert?"
"This Saturday in Philly. If you want, you and your friends can crash at my house after. I have room. I promise, I'm a gentleman."
"I think I believe you are a nice guy. If you get out of control I would have to kick your ass, you know." He beamed.
"Cool. I think I would like to see you in action. Let me get your phone number and address and I'll get your tickets and passes overnighted to you." We traded information and he kissed me on the cheek. "Pleasure to have met you Stephanie Plum."
I went back to our table and sat down by Lula. "Lu?" She was jabbering away. "Lula?" Not hearing me at all. "L.U.L.A!"
"What girl?"
"You are not going to believe this."
"What?"
"I just met a guy who is the keyboard player for Bruce Springsteen and he is sending me tickets and backstage passes for four for this Saturday night in Philly and has offered his house for us to stay over. Me, you, Connie, and Mary Lou!" Her eyes got huge and she blinked at me a couple times and then we both started screaming and we screamed and screamed.
Tank yelled, "What the hell are you two screaming about?" Lula was waving her arms around and telling him about the guy I met and that we were going to the concert in Philly and staying overnight. He narrowed his eyes on me.
"I don't like it and you know who is not going to like it. This guy is a stranger. I want to see this overnight package when you get it and I'm doing a background check on the guy. I don't think it's a good idea for you to stay with him either. We'll book you a hotel suite. You call him and tell him that you have security and you need two tickets and passes for your bodyguards."
"Tank, I am not going to do that. You guys are so intrusive!" Then he got up and went over to Greg and spoke to him for a couple of minutes and then Greg looked at me and nodded and they shook hands and Tank gave him a card. They both walked back to the table together and Tank pulled out a chair for him. No he didn't!
Greg sat down next to me and grinned. "Jeez, Greg I'm sorry and I'm embarrassed too." I gave Tank a perfect Burg glare.
"These guys are over protective like big brothers and they're busybodies!" I raised my voice so Tank could hear. Greg laughed.
"Are all of them this size?" The guys around the table laughed.
"Yep. Pretty much."
"Consider me warned." He looked at Tank. "So your company is a security company? What kind do you do?" Tank explained to him all of the services they offered.
"Tank is co-owner in the company and they have offices in a couple of other cities. They're very good at what they do. A lot of these guys are ex-military. If you need protection, these would be the guys." I gave Tank a playful punch in the arm.
He said to Tank, "You know the Boss has been talking about getting new security. He has some plans coming up. I could send you some extra tickets and you could bring like a team for a night of fun and I could hook you up to meet him."
Tank said, "That sounds cool man. What hotel is close to you? We'll get rooms and suites for all of us and the ladies."
"Depends on what you want."
"The best for the ladies."
"Book the Four Seasons then."
"Done. Tell me about yourself, brother." I glared at Tank again, I knew what he was doing, but every single guy scooted closer and was in on the conversation. By the time we said goodnight and walked out, they were all high fiving and doing those guy handshakes. Boy, did I lose control of that one.
True to his word, Greg sent me an overnight package and one to Tank as well a couple days later. Lula had already told Connie and I called Mary Lou when I got the tickets because I knew we needed to have tickets and I would have to be present to sell her husband Lenny on the overnight trip. In the end we came out victorious when he found out that we would have a whole security detail.
Tank called and cleared the trip and told us that he would have a team of six going and that we would be riding with them in three SUVs. So we were set to shop Friday and do the beauty shop thing. We got mani-pedi's and had legs and doodahs waxed, and for Connie a moustache wax, and were ready to roll on Saturday.
I could hear ZZ Tops' 'Legs' playing in my ears as we were headed to the SUVs. The chick clique was loaded and cocked and ready to roll. We were dressed. As a matter of fact, I heard several shit, fuck, damn, oh man and other groans, whistles and complimentary expletives before we rolled out.
The only thing hampering our fun was that Ranger was not there and I missed him so much. Lula and I were in the car with Tank and Lester. "Is he okay Tank?"
"No."
"Why won't he contact me then?"
"Don't know Bomber."
"I can't wait for him forever."
"I know. I've tried talking to him too."
"He's a good man. He deserves…"
"I know Bomber. Man, do I know."
We changed the subject and Lester talked about Elisa. He had finally called her to talk after our conversation and she was coming for a visit in a couple of weeks and he was all excited. They had been talking about every night since then.
"So Tank, what would a contract with the Boss do for your business?"
"It would probably result in too much business via word of mouth. We don't have the manpower yet. Ranger is making some recruitment contacts as we speak. We need more trained guys in all the offices right now."
"Oh."
"This contact was good Bomber. If we get a contract from it, you'll be well compensated. Let me remind you that this is exactly why Ranger wanted you to come to work for Rangeman. Not because of your relationship, but because you would be a great addition to the company and team for your people skills and intuition."
"Thanks Tank."
"I hope you'll reconsider. At least the part time position for now. There is a position for both you and Lula when you're ready and it's because of both of your skill sets. Nothing else."
"I'll keep that in mind and think about it."
Lula said, "Girlfriend, you're the General. We don't move until the troops are ready. When you go then I go. I'm behind you no matter what." Tank looked in his rearview mirror and raised a dark eyebrow at us. I nodded at Lula. She was a loyal friend.
We went to the Four Seasons first and checked in and freshened up. They had booked us a two-bedroom suite and it was beautiful. The girls were hopping up and down and squealing. Mary Lou called Lenny to let him know we were there and I was pretty sure that she was talking so fast he only heard about half of it. Just the bathroom was as big as half of my apartment. I thought of Ranger again and my heart did that familiar little twitch. He was responsible for this, I knew. Ranger the romantic.
We got our tickets out and put our lanyards around our necks with our backstage passes and headed down to the lobby to meet Tank and the guys. Greg had directed Tank to bring the group to the back of the stadium where the roadies and security guys usually came in. We went to the designated door and were scanned and the guys showed their credentials and licenses to carry concealed and then we were being led to a door where a security guard knocked and out walked Greg dressed in leather and boots and a shirt opened to the waist and I gulped. Mary Lou and Connie were making that fish face that had become popular lately with about everyone I associate with.
He grinned at me and put his arm around me. "This way, we'll just say a quick hello and then we'll meet up again after the concert." He knocked and walked into a big dressing room and a chair turned around and we all just gawked. Greg said, "Meet the female bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. These are her friends and the guys are her friends from the Rangeman security company in Trenton."
Bruce got up and shook hands with every one of us. "We did some research. Ms. Plum you are quite the celebrity. Great stuff. Rangeman has a damn good reputation in the security industry. Damn impressive looking guys you are, scare the shit out of the average person. Greg says you guys are all alright, cool."
I raised my hand. "Uh...Mr. Boss...all that stuff in the papers wasn't my fault."
He laughed. "Aren't you just something doll? Tough, beautiful and witty. I want you all to have fun and enjoy the show and we'll get together after and talk some shit and tell some lies. What do you say?"
Tank said, "We cool Boss. Got your back." Bruce laughed and looked at all the guys. "No doubt brother, no doubt."
The concert was as they say 'off the hook' good. All of us enjoyed it and it was a totally great experience seeing it so close up. We followed the entourage back down to the dressing rooms afterwards where they had a little party going on. They had a bar set up with beer and wine and soft drinks and snacks.
Bruce wanted to know all about the bounty hunting and the guys' Special Forces and Ranger backgrounds. He seemed to be really impressed and a little in awe of them. He told them how much he appreciated their service as an American. Then when the conversation came to me he called me over and put an arm around me.
"How did a pretty little thing like you end up a bounty hunter?"
"Basically, I needed a job and my cousin Vinnie had a bail bonds office and I blackmailed him into giving me a job." He guffawed.
"How did you blackmail him?"
"Well, he has a peculiar thing for barnyard animals and I threatened to tell his wife." He and Greg both bent over laughing.
"Did you just start out hunting criminals on your own?"
"Yes and no. Tank's friend and the owner of Rangeman became my friend and mentor and showed me the ropes and backed me up a lot. That's how I know them. My friend Connie here works for my cousin and hooked me up with Ranger." I pulled Connie over and she was gushing.
Tank interjected, "Little sister has a perfect apprehension record. Rangeman doesn't have that in fugitive apprehension. We're proud of her and my girl Lula here. They work together." Then Lula gushed and kissed Tank on the cheek.
"I'm impressed with all of you. You tell your boss that we need to talk." Then he gave Tank his personal number. "You can call me on Wednesday. I'll be home and that's a quiet day for me."
"Yes sir. Myself or Ranger Manoso will be calling you."
"Ms. Plum, it was a pleasure and I hope to see you again."
"Thank you so much for the tickets and passes. We really enjoyed it. You were really fantastic."
"You're welcome. It was an interesting visit and I like interesting people." Then they started gathering their stuff and getting ready to head out.
Greg came over to me grinning. "He likes you." Then he bent over and whispered in my ear, "And so do I. I want to see you again."
"Uh okay...you can call me." Then he leaned in and gave me a sexy slow kiss. I opened my eyes and six pairs of big male eyes were glaring at me. Oh shit. Ranger minions. Greg looked over and saw what I was seeing and raised an eyebrow. "Something I need to know sweetheart?"
"Uh...we'll talk about it later if that's okay." I kissed him on the cheek and we all said goodbye.
TBC