Ch 11
I woke up in the dark what seemed like days later wearing my sling and this gnawing in my stomach. I climbed out of bed and headed to the kitchen. All the lights were off. The clock in the kitchen said glowed 3:30. Pulling the fridge open I leaned inside. Jackpot! Cheese pizza! Grabbing the box and a water I tried to balance it all in one arm. Stepping out onto the pool deck I set everything down on the table between the lounge chairs and walked back to the switch that illuminates the pool. Laying back in the chair I pulled the box into my lap, flipping it open I realized I would end up consuming the whole thing. 3 slices later I reached for the bottle of water. Trying to twist the top off with one hand would prove difficult. There was no way to open it. I put it back on the table.
"Pizza, Ninja Man? Since you are standing there and all." I held a slice of pizza above my head. I knew he was stepping closer.
"No takers? Fine more for me." I started to eat it. He plopped down in the chair beside me.
"You shouldn't be out here. It isn't safe."
"How did you even know I was awake? Besides I can take care of myself." He reached for the pizza box.
"Not until you open that bottle." He opened the water and handed it to me I pushed the box to him.
"Couldn't you eat inside? Not where somebody could shoot at you again."
"Why should I curb my life anymore because of what is happening? Besides I can take care of myself."
"How can you protect yourself against somebody with a gun?" I slowly leaned toward him and I saw an uneasiness in his eyes . I reached under my chair.
"With this!" I pulled out a double barrel shot gun. Staring at me with an open mouth.
"Where... Where did you get that?" Ranger stammered.
" It is strapped in the sealed container under the chair. Check under yours." He reached under and discovered another shot gun.
"Growing up we always kept guns around. I guess some things never change. It was just the norm."
I flipped open the pizza box hoping for another slice only to realize it was all gone. Shifting in the chair to relieve some of the pain on my shoulder.
"Have you taken your pain medication?" Shaking my head.
"I actually had another way to dull the pain. You interested?"
Standing up I headed in the house to the den. The oversized dark leather chairs in the center around a big chest we used as a coffee table. The chest was the oldest piece of furniture in the house. It came over from Cuba from one of my father's trips. I walked over to the big globe and opened the top revealing a secret stash. Grabbing a big crystal rock glass and a bottle of Cuban rum, all in one arm. Sitting down on the couch I filled the glass. He walked in and sat down across from me. I handed him the glass.
"Thanks, need another glass?"
Holding the bottle with my good arm, I put it up to my mouth and took a long pull.
"No need! Tonight I am saving on cleaning glasses."
"Why the drinking?"
"Why not? Things aren't really going according to plan. Then again they haven't since we were kidnapped. Mary Lou is the only person I actually trust with all this."
" Is there more to your story Steph ?"
"There is always more to a story Ranger. It all depends on if we share it or not."
We both continued to sit there and stare. Neither of us looking at the other. Until he got up and sat down next to me.
"How much do you really know about me?"
"I know what was your file."
"Then you know nothing."
"Why'd you leave here Stephanie?" He retorted
I set the bottle on the table got up and walked out of the room.
I woke a few hours later in my bed. Propping myself up my eyes adjusted to the early morning light. Something on the couch caught my eye. Grabbing the remote off the night stand I threw it at the couch.
"What?" He woke abruptly.
"Ranger, what in the hell are you doing?"
"I was sleeping till you chucked this at me."
Waving the remote in the air.
"Is there something wrong with your room?"
"My job is to protect you and that's what I'm doing." He got up and walked out as Mary Lou walked in.
