Distance
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. The characters are the products of Janet Evanovich's mind. I'm only borrowing them for my own fun and games.
Any mistakes are my own, but hey it's just for fun anyway.
"Lester I really don't want everyone at Rangeman knowing about this. Not that it's going to keep it from being all over the burg vine in a matter of minutes. Please, Lester let's compromise."
"Compromise? I'm not compromising your safety."
"I'll call Joe. We can all meet somewhere else. You and Marcela can finish your date then I'll go back to Haywood."
Lester was quiet for a long time. I thought I'd convinced him to let me call Joe. Relief was washing over me when he surprised me and pushed a button on his cell phone.
"Steph needs a shadow for the rest of the night… What's the ETA?... Affirmative."
"I'm sorry Stephanie. I know Joe would come get you. But come on, Joe? I don't think so." Lester said rolling his eyes. "He'll just use the opportunity to try to get you to take him back. I know you two are trying to be friends and I admire his effort, but I don't trust him to take care of you in this situation. Hector will be here in a few minutes."
"Lester I'm a grown woman. I can take care of myself," I said crossing my arms across my chest.
"How is it going to look to the Burg if they see you out with Joe after what happened a few minutes ago? The gossip would be of epic proportions. I know how hard you've worked to stay out of the Burg-vine."
"You're right. I don't like it but you're right. I'll go back to the apartment. You and Marcela enjoy your dinner. Will you be home tonight?"
"Yes I'll be home tonight. I'll stop by after I drop off Marcela."
"Do you think Hector would mind stopping at Pino's? I'd love a meatball sub."
"I'll tell him," Lester said wrapping an arm around my shoulders and leading to my car. Once I was settled in the seat and I had the doors locked Lester jogged over to the black SUV in the parking lot.
They spoke for a couple minutes. Then Lester gave me the thumbs up and Hector flashed his lights. We were ready to go. I drove to Pino's and parked in the lot near the back of the restaurant. When I got out of the car I scanned the parking lot for familiar cars. Luckily I didn't recognize any one.
Hector took my by the elbow and led me to a table in the back corner. Lisa the waitress came over and took our order. She brought two sodas, and a basket of fries.
"What happened tonight Stephanie?" Hector asked. "Lester said that you needed a friend."
"It's so embarrassing. I had a date tonight, and it turned out he was engaged to another woman. She showed up at the restaurant and caused a scene," I explained.
Hector's body tensed and he interrupted me, "Ranger has no other woman but you."
"The date wasn't with Ranger. The date was with John Ludano," I said. "Besides I'm not Ranger's woman regardless of what my status on Stark Street might be."
Hector pursed his lips and took a drink from his glass. I could tell he was thinking about what to say next. We sat quietly for a few minutes, munching on fries and drinking our sodas.
"Why you go out with another man?" Hector asked. "It seems a waste of time. Boss loves you. He would make you a good husband."
"Ranger doesn't love me. Besides he doesn't believe in relationships."
"He loves you. He show you every day, no?"
I didn't say anything for a minute. Hector sat still and quiet. He was letting me have time to think.
"I think that because Ranger and I are good friends people think there's more between us than there is."
"No. He give to you; his way not your way, but he give. It is love. Amor."
"Think," Hector said touching his temple.
Lisa brought the food to the table and Hector and I ate quietly. I asked him a few questions about gangs and he answered them honestly. We talked about Fuchsia. Hector had only met her a few times, he smiled when I told him about wanting to help her have a better life. Soon the food was gone and Hector paid the bill.
"Hola…Si…Veinte minutos…Si…Si…Aidos."
"Ranger needs me. You ride with me no? It will only take a short time," Hector said.
Taking my elbow he led me back out to my BMW, and opened the door for me. Just as he turned to walk away he looked at the car and smiled.
"Boss get you this car from dealer. I pick it up for you, and fix it with trackers and monitors. He tell me this to be the safest car in Trenton. He care for you."
Hector started the car and pulled onto the street in front of Pino's, after a few minutes we were on the bypass traveling toward Prospect Park. Hector was quiet and I sat watching the street lights through the window.
When we pulled off the bypass Hector pointed the car toward an area of town with shopping centers and small businesses. I could see our destination without even having to ask where we were going. Ahead of us there were blue lights flashing everywhere.
Hector pulled the car into the parking lot of Trenton Federal Bank. He put the car in park and turned to look at me.
"Chica you have gun in purse?"
"No. I don't have room for a gun in this purse and this dress doesn't have pockets," I said. "I have my panic button, and the watch has GPS."
"Stay close to me," Hector says in a slightly urgent tone.
I nod and reach to open my door.
"No Chica I come get you. Stay." Hector said.
Hector came around to my door and opened it. I stepped out and he took me by the elbow. His eyes never stopped scanning the crowd. Eventually he led me to the front door.
"Sorry folks you can't go in there, it's an open crime scene," said a balding police officer with a pot belly.
"Rangeman Security," Hector said.
"Sorry." Officer Chubby said again.
Hector took out his phone and called someone, I'm guessing Ranger.
"Hola…En el frente… Policia no nos dejo pasar...Si Stephaine…."
"Ranger is coming," Hector said.
Ranger approached Officer Chubby and said something to him. I couldn't hear what Ranger said but Officer Chubby paled and broke out in a sweat. Hector and Ranger had an exchange in rapid Spanish and then Hector passed me off to Ranger.
"Let's go inside Babe," Ranger said placing a hand at the small of my back.
"Was there a break-in Ranger?" I asked.
"There's no evidence and the camera feed doesn't show anyone entering the bank. The safe hasn't been tampered with, and there doesn't appear to be any money missing. So that leaves a problem with the security system. That's why I called Hector."
"What can I do?" I asked.
"Just stick close to me. I've checked the system but I can't figure it out. That's why I called Hector. I thought you had a date tonight," Ranger said giving me a small eyebrow lift.
"Turns out Ludano is, well he was, engaged. His now ex-fiancé showed up at the restaurant and broke off the engagement. It was a surreal, one minute he's talking about Italian food, the next he's about to piss his pants while his fiancé is throwing her diamond engagement ring at him."
"I'm sorry, Babe."
"To be honest I'm not that upset. I'm embarrassed, and I'm sure the chatter is all over the Burg already, but I'm not sad or anything."
"That's my girl," Ranger said. "I'll be right back Mr. Wolf the bank president just arrived. Stay inside."
Ranger walked across the lobby of the bank and shook hands with Mr. Wolf. They spoke for a few minutes and then walked toward the back of the bank were Hector was typing away on a computer. After a few minutes Mr. Wolf stepped over to speak to a group of police officers. Ranger came back to where I was sitting in the lobby. He pulled out his cell phone ordered six men to cover the bank until the security system could be repaired.
"Babe as soon as the men get here I'll take you back to Haywood," Ranger said
"Manoso I'm going back home. Thanks for everything. I'll expect your call tomorrow."
"Yes sir. We will keep men on duty here until our technicians can get the damage repaired. In the meantime if you need anything call the switchboard at Rangeman. They always know how to reach me."
"Sure. Thanks."
A few minutes later two Rangeman SUVs pulled into the bank parking lot. Ranger went outside to talk to the men. I walked over to Hector to say goodnight and thank him again for taking care of me.
"I'm going to ride back with Ranger," I said.
"Think about what I say Chica."
"I have been."
"Time to go Babe."
"Goodnight Hector," I said placing a kiss on Hector's cheek.
"Goodnight Chica."
Ranger guided me out to the Turbo.
"Hector will drive your car back in a little while," Ranger said opening the car door and helping me inside.
Ranger slid the car into one of his personal spaces in the Rangeman garage. He opened the door and then came around to assist me out. Once outside the car Ranger pressed a gentle kiss to my lips and then placed his hand in mine.
"Would you like to come upstairs and have a glass of wine?" he asked.
A glass of wine sounded nice, and Ranger's company sounded even better. "Yes."
Ranger pushed the call button for the elevator, and then fobbed us to the seventh floor. Once we were inside the apartment Ranger laid the keys in the tray and flipped through his mail. Seeing nothing of importance he placed it back on the tray and walked into the kitchen. Taking two wine glasses from the cupboard he sat them on the counter and poured the wine.
"I'm going to take a quick shower. I'll be just a few minutes," Ranger said handing me a glass and pushing me toward the sofa. Make yourself at home.
I picked up the remote and flipped through a few channels until I found a rerun of Criminal Minds. I was watching dreamy Shemar Moore, chase an insane criminal when Ranger made his way back into the living room dressed in basketball shorts and a tank top. He sat down next to me and pulled me into his body wrapping his arm around my waist.
Ranger kissed my hairline and then my temple. "Babe, would you consider dating me exclusively?"
"Wh-what?" I asked.
"We've gone out a couple times, and I know that for most people it's far too early to for this conversation but we aren't most people. I know I've done some things in the past that might make you question my intentions. Let me assure you I just want a chance to show you that I can be your partner."
"Ranger are you serious?" I asked.
"Yes, I didn't want you to go out with that asshole tonight but I knew I had no right to ask you not to go. I'm sorry about your experience but I am not sorry he turned out to be a lair. In fact I'm a little relieved."
"So what would this exclusive dating thing look like?"
"It would look a lot like this past week. We would spend time together, talking and sharing. I'd like you to come here for meals, and I want to spend time with you at your home. We would go out to restaurants and to the city for shows, or anything else you want to do."
"What about, you know," I said pointing between the two of us.
"I don't expect you to jump into a physical relationship with me. I hurt you with my actions; you need time to see that you can trust me. I will earn that trust. It may take a long time but I am willing to work every day to show you my intentions are honorable."
I wasn't sure what to say. Then I remembered what Hector said earlier. So I showed him how I felt. I leaned in and kissed him. Ranger let me kiss him for a few seconds before he took over. When we broke from the kiss Ranger smiled at me and pressed his face into my neck.
"Is that a yes Babe?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Then he kissed me again, this time when his tongue touched mine I felt my heart fill with joy. Ranger wanted me, and I wanted him. We were going to spend time building something between us.
Wow can you believe that Stephanie has only been at Rangeman for a week. It feels like a lot longer. The next chapter will skip ahead a little bit. Let me know what you think should happen between Steph and Ranger. I love reading your ideas and reviews. ~R