Previous Chapter: But of the years I've been back, I've been successful at avoiding Mooch.

I reached up and knocked on the door.

"Hello, Sunshine."

CHAPTER 21
(Misty's POV)

"Mitchell," I greeted the man curtly at the door.

"Nobody calls me that except for my parents," he frowned.

"Then I suggest you stop calling me 'Sunshine,' so that we all get what we want," I responded.

It had been years since I've laid eyes on Mooch Morelli but I have to admit that time wasn't that cruel to him. He still had that handsome face but his eyes were now dull; once filled with confidence and life, they now looked tired and devoid of emotion. He was a little thick in the waist but if he really put a little effort into his appearance, he'd still have ladies lining up for a chance to get a piece of him.

A ball of orange hair began bolting towards the door. I raised my hand and firmly commanded, "Stop!" before it could leap upon me.

The ball of fur, which happened to be Joe's dumb dog, Bob, came to a halt and sat at my feet wagging its tail in excitement with drool hanging out of the side of his mouth.

"Good boy," I praised him by patting him on the head.

"You always were good at being in command and getting your way," Mooch smiled. "You going to introduce me to your friend, Misty?" he asked looking behind me.

I turned around and said startled, "What the fuck?" I was staring into the most entrancing icy blue eyes. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Boss told me to watch over you," Bones answered.

"What? Why's Ranger sending his men to follow me around?"

"All of Rangeman have orders to make sure that you remain safe around the clock until the situation with Ms. Chau has been resolved."

Ok, so Ranger's lost his mind if he thinks that he can push me around the way he does Alyssa.

"I don't need a bodyguard. I'm just here visiting an old friend."

"Look lady, this isn't my idea of fun either. You think I want to follow some ditz around all day? This isn't what I imagined I would be doing after being away on a mission for the past six months. I've got better things to do with my time. But, I have my orders," he said annoyed.

"Uh-oh. You did it now, Pal," Mooch muttered.

"Lady? Ditz?" my voice hitched. "Fine. You're following orders? Call Ranger for me."

"Excuse me?" his cocked his eyebrow.

"You heard me. Get Ranger on the phone."

He pulled out his phone and dialed. "Boss, Miss Plum would like to have a word with you," he handed the phone over to me.

"Ranger?"

"Miss Plum, what can I do for you?"

"Are you sure that you want to insist on having someone watch over me while Alyssa's confined?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"You're important to Alyssa and Alyssa is important to us."

"I want to let you know that I'm going to be investigating myself."

"I figured."

"Good, then I would hope that if you learn anything new about her situation that you will keep me informed."

"Within reason."

Whatever, I guess I could live with that. "Now, are you sure you want to be wasting your resources, time, and money having someone following me around?"

"I will spare no expense to ensure your safety, Miss Plum."

"Well, if you insist on sending a bodyguard to spend time with me. May I make a request?"

"Within reason."

"I think that Bones and I really have a great connection. I would like to request that he's with me 24/7. I mean I'm not really comfortable about having someone I don't know that well watching over me and I feel quite at ease with Bones. Would that be ok?"

"Put him back on."

I smiled sweetly and handed him back the phone, "He wants to talk to you."

Bones took back the phone and raised it slowly to his ear, "Yes, sir — thank you, sir — no, no problems, sir." He narrowed his eyes at me as he disconnected the phone.

I spun around satisfied, "Well then, now that we've gotten that out of the way. This happy, camper—" I threw my thumb over my shoulder, "—would be my personal bodyguard, Bones. Bones, this would be my cock-sucking pond scum ex, Mooch Morrelli."

Both men stood stoic.

I pushed through Mooch and stepped into the house, "You owe me some answers, Mooch."

The house was quaint and homey. The walls were decorated with frames of family photos. From what I could see, Mooch had a young son probably around the age of four or five. I couldn't help but think this could've — no should've — been my life.

"It's been over ten years since I last saw you, Misty. What questions would you possibly need me to answer," Mooch followed me into the living room.

I took a seat on the scratchy brown couch; Mooch took his place next to me while Bones quietly hovered over us.

"I'm not here about us," I said firmly.

"No? I don't know what else you'd be coming to me for. You know, for years I've hoped you'd coming knocking on my door," he said wistfully.

"Oh? Why is that? Did you need someone you could fuck when you weren't getting it from the flavor of the month?" I asked seriously.

He flinched, "Because believe it or not, Misty. I've missed you over the years."

"I think you better stop right there, Mooch. You're married with a kid. I may be many things but I'm no home wrecker. I'm not here to rehash the past. I'm here about Joe."

"Joe? What about, Joe? Don't tell me that you and Joe…" he raked his hand down his face.

"No! Joe's dating my best friend Alyssa."

Relief washed over his face, "Yeah, that's right," he nodded his head. "I remember now. It's pretty new. He's been gushing about her for months."

"Well, as you know Joe's in a coma."

He nodded, "I saw him this morning at the hospital. Doc says they're not sure when or if he'll even wake up."

"Well, Joe's in a coma and Alyssa's in jail. I need to know if you know what Joe's been up to lately. Why he's been so secretive. Do you know why he was down by the docks?"

He shook his head, "That's too bad about Alyssa. Only met her once, seems like a nice girl. But, I don't know what Joe's gotten himself into."

"Cut the bullshit, Mooch. You two are like brothers. You know something."

He shifted uncomfortably.

"The man's in a coma! His woman could go to prison for life! I need to know what you know."

"I don't know much. Just a few weeks ago, he asked me if he could borrow one of the loaner cars at the shop. All he told me was that he needed something inconspicuous because he was going undercover."

"The Trenton PD is claiming they didn't put Joe on any undercover assignment. He requested a leave of absence."

"I don't know anything about that. I just know a couple of days ago; he dropped his dog off and asked me to watch him. Said he was going to be in deep cover and he wasn't sure how long."

"Do you think he's involved with something illegal?"

He shook his head firmly, "No. Joe's one of the good ones. He's been clean since he came back from the Navy. He wouldn't ruin his new clean reputation or his job. His job is his life."

"Then why the hell has he been spotted with Terri Gilman?" I said angrily.

"Terri?"

"Yeah, what's he doing running around with his ex if he's not getting himself into trouble? He's been meeting her down at the Bang Bang Motel according to the grapevine. And, she is definitely not clean. You and I both know that. She helps launder her daddy's mob ring's money. So if Joe's clean, why's he hooking up with the mob boss' daughter?"

"That's news to me. He hasn't spoken a word about Terri since he broke it off with her after his last term for the Navy. Told me that he wanted to clean up his act and as long as Terri was tied to her family's business, he couldn't continue a relationship with her."

"Have you noticed Joe acting differently lately or anything that stands out?"

"Besides the fact that he's love-struck and seems to complain about heartburn and indigestion more than usual? Nope. Everything seems to be the same, but lately he has been more stressed than usual. I figured that he was just worrying about Alyssa and the next situation she might get involved in." He paused for a second, "No, wait. He did say he's been getting some calls from the Feds lately. But, he wouldn't give me the details. That's all I can give you."

I nodded my head, "Thanks, Mooch," and stood up. "Let me know if you remember anything else."

"Sure, Mis," he stood up and quickly grabbed my hand.

The tension shifted in the air and I could see Bones instinctively reach for his piece.

I yanked my hand back, "Don't touch me. I don't think your wife would appreciate it."

"Angie's in Florida visiting her grandparents with Johnny."

"Oh so that means you're free to take a fun romp in the hay? I'm not your girl," I gritted my teeth.

"I don't want that. I never wanted that from you," he seethed. "I loved you and always will."

I laughed out loud.

"I'm serious, Sunshine. It's always been you. It'll always be you."

"Look this is nice and all, but I need to get going and I think you're making Bones feel uncomfortable." I glanced over at Bones who had an unreadable blank face in place.

"God, nothing about you has changed," Mooch shook his head.

I glared at him, "Some things never change Mooch," and turned to walk out the door.

"You know I found the letter," he said quietly.

I turned around, "What letter?"

"Your acceptance letter to Parsons."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I couldn't let you throw away your life and dreams to stay in the Burg with me."

"That wasn't your decision to make," I shot back.

"If I was smart, I would've gone with you. But intelligence isn't really in the Morelli genes.

"Isn't that the truth," I muttered.

"I thought being with me would hold you back," he said sadly.

"Well, Mooch. You were right. I've got a great life now. So if you want me to thank you for the favor you bestowed upon me over a decade ago. Thank you. I've moved on, and it looks like you have too. Good bye," I opened the door and walked out to the curb without glancing back.

I stopped in my tracks. Fuck! Where's my car? Please don't tell me that Alyssa's car luck has rubbed off on me. I felt a hand touch the small of my back and started leading me towards a black SUV.

"Rangeman came and picked up your car and brought it back to your apartment. You're riding with me," Bones announced.

"What do you mean 'they came and picked up my car?' They don't have the keys. Are all men chauvinistic pigs or is it just the men in my life?" I grunted hauling my ass into the SUV. "What happened to your bike?"

"At home. Not safe playing bodyguard on a bike."

"So I guess you get to play chauffer to me too then," I grinned wickedly. "Driver, next stop Westfield Mall."

I swear I saw his eyes roll slightly. Want to call Misty Plum a ditz? Then be prepared to face the consequences.