Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers. Any other character is a figment of my imagination and any similarities to real persons is merely a coincidence. If the dialogue seems familiar it is probably either a summary or possibly even word for word from one of J.E.'s books 1-8. Any mistakes in citing the spot in the book or not citing are mine. The Beginning has a lot of content from books 1-8, if the dialogue looks like hers then it is probably hers.

Spoilers: For now books 1 through 8 and 12. The first two chapters have a lot from J.E. books included, either in summary form or actual word for word.

Note: The secret is out. This is a Babe HEA

Stephanie's POV:

I woke up a little after 9 a.m. and headed into the shower. I shampooed my hair as well as washing my body. I dried off and dressed in Rangeman black. I brushed out my hair and left it long while I made my way to the kitchen. I was surprised to see Kallie sitting at the kitchen table in her night clothes. I raised my eyes at her and asked, "What happened?"

"Caleb came to my apartment to kill me last night. I got out and made it to the elevator. I told the camera I needed to see you and Ranger and the elevator stopped on five where the guys got on and we came up here. Ranger told me to sleep on the sofa and they went to take care of things."

I put my hands on my hips and sighed, "Go to sleep for a little bit and I miss out on everything."

"Gaspick has a connection to someone."

"Who?"

At that moment Ranger walked into the room.

Smut warning. Violence warning.

Chapter 21: A Relationship Revealed

Stephanie's POV:

Our eyes met and locked. "Who is Gaspick connected to?"

Ranger turned to Kallie before turning back to me and saying, "It seems like we still have a Morelli to deal with."

My eyes opened wide in stunned disbelief. "How?"

Ranger wrapped his arms around me and said, "They share a father. Apparently Gaspick's mother and Morelli's father had an affair. He's been emulating Morelli's life ever since."

I sighed, "I can't wait till this is all behind us."

"Raven has already dealt with Caleb and Lorrie. Apparently he didn't feel they were as forthcoming as they should have been so he crated them up and sent them to Tajikistan." Ranger smiled, "On the surface Tajikistan has been stable since 1997. The truth is it's still the war torn country it's been since 1994 when the civil war started. Factions are still fighting and if he labeled the crate the way I think he did, those two don't have a chance."

Kallie stared off into space for several seconds before she shivered and folded her arms at her waist. She turned back to us and shook her head. "You're right. There's no chance for either of them."

We were all silent for a moment. Kallie and I were having more difficulty accepting this than Ranger. Even through all they were willing to do, we still found it hard to be uncaring about their deaths. Kallie turned to Ranger, "So, what's the plan?"

Ranger studied us both for several minutes before smiling. "Why ladies, whatever do you mean?"

Kallie and I looked at each other then put our hands on our hips and glared at him. Somehow I don't think we managed to scare Ranger in the least because his shoulders were silently shaking with his mirth. I rolled my eyes and sighed, "We are not staying locked in this apartment while you and the guys handle this."

"That has the merit of keeping you safe."

I narrowed my eyes for several seconds and then smiled and nodded. "Okay."

Ranger's eyes widened as if I'd shocked him. He went to take his phone out but I held up a hand and his look turned wary. I smiled wider and said, "I'll be more than willing to be locked up here safe and sound as long as you are right here beside me."

Ranger threw back his head and laughed. "Proud of you Babe."

I looked at him with raised eyebrows and asked, "So?"

He pulled me closer and wrapped an arm around my waist. "I think we all know I'm not sitting on the sidelines on this one. That bastard is planning on fucking with the woman I love and there's no way in hell I'm letting that happen while I sit on the sidelines."

Kallie gave us a funny look and then said, "I have an idea."

We both looked at her and she went on to explain, "Gaspick doesn't know about Lorrie or Caleb being missing. As far as he knows the plans a go. All he has to do is to wait for Stephanie to catch Lorrie and the rest is a go. They planned where the capture would take place and the gas station where the kidnapping will take place. All we have to do is follow through. Only thing is when we get to his car...it won't be there. You guys will."

Ranger shook his head. "Too many variables."

Kallie argued, "It will work. I know it."

Ranger lifted an eyebrow and gave her a look that would have stronger men wetting themselves but Kallie just crossed her arms over her waist and glared back. They stood toe to toe and I was a little worried it might come to blows when the elevator dinged. Ranger had his gun out and pointed at the elevator within seconds. When the doors opened Tank, Lester, Bobby and Raven stood there still as statues not making any threatening moves.

Tank raised his hands and said, "It's just us Ranger. Didn't mean to send up an alarm."

Ranger put the safety back on and returned the gun to his utility belt. He waved the guys in and we all went into the den and had a seat. I told the guys Kallie's plan and Raven vetoed it. Kallie glared at him and stepped up so she was barely a step away. "You have no say in this."

Raven stood so he towered over her and replied, "Like hell I don't."

"You have no say at all. Ranger is the one in charge and if he says it's a go then it's a go."

"There's no fucking way you are getting within 100 feet of that asshole."

"And just who the fuck is going to stop me?"

Raven smiled but it wasn't a pleasant smile, "I will."

"Like hell you will."

Raven leaned down so his face was a bare few inches away, "Just try me."

I nearly got whiplash watching them argue. I looked around and noticed the guys all had gleams in their eyes like they were loving watching the exchange between Raven and Kallie. It kind of reminded me of Ranger and I only we didn't openly argue like they were doing. Ranger laid down the law and I went about going under the radar to do as I wanted. As soon as the thought was out Ranger looked at me as if he were weighing his options.

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "Look, we can stand here arguing and get nowhere or we can come up with a plan that everyone is happy with." I locked gazes with Ranger. "Wouldn't it be better to let me in on it to begin with rather than having to find me once I get away from my babysitter?"

The guys exchanged looks and finally Ranger nodded. "Alright Babe. Just know I plan on having you as far away from danger as is possible."

Kallie shook her head, "Don't you understand. By doing that you put her in greater danger."

Ranger glared at her and demanded, "Explain."

"Gaspick expects her to go after Lorrie. If she doesn't he'll know his plan has been compromised and he'll find another way of getting to the both of you. Let us go with my plan. I know it will work."

Tank growled, "You know she's right Ranger. None of us like it but she's right."

Ranger turned and snared Tank with his gaze, "Yeah I fucking know but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it. Alright, you three are responsible for making sure nothing and I mean nothing happens to Babe. If she gets so much as a paper cut I'm taking it out of your hides."

Raven turned on Ranger with a snarl, "You aren't fucking serious. There is no way Kallie is being put in danger like that."

Kallie put her hands on her hips and stomped her foot before declaring, "Who died and made you my boss? You have nothing to say about what I do."

Raven turned back to her and the look on his face rivaled Ranger's when he was really pissed. "I'm making it my business to keep you safe."

"Well no one asked you to. I'm a big girl and perfectly capable of looking out for myself."

"Like hell you are."

"Why would you even care. You don't even like women. Aren't you the self professed woman hater?"

Raven sneered, "Oh women have their uses."

The look on Kallie's face was heartbreaking. She reached up and slapped Raven across the face and said, "Stay away from me." She then turned and ran into the bathroom.

There was total silence in the room for several seconds before Ranger raised an eyebrow and said, "That went well."

Raven turned and the look he gave Ranger had me backing up a step. Ranger was having none of it. "You can meet me on the mats at 0500 tomorrow and we can finish this then. Right now there are more important matters to take care of and I need every man available to be in top form. Since you are so concerned for Kallie you can have the job of making sure she stays safe. Babe wouldn't be happy if you let anything happen to her little decorator."

What happened next was an anticlimax. Bobby drove and I was in the front passenger seat with Kallie in the back pretending to wear handcuffs. We stopped at the gas station and I held Kallie's hands so it looked like they were cuffed. When we got to the bathroom, Gaspick was there and he put a gun to the back of my head. I had a couple moments when I was rethinking the merits of our plan, but I knew the guys were in place and they would do everything to protect us. When we got to his vehicle he opened the back door and suddenly he was screaming. Kallie and I moved quickly away to give the guys as much room as they needed to take Gaspick down.

Kallie and I watched with our mouths open as the scene before us played out. We were flanked by Bobby, Tank and Lester. Raven had the arm Gaspick had used to open the door and he was twisting it to the point the arm came out of the shoulder socket and hung uselessly at his side. Not to be outdone, Ranger had the arm with the gun bent at an angle not normal for most people. He bent it till there was a cracking sound and the bones came through the skin. Raven took a look at Ranger's handiwork and grabbed him by the back of the neck and forced his face onto the floor of the door frame. Blood splattered all over as his nose broke. Ranger smiled and nodded before grabbing Gaspick by the hair and pulling his head back and bringing his elbow down on Gaspick's shoulder breaking the collarbone. Raven smiled and repeated the action on the other shoulder. They were ready to continue but Tank stepped over to them and spoke softly to Ranger.

Ranger looked at Gaspick and growled. "You're lucky." Then he smiled, "Or are you. Now it's time to send you to meet your sister and brother."

Gaspick looked panicked, "What do you mean? What have you done with them?"

Raven stepped up to him, "I had that pleasure. You'll soon be with them."

Lester brought the crate over and Ranger and Raven stuffed Gaspick into the crate after taping his mouth shut with duct tape. They had to break several bones to get him completely in the crate. Once he was inside they sealed the crate and addressed it. Ranger stopped so he could drop the crate off to be shipped before we headed back to Rangeman.

Once back at Rangeman Kallie and I headed to the apartment on four. We were only there a few minutes before Ranger came to collect me. He thanked Kallie for her help and we headed for the penthouse. Once we got to our apartment, I headed for the bathroom. I stripped down and went into shower. Ranger joined me after a couple of seconds and I closed my eyes and moaned when his mouth went to work at the space between my neck and shoulder.

Ranger slowly lathered my body with the body wash and then he moved me so I was under the water spray. He made sure my hair was thoroughly wet before massaging shampoo into my hair. I moaned as he worked the lather into my skull. It felt so good and my eyes drifted shut. Once the suds were rinsed out he quickly washed his own body and turned off the water. He dried me off before drying himself and then he carried me out to the bedroom and sat me on the bed. He knelt on the bed behind me and slowly brushed out my hair. After he finished, he tossed the brush onto the night stand and leaned over me letting his lips kiss my neck where it met my shoulder. One hand covered my breast as the other hand snaked around my waist and pulled me back onto the bed. He lay me back on the mattress and then his lips took the place of his hand on my breast. He took the nipple in his mouth and started a sucking motion as his hand went to lavish attention on the other breast. The hand around my waist slowly moved over my mound and a finger slid in between the folds of my moist lips. He rubbed back and forth, pressing down on my clit with every stroke. My hips made jerking thrusts and I couldn't stop the moans from escaping.

When his mouth left my breast I started to protest but that faded as his mouth worked it's way to my core. When he pulled my lips apart and started teasing my clit with his tongue I started pleading for more. His tongue thrust inside me and he used his finger and thumb and rolled my clit between them. I felt the quiver of my thighs as I neared an orgasm. Just as I was ready to go over the edge he pulled his head back and moved back up to cover my mouth with his. He deepened the kiss and our tongues dueled. He released my mouth and once again headed south repeating the motions. When he entered me with a single thrust I was so keyed up I climaxed instantly. He started pumping in and out in and with each thrust his hand was rubbing my clit, increasing my pleasure to the point I couldn't think, only act. When he thrust a final time and his seed spilled inside me and he cried out with his own release. He continued kissing and caressing me until our breathing had returned to normal and then he pulled the covers up over our bodies.

Kallie's POV:

I headed to the shower when Steph and Ranger left. I smiled, knowing she was in for one hell of a night. I thought about the scene earlier tonight. I realized part of the reason Ranger didn't want Steph anywhere near the scene was because of what he planned to do to Gaspick. She'd never witnessed him doing anything like that before and he didn't want her seeing it this time. I think he was afraid she would look at him differently. Ranger had nothing to fear on that score. Stephanie loved him heart and soul. She would never look at him differently because of what happened earlier.

Raven on the other hand was just throwing his weight around. I still hadn't forgiven him for what he did with Robin. She didn't deserve it and neither did I. I washed my hair and shaved before washing my body. I rinsed off and dried myself off. I wrapped the towel around me and grabbed a clean one to wrap turban style around my hair. I walked out into the bedroom and there was Raven sitting on the bed. His eyes darkened as he let his gaze wander slowly over my body. I glared at him and said, "Get out."

He stood and slowly came over to where I was standing and stopped in front of me. "I don't think so." He reached out and pulled me into his arms as his head lowered and his mouth covered mine. His tongue seduced my mouth open and he thrust his tongue into my mouth and our tongues dueled. He pulled the towel from my hair and then removed the other towel from around my body. He lifted me and set me carefully on the bed before stripping his clothes off and following me down onto the bed.

He held himself over me and looked down into my eyes. There was a question in his eyes and I knew he was asking if this is what I wanted. As much as it hurt me that he'd gone to Robin when I was the one he wanted, I couldn't deny myself this. I wanted him more than I'd ever wanted anything. He held my heart in his hand and I just had to hope he wouldn't crush it. I answered his look by lifting myself up so I could cover his mouth with mine and I let my tongue slip between his lips. He growled and took over the kiss. As his tongue explored my mouth, one hand covered my breast and the other hand made it's way to my core. He slipped a finger between the folds at my core and thrust three fingers inside my center.

When his mouth left my mine and covered my breast, I gasped with pleasure. He lathed first one breast and then the other, sucking the nipple inside his mouth. When his mouth moved to my navel I whimpered with the feelings of pleasure going through my body. I'd never felt like this before. Before I knew it his mouth was at the juncture between my legs. His fingers moved the folds apart to give him easy access. When his tongue thrust into my center I came up off the bed and moaned in pleasure. He thrust his tongue in and out, in and out until I felt an intense build up of pressure. I felt like I was going to fly apart. Just then he thrust his tongue inside and with his thumb and forefinger he rolled my clit between them and I felt myself go over the edge. Before I'd completely come down I felt him thrust himself inside me till I was completely filled by his manhood. He thrust in and out slowly as his mouth worked at my breasts. The intensity of the pleasure I was feeling had me making all sorts of noises. I hadn't recovered from my first climax and felt a quivering in my core as he thrust in and out of me with ever increasing speed. As he thrust, his finger and thumb continued to work over my clit. I was a quivering mass of pleasure when he gave a final thrust and we went over the edge together.

Raven covered my mouth with his and kissed me deeply. He gentled me till the spasms of my orgasm finally stopped and my breathing was back to normal. He covered us with the blankets and I slept.

Raven's POV:

I open my eyes and look down at Kallie sleeping beside me. She blew me away last night. I'd never felt such passion for anyone before. Usually I just used the females I took to bed to satisfy myself. I never cared enough about them to care whether they enjoyed themselves or not. I did what I wanted and that was all that mattered to me. The intense pleasure I felt when I took her was unknown to me. I'd never felt like this before. It was like our souls mated.

She was right when she'd said Robin didn't deserve what I'd done to her. She was an adult and I told her the truth, but still...Kallie was right when she said I took Robin and did to her what I wanted to do to Kallie. I'd screwed Robin over and over. I know she got pleasure from it but it wasn't her I was seeing. It was Kallie. The look on Robins face when I finally reached release and called Kallie's name as I rammed myself into her...the hurt in her eyes didn't bother me until Kallie called me on it. Now, after experiencing this with her...I knew I could never be happy randomly screwing anyone else.

I lay my hand at her cheek and she opens her eyes. There are tears there and I kiss them away. I cover her mouth and gently kiss her before pulling away and looking in her eyes. Kallie raises her hand to my cheek and says, "You really need to apologize to Robin."

Our eyes lock for several minutes before I speak. "I will."

She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down to her. Her legs open wide and I slip between them. I smile, glad that I have the day off. I figure the mention of the mats Ranger made was taken care of when we both took care of Gaspick. Besides, even if he was serious, what I'm doing now would be worth his wrath.