A/N: I've had such writers block and today it was just destroyed no idea why!! But hope you liked the new chapter, and the new character. ;) And THANK YOU for all the reviews!!!

Chapter 25

Stephanie's POV

I would have jumped a foot from the sound of the gunshot if I wasn't being restrained by the Ape twins on either side of me. My breath caught in my throat as I looked down fully expecting to see blood gushing from the gunshot wound I just received, instead I heard the body next to me drop to the ground with a thud. I stared at the gunshot wound between his eyes for a second as my stomach rolled so violently I thought I was going to lose my lunch (if I had eaten).

"You killed Homer??" I squeaked out, eyes darting between Homer's dead body and Sizemore. Shit this is bad… really really bad…

"He was a nuisance. He didn't like you very much Ms. Plum, you should be glad I got rid of him." He motioned to the guards who let go of me and picked up Homer's body, dragging it out of the room. He was right, I should be glad at this turn of events. There was no love lost between Homer and me, that was painfully obvious, but that gun going off was a little too close for comfort.

"I- How- What-" I didn't know what to do or say. Sizemore came towards me and gently led me to a chair. I sat down and immediately put my head between my legs blinking away the black dots in front of my eyes. After a minute of regulating my breathing I sat back up and stared at Sizemore. "What now?" I asked, afraid of his response.

"It's easy really. Homer had planned on me killing you to hurt his father. But you seem to be more valuable alive than dead Ms. Plum. I don't for a second believe me killing Homer will hurt Ramos in any way. Kidnapping you on the other hand, keeping you away from Alexander, that will hurt him. He has some sort of fascination with you it seems." His eyes ran over me and I shuddered. "I think you can give me inside information into the Ramos organization. When you outlive your usefulness…" He left the rest of the sentence unspoken.

"Mr. Sizemore I don't know anything about his organization. I'm a bounty hunter, Alex's men helped me out with a situation a year or so ago, that was it. I don't know anything about his business dealings. That would have been Homer…" I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat catching.

Sizemore gave me a look like he was trying to determine whether I was telling the truth or not. I must have passed whatever test he had running through his head because he nodded and picked up his phone. The conversation was brief, and a few seconds after he hung up there was one knock at the door. "Enter" Sizemore barked and the door opened. I could hear someone come up behind me, and I closed my eyes waiting for another gunshot to happen. "Take Ms. Plum up to the spare quarters, she needs to change and she is probably hungry. Am I correct Ms. Plum?"

"You can call me Stephanie Mr. Sizemore." I answered quickly, it was an automatic response, my 'Burg manners not failing me even in this situation. "And yes, I am." He nodded at whoever was standing behind me, and I felt a hand touch my shoulder. When I stood and turned around I saw the presence behind me was one of the Ape twins from before. He clamped a massive hand down on my shoulder, and guided me out of the office. We went down a hallway, up some stairs and stopped in front of a set of double doors. He moved me aside and opened them, then led me in.

"Clothes are in the closet, I'll be back in 15 minutes." He grunted before letting go of me , turning around and walking back out the way we came in. I heard the locks tumble and sure enough when I tried to open the door I couldn't, he had locked me in. Fuck. Fuckety fuck fuck!

Alexander's POV

Phoenix came back and let me know he saw my son take Stephanie into Sizemore's residence. He said at the time he saw her she was unharmed except for some bruising he could see as a result of the car crash. I watched Manoso's face as my man explained what he saw, he was trying to keep a blank face on but he failed. This man is in love with Stephanie. It isn't difficult to find oneself in that position. If she was 20 years older I would whisk her away to Greece and make her my wife. But as it stands I wouldn't trade our relationship for anything.

"Alex?" a hand on my arm shook me from my deep thoughts. I looked around the room and saw all of Manoso's men eyeing Katherin appreciatively, including the medic that had been with Manuel. Standing I led her over to Manoso.

"Ranger, this is my personal physician Katherin Bend. Katie this is Ranger Manoso, owner of Rangeman security. My son and Stephanie work for him." They quickly shake hands and she smiles at his men.

"Nice to meet you Mr. Manoso, although I wish it were under better circumstances. I adore Stephanie, so anything I can do to help please let me know."

"Of course, thank you, and please call me Ranger." Katie smiled again and nodded.

"How's my son Katie?" I felt my heart constrict when I made mention of Manuel.

"He's doing well Alex. No concussion that I can see, I did a CT to confirm. Right now he's resting in my suite upstairs. He should be down in a bit." She grabbed my hand and squeezed it reassuringly. "So tell me, what do you know so far? Who has Stephanie?"

Ranger's POV

If I hadn't been head over heels for Steph, Alexander's doctor would be my type. Leggy, blonde, deep blue eyes and a bright smile, she was younger than Ramos, I figured around Stephanie's age. I saw Bobby walk in behind her when she came to talk to Ramos and I could tell by his expression he was impressed by her.

"Homer grabbed Peanut. I'm guessing he and Sizemore are working together." Ramos explained. I saw the doctor's brow furrow Homer's name, which made me believe there was bad blood between the two.

"Mr. Ramos, I know Homer is your son but…" I stopped when Ramos raised his hand at me.

"Say no more Ranger, I completely understand. Homer won't get away with this."

"What can I do?" I appreciated the doctors tenacity and drive to help us in our quest to find Stephanie but wasn't sure what other skill sets she had that would be helpful. She must have read my face because she smiled warmly at me before continuing. "Even if it's just another body to assist with the rescue, please know I'll be happy to do whatever I can to help. She's at Anthony's?" The bodyguard, Phoenix nodded.

"I saw Homer and his goons bring her there, but I didn't see where in the building they are, or how many men he has."

Doctor Bend's pretty blue eyes swept over the group of my men that were standing waiting for instructions. "Any of these men know how to hack a surveillance camera?"

She's savvy. I could use someone like her on staff. "Yes, Hector." I waved him over and introduced them. She smiled warmly at us.

"You need an inside person-" She didn't get to finish her thought before Ramos was shaking his head adamantly.

"No Katherin. I don't trust Sizemore, and I certainly don't trust Homer. You are not to leave the premises do you understand me?" He said abruptly as he walked out of the room with Phoenix and she turned towards me.

"I want to do this. Hector hack the cameras at Anthony's residence. I've been in his house before, I know how to maneuver through it. I can find Stephanie and get her out."

"Ramos said-"

"Alexander is my employer and friend, he is not my father or keeper. I'm doing this, with or without your help." She turned to Trouble, Ramos' other bodyguard. "Grab my bag from the medical suite please." When he hesitated she gave him a glare that sent him running. She walked over to the rest of the small group of men I had brought with me and started introducing herself. I had to admit, the woman had guts to go against Ramos' orders, but I didn't feel it was my place to question it. Hector set up his equipment and worked his magic, he was able to hack into the security system and cameras fairly quickly. I handed Katherin an earpiece and microphone so she could listen and talk to Hector, that way she wasn't going in completely blind. Trouble came back at that point and handed her the black medical bag she had requested.

"Kat… you know Alex is gonna be livid with you." They seemed to be having a conversation through ESP because she didn't respond to him except to stare, and he quickly backed down. As they were having their silent confrontation I moved the rest of my men over to get their feedback.

"I like her." Brown immediately spoke up. "She's smart, and kind. She would be good to have around the office…"

"So you can stare at her ass all day? Admit it Bobby, you've got a super crush on the doc!" Lester laughed as Bobby's cheeks flushed with a pink tint.

"She's pretty, I'm not denying that, but she reminds me of Steph. No nonsense, take no crap from anyone mentality. I think she would be good to have around. You disagree?" He smirked at Lester who just laughed and shook his head at him.

"I don't see her leaving Ramos, it seems she's got a history here. Let's just concentrate on the situation at hand, and get Steph back to Rangeman in one piece." I stated. I heard Katherin sigh loudly and we all turned to see Manny walking in with Alexander at his side and Phoenix behind them.

"I see you're going to be a difficult patient." She wagged a finger at him, and my men had to stifle their laughter. "At least sit down , I don't want you wandering around until I know if you are fully cleared of a concussion." Manny just smiled at her but obeyed. "What is it with grown men acting like they are King Kong?? You were shot AND involved in a car accident in the last few days. You need rest." She glared at Ramos who had the good sense to lower his eyes, avoiding her stare. After that we got to work, making a plan of who would be back up for the doctor, and who would stay here. Hector took up the table in the dining room with his equipment, and showed Katherin where the guards were. Alexander heard them, and the look on his face indicated he wanted to reiterate his displeasure with her, but again he had the good sense not to. Instead he sat next to Manny and they started talking quietly to one another.