A/N: Sorry for the delay in this chapter to those who are actually still reading. I've started losing momentum on this story and I've already skipped onto the next installment of this series. A couple of more chapters and I'm going to close this story out. Thanks for your patience and for those who are sticking it through with me and Alyssa/Misty! ~ Angie

Previous Chapter: "Give me a lift home?" I asked Lester.

He grinned and gave me a quick head nod, "Your chariot awaits, my lady."

You know, with my shiner and wildly unruly hair, I was feeling far from a lady. In fact, over the past few days, I think it would be safe to say that I played the role of knight in shining armor in this story.

"Let me drive, Santos, and I'll show you how much of a lady I really am," I grinned back at him.

CHAPTER 36

The sliver of light flooded the room as the door cracked opened and a scrawny peanut of a man stepped into the doorframe.

"What the fuck are you doing in here?" he scowled out.

"Now is that any way for you to speak to you beloved cousin, dear Vinnie?" I smirked from behind his desk with my hands steepled.

"Get out. I heard they already put Rizik in jail and Alyssa's been cleared of all charges. So there's no need for you to harass me any longer," he spat out.

"Oh but I think there's some unfinished business we need to accomplish here. A little birdie, or should I say a rather large bat, informed me of a warning given to you."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

I slammed my palms down on the desk ask I stood to glare at him, "I'm talking about the matter of how you almost had Alyssa killed because you agreed to bail out a psychopath with his heart set on taking her out!"

"That's not my fault. Her personal safety is none of my concern!" Vinnie growled, taking a couple of steps further into the office.

"That's not how I feel and Ranger seems to agree with me. He wants to make sure that you think next time you decide to make a business decision that is blatantly obvious to bring harm to your employees." I raised my hand up in a motioning fashion, "Boys, take him."

Two large men in black came out from the shadows on either side of Vinnie and subdued him.

One of the men jabbed a needle into his neck and we watched him slump to the ground. The other man in black grinned, flashing his pearly whites.

"Ranger says to let you lead this operation. What do you want us to do next, Boss?" Les grinned with great intent.

"Oh, I know exactly what to do," I smiled back at him wickedly. "Bobby, how long is that going to keep him knocked out?"

"Long enough for him to see the sunrise," he flashed me a toothy grin.

"Good, we got some work to do boys."

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Slipping into my blue satin robe, I began toweling my hair when I heard a knock at the door. I padded to the door pissed off. I specifically told the doorman not to let anybody in this weekend. I didn't want to have to deal with anybody, and I definitely needed some recovery time before I started heading back into the office on Monday.

Yanking the door open, I got ready to give the person on the other side a piece of my mind. But to my surprise, I would've never imagined the person on the other side to be—

"—Bones," I rasped. "What are you doing here? I specifically told the doorman I didn't want any visitors for the rest of the week."

He was carrying a bottle of wine and a bag that smelled like Chinese takeout. He pushed past me and set everything down on the kitchen counter.

"Excuse me, but you're not welcome here. You can't just go barging into someone's home unannounced. And the whole ordeal is over; I no longer need a bodyguard."

"Thought could use someone to talk to," he started unpacking the food and putting it into dishes.

The nerve of this guy, walking into my house and making himself at home! "I have nothing to talk to you about," I huffed.

"Sure you do. You shot and killed someone. That's not something you just walk off."

"So I shot a guy. He was torturing my best friend. I did what I had to do."

"It was your first kill and that is something that will always live with you. Justified or not, it's something you have to carry with you for the rest of your life. The best way to handle it is to have someone to lean on and support you."

"And you think you're that person? No thanks. I'm fine. Look, I tend not to regret most of the decisions that I make, and I certainly won't go crying on your shoulder if that's what you are expecting. I have no remorse. Society is better off now that he's dead. I believe in the death penalty and I just helped the system move him through faster without all the messy trials."

"True. But you have a heart and those emotions will eventually catch up with you." He picked up a few strands of lo mein with his chopsticks, "Here try this. This place makes the best shrimp lo mein," he held it out in front of me and fed me.

I took the noodles in my mouth and chewed. I'm not a big foodie like Alyssa is but I had to admit those were really good.

He wiped the corner of my mouth with his thumb. Who the hell is this man? One minute he's calling me a ditz, then acts all protective, then he turns down my advances, and now he wants to talk about my feelings like a gal pal?

"You should leave now or I'll call security and have you removed."

"Nope. That would be pretty difficult," he licked the tip of his finger, "considering Rangeman provides security for this building."

"Since when?"

"Since yesterday. Lester was actually able to get them to sign a five-year contract. I mean, you still have your little old men as the door men, but Rangeman will be providing the extra security and monitoring activity from the control room."

My mouth fell open, "So now you guys can see when I come and go, if I call the emergency number, you guys will show up, every time I have a date, you'll see whom I'm bringing home. This is outrageous!"

"Well, I'll make sure that you won't be bringing home any random dates and certainly no more surprise visitors at your door."

"You can't interfere with my life!" I shoved him in the chest.

"Sure I can," he stepped forward and placed his massive hand on my face wrapping his fingers around the back of my head.

"And pray tell, what makes you king of my dating life?"

"Because you'll only be seeing me," he pulled me into a deep kiss.

My body instinctively arched into him as he wrapped his other arm around my waist and pulled me in. My arms snaked up his chest and around his neck.

I pulled away from the mind-melding kiss, "We can't do this."

"Why not?" he asked gently nipping at my earlobe.

"I made a promise to Alyssa, no Merry Men in my balanced diet," I breathed hard throwing my head back as his lips trailed down my neck to my chest.

"I'm going to ignore the Merry Men comment. I believe your friend just doesn't want you creating any unnecessary drama with her colleagues. I can guarantee that there will be no drama."

"You can't guarantee something like that," my voice hitched at the end of the statement as my robe slid open and he took my breast in his mouth.

"I can because there will be no rivalry. I'll be the only Rangeman in your bed. In fact, I'll be the only man in your bed from here on out besides I already asked for her blessing and she gave it to me," he murmured circling his tongue around my nipple.

"Ha!" I laughed pushing him back and adjusting my robe. "You're pretty cocky. I don't do relationships, Hon. You're barking up the wrong tree."

I shrieked as he threw me over his shoulder fireman style and tossed me onto the bed. He ripped off his shirt exposing his perfectly toned body and began unbuckling his pants.

He slid on top of me, "I can show you just how cocky I am. But I've made a decision for the both of us. I want more and I've decided you're going to give me more."

He pressed his impressive manhood against my thigh. My body buckled under his touch as I sank my nails into his back in excitement and slight anger.

"Hon, nobody makes decisions for Misty Plum. Not my family, not my friends and especially not you. Nobody's the boss of me."

"I'm not making a decision that you haven't already made but can't admit to yourself," his hands roamed up the length of my body.

"And what makes you think I that want you?"

"Your body."

"My body is a traitor."

He grinned at me, "Misty Plum, I'm going to rock your world, and anything that 'might' come after me won't ever be enough."

"Oh my god, please tell me you didn't just say that," I broke out into uncontrollable laughter. "Seriously? You had to go that corny?"

"Admit it. As corny as it sounds, you're falling for it," I kissed my lips gently.

I bit down on my lip, "Maybe I found it slightly amusing."

"Blondie, you're a tough egg to crack. Good thing I like challenges."

"Well, now that Alyssa's taking back over in the adventures department, I guess my life will start to feel a little mundane and boring. So I guess it won't hurt for me to try a little something different," I placed my hand on his chest and wrapped my legs around his torso giving him a hard shove and spun him onto his back.

My hair cascaded around my face as I hovered over his. "But, hon, I don't do missionary. Misty Plum doesn't do submission."

"Well, have to see about that, now won't we?" he grinned up at me placing his hands around my waist. "I can give you a false sense of control if that makes you feel better," he pressed my bottom down hard over his erection rubbing my clit vigorously over the length of his shaft.

Damn…could it be possible that I've just met my match?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ding. Ding. Ding.

I rolled over and reached for my phone on the nightstand as a pair of arms pulled me back into a rock hard, warm body.

"Hello?" I answered with a smile as I pressed my head back into Bones' chest.

"Can you explain to me how in the world Vinnie ended up being found in the middle of the duck pond at Westfield Park, tied to a post, stark naked with a sign saying, 'I fucked a duck' this morning?" Alyssa's voice squealed over the phone.

"Really?" I feigned surprise. "I guess it was about time he had it coming to him."

"Uh huh," she replied unconvinced. "Anyways. Hope you're enjoying your evening with Bones."

"Oh I sure am. I'm happy to give you a play by play," I said with a growing grin.

"Thanks but no thanks. Bye, Mis."

Click.

Bones rolled me onto my back and brushed my hair from my face, "What was that about?"

"Oh nothing — just a little justice Misty Plum style. Let's just say, you should learn never to mess with me or my friends," I grabbed his head and pulled his lips into mine.