Author's Note: Please forgive me. These past two weeks have been beyond crazy. Everything that could have went wrong..did. I'm hoping that this chapter along with any future chapters make up for my absence. Oh and by the way...the last chapter contained a children's book that I once again wanted to speak of. The book is called If and the author is Frank Boylan and it was illustrated by Mary Manning.

The Secret Is Out

Ranger's POV-

I leaned back in my chair and held the phone against my ear. This is the second time in the last few days I have called this particular English Rose. What I found out during the background check had me thinking different possibilities for Chesi. Almost everything I had found checked out perfectly, but coming across a certain part of her life, I found myself shocked and awed at the same time.

"Hello?" She answered; her voice was shaking and unsure.

"Chesi." I stated not asked. I knew it was her.

"Yes. Ranger?" She admitted that she was Chesi but she was surprised to hear me calling so quickly.

"Lester is fine. I'm calling for business reasons." I reassured her quickly.

I heard the breath whoosh out of her and smiled to myself. I knew she was going to be worried and I wanted to put her mind at ease. I knew her being so far away that she was bound to be worried when the boss and cousin of her significant other was on the phone.

"Good. I haven't had a chance to talk to him today so that makes me feel better." She stated. "How can I help you?" She asked politely.

I was getting ready to tell her the reason for my call when I heard waves crashing in the background. To my knowledge, she didn't live anywhere near the ocean so my curiosity got the best of me and I had to ask. I would thank Stephanie personally once I got back home.

"Are you near the ocean, Chesi?"

She let out a small sigh. "I am. I am at Lulworth Cove right now. I'm visiting family. I wanted to see them all before I left." She answered. I could hear the smile in her voice.

I wasn't really sure where that was nor had I ever been there. "Where is that located?"

She giggled or what sounded an awful lot like a giggle. "It's near the village of West Lulworth on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site in Dorset. That's in Southern England." She answered quickly. I couldn't keep the smile off my face as she rambled on. "The cove is one of the world's finest examples of such a land form. And it is a tourist location with over one million visitors a year. It is also close to the rock arch of Durdle Door and other Jurassic.." She stopped suddenly and I heard her mumbling under her breath.

She was nervous and I had not a clue as why. However before I could say anything she spoke back up. "I'm terribly sorry, Ranger. When I'm nervous, I ramble." She admitted quietly.

"Why are you nervous, Chesi?" I just had to ask. I hadn't given her any reason to be nervous so once again I was curious. Thank you Babe.

"I'm nervous that you're going to change your mind about me coming to the States to be your nanny. I haven't told Lester yet but I'm really excited about coming." She said. Her voice was so soft that I had a hard time hearing her.

"No worries, Chesi. I still want you to come to the states. In fact after reviewing your back ground check, I want you to come sooner." I told her.

"Sooner? Why? I don't understand." She asked.

"You forgot to mention that you have several degrees in business and International Relations. Both of which would be an asset to my company."

"Oh yes. I went to the London School of Economics which is kind of like Harvard here in London." She informed me; her voice holding a little bit of surprise.

I smiled. I knew how prestige the London School of Economics was. That was why I wanted her in Trenton as soon as possible. I knew by reading her file that she would be an amazing asset to RangeMan Inc.

"Do you speak another language or should I ask how many different languages do you speak?" I asked having a feeling that she spoke several.

"I speak four fluently. Spanish, French, English, and Italian. Lately I have been trying to learn German but I find it very difficult." She stated.

I whistled a note of approval. "Chesi, you would be forever helpful here at RangeMan. It would require traveling around the US mostly just to Boston and Miami, but I think this job is perfect for you."

She was silent for a moment and I had to wonder what was going through her mind. She had to be excited but anxious and nervous too. I could just picture those wheels turning in her head.

"So I can come to the US sooner?" She asked; her voice filled with what I was believing to be hope.

"Yes Ma'am. As soon as we get everything situated then you will be on the first plane to Trenton." I answered.

"Well Mr. Manoso, you had better tell me what my responsibilities will be." She stated in a very business like voice. I smiled. Yep, she was perfect for my playboy cousin.

Steph's POV-

"Come on, Ava. We're already late." I told my five year old daughter as I helped her out of the vehicle.

"It's your fault, Momma." She just had to inform me.

Not that it wasn't my fault because it was. After receiving that email, I had a hard time falling asleep. I tried calling Lester, but he was out on a take down and was unable to answer the phone or so I was told. So instead of calling Tank or Cal, I just let it go at that moment. Not that I didn't intend to tell Ranger or at this moment, Lester because I was going to.

Then after finally falling asleep around three or so this morning, I woke up and immediately threw up. And I do mean immediately. I didn't even make it to the bathroom. I guess stressing over stalkers and having nightmares about said stalkers will do that to you.

Then to make matters worse, we had no body guards. No one was following us this morning so I was a little more worried than usual with the stalker running around. I didn't honestly think anything would happen, but I was anxious to get Ava into her classroom and to get back to RangeMan.

Walking into Ava's school, I looked around trying to find the cameras that were precisely placed around the corners of the hallways. There was one that showed the entrance to the school, but I was sure it wouldn't go far into the parking lot or at least where I park normally. Maybe I should change that. But then I usually have body guards so my moving to a different parking place is ridiculous.

There was a camera every few feet in the hallways so it they watch the entrance to several class rooms at one time. They wanted to be able to see who was going in and out of the class rooms at all times. Then one of those cameras caught the entrance to the cafeteria and another one was able to catch the entrance to the auditorium or the gym as they called it.

There was another camera in the main office and each class room had a camera placed in the corner up high to capture what was going in the class room. The only thing that the cameras were unable to watch was the children's book bags way in the back. The principal of the school said he was more interested in what was going on in the actual class room and not their book bags. I didn't fully agree but it did make sense. I wanted to know if Ava was being treated appropriately not her book bag.

I stepped inside her class room and nodded hello to her teacher. She was slowly beginning to grow on me as long as Ranger wasn't any where around. When he turned up, Miss Williamson turned into a perky idiot. However she was an excellent teacher who did focus on Ava and not her father. That earned her huge points with me.

I crouched down to Ava's level and kissed her cheek. "Be good today, Ava-Baby."

She nodded and smiled. "I will, Momma."

"Love you."

She wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed. "Love you." She replied back against my neck. She pulled back, kissed my check, and ran to the back of the class room. I watched as she hung up her book bag before turning to give Nathan a hug. She really liked Nathan. She turned back to look at me and waved. I waved back and she quickly turned away. She was headed towards a normal life and that pleased me very much. Now if only her mother and father had a normal life.

Not that I regretted my life because I don't. I'm glad that I became a bounty hunter and even happier that I met Ranger. I don't regret getting back together with Joe; although continuing our unhealthy relationship I do regret. I should have realized quicker that we weren't met to be but then again everything that happens does for a reason.

I waved good bye Miss Williamson and walked out the door. I had a client meeting to go to this morning for Ranger since he was out of town. I wasn't exactly looking forward to it because I'm always afraid that I'm going to make a bad impression on Ranger's clients and then they'll drop RangeMan. I want to make Ranger happy and losing clients wouldn't do that.

As I got closer to my car I stopped walking. There was a white envelope and deep red rose underneath the windshield wiper. I looked around me but the parking lot was empty almost deserted. That frightened me a lot. I backed up going towards Ava's school pulling my cell phone from my pants pocket as I went. I guess calling Lester would work just as good as now as any other time. I hated having bad news.

"Shit." I muttered to myself before emptying the contents of my stomach once again.

Ranger's POV-

"That's it, Chesi. Do you have any more questions?" I asked.

"No I think I'm all questioned out." She laughed.

We said our good byes before hanging up the phone. We now had everything worked out from what time she was going to start work to what time her plane was going to arrive in Trenton and who was going to pick her up. She wanted to surprise Lester with her arrival so even though he was going to pick her up, he was only going to know that it was a client and not his girlfriend.

I had to admit that she was elated and it was rubbing off on me. I was pleased that she was excited to be in Trenton and working for RangeMan. I was tough on my employees but I treated them fairly and they did receive a lot of benefits. So I expected quite much from my employees and they always delivered. They rarely ever let me down.

I looked up as my office door opened and Diego stepped in. He never did know how to knock. I gave him a frown and he chuckled. My looks never did work on him.

"Hermano." He said with affection as he sat down on the sofa in my office.

I raised an eyebrow. "Aflojándose apagado, Diego. Tsk Tsk y aquí pensé siempre que usted era mejor que ése." I teased him in Spanish.

He let out a full belly laugh, but it was laced with acid. "I don't even know the meaning of the word, Hermano. I don't slack off. I work my ass off for this company." He replied back in English. I had pissed him off with my comment and that wasn't my intention.

"No disrespect was intended. I know you don't slack off, Diego. What to tell me what's bothering you?" I asked him. He was normally the level headed one, not the quick tempered one. I had more control than him, but he had quite a bit of restraint.

He shook his head in disgust and let out a snort. "We're so far behind, Carlos. I feel as though this is my fault. I should be handling your company better." He stated.

I couldn't believe my brother was worried about this. I didn't blame him for the Miami office being so far behind. I knew the reason they were behind. Business was booming and booming big. I was satisfied by this information and I wanted it to continue.

"Diego, that is not your fault nor do I blame you. I have looked through each and every file. The business for security is increasing and dumb ass criminals are still running. If I had any doubt on how you were running this company, I would have fired you long ago. Make no mistake about that. But you are not. I am proud of the way you handle the Miami office." I told him.

"¿Nos entendemos?" I asked; just to make sure.

His dark eyes met mine and he nodded. "We have an understanding, Hermano. Gracias." He said as he sat up and leaned his elbows on his knees.

"Da nada." I reassured him. He still didn't look convinced.

He gave a smile and changed the subject. "Did you get everything settled with Chesi?"

I nodded. "I did. All I have to do now is call Lester and tell him that he'll be picking up a client at the airport on Tuesday."

Both of his eyebrows went up. "Tuesday? So quickly? What happened to the nanny position?" He asked.

"I discovered that Chesi has several degrees that would be an asset to RangeMan so I wanted to get her in Trenton as quickly as possible. When the new baby is born, she can either continue to work at RangeMan or help Steph with Ava. Either way, I'll be happy." I explained.

Diego nodded. "Does Steph know she might have a nanny?" He questioned.

I shook my head. "No she doesn't."

"Aren't you worried it might piss her off?"

I shook my head again. "Should I be?" I asked. Because if I should be then everyone was going to be surprised because I wasn't worried. Steph adored Chesi and so did Ava. If Steph did refuse the help of a nanny, I didn't need to worry because Chesi could just continue to work for RangeMan. I just didn't see Steph refusing Chesi's help for any reason.

Diego shrugged. "I just thought hiring a nanny without her permission might set her off, but you know her better than I do."

I grinned. "Damn straight." He laughed at that and settled back in his chair.

"So when are you going to tell her?" He asked.

I had thought about that for quite some time over the last few days and I finally came to a conclusion. "On Monday when I surprise her and Ava." I answered him.

"You're going home on Monday?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow.

I nodded. "I've met with lots of clients over the last few days and planned to meet a few more before Monday. Plus we have caught almost every skip you had on file. I'm pretty sure you can handle the rest on your own. I'm ready to see Steph and Ava." I said truthfully.

Diego nodded. "I don't blame ya. Steph is wonderful and Ava is something else." He commented before adding. "So you're going to surprise them?"

"I am. When Steph picks up Ava from school, I'm going to be there waiting for them both."

He laughed. "Such a romantic." He teased as he pressed his hands over his heart and let out a dramatic sigh.

I threw my phone at him which only made him laugh harder. I couldn't help but join in.

Steph's POV-

I blew out another breath and glared at Lester. I was seriously getting tired of him and his big mouth. So I kept the stalker quiet longer than I should have, so what. I know this and I feel guilty as hell. I didn't need Lester reminding me of this every second.

Lester and Cal came running to the rescue when I called after receiving the envelope and red rose. There wasn't anything found on the car besides those two items so Lester followed me throughout the day and Cal stayed at Ava's school and did surveillance. I had a bodyguard with me the entire day, but Lester didn't talk to me much at all. When it was time for Ava to get out school, he followed me there. I went in and picked up Ava. When we came back out I climbed in my car and Cal took Ava with him. I didn't argue with either men when the suggestion was made because both of them were still pissed that I had kept the stalker from them for so long.

The letter stated that my date with him went really well and he was super excited for our next one. And our first kiss was really sweet too. I think it took every ounce of Lester's control not to snap when reading it. He stated that this guy was delusional and that was one of the worst kind of stalkers. According to Lester and Cal that is.

So Cal took Ava with him to get ice cream while Lester followed me back to RangeMan and up to seven. As soon as we entered the apartment, Lester started in on me and he hasn't let up.

"What were you thinking, Stephanie?" He ground out in between clenched teeth. "You or Ava could have been seriously hurt or Dios, you could have been killed." He added with terror lining the edge of his voice.

"It was only emails, Lester." I tried to calm him some what, but I had a feeling it wasn't working.

"You should have told us, Steph. Keeping this a secret was wrong." He said with disappointment. I hated that tone of his voice.

"You're right, Lester. What I did was wrong, but could we just drop it. You know now and we can figure out who this guy is." I pleaded with Lester. I realized how stupid I was to keep this from Ranger and the guys, but denial land is a hard place to find. Once you get there, it is a hard place to get out of.

Lester nodded and pulled me into his arms. I went willingly and gave him a squeeze. He pulled back to look into my eyes. "Let's go look at those emails." He said and I nodded in agreement, but I was regretting it. Lester was going to be pissed.

Lester's POV-

I ran my fingers through my hair once more and resisted the urge to punch a hole through my cousin's apartment walls. It was hard, but I did resist. Steph had over a dozen emails from this sick fuck and he had to be a father. I know the email was proud father, but after reading the emails I knew for sure he was.

He commented a lot on how well Ava was taken care of and how good a mother Steph was. She was a good mother, but keeping this a secret was something that none of us were likely to forgive anytime soon. She put both her and Ava in terrible danger. I knew her denial land was a place she went to often, but in this occasion she should have stayed the hell away from the denial.

"Why haven't you told Ranger or hell, even one of us?" I asked her. She knew she could always come to one of us and we would always be there for her.

She shrugged her shoulders. "I tried to tell Ranger one night, but he was real busy and I knew if I told him then he hop on the first plane back to Trenton. Right now he's really needed in Miami. The same night I tried to call you and you were on a take down and couldn't be reached. I haven't a had a chance to talk to either of you since." She explained easily so I knew she was speaking the truth.

I nodded my understanding. That explains Carlos and myself, but what about the rest of RangeMan. "How come you didn't tell Cal or Tank or any body at RangeMan, Steph?" I questioned her. I hated giving her the third degree, but I needed to know.

"Tank has enough to worry with now while Ranger is gone and I honestly didn't think about telling Cal. I'm really sorry, Lester. I just thought this guy was a little crazy and that he would go away."

My eyes widen at her statement and I wanted to laugh. This stalker of hers was delusional. He believed that him and Steph had a relationship and in his mind they were serious and if anything was to mess with his train of thought, he could become violent. Steph always managed to find the crazies, I guess this time was no different.

"Beautiful, this guy is not going to go away as you put it. He is beyond delusional. We need to find out who he is so we can watch him. And if he makes the wrong move, then we'll arrest him."

Steph nodded and then let out a sigh. She looked up at me and gave a small smile. "I believe I know who it is." She said and I crouched down in front of her. She was sitting in the chair in Carlos' office in their apartment. I couldn't believe she actually knew who this guy was. I was hoping she was right.

"Who is it and why do you think it's this guy?" I asked.

"His name is Mark and his daughter is in Ava's class and he three older boys." She started and I nodded. "The email is proud father and he admitted to me that he was a proud father." She continued and I felt myself deflate a little.

"Steph, any father that is any kind of one is going to say and be happy to admit that he's proud of his kids. The chances of this guy being your stalker are seriously slim." I told her.

Her small frame collapsed in the setback that she was feeling. I felt the same myself. "But we have to check it out, right?" She asked hopefully.

I nodded. "Of course we will. We have to check every angle."

She let out a sigh of relief. "I have one more question." I motioned for her to continue. "Can we wait until Ranger comes back before we tell him?" She asked.

I wasn't sure how to answer her question. I knew Carlos needed to be told, but now that I knew I could keep an eye on her and Ava. I would also clue in the rest of RangeMan, but the question still remained, should I tell my cousin that the woman he loved had a stalker?

"Please Lester. If you tell him, he'll rush home and once again he'll neglect his business because of me." Steph begged.

I shook my head in disbelief. Could she really think that? My cousin isn't the type to neglect his business or his family. To him family always came first. No questions asked.

"Beautiful, he isn't neglecting his business nor does he ever think that." I told her. She didn't look convinced but before I could go further my phone started to ring. I grimaced when I saw that the caller was Carlos.

"Hey Coz." I answered. Steph's eyes widen and I could see her visibly start to panic. I motioned for her to calm down. I wasn't sure if I was going to tell him or not, but there was no need for her to get herself worked up.

"Santos, I got a job for you." Carlos stated. He sounded a little weird, but not a bad weird just weird.

I rolled my eyes at Steph as she continued to violently shake her head no. She glared at my eye roll. I turned my back on her so I wouldn't laugh at her antics.

"Anything." I told him. Which was true. I would do anything for my cousin. He has saved my life more than once.

"A client is requesting that we pick up a family member of his on Tuesday. He'll be out of town until later that evening and the plane is going to arrive early in the morning. I would like for you to pick them up."

That wasn't too hard. In fact it was down right simple. Even though Tuesday was my day off, I would still be happy to do it.

"Da Nada. No problem. What time is the plane due in?" I asked.

"At 0935 hours. I told him that you would be wearing your RangeMan uniform."

I nodded more to myself since Carlos wasn't able to see me. "No problem. Is the person male or female?" I asked.

"Not quite sure. Client said she so I'm going to say female."

"10-4. I'll take care of it."

"Good. I've a few things to do before I can call Steph." He said and I thought that was a little weird. He normally wouldn't tell me what he was doing but I guess we can all act out of character every now and then. I did however know that if I told him that Steph was here in front of me, he would know something was wrong. Steph always comes directly upstairs and spends the afternoon with Ava. Or at least that's what she had been doing so I didn't want to spook Carlos in any way.

I wasn't going to tell Carlos at this time. He had a lot on his mind as Steph had said and I didn't want her getting worked up for no reason. When Carlos returned home, hopefully we would have this bagged and out of the way.

We said our good byes and I hang up. I turned around and barely had time to brace myself as Steph launched herself into my arms. "Thank you so much, Lester. Ranger has enough on his plate right now without having to worry about me or Ava. I don't want to add to it." She told me.

I pulled away to look into her eyes. "Don't make me regret my decision. If you receive any emails or any more gifts, let me know." I all but ordered her to.

She nodded enthusiastically. "I will I promise." She reassured me.

I nodded. I believed her. "I'm going to talk to Hector. I'm pretty sure he might be able to track this guy down through his IP address." I told her. She nodded. We really needed to find this guy. Before Carlos arrived back in Trenton.

Author's Note: Again..I'm sorry!

P.S. I got a bottle of Ranger's shower gel for Christmas... WOW!