Chance Encounters
Chapter 28
oOoOo
"Jeez! Stephanie! Sorry." Cal remarked suddenly feeling disappointed in himself.
"Oh man! You got shot and we're celebrating our capture and the demise of Ramirez. Sorry, Beautiful. How are you? What's the verdict?"
Stephanie smiled. "De nada. I'm alright. I understand. I can't compete with all that macho testosterone … besides, you all look mighty fine in your … alternative attack gear." She giggled. "Definitely a sight to behold!"
Hector winked at her from the other side and her smile grew bigger. Ranger watched their interaction.
They had already removed their vests and returned them neatly to the storage locker. But they were still just in their casual gear, shirts, some open revealing ripped bodies, shorts or jeans, tank tops and generally looking yummy.
"Let's debrief. Stephanie doesn't know all the details yet and you know how curious she is. And, you want to know her status, which set this afternoon's unexpected foray into play." Ranger was in command.
Murmurs of consensus followed. They all grabbed a water bottle and sat down outside on the patio, pushing all the tables together to resemble an al fresco conference room.
"Firstly, thank you to Steph, Hector, Shorty, Tiny and Cal for having us all here this afternoon to celebrate. Great place you have here, I'm sure you'll all agree."
"HOOAH!"
"Stephanie was shot, but fortunately the bullet only grazed her arm. The sling is precautionary and for initial support. Bobby has done his medic thing and confirmed that she was indeed a lucky woman."
"HOOAH!"
"Coincidentally, we did our own little CSI thing and found the bullet in the wall over there. Woody, you must have been close to the line of fire too. Well done on getting a shot off so quickly and confirming his position."
"HOOAH!"
"Lester's team, Hector, Ram, Zero and Junior, you did a mighty job in capturing Gaspick so quickly. Well done. Lester?"
Lester nodded and took his cue. He related the events leading up to the capture and how they messed with his head while openly considering the options of how to deal with him.
"Hector set the standard so wryly," he chuckled. "We couldn't resist the mind fuck opportunity. But, hell. It was actually what was going through our minds. He did say something curious though, while he was rambling. Something about Morelli and him being involved with Ramirez and Alpha."
Ranger and Tank looked at each other with a raised eyebrow. Something to look into. Tiny nodded. He had inside contacts.
Lester then went on to explain the options they proposed and how Gaspick became agitated and barfed.
"Fucking coward." Someone muttered.
"HOOAH!"
"Tank, your pursuit team did a brilliant job. Tank?" He indicated for him to report.
"Sure. Great team work Cal, Hal and Ramon, Manny and Zip. Excellent coordination with our allies Carl and Eddie from the TPD. Junior, your motorbike prowess was epic, especially tagging Ramirez with that tracker and the final chase. Damn proud of you with that precision drop slide. Classic move, man!"
"HOOAH!"
"So glad you're okay. A few scrapes and a dislocated collarbone. Rangeman will be sure to replace the motorbike, Hector."
For the benefit of Luis and Ella, Stephanie, and the other team, Tank explained how they marshalled and corralled Ramirez onto Stark from Comstock, the spike strip and the final gruesome demise of Ramirez. They enjoyed sharing their team details as did Lester's team, with colourful language.
"Vince and Woody. Great job on the monitors coordinating and calling the play, keeping us all in the picture. Your liaison with the TPD was on point. Rangeman wants to maintain a positive community profile and you all have done that."
"HOOAH!"
"Ella and Luis, our beautiful chef extraordinaire and the gopher. You did a great job behind the scenes here at the Den. Those freshly baked brownies were perfectly timed."
"HOOAH!"
"Shorty and Tiny. They took the Den security to heart and patrolled the grounds in case there were more assailants, just in case that shooting was a diversion to have us all out on the hunt. Thank you."
"HOOAH!"
"I have to say, I am really proud how Rangeman actioned everything this afternoon. It was not what any of us expected to transpire. I have already had a call from Carl and Eddie, thanking us for keeping them in the loop and allowing them to play a critical part of the final stages. The TPD wasn't able to provide any further man power, but the Chief has already acknowledged our strategic methods in how we handled the pursuit and in keeping Trenton safe."
"HOOAH!"
"Any other business arising from what transpired today? Ah … Stephanie."
"I'd like to suggest, that we do a do-over. Why don't you guys chillax some, enjoy some beers, dinner and you can stay overnight. Between all our villas, there is enough room for you all. You're welcome to use the gym for your morning workout, and the pool of course. Shorty and Tiny have already ordered a delivery of extra supplies and have planned a surprise breakfast in mind for y'all. What do you say?"
"HOOAH!"
oOo
The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing. Some of the guys went into the theatre room to check out the whole surround sound experience after some animated discussion on the movie options. Others checked out the gym or went into the pool or just sat outside on the poolside patio relaxing and enjoying the wonderful company and peaceful scenery. Ella was forbidden to enter the kitchen since she does so much for them all already. The Merry Men took charge.
After a mountainous carnivore's delight of pork ribs and buffalo wings, accompanied with baked potatoes and barbecued corn cobs, a satisfied food coma settled over the Den and their guests as the sun set over the woodland behind.
Bobby checked on Stephanie and Junior's recovery and was pleased how both were faring.
Stephanie sat with Ranger on one of the poolside loungers, her eyes closed listening to the guys talking, not really listening, but enjoying the rumble in his chest when he spoke. It was pleasant and comforting as he stroked her hand, and definitely relaxing.
"Babe? You fell asleep. It's time to go upstairs."
"Upstairs?"
"It's late in the evening and you fell asleep, Babe." He chuckled softly.
Everybody brought things in and left it all cleaned up and set up ready for the next day. Bobby gave Stephanie some more pain meds and her antibiotics. Arrangements were easily made for sleeping. Ranger had the guest bedroom beside Stephanie's.
"Do you need help?" Ranger offered with a wolf grin and a raised eyebrow.
"Mm," Stephanie yawned, "I can undress myself but you can tuck me in if you like?"
His eyes went dark but he held back, checking himself. It's not an every day occurrence for her to be shot at.
After doing her teeth and changing into her little jammies, those cute ones with the flamingos, she came out to find Ranger waiting, already changed into low slung sleep pants. They both stopped and checked each other out with a heated, lustful gaze … until a yawn escaped that she couldn't stifle. She blushed.
"Sorry."
"No problem, Babe. You've had an eventful day. You need to rest."
He stole a kiss, chaste at first but it warmed up quickly, his hands rubbing her curves gently.
"You look beautiful, even when you are tired. C'mon. I'll tuck you in. Buenas noches, Babe. Dulces sueños."
After another tender kiss, he tucked her in and retired to his own room.
oOoOo
TBC
Just a short but necessary interlude chapter.
More to come. There is that first date after all.