Chance Encounters
Chapter 33
oOoOo
In the meantime, … the last chapter was necessary to write in its own entirety, for its complete sequence of events, rather than disjointed interruptions to what else was going on. And how the dominoes did fall. So, now I take you back to The Den, to Rangeman, and Stephanie and Ranger, and the Merry Men … almost three months back, just after Gaspick was taken from that dark Rangeman cell to the TPD and the wonderful incriminating evidence harvested from Angie Morelli's home and Gaspick's computer.
Ranger's POV
"We discovered who bailed Morelli, despite my specific orders that bail was refused. It was out of my hands and his slick lawyer somehow accomplished it while I was at a meeting with the Mayor during the shift changeover. It turns out, that Morelli has a great uncle who is a judge, Enzo Brunello. Bella Morelli is his older sister. Despite having washed his hands of his great nephew 'Joey' for the last time, he's been nailed and disbarred and is now awaiting a judicial misconduct investigation. Further investigations are in motion from Internal Affairs and the FBI. I thought you'd like to know."
"Thank you, Chief. I appreciate you keeping us apprised of that situation. We did wonder how that was possible. We assumed he had someone else in his pocket, on his blackmail list."
"Well, funny you should say that. There are a few names that I recognise from Morelli's little black books. I can't believe that bastard was able to do all that. I reckon he did a lot of this on the clock. Anyway, from the evidence that Gaspick has in his encrypted files, it already appears very probable that Morelli will have additional charges resulting in his sentence being extended. Can't say I'm sad about that. Corruption like this sickens me. Getting rid of Morelli and Gaspick certainly helps clean up the TPD. Some of his fan club will also find themselves under scrutiny. We are in the process of a complete shake down. We couldn't have done it so well without your support and expertise. Thank you once again."
After that conversation ended, I waited for the Core Team to arrive, while pondering over the weekend's events, both the highs and lows. I smiled thinking about seeing her at The Den, that first time, in just a bathing suit and a towel, dripping wet and sexy as hell. I'll never forget that look. She certainly was checking me out in my Armani suit. As I did her, too, and she damn well knew it. Madre Dios. Those long legs.
The unexpected time spent in the safe room with Stephanie so close by was another sweet memory. Sitting on my lap, squirming excitedly, watching the 'intruder' being taken down. I love her laugh. Watching Tank was priceless. Kissing her sweetly. Dios. I have it bad for this woman. I like holding her, touching her, kissing her, protecting her.
Taking her back upstairs in those cute little flamingo pyjamas … yeah, so tantalising, so cute. Neither one of us could sleep. I was thinking about her, her warm body so close by, just one bedroom away. Guarding her body was a serious scenario. Then there was that tempting proposition, especially when she invited me to stay, in her bed. Man, I really wanted to. My libido was warring with my protector conscience. I chuckled, seeing her sleepy expression, when I said I would take a raincheck. I like this game. No rush, but, damnit, I really do want to rush in and sweep her off her feet and make her mine. My cock is already hardening with those visions and lusty thoughts.
Inviting us all to The Den was a great idea, great down-time for all of us involved with Stephanie, Hector and Cal. Meeting the whole Den 'family' really was an eye opener. The atmosphere was wonderful: great weather, great food and great company in wonderful surroundings. Until that sniper shot. Madre Dios. My heart skipped more than a beat when she went down. I was so relieved that it was not more serious. But she handled it well. Bobby cleaned it up and, yes, such a relief. She has already made such an impression on me and a huge impact on the guys. Losing her would have been devastating. I don't even want to go there.
With Gaspick captured and Ramirez meeting his gruesome end, we were able to have a do-over of our celebration at The Den. Once again, I did not sleep much thinking about her, tucking her in. So sweet.
After a tasty breakfast, teasing her coming out from the gym was so much fun. Man. Those eyes. She was disappointed not being able to swim, having momentarily forgotten her bandaged wound, but we distracted her well. Massaging her soft skin and hearing those delightful moans of agony and ecstasy as I nudged Bobby out of the way to have my hands on her. I was being so careful not to drip my wet hair on her. That dazzling smile. Madre Dios! The swim suit zipper which she tugged so teasingly, revealing a teensy-weensy, cheeky bikini underneath. And that sexy tattoo! Fuck! On her cute little ass as she bent over. That has been a star feature in my dreams, in slow-mo, on a repeat loop. I know very well why half my men leapt into the pool. Exactly the same reason why I did. I was rock hard. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief as she watched me emerge from the pool. That she let me have a closer look at that tattoo sent a hot searing surge from my head to my loins. I really wanted to throw her over my shoulder and rush her upstairs and not leave her bed for the rest of that weekend. Aye-yai-yai. But I kissed it tenderly, such a cute, sexy little vixen. So very apt. Hector, my hermano, he knew exactly what that tattoo would do to me and his shit eating grin said it all.
I sat there smiling and reminiscing with those pleasant visions leaning back in my desk chair with my feet crossed on the desk, hands clasped behind my head. She has brought such warmth to our lives and a spark of joy which we have missed for God knows how long. I sigh wistfully. Gracias a Dios.
After a lunch at The Den of delicious fajitas, salad and fruit, it was time to break up the party. I was reluctant to leave. I even stalled, helping with the clean-up, trying to find an extra task to do. Hell, we all were, I could see it on my men's faces. I could see it on her face too. Stealing another kiss before we departed was so easy. Those plump, delectable lips. Mmm. I bet they could make me squirm … Whoa!
I have to, no, I need to come up with a plan, to keep her involved with us, with me. The impact she has made on all of us, with our darkened and damaged souls is nothing short of remarkable. Her natural and genuine manner, so unaffected in the presence of so many men, large men, is not at all intimidating for her. She doesn't judge us but has already protected our honour, declaring it so openly at the TPD.
Stephanie and Hector have such a special connection. While we worked with the TPD on the raids of the three Morelli residences, Hector was doing the cyber investigation on the police computer system, Morelli's computer and Gaspick's. He invited her to come and help with the searches. He told me about her tenacity and how she came up with Bob for the encrypted file. Bob? Who would have thought it? Only Stephanie. Bob was Morelli's dog, apparently. She did her crazy little happy dance. To tell you the truth, I have never seen Hector smile, ever, except in her presence. Now that's a telling fact. I have seen a different side to him, and I thought, after all these years, that I knew him well. There you go. Stephanie magic.
I slowly brought myself to the sitting position. I was scribbling on a notepad while I was thinking, just doodles and things, while I was contemplating Stephanie magic and the spell she has inadvertently cast over us, over me in particular, in the best possible way. She has all the power and I don't think she realises how much and that she has any power. She did confess to wanting to be Wonder Woman when she was younger. Yeah … Wonder Woman. Mmm …
I haven't seen her for nearly three days and I miss her. Who would have thought? I saw her briefly on Monday when we were cataloguing all the evidence in the main conference room. But she was busy with Hector in his dungeon. We did have a little encounter in the break room. Her dazzling smile told me she was pleased to see me too. She gave me a sweet kiss and then nipped my bottom lip before she went off with Hector. Madre Dios. I want her, so much. He was chuckling at me.
She is an enchantress and I want her bad. I tried to intercept her at the Bonds Office but that didn't work. Apparently, Bobby and Lester had beaten me to it.
I thought of having a little chat with Tia Ella. But no. I feel a little embarrassed. Maybe I can offer her some assistance when she does the groceries at the Whole Food Market! Yes! That's where she and Stephanie met, after all. I sat up straight and tapped some keys to check the location of the Whole Food Market. Princeton. That's the one.
Maybe … maybe I should arrange to meet Hector at The Den so he can show me the new features he has installed for possible sales to high end clientele. She might be home. That would be convenient.
Jeez! Listen to me. I'm like a love-sick puppy. I haven't felt like this since I was a teenager. Maybe I should just call her, just to hear her voice and that little laugh. Perhaps she would like some assistance with a skip.
I decided to call Ella. Maybe she needs some fresh herbs! That might work. My plan was interrupted.
With a sharp double rap, Lester enters my office followed closely by Bobby and Tank. The Core Team. They look at me. Tank glances at my desk and sees my doodles on the notepad. He cracks up when he sees my list. When did I do that?
Bonds Office
Tia Ella
Whole Food Market - support
Hector The Den - new security
fresh herbs
Date?
I had also drawn eyes, crystal clear blue Stephanie eyes, and a sexy little vixen, much like her tattoo. Hearts? Who drew those? Bobby and Lester checked my list and laughed hysterically. They showed me their list and we all lost it. Holy shit! What has she done to us?
I stood up and grabbed four bottles of water from the fridge and chuckled. Tank's deep rumble made me look at him.
"At least we didn't draw hearts and those gorgeous blue eyes."
I sighed thinking of her beautiful blue eyes.
"And you got a good look at that cute little tattoo on her sexy little ass!" I glared at Lester, but smiled at the thought of it and how I kissed it tenderly. Three wads of paper suddenly hit me on the forehead. Damn. Not aware of my surroundings.
"Man. You got it bad! We miss her man. As do you, obviously," Bobby remarked while indicating my little sketches.
"We went to the Bonds Office hoping to meet up with her, by chance, you know, accidentally on purpose. No luck there. She'd already been and had a few low bond skips that were going to keep her busy." Lester's disappointment was shared by us all.
"I think it is safe to say, within these walls here, that we all miss her. She has made quite an impression on each of us and the others, out there, are also moping, like there's a spark missing."
Tank was right of course.
"I have an idea," I said quietly. "Skip meetings, for the medium skips. Just like we did at Shorty's. I think we can make her an offer, to sort out the medium skips together, and brainstorm them like she did so well before. She totally had us in awe and we certainly can benefit from her perspective and local knowledge."
"Yeah. That sounds good," Tank ran with the idea.
"We can suggest to make that a regular thing. You know, meet at Rangeman, it's secure and not within public earshot. You're absolutely right, we were all impressed the first time when we went over those FTAs. She surprised us with her knowledge and insight. Stephanie gave us so much more information from the get go than we would have had even after our research."
"I like how she thinks," I continued, "and look at how she worked so easily with us that first time. She barely knew us. She is not just a divergent or convergent thinker, she has mastered lateral thinking strategies in a way we don't. She thinks outside the box yet she uses logic and critical thinking as well as creative ideas. I reckon we need her expertise."
"Yeah. As a sweetener, in return, we could offer her support in the form of a regular partner." Lester added. "Or range time. You know."
"To be honest, ultimately, I would like to offer her a position here, at Rangeman. Think about it. We would seriously benefit … mutually."
"Hooah!"
We finished off with general business. I let Tank run with that. My mind was elsewhere, again. Again, with the paper wads! What the hell?! Laughter. They were already up and on the move. It seems the meeting is over.
"You didn't hear a word, Bossman."
I tried to recap but I was lost and looked a bit sheepish and grinned. Shaking my head, I just shrugged my shoulders.
"Call her, man. Just talk to her." Lester was insistent. I nodded since I already had my cellphone in my hand. They left me to it, Bobby closing the door quietly with a sly grin and giving me the thumbs up."
I pressed speed dial one. Yeah. Go figure. Tank was now number two.
She answered almost immediately.
"Hey, Babe. Are you free to talk?"
oOoOo
TBC
Sweet reminiscences from our lovesick Ranger.
Stephanie's POV next chapter.
Loving the great reviews.