"Get out."

"Babe…."

"I said get out!"

Ranger didn't move.

"I did what I felt was in your best interest…"

With that, I flung the door of the Porsche open, jumped out, and began walking away from the gas station. I was at least a mile from my parents' house and a couple miles from my apartment, so I headed toward my parents' since it was closer. I could borrow Big Blue.

I heard the Porsche alarm chirp, followed by Ranger's uneven footfalls behind me.

"Babe, wait," he begged.

"You're a controlling, manipulative asshole. I quit!" I shouted over my shoulder.

"You'll have to take that up with your boss," Ranger said, closing the distance between us.

I picked up my pace, and his quickened, too.

"Please let me go!" I begged, turning to face him with tears streaming down my face.

"I can't do that," he said, sadness in his eyes. "I can't let you walk away from me. I love you."

"Why him?" I sobbed. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"I wasn't doing this 'to you'… I was doing this for you," Ranger admitted. "Your safety is my number one priority. If I can't be with you all the time, I can't keep you safe. I need someone who will."

"And Morelli is that someone?"

Ranger nodded.

"If he can't be a cop, how can he do this job?"

"Let me determine his abilities," Ranger said, sounding irritated. "He's undergone extensive physical therapy since he sustained his injuries, and today he underwent a thorough examination for Rangeman to determine his abilities and areas of concern. We will address them with additional training and therapy. He is a lot more capable than you give him credit for. Like you said, you've still got a lot of work to do with Ximena. And when that comes to an end, you will be safe to do what you want."

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.

"I am so mad at you," I huffed. "And I can't believe he took your pity job."

"It took some convincing. And Babe, it's not a pity job."

I rolled my eyes. "So that's what you had to talk to him about the other day."

Ranger nodded. "He has knowledge and skills that I can't teach. They come with years of experience. He has valuable connections. We may not be friends, but we have professional respect. And he knows you better than anyone—even better than me," Ranger said, sounding almost sad. "He cares for you, and he won't let anything happen to you on his watch."

"What about him?" I asked. "I'm a bumbling idiot. I'm not much of a partner for him."

"Again, let me be the judge of that."

"And you trust me with him? What if I sleep with him?" I asked angrily.

Ranger put on his blank face. "I trust you."

I put my hands on my hips and raised an eyebrow.

"If that's what you want, do it. I want you to be happy. If I don't make you happy, you deserve to be with someone who does."

When I failed to respond, Ranger held his arms out to me. A small part of me wanted to claw his eyes out, but most of me was too emotionally exhausted and still deeply in love with him in spite of his overprotective, opportunistic ways. I was struggling to believe that he just gave me his blessing to leave him for Joe if it would make me happy. He was a good man, and I wasn't sure I deserved his unconditional love… even if it occasionally came at the price of my sanity or perceived independence. I collapsed into Ranger's arms, and he pulled me into the safety of his embrace. I let out a few more pathetic sobs before quieting.

"Are you going to be alright?" Ranger asked.

"I'm always alright," I said into his neck.

Ranger pulled back and looked intently at me, searching my eyes for something.

"You don't always have to try to be tough, especially with me. It concerns me. You're one of the most resilient people I know. You don't have anything to prove."

"I love you," I whispered, nuzzling into his neck.

"Let's get you home. Come on," Ranger said, wrapping his arm around my waist and leading me toward the Porsche. He led me over to the passenger side and opened the door.

"Don't I need to drive?" I asked, confused.

Ranger smirked. "I was cleared to drive today."

Ranger and I pulled into my apartment building's lot and saw that chaos had ensued. Several moving company trucks were parked with crews loading out boxes and furniture. Several rental moving trucks were in the lot too, leaving a limited number of spaces for parking.

"Oh my god," I whined, covering my eyes.

"It'll be okay," Ranger said, patting my thigh.

We parked at the back of the lot and trudged into the building. A large notice on orange paper had been posted on the inside and outside of the door, notifying tenants that the building was condemned and our rights. Sadness settled into the pit of my stomach as I watched my elderly neighbors' belongings being carried out of the apartment. The elevator was still out of service, so we climbed the stairs to the second floor. I unlocked my door, and Ranger and I entered carrying leftovers my mother had sent.

I took the leftovers to the kitchen and went to check on Rex. Ranger followed.

"Hi buddy," I said, tapping on the side of his aquarium.

There was rustling, and he peeked his head out of his soup can.

"Did you hear?" I asked. "We have to move."

Ranger stood behind me, wrapping an arm around my waist. He reached in to Rex's cage with the other and scratched between his ears.

I relaxed into Ranger and dropped a few peanuts into Rex's bowl. He scurried over to the bowl, shoved the peanuts into his cheek, and disappeared into his soup can.

"I know I should start packing, but it is too overwhelming. I'm not sure where to start."

Ranger kissed my neck, his five o'clock shadow rough against my skin.

"You don't have that much," Ranger said, "so that will make it easier. Is there anything you're planning to get rid of?"

I surveyed the kitchen, living room, and dining area. Almost everything I owned was second-hand from relatives who had either died or upgraded. None of it was worth paying to store.

"The couch and chair can go," I sighed. "I'm on the fence about the table and chairs. I hate to have to replace them later."

"Have you thought about renting another apartment?" Ranger asked.

It hadn't occurred to me that I could simply move into another apartment.

"No," I admitted. "I guess I'd hoped to move back in here when it's done."

"There are lots of available apartments in the greater Trenton area," Ranger said, rubbing his hand down my arm. "It might be a nice chance for you to upgrade since you don't know how long you'll be out of here. A week or two with your parents might be alright, but I can't see you lasting six or more months."

"Oh my god. Do you think it will take that long?" I asked.

"I don't know," Ranger said. "It's a big project if there is asbestos throughout the building. I expect they'll make other updates with the building empty so they can modernize the place."

"I don't have much time to find a place if I go that route."

"Sleep on it," Ranger suggested. "We can see what's available in the newspaper in the morning. Do you want to tackle some of this tonight or work on it tomorrow?"

"I should start packing, but I don't have any boxes. Or tape or bubble wrap or whatever."

Ranger removed his cell phone from his pocket and tapped something into it.

"Boxes will arrive shortly. What can we do before then?"

"Um… Clothes?" I half asked, half answered.

I grabbed some garbage bags from under my sink and carted them off to the bedroom with Ranger on my heels. I dug my suitcase and a duffel bag out from under my bed.

"How can I help?" Ranger asked.

"Um…. Hold the bag, please," I said, handing him a garbage bag.

He stood holding the bag while I shoveled my out-of-season winter clothes, coats, and boots into it. I filled the suitcase and duffel bag with shoes, clothes, jackets, and undergarments I'd need until I settled in somewhere more permanent, then dumped the rest of the clothes I rarely wore into another garbage bag.

"I know you're not wanting to move in right now," Ranger said, "but will you stay with me tonight at my place?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"I wasn't sure if we were okay."

"We're okay," I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. We kissed, his lips sending electric tendrils from my lips to my toes and touching all the good places in between. "I'm sorry if I was unbearable today."

"Babe, I was unbearable today. I have control issues. And a lot to talk to my therapist about."

He ran his warm hands under my shirt and up my back, causing me to shiver. He planted a delicate row of kisses from my shoulder, up my neck to my ear. He took my earlobe between his lips and sucked gently, sending shivers and another ripple of pleasure through my body.

I dug my fingertips into his shirt and moaned, grinding my hips into his. I felt his erection straining against his pants. I pushed him back toward the bed, and he shuffled backward until he felt the bed behind his knees. He laid on the bed, his eyes dilated totally black.

I stood between his knees, kicked off my shoes, and removed my blouse and skirt so I was clad in only black, lacy undergarments. I took the hem of Ranger's shirt and began pushing it up his torso, leaving a trail of kisses from his naval to his neck. He pulled the elastic from my hair, allowing it to fly wildly around my face. Ranger's abs were hard and defined, and his mocha latte skin was smooth except for the pink scars, remnants from our time together in Atlanta. He propped himself up enough to help me get his shirt over his head, then he laid back again, content to let me take the lead.

I climbed onto his body, careful to avoid his leg injury, and straddled his hips. Our lips connected, and I went breathless. He placed his palms on my butt and pulled me to him, grinding into me and expelling air. I moaned into his mouth.

A knock sounded from my front door, and I let out an exasperated sigh.

"Boxes," Ranger said, placing a gentle kiss on my neck. I rolled off impatiently, and he went to answer the door. He was back a few moments later, ripping his pants off.

"Back so soon?" I joked.

"Babe," he said, pouncing on me and ripping off my bra. "I want you."

Ranger held me in his arms in the bed as the last hints of daylight faded behind the curtains. His skin was warm against mine, and his lips lingered on my temple, placing soft kisses. I would have been content to stay here forever—satisfied, safe, and comfortable.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Ranger, tracing his fingertips down my arm.

"You," I admitted sheepishly.

"Me, huh?"

"Trying to decide how to dispose of your body after I kill you."

Ranger let out a bark of laughter, and I play-punched him in the side.

"No, really," he said, playfully pinning me to the bed.

My heart began to race with his weight pressing into me.

"Were you serious that you want me to live with you?" I asked incredulously.

"I wouldn't joke about something like that," Ranger said, his face deadly serious.

"What if I said I'd be willing to try it on a trial basis until I can figure something else out?" I asked cautiously. "Hypothetically, I mean."

"Hypothetically, I'd be honored that you were willing to make a home with me."

I worried my bottom lip between my teeth.

Ranger's lips connected with mine, and the anxiety I'd felt seconds prior melted away into ooey gooey feelings about Ranger.

"I don't think I can do weeks or months with my parents," I admitted, panting.

"Don't," Ranger said, rolling over me. He placed a warm, strong hand on my cheek and our lips connected, sending ripples of pleasure coursing through my body. "Stay with me."

He kissed down my neck and chest to my naval, then continued kissing south until…. Oh my god.

By 10:30 pm, Ranger and I were walking zombies. We'd managed to pack up most of the kitchen, living room, and bedroom, leaving only large furniture, my office stuff in the dining area, and the bathroom. Having very little stuff had its advantages.

"I'll send some men over tomorrow in SUVs to load this out with you," Ranger said, picking up my duffel bag and suitcase. "We have some room you can store it at Rangeman. Let's roll."

I locked up, and we stumbled out of the apartment building to the car.

Ranger drove home on autopilot, with shadows of exhaustion under his eyes. I was barely able to keep my eyes open, fighting sleep the entire way. We parked in the garage and took the elevator to his apartment, where we stumbled in, dropped the bags, changed our clothes, and collapsed into his bed for a dreamless, exhausted sleep.

I woke to the smell of brewing coffee, the sound of the shower, and the gentle glow of light from Ranger's study. I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the bedside clock. 7:18 AM.

I crept out of bed and wandered into the bathroom.

"Morning," I greeted sleepily, smearing toothpaste on my toothbrush.

Ranger was rinsing off in the shower, the scent of his shower gel filling the steamy room.

"I tried to let you sleep," Ranger said. "Sorry I woke you."

"No, you're fine," I said through the toothbrush. "I needed to get up anyway for work. I don't want to be late for my second day."

"Short commute," Ranger said dryly.

"Did you get any sleep?" I asked him.

"Some," he said, his tone unconvincing.

"What's on the agenda for today?" I asked, shucking Ranger's t-shirt I'd slept in.

"I've got appointments and work to do here. Lester is with you today. Manuel and Carl are planning to help load out your apartment today whenever you're ready."

I climbed into the shower with Ranger and stepped into the hot water, wetting my hair. Ranger lathered my body with his Bulgari green shower gel, and I shampooed my hair.

"What sort of torture is in store for today?" I asked.

"Range time at nine," Ranger said. "Think of it as practice, not torture."

I grimaced.

"Guns wouldn't be so bad if they didn't go 'bang' and kill people."

"Babe."

I was at my desk by 8:00 AM dressed in typical Rangeman uniform of black shirt, black cargo pants, and black boots. I checked my inbox and found an e-mail from Ximena thanking me for helping her get ahead with 'busy-work' and giving me additional tasks for the week as time allowed. None of it seemed super high priority, so I opted to pull out some bond files for my day with Lester.

I scanned Dickie's file and found nothing of particular interest. He had moved since I'd last seen him, but that didn't mean anything. I figured Lester and I could run by his place in the Burg later, and if I mooched lunch off my mom, I might be able to ask about any recent gossip about Dickie. I'd have to ask Connie, too.

I pulled two other files that I figured should be easy to clear—Leo Zacharias and Fran Gilmer.

Leo Zacharias was eighty-three years old and a resident of the Burg. He was a low bond, arrested for assault at All-Day Diner. According to Connie's narrative in the file, the waitress at the All-Day Diner had brought Leo's wife, Garnetta, a slice of apple pie. The problem was, Garnetta had ordered a slice of peach pie a la mode. When the waitress was asked to correct the order, she gave Leo some sass. He responded by cracking her over the head with his HurryCane, knocking her unconscious and resulting in a concussion. He had failed to appear for court, and I hadn't had time to mess with him since it had been a low bond. I figured Lester could help me clear this one quickly and without a fuss.

Fran Gilmer was seventy-one and a widower. He lived in a retirement apartment in North Trenton and worked part time in the public library. He had been arrested for driving without a license while commuting to work, and according to his file, this was not his first offense.

My phone rang at fifteen to nine, and I saw it was my mother.

"Hi mom, how's it going?"

"Good morning, Stephanie. It's a sad morning."

"Oh no. What's wrong?"

"Mabel Markowitz passed away," my mom said, her voice thick with sadness.

Mabel lived in the other half of my parents' duplex. She was at least ninety years old and had been a widow for a lot of years, so she'd spent her time cleaning and baking an endless string of coffeecakes. Mabel had outlived her retirement savings and her children, but she managed to get by on social security and had a close relationship with her granddaughter, Evelyn, and her great-granddaughter, Annie. We would often see them visiting her next door.

"Oh my god, that's so sad," I responded. I hadn't been particularly close with Mrs. Markowitz, but I'd known her for a bunch of years. She had been a staple of my parents' neighborhood. It was hard to believe she was gone.

"Evelyn was over this morning. She said she expects the viewing to be Thursday night with a funeral on Friday. I thought you'd want to know."

"Thanks, mom. I'll plan to come."

We exchanged a few more pleasantries before disconnecting. I locked my computer and began stuffing files in my bag when I heard Lester at my door.

"Mornin', Beautiful," he greeted.

"Hey," I greeted in response. "I didn't figure I'd see you until after range time."

"Well, you're in luck," he said, leaning against the door frame. "I'm your range instructor."

I rolled my eyes. "You have got to be kidding."

Lester waggled his eyebrows like only he could do. "Are you disappointed?"

"No, I guess not," I said, slinging my messenger bag over my shoulder and loading my gun in my open-carry holster. "I'm not sure who I expected."

"Let's do this," he said, hitting the lights to my office.

We took the elevator to the building's basement, where I had never been before. It had an unfinished feel with concrete walls and floors and metal fire doors off a single hallway. Lester punched a code into a keypad on an unmarked door and swung the door open, ushering me in. I crossed into the range and came face-to-face with Joe Morelli.