Chapter 29

RPOV

I woke at my normal time of 0500 hrs realizing that Steph had had a peaceful night's sleep. I wasn't going to move from where I was, it had been my routine for years to do a workout early in the morning but since Steph had been with me it was the least that I could do to be with her when she woke up. I loved spending time watching her as she slept, it helped me to relax and think, get things into perspective.

As I lay there the events from the last mission came over me. I'd never really had a chance to go through the whole thing in my mind before now. I'd been away for months trying to complete that mission and even though the outcome was what my handler had wanted I'd come home with an uneasy feeling. Something had felt off and incomplete which had made me question even more why the fuck I was still doing these missions. Six months and I'd be out, which had me wondering what the hell Mr Plum, Frank, had meant by what he'd said to me.

My attention was drawn to movement by my side and I smiled as Steph began to move slightly, almost as though she were stretching out her muscles. I watched as her eyelids began to open and made sure I was in her line of sight as those beautiful blue eyes looked at me. I smiled watching her face light up and gently pulled her body to mine and brushed my lips over hers. I didn't want to take it any further until Bobby had given her the all clear

"Morning Babe"

"Morning. I think I slept better"

"You did. What do you want to do today?"

I was hoping that she'd stay in the building today, maybe do some research on the names that we had.

"I'll do a background on Sarah and on her father"

"That would be good, the more you know the better prepared you are"

I slowly unraveled myself from her and walked over to the bathroom door. I could feel her watching me and turned as I reached the door to see her eyes following me. I watched as she turned away, a blush creeping up her cheeks, making me love that she felt that way about me.

Once dressed I started the coffee machine, going through in my head what I needed to do today. That Steph was going to stay in the building made it easier for me, I could actually get caught up on some paperwork, not that I enjoyed it, but it was a necessity of being the CEO of a successful business. I needed to remember to talk with Tank though about his thoughts on how we'd been tailed after we'd left Trenton. There was also finding out about how rumors of Steph had got out as it was still something that was worrying me. I also needed to catch up as to how Seb and Nate had made out at the club.

All that I was waiting for was the information from Leo and then maybe we could move forward on that. Too many things to think about but as I watched Steph walk into the room, I knew they were all worth-while and I'd do anything to make sure that she was safe. I poured out some coffee into a mug and handed it to her, watching as she added some milk but pleased that the amount of sugar was less than normal.

"Thanks, are you working in the building today?"

"Yes, paperwork that needs doing"

"I'm sorry Ranger, you've spent so much time with me that you haven't had a chance to do your work"

"Babe, you are my priority and always will be"

I knew she would feel guilty when I said it, but I had a reply that I hoped would assuage that feeling for her.

"Besides you're going to be doing those searches aren't you?"

"Yes. I'm not sure if Cassie is coming today, do you know?"

I shook my head in response because I had no idea if she even knew we were back in Trenton. Maybe I needed to talk with Santos and ask him how things had gone once they'd got to Atlanta.

I watched as Steph helped herself to some cereal, surprised when I saw that it was granola, she added some of the cut fruit that Ella had left and topped the lot off with yoghurt. I decided to try the same combination and was pleasantly surprised.

"This tastes good Babe"

"Ella suggested that I might like it"

"How are you feeling this morning?"

"Good. My ribs aren't hurting so I must be on the mend"

"I've had Hector set up somewhere for you to work in my office"

I wasn't disappointed when I heard her response. She was probably the only person that I knew that would think of someone else's needs before her own.

"Why would you do that, what happens if you need a private conversation?"

"Then I'll use the small conference room"

I could tell that Steph wasn't too sure about what I'd suggested but I was sure once there she'd appreciate it. I thought that her being on five amongst the men and feeling like she was doing something would help her. Okay, I was also being selfish because I'd have her close to me.

As we exited the elevator my men seemed to appear out of the woodwork, all of them wanting to touch her, talk to her as though they were making sure that she really was here amongst them. In the end I had to place an arm over her shoulder and guide her into my office.

The reunion was taking its toll on her as seen from the tears in her eyes. I closed the door behind us and pulled her close to me, relishing the smell of her hair as my face sank into it. I didn't say anything, I didn't feel that I needed to, she'd know that I was there for her. I felt her taking deep breaths before she pulled away from me and looked up into my face.

"Thank you"

"What for?"

"Knowing what I needed"

I turned her to show her the desk that had been brought in along with a new leather chair and laptop.

"I thought a laptop would be better for you, that way if you want to you can use the couch as well"

I watched as she turned to look at the couch and internally thanked Ella for providing some cushions and a throw to go on it.

"That way if you feel tired you can always take a nap"

And I can still watch over you while you sleep. She smiled as she pulled out the chair and started to touch and move things around on the desk. By the time she'd finished everything was, in my mind, chaotically arranged on the desk. From the way she turned and looked at me I was sure she'd done it on purpose.

I left her to open up the laptop and went to sit behind my desk. My inbox seemed full, so I started to take out the papers and read through what needed my attention. After signing off four new clients I knew I needed a break so standing I walked quietly behind Steph and kissed her gently on the neck.

"Make some noise"

Came as I felt her body react, though I could see that she was concentrating on the screen in front of her.

"The laptop is connected wirelessly to the printer on my desk if you want to print anything out"

"Okay"

"I'm going next door to talk to Tank"

"Okay"

I left my office and went next door to Tank's office. Seeing as his door was open, I walked in and closed the door behind me. Sitting I waited for Tank to finish whatever he was doing on his computer.

"How's Steph doing?"

"Good, she seems more solid as though remembering everything eased some of the anxiety she was feeling"

'Hell Ranger, that video. No wonder she behaved as she did. I've seen soldiers come back from less than that and fall to pieces"

"She's stronger than you think Tank"

"Yeah, like a warrior"

I was surprised at the phrase he used because that had been a word that I had used to describe her as well.

"Tank, those people following us, any ideas?"

"No. And it's really pissing me off. They weren't there when you left Trenton or at that damn motel"

In my mind I remembered that it was after we'd stopped for gas and a bite to eat.

"No, they picked us up a long time after that. What are you thinking Tank?"

"Probably the same as you"

I looked at Tank wondering whether he would continue to give me a name, raising an eyebrow to get him to say it first.

"Cassandra Morrison"

I was pleased that Tank was thinking along the same lines as me though to be honest the idea of her betraying us just didn't sit right.

"Too much of a coincidence. Has Santos said anything?"

"No. Come to think of it he's being awfully quiet since he got back"

"I'll talk to him today. How did Seb and Nate get on?"

"They got in, but it's early days yet. They need a few visits to establish themselves"

"Are they at one of the safe houses?"

"Yeah, their cover's solid"

I waited to continue the conversation as Tanks phone started to ring and he lifted up the receiver. He seemed to listen to whoever was on the other end and then placed his hand over the receiver.

"Reception. Seems Morelli's here again"

I watched as Tank's eyes went to the door and as it opened saw Steph stood there.

"Sorry, your phone was ringing so I answered, reception said they needed to talk to you Ranger"

I looked back at Tank as I heard him chuckle softly to himself. The decision I had to make was whether to tell Steph that Morelli was here. It didn't take long for me to make up my mind, I had kept things from Steph in the past and those things had a habit of surfacing later, usually for Steph to find out about.

"Babe, Morelli is downstairs"

She walked up behind me and placed her hands on my shoulders.

"What does he want?"

Good question, so I looked at Tank to find out.

"Ask him what he wants"

A moment later Tank was again holding his hand over the receiver.

"He wants to talk to Steph"

I caught hold of Steph's hand and pulled her around my chair and down onto my knee.

"Babe, what do you want to do?"

"Has he called here before?"

"Yes he has, Little Girl"

"Maybe it's time to set him straight then"

I smiled at how Steph was wanting to face things but still felt that she would need some support. As far as Morelli was concerned, I was still annoyed at him for his treatment of Steph when she was a teenager and more recently as an adult.

"How do you want to do it Babe?"

"Not on my own"

I wasn't going to let that happen anyway so was going through in my head the best way of dealing with Morelli whilst Steph maintained control of their meeting.

"How about using the large conference room behind reception. If you are already there and there is someone with you, he won't get a chance to get close to you"

I watched her face as she thought that through hoping that she would agree with my suggestion but also hoping that she'd want me there with her.

"Okay. But will you please be there with me"

I kissed on her forehead as I agreed with that, internally relieved at her asking.

"Tank tell him ten minutes and then you can escort him to conference room 2"

"You want me to put him through a proper welcoming procedure?"

I smiled at that, knowing exactly what Tank was planning to do, then stood up taking Steph with me and placing her on her feet.

"You ready to go down Babe?"

"As ready as I'll ever be"

Once in the elevator I stood behind Steph and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her to my body. Exactly where I wanted her to be. As I looked at our reflection in the metal doors I smiled as I realized what Morelli would be seeing when he walked into that conference room. Steph had obviously decided that seeing as she would be working all day here at Rangeman that she would wear her Rangeman uniform. That was sure to piss off Morelli. I lowered my mouth and gently started to kiss her neck from under her ear to her collarbone. I wasn't immune to the shiver that went through her body and felt myself reacting to her. I was relieved as we reached the ground floor willing myself to calm my body down before exiting.

Once in the conference room I led Steph to a seat at the far end of the table and sat down next to her. I wouldn't allow Morelli anywhere near her and if necessary, would use force to do that. He wouldn't have the skills to outmaneuver me even if he thought he was skilled as a policeman. I was pleased when I felt Steph take hold of my hand and hold it on her knee. She was feeling anxious so needed that physical contact. I felt her tense as the door opened and Morelli walked into the room, well strutted in really, and he looked annoyed. I felt Steph's hand tighten around mine knowing that she sensed his anger.