Disclaimer: These characters don't belong to me I'm just having fun with them. I'll return all of them although I would love to keep Ranger for myself.

I just want to say to all my wonderful reviewers thank you for your reviews.

We're going to do something different in this Chapter. I'm including a POV from one of my OC merry men. I think everyone will thoroughly enjoy his character Hope you enjoy.

I'm republishing this chapter as I found a few mistakes along with some being pointed out to me.

Chapter 7

Dinner, Dancing, and a Discovery

Joe POV:

That fucking bitch. She fucking shot me. Here I am trying to save my Cupcake from making the biggest mistake of her life and she's being an ungrateful bitch. Manoso was just using her as a bed warmer.

He only married her so that she wouldn't run around and sleep with other men, like she did with me. Multiple sources told me he was running around and fucking all kinds of women, prostitutes, druggies, and even married women. Manoso was a piece of shit and Cupcake was a naïve bitch. She couldn't see what was right in front of her and if she did she was ignoring it living in Denial land. She didn't see him as the thug and mercenary he was. Word on the street was that he had in's with all the gangs and he used those to his advantage. He made sure drug and gun shipments made it safely across the border along. He also sent his men to guard human trafficker's so that their shipments could get to their destination safely. Ranger Manoso was a drug smuggling, human trafficking, woman stealing asshole.

Cupcake didn't know that one of the women I had been fucking while we were together worked for her Obstetrician. She had called me and told me when Cupcake had scheduled a appointment. It seemed like Manoso was trying to get her pregnant to make her stay with him she hadn't been with him for very long and Cupcake never wanted to get married or have kids. If anybody I should know. I was with her for years. She refused to marry me, ME the Italian Stallion, the Burg golden boy. My contact within Rangeman wasn't doing me any good. Didn't know shit. It was my mistake to get a man inside so late in the game. He was still on probation and wasn't privy to allot of shit, including Manoso's and Cupcake's schedules.

I had a few men backing me up, parked down the street was a police car. Two officers sat inside of it waiting for my signal. I waited out of sight for Cupcake and Manoso to come out. When they did they were talking, he kissed the back of her hand and she smiled at him. Which pissed me off to no end. How dare he put his mouth and hands on my woman! And my Cupcake let him do it. He had her so brained washed. I knew she didn't love him. She loved me.

I came out of the bushes. I fired off a round hitting Manoso. He fired and two of his rounds caught me in the vest. I watched as Cupcake picked up his gun as he fell and fired at me. This time I fell back from the force of the blows to the vest. I hit the ground with a thud but went to raise my gun. It was kicked from my hand. I glared up to see a mountain of a man.

I was hauled up by Tank. I saw Cupcake crying over Manoso's body. He slammed me against the SUV. "Your a dead man." He spat at me.

"Fuck you asshole." I said. I hit the button on my side. It alerted the dirty cops sitting around the corner. I watched as another Black Rangeman SUV slid to a stop in the parking lot at the same time as the ambulance. Lester and Ram came towards me at the same time the cop car slid to a stop.

"Fuck." Tank swore. He knew he had to hand me over to the cops. I smiled to myself. Although I wasn't afraid of what any of the men that Ranger employed would do I still didn't want to be in their hands without having backup. I watched as the next cop car that pulled in, Big Dog and Carl got out.

"We'll take him." Big Dog said. Fuck I said to myself. I put on my cop face as they shoved me into the back of their squad car. My head hit the door and I landed awkwardly on my hands, the cuffs digging in.

"You fucked up good and proper this time Morelli." Carl said from the front seat.

"If Steph or Ranger get their hands on him it won't be pretty."

I chuckled. "Cupcake won't do shit to me." I said. "Manoso is pussy whipped."

"Shut the fuck up Morelli." Big Dog, growled.

When we got to the station I was shoved into a wall, cuffed to the bench in the holding area. Every time a cop walked by I was kicked or my foot was stomped on. When I was finally processed I was shoved into the drunk tank.

The Latino's sat on one of the benches. They were staring me down. "You Morelli?" One of them asked. He had three tear stains tattooed next to his eye.

"What's it matter to you?" I asked.

He grinned. Two of his teeth were capped with gold. "Hector gives his regards." He said as the three of them stood.

Steph POV:

Today was the day that hopefully Carlos got release for full duty. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and I love spending time with him but he is aggravating as hell whenever he was on restricted duty. He didn't want to sit still, he wanted to try and work even though he wasn't allowed. He refused to take his medication and acted like a petulant child. I knew he didn't like to sit still, he needed something to do and occupy his mind but when he didn't have anything to do he was tense and short.

He had spent the whole time be a grumpy asshole. He had me, Ella, Tank, and most of the men in a bad mood when it came to him. I sat in my office with Rage going over files when Carlos walked in.

"They cleared me for light duty babe. I can start physical activity." He said grinning at me.

"Okay Carlos." I said. "I'm sure you've got plenty to catch up on."

He frowned. He glanced at Rage who stood and walked from the room, closing the door behind him. "Are you alright babe?" He asked.

"I'm peachy Carlos." I said standing. I walked past him and tossed the files onto my desk.

"Babe?" He asked I turned to look at him. He looked confused as hell.

I sighed. "I'm sorry baby. I'm really happy you got cleared." I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him.

"What's got you stressed?" He asked.

"Do you want me to be honest?" I asked him.

"Always babe." He said.

"This is going to sound horrible. Your a fucking grump when your on restrictive duty. You pissed off allot of people. You were an ass especially to me Carlos." I said.

He pulled me closer. "I'm sorry babe. I know. I'm an ass when I can't burn my extra energy. Went it gets all pent up and I have nothing to do I know I get to be an ass. Will you let me make it up to you?"

"How do you plan on doing that?" I asked him standing on my toes to brush my lips across his. He cupped my ass in his hands and pulled me tight against him.

"How about tonight we go to dinner and maybe dancing?"

I smiled. "Where?"

"I've got a couple restaurants and clubs in mind."

"Any I know?"

"How about the new Cuban place and Caliente?" He asked. I smiled.

"Sure, sounds like a plan." I said. He squeezed my ass and kissed me again.

"We'll leave at Seven?" He asked. I nodded and smiled.

He left after another deep kiss and Rage came back in. Rage grinned at me. "Someone's got a date tonight." He said. I rolled my eyes.

"Come on. We've got people to talk to, skips to catch and meetings to make." I said. He shook his head but snapped on his utility belt.

I slid into the drivers seat and Rage claimed the passengers. He looked at me. "So..." He said.

"What do you want to know?"

"You and the boss are trying to have a baby?" He asked. I sent him a look.

"How the hell did you hear about that?" I asked.

"I didn't. I figured it out. You and the boss have been asking different and well Morelli attacked you two at an obstetrician's office."

"How do you know it wasn't a normal appointment?"

"Come on. Do you really think Ranger would go with you for a routine appointment?" He asked. I rolled my eyes.

He laughed. Rage was a very handsome man. He had black hair that he wore long like Carlos's accept it was braided. Rage was Cherokee and honestly scary as hell, which is why I think Carlos let me partner with him. His eyes were brown almost black. His features were anglo with high cheek bones. He stood at six foot he was lean not bulky but could bench as much as Cal. He was as deadly with a gun as he was with a knife, although a knife was his weapon of choice but he once told me he was more at home with a tomahawk. Carlos wouldn't let him carry one on duty.

"You can't tell anyone." I said. "Only Tank knows."

He nodded. "Your secret is safe with me bomber." He said.

XXXXXX

Carlos walked into the closet as I finished strapping on my shoes. I did a full turn for him and watched his eyes darken. Tonight I was wearing black dress, it was a backless halter top dress that shimmered. It hit about midthigh. I had strapped on a pair of four inch black peep toe FMP's.

"You look ravishing babe." He said taking my hand and pulling me too him. He wore a pair of black slacks and a red silk shirt that he had left the top buttons open revealing a few inches of mocha latte chest. God he was so hot.

He kissed me, claiming my lips. I pulled back. "We better leave now before we never leave." I said. He smiled. He drug his thumb across my bottom lip and grinned.

"Smudge proof lipstick." He said.

"I got smart. Instead of having to fix my makeup a hundred times in one night I just have to do it a few."

He shook his head and we walked out the door, taking the turbo to the restaurant. Carlos nuzzled my neck as we were seated refusing to move to the other side of the table.

Both of us had order Ropa Veija. It was Carlos's favorite when his mother cooked it. This wasn't as good as Maria's but it was close. Carlos kissed me when we finished and ordered me a slice of tres leches and two coffees.

"We could skip dancing." He said against my lips. I laughed softly.

"I'm considering it." I said kissing him again.

The waiter brought my dessert which Carlos proceeded to feed me. His phone rang and I sighed. "Answer it." I said.

"Babe..."

"Carlos you own a multi million dollar company that spans over multiple states. I know that sometimes we're going to be interrupted." I said. I kissed him again. "I understand and I didn't come into this marriage expecting you to change."

"Yo'." He said answering. I could hear Tank's voice on the other end.

Carlos smiled and then it faded to a look of anger. "We'll be there in Twenty." He said. I watched as he threw a few hundreds on the table. I was already standing and taking his hand.

Once we were in the turbo and on the street I turned to him. "What going on Carlos?"

"Hector had a few of his friends in the county jail have a discussion with Morelli."

"Okay..." I said.

"He said that he has cops working for him and someone inside Rangeman." He said.

I let out a breath. "Okay. I'll start running searches and diving into everyone's life's. Have anything to narrow down the search?"

"A new hire." He said glancing at me.

"Carlos it's not Rage." I said.

"How do you know babe?"

"I just know Carlos. My Spidey sense. It can't be him." I said.

"Are you sure babe?"

I glared at him. "Carlos weren't you the one that told me a partnership wouldn't work without trust." I said shortly. He sighed but nodded.

"I'll run a search on him tonight when we get home. If he's clear I want him brought in. This isn't a conversation we're having as husband and wife, this is a conversation we're having as business partners." I said.

He grinned. "I love when you get fired up babe."

I shook my head but smiled. When we got to Rangeman I changed from my dress and heels to a pair of sweats and Carlos's T-shirt. I sat at the table in the kitchen on my laptop. I had sent Carlos to bed, after we had gotten home.

I had no idea what time it was but I knew my eyes were burning from lack of sleep and the screen. I felt two hands glide along my shoulders and then a gentle kiss to the top of my head. "You should come to bed babe." He said.

"I'm almost finished." I said.

"You'll be able to view it in the morning."

"I can't sleep without answers Carlos." I said. "I've trusted him with my life for over a year. I don't think its him but I have to know."

He started to massage my shoulders and knead the knots out. I moaned and arched my back. It felt so good. The computer dinged. I sat up and started pouring over the PDF. Carlos sat at the table next to me.

When I was finished reading I smiled. "Rage is clear." I said. He kissed my temple.

"Let's get to bed Babe." He said. I nodded and shut the computer. He took my hand and pulled me to bed. We settled into one of our normal sleeping positions. I with my head on his chest, my leg thrown over him to tangle with his legs and his arms around me.

"Did you really think it was Rage?" I asked him.

"I didn't know babe. Now that I know for sure I know I can trust him to protect you." He said. "I never doubt your Spidey sense but I would rather be safe than sorry."

"I'm not blaming you. I was just wondering. I love you Carlos." I said starting to doze off.

"I love you too babe."

XXXXXX

I woke up to Carlos kissing me softly. "Wake up babe." He said softly against my lips.

"I don't want to." I said. He grinned.

"Let's go for a run." He said.

"Outside?"

"Yes."

I groaned but sat up. He kissed me softly. "Let's get dressed babe."

We did a five mile run. 2.5 miles one way and 2.5 back. Carlos smiled at me as I stumbled into our apartment. I usually hit the gym a few times a week and usually hit the treadmill but I never ran at the pace we did when we went running outside.

"Let's go take a shower." He said.

I smiled and he tugged me into the bathroom. I knew was Carlos wanted to do in that shower so I followed him obediently. He started the water and got it to temperature before striping me out of my clothes. He stripped of his shorts and muscle shirt. He pushed me into the shower and joined me wrapping me in his arms and kissing me. His hands roamed and he put his hands on my thighs to lift me. He wrapped my legs around his waist with his hard erection pressed against my ass. He claimed my lips again before allowing his hands to roam.

"Carlos." I moaned making him chuckle. One of his hands was at my breast teasing, pinching, and pulling. He kissed down my neck before tracing my nipple with his tongue and pulled it into his mouth. He nipped at the pebbled peek and I tangled one of my hands in his hair arching my chest to get more. I drug my nails over his shoulder causing him to growl and switch breast. His other hand had roamed down to my clit and gently started strumming it to make me arch my hips against him. I pressed against his stomach.

"Carlos, I need you inside me now." I moaned as he came up to kissed me again. He kissed down my neck and sucked the skin in the place where my neck met my shoulder. When he pulled back I knew it was angry and red, but I didn't care.

"I swear to god..." Before I could complete my sentence he thrust into me making me scream. He settled his forehead into the curve of my neck, him panting me shivering from the feel of having him in me. He grinned against my neck as his hands came to rest on my hips.

"I'll never get tired of the feeling of you." He said in my ear.

"Feeling is mutual." I said.

Rage POV:

The boss had called me into his office, Tank, Les, Bobby and Hector were already waiting. Ranger and Bomber still hadn't shown up, they weren't late yet but they were cutting it close. We all sat in silence. I tried to figure out what had gotten me a meeting with the whole core team. I had been partnered with Bomber for almost a year now and had managed to keep her relatively safe. I had become her permanent after she picked me but it had became indefinite when Les had went with her and her car exploded. Up until then It had been a year since she had blown up a car. As the boss put it, besides him I was the only person that had been able to keep her relatively safe.

I had grown up in Oklahoma. I grew up on a reservation. Although my mother was a descendent of the chiefs and I was too, I didn't want that life. Instead I went with the only option I could possibly choose. I joined the US Army. You must think this is a joke, why the hell would I do that. I wanted to see the world. I didn't want to be stuck on the reservation my whole life. I didn't talk to my family. They wanted nothing to do with me since I left.

I still was committed to the traditions of my culture. The men I had served with were my family. I had met Ranger in Ranger School, back then he was Ric. I was second only to him, excelling at everything but always coming in second to him and only him. I believed that was one of the determining factors for me being Bomber's partner other than the fact she had refused anyone else. Ranger knew my favorite weapon was a tomahawk or bow as I grew up using but he knew I had no problems using a knife or a gun. Which is that I carried on a daily basis. Besides that I carried a small Blowgun, not the traditional one made of hollowed out River Cane. The one I carried was 12 inches and made of aluminum alloy which made it easier to conceal on my person than my five foot River cane one.

I was brought out of my thoughts as Bomber and Ranger walked in. She looked at me and smiled. I had to smile at her. She was a light in all of our lives. She shut the door and took a seat next to Ranger. He had tried to pull her into his lap but she had shook her head, even at his disappointed look.

"We're here because there is a mole. He's working for Morelli." Ranger said. I felt my blood run cold.

"We need to figure out who it is. All we know is he is a new hire."

I watched as a few of the men in the room looked at me. "He's clean." Steph said.

I raised an eyebrow at her and she blushed and looked embarrassed. "I'm sorry Rage. When we found out last night, I didn't think it was you but I couldn't sleep until I made sure. I needed to know it wasn't you." She said. I nodded and let the corner of my mouth tip up into a smile.

"So we need to start checking all the new hires?" Tank said.

"Everyone hired or transferred to Rangeman Trenton in the past year." Steph said.

"This is going to be wonderful." Les groaned. Steph rolled her eyes.

"We also have another announcement. This is going to affect allot around here." Ranger said.

"Well spit it out." Bobby said. This got a glare from Ranger. I already knew and it seemed like Tank did also.

"Steph and I are trying to have a baby. We have decided that she will be on limited field duty. Rage you can be reassigned if you would like." Ranger said.

"No, I'll stick with Steph, even when she's on desk duty when she's pregnant." I said. This got a smile from Steph and a appreciative nod from Ranger.

"You mean to tell us there is going to be a little Bomber or Ranger running around here in a few months?" Les asked.

"I'm not pregnant yet." Steph said rolling her eyes.

"We need to start planning. We know any child of Bomber and Ranger's is going to be smart as hell, feisty, devilish and hard to contain." Bobby said. Steph made a objective noise.

"Any child of mine would be a complete Angel." She said. This caused all of the men to laugh, including her husband. He tugged her out of her chair and into his lap.

"Babe any child of ours is not going to be normal." He said. She shook her head.

"Alright, what's the game plan?" Les asked.

"Rage you and Babe will be running searches. Les I want you combing through the men's backgrounds. Bobby find leads that could potentially lead back to Joe. Tank and I will be doing most of the foot work. Talking to CI's that sort of thing."

All of the men nodded. "Let's get this done." Les said. Ranger shook his head and Steph giggled. She stood from Ranger's lap and kissed him.

"Let's get out of here Rage. We've got some shit to do this morning." She said.

"Remember this only stays between us for now." Ranger said. We all nodded and walked out. We walked next door to Steph's office.

"I'm really sorry Rage I had to dig into you." She said after shutting the door.

"It doesn't offend me. It would offend me if you didn't clear me before bringing me in on the investigation."
"I know but it feels like I betrayed your trust."

"Steph you didn't."

"Thank you for being such a great partner Rage." She said. I smiled.

"You can show your appreciation for me being such a good partner by letting me play with your kid when its born."

She smiled. "Deal."

Sorry it took me so long to publish this Chapter. I've been reading to much and not writing. My muse has also wanted to do other stories and not this one. I'm going to try and update more regularly I promise! RL has also gotten in the way but it is all in order now.

What do you think of Rage? I have to say I love his character. I wanted to give Stephanie a Badass partner and not pair her with one of the merry men we already know of. I think they would fight over being Steph's partner. There will be more character development for Rage in the next chapter. I should be posting the first chapter of the prequel story soon. I've scraped that so many times it's not even funny. I want to make it just perfect. I swear I'm working on it daily or at least trying.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and has read this story. Let me know what you think of this chapter, I'll be awaited your reviews.