Chapter 7

Stephanie's POV

I looked in the mirror as I put the finishing touches on my makeup. It had been three days since my meeting with Ranger and that rat bastard Lester. Of course, I didn't know just how much of a bastard Lester truly was until I'd gotten home and seen the condition Luci was in. I'd wanted to go back and string him up by his balls, but Luci had pleaded with me to just leave it. Her father was beyond furious, and she'd had to try to placate him so that Lester wouldn't be swimming in the ocean with his wrists slit while a bunch of hungry predators closed in for the kill.

With any luck, Ranger and his team would be leaving the day after tomorrow and little Rosa Marie would be back with her family very soon.

My eyes narrowed as I thought about the reason that Nico was here to see his uncle. How Alexander's grandniece had been kidnapped by the same group that had taken my own niece Angie when she was two. Of course, I hadn't known about any of this at the time of my meeting with Ranger. It was only when I'd called Alexander afterward that I'd learned what was going on.

Alexander believed the child had been taken as a bargaining chip to get him to cede certain territories to the people who took Rosa. He was stalling them until Ranger and his team could go in and get the little girl back.

I'd voiced my reservations, and Alexander had chuckledin that deep gravelly voice of his before telling me that this wasn't the first time Ranger had gone in to retrieve a child for him. I'd remained silent, knowing he would be more forthcoming if I waited him out, and sure enough, he'd given adeep sigh and said to remind him not to play poker with me. Alex had gone onto tell me that it was indeed Ranger Manoso and his team who had gone in and saved Angie ten years before.

A knock sounded on the door, andI tilted my head in that direction in time to see Luci peek her head around the door. "Nico's here. You ready?"

I gave one more glance at the mirror and nodded.

Luci grinned. "You don't look too happy. Something wrong with the dress?"

I grimaced. "No, what could be wrong with the dress, other than there isn't much of it? Between the slit up the side that won't allow a panty line and the deep vee in the front that makes wearing a bra impossible…"

Luci laughed. "You look great. Although I think it would look better if it wasn't black."

I looked once more at the black silk dress I was wearing. It was skin tight from the two pieces of fabric that went up from my waist to meet in a choker speckled with diamonds at my neck, exposing everything between my breasts down to my navel. There was no back to the dress. Lucky for me the weather has turned warm, or I'd freeze in the thing. The fabric clung to my hips, and then the skirt flared out due to the slit that went right up the side of my leg to the juncture where my leg bone met my hip bone. The overall effect showed way more skin than I was comfortable with, but that's what I got for leaving the choosing of the dress up to Luci because I was too distracted with work. I turned toward where she waswaiting and made my way over to her on the black, five-inch fuck-me pump sandals that I'd found in my closet to match the dress.

Luci looked up at me with a pout. "It's not fair that you get to wear those shoes and I have to wear flats. Everyone and their brother is going to be taller than I am."

I lifted an eyebrow and looked at her with amusement as I said, "Better for the baby that you stay off the heels."

She let out a sigh as we were interrupted by a knock on the door.

The two of us headed for the door, knowing that it would be Nico coming to collect us for the fundraiser we were going to tonight.

Luci opened the door, and we both waved our hands in front of our faces. Nico in a tux was a drool-worthy sight. At six-foot-three or thereabouts, he had a lean yet muscular build and the looks of a Greek God with his inky black hair and obsidian eyes. He looked his age, which was twenty-four, a year older than Luci, but there was an air of maturity about him that hinted that he was wiser than his years.

Nico leaned down and kissed Luci's cheek, and then he turned to me and kissed mine. "I figured I'd better come and get the two of you or we'd never get to the fundraiser on time."

Luci laughed. "Stephanie's been the hold up this time. She isn't thrilled with the dress I picked out for her."

Nico let his gaze roam over me, and I felt self-conscious at his attention. He lifted an eyebrow and then turned to Luci. "The dress does seem more your speed." His gaze went over Luci and the light-blue chiffon dress that she was wearing. The dress was free flowing from the bodice and was the perfect foil for her pregnancy. With the loop of material she'd crossed and slipped her head through, she drew even more attention away from her condition. He smiled. "But the dress you're wearing suits you even better at the moment."

Luci's hand rested on the mound at her belly, and there was a softening of her features.

A buzzing of an alarm sounded, and Nico pressed a button on his watch. "We need to get going."

With that, the three of us headed to the elevator and rode it down to the lobby. Nico led us out to the limo, and once the three of us were in the back, he ordered his driver to take us to the hotel where the fundraiser was taking place.

The ride took us less than thirty minutes, and during that time classical music flowed from the speakers of the limo. Classical wasn't my first choice and I knew it wasn't Luci's either, but when she'd sat forward to reach for the glass separating us from the driver, Nico put up a hand and smiled before saying, "Indulge me. Besides, I've heard that classical music can help the fetus develop advanced skills even in utero."

Luci rolled her eyes, andit was all I could do to keep the smile off my face.

By the time the limo drew up to the front of the hotel, I was ready to pull my hair out at the roots. I'd had enough of the classical music, and from the glazed look in Luci's eyes, I knew that I wasn't the only one.

The back door of the vehicle opened, and Nico slipped out and then a hand was extended.

Luci took the hand and accepted assistance from the car.

I followed behind her, and then Nico held an arm out to each of us. We each took an arm and allowed Nico to lead us inside.

Theodore Jackson Reinhold was holding court in the middle of the banquet room with several well-known people hanging on his every word. Teddy was about my height with heels on, which was close to six feet. His build wasn't as fit as Nico, but there wasn't any flab on him either.

Before we could make our way inside the ballroom, a huge mountain of a man blocked our way. The newcomer towered over the three of us and must have weighed close to three hundred pounds of solid muscle. He looked more like a tank than a normal human being, and the blank look on his face gave nothing away.

He held his hand out, and his deep voice made the people closest to us jump as he demanded, "Invitations."

Nico handed over the invitation, and the giant nodded.

A tingling at the back of my neck had me scanning the area, for what I wasn't sure. Suddenly, my gaze was snared by a pair of familiar eyes. Heat zinged all the way to my doodah as I recognized Ranger. If I'd thought Nico looked good dressed in a tux, he had nothing on the man I was looking at right at that moment.

How he moved without my being aware of it I couldn't say, but the next thing I knew, Ranger was standing in front of me. Hiseyes were dilated, and the heat emanating from him had me wanting some privacy so I could jump his bones.

Ranger's eyes hooded, but I felt the heat of his gaze travel up and down my body. His hand came to rest on my hip not far from the slit that rode up on the side of the dress.

My breathing started to feel labored, like I'd been running…or making love.

His head dipped, and he was jostled from behind, bringing him closer to me so we were flush against each other. His other hand came up to the other side of my waist, and the heat from his hands had me wanting to be naked under him so that I could feel all of him against me.

Time stood still as we lingered there, gazing at each other.

Luci's POV

I looked around the room and wondered how long we'd have to stay before we could make our excuses and leave. Fundraisers weren't really my cup of tea, but they were one of the necessary evils. After all, you never knew when connections would be needed to handle sticky situations.

Once we were allowed into the ballroom, I couldn't help but notice several men dressed in black dotted throughout the room and surrounding area. Of course, most of the men were in black, as this was a black-tie event and tuxes were an essential item, but these guys had a quality to them that told me they weren't exactly guests. They reminded me more of my dad's men... Bodyguards.

My mind went to the one person I was still trying to get out of my head. Stupid hormones. Why did I have to be plagued with an increased sex drive when the only man I wanted and I'd ever love wasn't available to me?

"Excuse me, miss…"

I turn to find a waiter holding a tray loaded with champagne flutes.

I look longingly at the champagne, and the waiter blushed before rushing on to say, "Would you like a drink?" He pointed to each of three glasses as he said, "Alcohol-free mimosa, orange juice, or ginger ale."

"Are you sure it's alcohol free?"

His eyes widened like he was shocked I'd need to ask. "Of course! We've been made aware of your need for something without alcohol. Every waiter has the same three drinks on their tray for whenever you need something to drink."

I eyed the waiter, wondering who'd snitched, as my hormones let me know they weren't going to quiet just because the only man I really wanted wasn't available. I let out a sigh as I said, "The mimosa, please."

He handed me the flute and melted into the crowd.

I turned to Nico and groaned. "Please help a pregnant woman and give me some, dammit!"

Nico chuckled as he reached out and took hold of my chin. "You mean the world to me, but your heart lies elsewhere, and I will not play with your emotions." He leaned forward and whispered to me, "However, if you are truly desperate, there is a shower massager in my bathroom that I could have installed at your apartment."

I look at him askance. "Are you kidding? And give up the one already in our apartment? That's sacrilege." I grinned as a giggle escaped, and Nico joined in.

After a few seconds, I looked around and saw Stephanie standing quite close to the same man I'd seen her with at the restaurant a couple days before and wondered what he was doing here. The need for some air took precedence over my curiosity, and I made my way out to the terrace, which took me right past the two of them.

Someone jostled me from behind, and I bumped into them.

The man gave me a look I couldn't decipher, but I turned to Stephanie. She had a look of concern on her face as she asked, "Are you okay? Do you need to go home?"

She knew how much I disliked these parties and being the center of everyone's attention…a feeling that being seven months pregnant had magnified. I shook my head and said, "I'm okay for now. I just need some air. It's so stuffy in here."

She nodded. "I'll be out in a few minutes to check on you."

I gave her a nod and continued on my way. As soon as I was on the terrace, I took a much-needed deep breath of air. For all of two seconds I felt the tension leave my body, and I'd just started to relax when a familiar scent reached me, and I turned to find a pair of green eyes watching me with a look of what I could only define as contempt.

My voice was a whisper as I asked, "What do you want, Les?"

A muscle moved in his jaw as his eyes narrowed on me. When he spoke, hislook took on an even more sneering quality. "Just checking on the dagos…" One eyebrow went up as he went on to ask, "Or is there something wrong with asking a former fuck how they're getting on?" His gaze dropped to where the baby was nestled inside me. "Out of curiosity, how many of us were you screwing?" His eyes flicked behind me for a second before he turned back to me and said, "Not that it matters. You're nothing to me anymore. I've found someone who is so much more."

I heard the heels clicking on the stone of the terrace and turned to see who it was before I heard a voice that infuriated me more than any other.

The blonde bimbo cooed, "Yoo-hoo, Lester, baby. Where are you?" She stopped as she came around the corner and saw us, her look turning to disgust. "Why are you degrading yourself in the presence of this puttana?"

My eyes narrowed on her, as I'd had enough of the name calling. "You're calling me a bitch? That's rich. I don't know what kind of fucking game you're playing right now, but don't ever speak to me again." I turned to include Les as I continued, "While you're at it, watch your mouth and how you speak about me and my baby!"

The look on Lester's face told me I might have pushed just a bit too far, but I was beyond caring as I turned back to the woman standing beside him and said, "It was bad enough that you were always trying to get your claws into him when we were together. Guess he lowered his standards, since you finally got your wish. As far as I'm concerned, you can have him. The two of you deserve each other, despicable pieces of trash!"

I caught sight of Lester out of the corner of my eye, and the fury on his face told me I'd definitely gone too far this time. I needed to get out of there in a hurry, although I knew that he would never physically hurt me.

Movement from the side of the terrace caught my eye, and I saw Georgio standing there with his phone to his ear.

How much worse could this night get? I moved to leave, but Sheryl—the blonde bimbo—sank her nails into my arm. Suddenly, everything was just too much, and everything I'd eaten that day came hurling back up and showered down over her, catching Lester's shoes into the bargain. My protective hand went to cover my baby, and I rushed from the terrace without a second's hesitation.

As I reached the French doors leading back into the ballroom, I heard a high-pitched wail of, "My shoes! They're ruined!"

I rubbed my belly and whispered, "Thank you, little one. You saved me back there."

Nico was suddenly beside me and took hold of my arm as Stephanie and the man I'd seen her with earlier joined us.

I took a deep breath and said, "I really need to leave. You two stay and take care of what you need to, and I'll see you both later."

Stephanie hesitated, and I knew she was struggling with her mothering instincts.

Nico took hold of my arm and said, "I've already taken care of my business here." He turned to Stephanie and said, "I'll take her home and stay with her there till you get there. I can have William send another car for you."

She nodded. "All right. As long as you stay with her till I get there."

Nico nodded and then led me out of the hotel and handed me into the limo. This time he put in a CD that was more my speed in music, and I lay back against the seat and closed my eyes to hide the tears that were pooling there.

Stephanie's POV

I was furious. I just knew that rat bastard Lester was behind whatever Luci was going through, and the need to wrap my hands around his neck and shake him was stronger than it had ever been. I hoped I didn't run into him, because I knew I didn't have a whole lot of self-control left where he was concerned.

Ranger moved to go out on the terrace, and I followed him.

Sure enough, Lester was there, as well as a blonde woman I didn't know. From the look of them, I'd say Luci's morning sickness made a surprise visit. Not that I could blame her, with all the emotional turmoil Lester had already put her through.

As we drew nearer, I could hear Lester swearing.

Ranger stopped about three feet away from the other two, and there was a slight tilt to his mouth as he said, "Maybe you need a refresher course in being aware of your surroundings."

It was all I could do to hold back the laughter as Lester shot a glare at Ranger. But what he said next had me once again itching to strangle the bastard.

Lester scowled. "That slut! She's caused me enough problems to last me a lifetime, and I'm well rid of her and her little bastard. The cheating little whore!"

Ranger frowned but let Lester continue to spew his venom.

I'd had enough. I still had a full glass of champagne in my hand, and I tossed its contents in Lester's face, bringinghim up short.

He glared at me, and from the clenching of his hands, I knew he was holding himself in check by a thread.

I didn't care. I glared at him and said, "You sanctimonious bastard! You're not worthy to be in the same room as Luci. She's done nothing to you but love you, but you're too blind to see what's right before your eyes. That baby she's carrying happens to be yours, so before you call it any more vial names, stop and think about it for a minute."

With that, I turned and stalked off.