Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters besides Rage. I'll eventually return everyone else.

I want to thank all of my wonderful readers and reviewers. I love reading all of the reviews. Thank you to my wonderful Beta Heather (Txbabefan) for helping me out with my stories.

Chapter 15

Surprise

Steph POV:

We sat in the conference room, Carlos's hand resting on my thigh keeping me from bouncing my leg. I smiled softly at him and rested my hand on his. The door opened and the chief of police walked in.

I squeezed Carlos's hand, as the man settled into his chair. "What can I help you with Ranger?" he asked.

"One of your detectives is harassing my fiancée and I me."

"And which detective might that be?" he asked, sitting forward slightly.

"Detective Joseph Morelli." Carlos said.

"Why would he be harassing you two?" the Chief of Police asked. I squeezed Carlos's hand.

"Detective Morelli is my ex-boyfriend. and we didn't part on good terms. I've made it clear to him that I would like for him to leave me alone, but he hasn't." I answered him before Carlos could.

The man sent me a glare and I dropped my blank face to meet it. "We'll look into this accusation," he said, standing. I'm pretty sure Carlos growled.

"Chief," Carlos said, standing to face the man.

"Mr. Manoso," he answered, turning to face him.

"This isn't something I'm going to take lightly. He is threatening my fiancée. If this isn't seriously investigated, I will go higher, but I would prefer not to have to do that."

The chief narrowed his eyes, turned on his heel, and left the room. I let out a sigh and wrapped my arm around Carlos's waist as we walked out of the room. His hand settled on my hip, as he guided me out of the building. He walked me around the car, opening the door for me, and buckling me in. He leaned in and kissed me softly, before shutting the door.

I watched as he walked in front of the car and went around to his side. He slid in, started the Turbo, and pulled away. He took my hand and settled it on the gear shift, putting his over mine, tangling our fingers. His hand squeezed mine every time he shifted gears.

We pulled into the Rangeman garage. I'm pretty sure I heard Carlos sigh. He kissed the back of my hand. "I'm gonna make sure this gets taken care of, Babe. I don't know how long it will take, but I'm going to keep you safe." He kissed the back of my hand.

I smiled softly at him, as I unbuckled my seat belt. I climbed over the console and straddled Carlos. Although my head hit the roof and the steering wheel dug into my back, I cupped his cheeks and kissed him.

"I know Carlos," I said softly, kissing him in between each word. "We're going to take care of this."

He nuzzled under my jaw. "You have a lot of faith in me Babe," he muttered.

I smiled, and let out a soft moan as his lips found the spot under my ear. "I love you, Carlos." My words were soft, but my voice full of conviction. "I have so much faith in you, because I love you, I trust you, I know you won't do anything to intentionally hurt me, and I know that whatever happens we can get through."

His eyes found mine; they looked like melted dark chocolate, full of love and hope. He kissed me again softly. "I don't deserve you," he whispered softly against my skin. "But I'm going to do everything I can to make you stay."

"I'm not going anywhere, Carlos. Not even if you sent me away, because you deserve a hell of a lot better than me. I just try to make sure you don't realize that," I said against his lips. I felt him smile and a chuckle rumble through his chest.

He kissed me. "I'm going to make you know that I love you, and always will love you."

I grinned. "Ditto."

He chuckled and opened the door. He helped me out of the car, and we took the elevator up to the fifth floor. "I've got something to show you," he said.

I looked up at him, with both eyebrows raised. He looked around the control room and made a motion with his hand. Most of the men stood; Rage came to my side, along with Tank, Les, and Bobby.

They walked me towards the small conference room that was next to Carlos's office. Walking inside, the conference room had been converted to an office. It had floor to ceiling windows on the back wall, showcasing a gorgeous view of the city. The desk was a mahogany corner desk it was fitted into the corner with filing cabinets on the other wall, The walls which were soothing admiral blue and slate grey. soothing tones. The pictures on the walls were Black and white pictures of the beach complimented the black leather chairs on either side of the desk were black leather, and a small area had a couch and single chair in a very light pretty color contrasting against the walls. A rug sat under a glass table next to the couch; it was a mixture of blue, grays, and whites and reminded me of rolling waves.

"Did you all do this?" I asked.

There were grins and nods. I threw my arms around Carlos and kissed him. "Thank you," I said softly. He smiled at me. Soon Tank pulled me from his arms and hugged me, and before I knew it, I was being passed around between everyone.

"What about you, Rage?" I asked him.

He smiled at me. "I never was much for being an office exec," he said. "But my desk is right outside your door."

I peeked around the men and saw the desk. "How did I not see that?" I asked. Rage chuckled.

"You need to be more aware of your surroundings," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously guys," I said. "Thank you all."

Carlos brushed a kiss across my temple. "You deserve it, Babe." He said.

XXXXXX

Carlos POV:

This here was one of my favorite things about being with my Babe. We laid on the couch, my back against the arm of the couch, Steph between my legs, laid back against my chest. At any given time, I had access to touch and tease her body.

Currently, my head rested on her shoulder. Steph's head laid back against my chest. I wasn't focused on the movie; I was more focused on Steph. I loved holding her, she fit perfectly in my arms, against my body.

"Carlos," Steph said softly.

"Babe?"

"The movie ended ten minutes ago and we're still sitting here," she said. I looked at the TV, and saw that the main menu was playing.

"What do you want to do now, Babe?" I asked nuzzled her neck.

She pressed back against me. "If the Cuban cigar pressing into my back has anything to do with it, I have an idea of what we're going to end up doing," she purred.

She turned and straddled me. "You know, I don't think we've christened this couch," she purred against my lips, before claiming them in a searing kiss.

My hands found her hips, squeezing, before sliding up and under her shirt, finding warm smooth skin. She gasped as my fingers tickled lightly across her rib cage, arching into me.

"Carlos," she moaned softly. Her fingers found the hem of my shirt and she started pushing it up, as my teeth nipped at her neck.

My phone rang and Steph groaned. Her head fell forward against my neck. I sighed and grabbed it off the table.

"Yo," I answered.

"Is that any way to answer the phone Mijo?" my mother asked. I suppressed a sigh.

"Hola, mama." I said. Steph's head shot up, and she locked eyes with me.

"Your mother?" she mouthed. I nodded.

"Carlito, will you be coming to your father's and mine's anniversary party in three weeks?"

"Yes, mama." I answered. "And I'll be bringing a guest." I grinned at Steph, and she glared at me.

"Is it Estephana?" my mother said hopefully.

"Si, Mama," I answered. "Stephanie and I will be there."

Steph hit me in the chest, glaring at me. I grinned again and ran my hand up and down her arm. I cupped her cheek, stroking my thumb over the soft skin. She glared at me still but didn't pull away.

"Is she with you know?" She asked.

"No, Steph has already gone to bed." I lied.

"Well, I can't wait to meet her."

"We'll see you there, Mama."

"I can't wait, Carlito." She hung up and Steph looked at me.

"So, what did you volunteer us for?" she asked.

"My parents anniversary party is in a few weeks; I probably should have asked if you would go with me, but I would like to announce our engagement while we're there. It would make my mother's and abuela's day."

She softened, smiling. "Yeah, you should have asked."

"Babe, will you... go with me to my parents' anniversary party?" I asked. She rolled her eyes, grinning.

"Of course, I will," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me.

I stood, and Steph squealed as I wrapped her legs around my waist. "Let's get to bed Babe," I growled against her neck.

XXXXXX

Rage POV:

Steph poked my arm. "Tell me."

I glanced at her, with a raised eyebrow before turning back to the road. She grumbled and poked me in the arm again.

"Tell me."

"Why don't you have Ranger tell you?" I asked her.

"He told me to ask you," she answered. "So, tell me."

"Why?"

"Because."

"Because why?"

"Rage!" she growled. I almost smiled.

I parked in front of the bond's office, and Steph crossed her arms, pouting. "Come on," I said.

"No."

I almost sighed. "Why not?"

"It doesn't take two people to get files," she said. I looked at the office and then back at Steph.

"You're sending me to slaughter." I told her. She shrugged. "What happened to always having your partner's back?"

She sighed. "Rage, why won't you just tell me?"

I grinned at her, before getting out. She rolled her eyes, getting out of the SUV. She followed me into the office, "Girls," she said.

"Steph," Connie said. Lula just stared at her.

Connie handed her a stack of files. "I'm sorry, Rage," Connie started. "For making you feel like a piece of meat. I didn't mean too."

Lula shook her head. "I am too. It's not right. We don't like it when men do it to us, and we shouldn't do it."

I nodded. "Thank you."

Steph grinned and skipped out of the office, hollering a goodbye over her shoulder. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and followed her.

Back in the car she turned to me. "Now will you tell me?"

I just looked at her before pulling out of the lot. "Please?!" she said. I grinned.

"You finally said the magic word," I chuckled. She glared at me and slapped my shoulder.

"Hey, better watch out I might just change my mind."

"Alright, alright! Tell me."

"Luke David Red Bird," I said, gauging her reaction.

"Red Bird?"

"My family is from the bird clan," I answered.

"Is that what the tattoo on your arm is from?" she asked.

"It's my clan's symbol." I said. She looked at me, assessing.

"How did you get the name Rage?"

I chuckled. "Is today interrogate Rage day?"

She smiled. "I just want to get to know my partner better."

"You should ask Ranger."

"He's not going to tell me. He said if I want to know anything about you, I've got to ask you." She said.

I chuckled. "Sounds just like him."

She rolled her eyes. We pulled into the garage and took the elevator up to the fifth floor. We walked into her office, and I settled onto the couch.

"So, are you going to tell me where you got the name Rage from?"

I sighed. "I'll tell you."

She grinned at me. She settled into her chair and looked at me.

"I got the name Rage because..."

The door banged open, causing me to pull my gun. "Les!" Steph yelled.

"Hey beautiful, Boss is looking for you."

She groaned and banged her head on her desk. Ranger came to stand in the office. She looked up at him.

"Rage was about to tell me how he got his nickname," she said. He grinned and looked at me.

"I guess she worked it out of you."

"Like a Pitbull with a bone."

"Hey, if I was a dog, I wouldn't be a Pitbull."

"What would you be?" Ranger asked.

She seemed to be thinking this over. "A poodle."

I snorted and Ranger laughed. "A poodle, Babe?"

"Yes, a poodle." She shrugged and said, "It's the hair."

"What dog breed would I be?" I asked her.

"Hmm," she said and rested her chin on her hand. "I'm going to have to think about this."

"Next thing we know she's going to be assigning dog breeds to all of the men," Ranger said, shaking his head.

"I should probably just start with the core team," she joked. "Just to make sure I assign them right."

I wanted to roll my eyes. "So, are you going to tell her where you got the name?" Ranger asked, causing Steph to turn and look at me.

"So the story is..."

The door banged open again, reveling Tank. "Fuck!" Steph said.

Tank looked at her. "Why're you yelling?"

"Every time Rage starts to tell me the story of how he got his name someone comes banging into my office."

"Sorry, Steph, but this is important."

"What's going on?"

"Interpol is pissed Morelli interfered with the case. They're trying to take it up with the Police Chief but they're blocking them. They say Morelli is on a case and can't be interrupted," Tank said.

"Okay and?" Ranger asked.

"Oh, I guess I didn't mention Taylor was here." Tank said opening the door revealing Taylor and Yates.

"What are you two doing here?" Ranger asked.

"We figured we'd come by and ask if you wanted to go out for a congratulatory drink with us?"

"Yes!" Steph said. Ranger looked over at her.

"Know any place?"

"Yeah," Ranger said.

"Shorty's?" Tank asked. Ranger nodded and Steph grinned.

Steph POV:

"So, who's brilliant idea was it to make me a contract negotiator?" I asked.

Taylor and Yates chuckled. "Mine," Yates said. "It sounded like good cover for your cover. It hinted into the fact that you were the negotiator, not Ranger."

Carlos grinned and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I finished off my piece of pizza and Carlos nuzzled my neck.

"So, this Morelli character?" Taylor asked.

"My ex. We're pretty sure he's the one who sent those guys after us," I said.

"Someone planted a bug on the file you gave us before we went to the apartment. We think one of the two TPD detectives working the task force planted it."

Taylor shook his head. "We'll do whatever we can to help. You've got our numbers, let us know if you need anything.

"We appreciate it," Carlos said.

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