Chapter Sixteen
Stephanie stood staring at U.S. Marshal Rafe Montero. She knew she should do something. Say something. Anything really would work. Instead, she realized she had stopped and was literally staring at him, mouth open like a teenage schoolgirl with a crush. She saw the corner of his mouth twitch up and he raised one eyebrow at her. Apparently that reaction happened to him a lot.
Gawd, she was pathetic. Way to play that cool. She snapped her mouth shut with and audible click of her teeth, and gave a little shake of her head to clear it. She tried to look normal. Like she hadn't just stopped in the middle of the doorway staring at some guy she didn't know, wondering what he might look like naked.
Seriously she'd almost been choked to death and gunned down, and yet that is where her head went. Maybe she was taking this think like a man mantra a little too seriously. She'd often thought next time around she'd like to come back as a man. Men had their priorities clearly defined, if they could get an erection, all the other problems were small change. Life was simple. She was pretty sure this was not one of those times that simple was really going to work.
She shook his hand. It was big and warm, and a little rough. He reminded her of a man that worked with his hands to build things. She had a feeling a man like that would be very good with his hands. She felt a little flush course through her body at the thought. Warmth and a little tingle of electricity radiated up her arm from his touch. She tugged her hand free, but held his gaze. His eyes were a brilliant blue that reminded her of a cloudless sky on a perfect spring day. She had no doubt those electric eyes could turn dark and stormy when he was angry, and be transformed like blue fire when he looked at a woman.
"Sorry. It's been a bit of a night." Stephanie smiled at him.
You're an adult. You can do this. Get a grip she lectured herself. She yanked her eyes away from his hypnotic gaze. He was not her friend. He might very well be her enemy, and she'd do well to keep that in mind.
Montero nodded. "I imagine it has. Are you up for answering some questions?" His voice was deceptively smooth. That little hint of southern drawl, lulling you into a false sense of security that he was a gentleman.
But Stephanie knew better. Rafe Montero was no gentleman. This was a man that hunted down some of the worst criminals. She'd read somewhere that Rafe meant counsel of the wolf. She thought the name definitely suited him.
He was standing close to her. Not invading her personal space, but still too close for her to think clearly. The energy that radiated off of him seemed to be enveloping her in a force field. Everything about him screamed law and order. She was afraid she'd confess everything right down to the time she stole a piece of five cent bubble gum from the drugstore if she didn't get away from him and fast.
"Yes." She heard herself say, when what she really meant was no, not really. But what choice was there. Raymond was dead, and the mob was after her. She was under no illusion; they would come after her again. Stephanie stepped away from Montero, giving him a wide berth.
As Stephanie stepped into the room, she saw Montero's gaze swing to Morelli. "Sorry detective. If you could wait outside."
They locked eyes for a minute. Stephanie could feel the tension radiating off of Morelli. Montero remained loose limbed with a relaxed posture. The stance of a guy that was used to being in charge. A beat went by and Morelli nodded and stepped out closing the door behind him with a soft click. Stephanie gave Morelli points. The fact he didn't slam the door, was another sign that Morelli really had matured.
That's when Stephani saw Ranger. He was leaning against the wall. Arms crossed over his chest. Expression unreadable. She wondered if that was his default. Outwardly relaxed and unreadable. It might fool some people, but not her. She knew he didn't miss a thing, and that mind of his was in overdrive. He might appear causal, but she could see the tension around his eyes. In the way he held his shoulders. She guessed once you'd seen a man naked, sated and completely relaxed, it was easier to spot the tells. She felt her traitorous body react at the memory.
Montero gestured to the chair. "Please have a seat."
Stephanie sat down. Grateful to be off her sore feet, and grateful because she thought it was entirely possible that the cloud of testosterone in the room might suffocate her. She'd never reacted to anyone like she had Ranger, and now she was having a reaction to the U.S. Marshal. It was like they were two sides of the same sexy, scorching hot coin.
Montero was the law-and-order guy that pulled everything into the sunlight in the name of justice. And Ranger, well, he was the guy that lived in the shadows just outside the law. Just outside of proper. Everything about him was dark. His clothes, his eyes, his hair, and probably his life. But everything about him was equally alluring. He was the kind of man that made good girls go bad, and like it.
"Walk me through what happened tonight." Montero's voice was smooth and rich, like aged whiskey. It had a soothing quality that instilled trust.
A voice that said this was a guy that was capable and honest. Stephanie wasn't fooled. That voice was designed to lure you in. That voice was probably one of the reasons he was good at his job. He could talk someone into giving up their mother with that voice. Until she got a look at those files, she wasn't sure she trusted anyone. All she had was some vague suspicions. Along with the fear that someone might just be setting her up. She was little afraid the law-and-order guy wouldn't be interested in explanations. His world was black and white, and right now she probably needed shades of gray.
She couldn't help it when her eyes cut to Ranger. She desperately wanted him to come over and take her in his arms and hold her. Tell her everything would be OK. But that was silly. Last night wasn't real. At least not for Ranger. He'd only been playing a part. Stephanie squared her spine. She was on her own.
"Not much to tell really." Stephanie started. "I had a meeting with my boss, Raymond Skagal at six."
"Do you often have late meetings with your boss?" Montero asked. His tone was completely neutral, but it still irritated her. Stephanie could just hear her mother in the back of her head. Are you meeting with him alone?
"Six really isn't all that late, unless I guess you're a government worker." Stephanie gave him a sweet smile.
Montero's lip twitched up and she saw amusement flash in his eyes. He really did have amazing eyes.
"I'm not suggesting anything Ms. Plum. I'm just trying to understand Skagal's routine. Was this normal." He leveled his gaze at her and she tried not to squirm. "Was it just the two of you meeting?"
"Yes. Raymond's assistant had already left for the day. I don't know if Raymond does a lot of late meetings. I see his car in the parking lot most nights when I leave, but it is the first time I've met with him that late."
Stephanie held Montero's gaze. He nodded.
"When I got to his office, Raymond was dead and there were two men with him." Stephanie's voice cracked. The image of Raymond staring at her with those sightless eyes, made her stomach lurch.
"Take your time. I know this is hard." Montero told her. He sounded like he meant it.
"One of the men, was a big guy. Blonde with a buzz cut. He had two black eyes and his nose was taped. He had a gun, and when he saw me, he pointed the gun at me. I thought he was going to kill me." Stephanie could feel the lump in her throat, but she forced herself to continue.
"Had you ever seen him before?" Montero asked.
"I'm not sure. I don't think so." Stephanie really hoped she wasn't about to be struck by lightning for lying. Montero was watching her closely. She had a feeling he knew she was lying, but she managed not to fidget under his gaze. She could see Ranger out of the corner of her eye, just watching. Do something she wanted to say. Make the merry go round stop. She knew he wouldn't, but she wished it all the same.
Suddenly a voice in her head said "Babe, I would if I could." She was so startled that she jumped a little. She looked over at Ranger. Nothing. He was just standing there. He didn't even look like he was breathing. Maybe she was cracking up. She gave her head a little shake. That voice had sounded so real.
Montero showed her a picture on his phone. "Is this the man?"
Stephanie looked at it. "I think so. His nose was swollen and his eyes were black. It's hard to tell." She hedged.
"OK. Then what?" Montero's smooth voice felt like sandpaper on her raw nerves.
"I threw my shoes at him. I hit him in the face." She looked at Montero. His brows were knitted together and he had a slightly confused look on his face.
"The shot went wide and hit me in the arm." Stephanie could see Ranger shift in the corner. She could almost feel the tension rolling off of him.
"You threw your shoes at him?" Montero queried.
"Yes. They were new, and were hurting my feet. I'd taken them off." Stephanie just shrugged. Montero was giving her one of those looks. The one that said he really didn't understand women and shoes. Well, that was fine. Even a man that good looking was bound to have some flaw.
"OK." Montero blew out a breath. She could almost hear the unspoken "alrighty then" part of that sentence. "Do you remember what kind of gun he had?"
"Big, black, with a silencer." Stephanie gave him the sorry I'm not a gun nut look. Montero just nodded.
"Then what?"
"I ran, but the other guy chased me. He tackled me." Stephanie couldn't help the tears that were welling in her eyes, but she hated the weakness.
"What did he look like?" Montero gently asked her. Stephanie took a minute and wiped the tears.
"He was bald. He had big bushy eyebrows. Hawkish nose, thin lips. He was wearing a three-piece gray suit. Average height, average weight. I think."
Montero nodded. "That's good. You're doing good." Montero pulled up a picture on his phone and showed it to her. "Is this the guy?"
The picture on the screen glared back at her and it took all her willpower not to flinch. The memories, the feeling of terror and helplessness flooded over her. Stephanie thought she might puke. She didn't trust her voice so she just nodded.
"Had you seen him before?"
"No." She whispered. Evil like that would be hard to forget. In fact, she figured he would be the highlight of her nightmares for years to come.
Stephanie saw Montero's gaze go to the bruises on her neck. His eyes were flat with rage.
"He tried to strangle me." Stephanie's voice was trembling. She saw Ranger push up off the wall and move towards her, but Montero stopped him with a shake of his head.
Montero reached out and squeezed her hand. His calm strength radiated through her. His touch was comforting and she missed it when he pulled his hand back. "You're doing good. What happened next?"
"I hit him in the head with a stapler and then I ran." Stephanie fought to get herself under control. She had survived. That's what mattered.
"Were you there when the explosion happened?"
"Explosion?" Stephanie's eyes swung to Ranger. "Was anyone hurt?"
Montero looked over at Ranger giving him a subtle nod.
"One of the janitorial staff was injured, but everyone got out." Ranger told her.
Relief washed over Stephanie, and then a sense of dread. These guys were not playing, and they didn't care who got hurt.
"The explosion and fire started in the basement. Do you know what was down there?" Montero asked.
"IT. All the servers are in the basement."
Montero nodded. He'd been afraid of that. Someone was tying up loose ends and destroying evidence.
"We believe Sly Novak may have been using E.E. Martin to launder money. Did you ever see anything suspicious?" Stephanie was pretty sure Montero's gaze was boring a hole through her skull.
"I'm pretty new to my job. I've only been in it about a month. I'm not sure I'd know what suspicious even looked like. I'd just started looking at financial reports." Stephanie gave him her best I'm just a girl smile.
She had a feeling he wasn't quite buying it. Montero didn't seem to be a guy that got distracted easily. It took all her willpower not to look over at Ranger. To his credit he didn't say anything. But then what would he say. She'd told the truth; she'd just started looking at the financials. She didn't actually know anything. There was a lot she didn't understand, but that didn't mean it was suspicious. Father John would probably say she was lying by omission, but then she'd never been particularly concerned about what he thought before, and now wasn't the time to start.
"You came straight to the police station?" It was more a statement than a question.
Stephanie gave Montero a look that basically said she thought he was bordering on stupid. "Yes. There was a homicidal maniac after me. Where else would I have gone? It didn't seem like the best time for a manicure." Her voice was rife with disbelief.
"Point taken." He drawled.
Montero did smile at her then, a real one that reached his eyes. Wow she thought. A smile like that could make a girl want to take her clothes off. She had a feeling; Montero didn't have a problem with the ladies.
"The man that attacked you is Sly Novak. He is a federal fugitive that we have been hunting for some time. I think it is safe to say you know he is dangerous. Tomorrow I'd like you to meet with a prosecutor. In the meantime, steps need to be taken to ensure your safety."
"What kind of steps?" Stephanie asked warily.
"The US Marshals can offer you protection. Our ranks are a little thin in this area, so we use private contractors. That's where Carlos Manoso and RangeMan come in. RangeMan is an elite security firm, and I promise you they have been thoroughly vetted. They will keep you safe Ms. Plum."
Stephanie's eyes swung to the man in the corner. "Carlos Manoso?" She asked. How many names did this man have? Were any of them real.
"Ranger is just street name."
"A street name?" Stephanie's eyebrows went up. "I had a dog named Ranger once."
Ranger grimaced a little. Yeah, he had totally deserved that. Being called a dog was probably polite compared to what he should be called. He saw Montero's eyebrow go up in surprise.
"Do you two know each other?" Montero cautiously asked.
Ranger remained silent. He'd play this any way she wanted. He had already taken too much of her power with his actions. She was also hiding shit from the U.S. Marshal, and he didn't know why, but he figured there must be a good reason. Until he could talk to her alone and understand what the hell was going on, he wasn't saying anything. He'd vowed to protect her, and that is exactly what he was going to do. Even if that meant protecting her from Montero in the meantime.
Stephanie shook her head. "No, we don't know each other." And, that was the truth. She very clearly didn't know anything about Marc Pardo, Ranger, or Carlos Manoso. At least nothing that mattered here in this room. She might know the feel of his skin, the sound of his voice, and just where he liked to be touched, but none of those things really mattered.
She locked eyes with Ranger. She had memories of Ranger in bed, his voice a whisper against her ear, the small of his back slick with sweat, his silky dark hair falling across his forehead when he took control and moved over her. His eyes were dilated almost black and blazed with heat. She could swear he was reading her mind. She tore her gaze away, a flush staining her cheeks.
"OK, so RangeMan will provide protection to you." Montero reiterated, like he thought she might be a little slow.
"No." Montero's head snapped up and his eyes locked with Stephanie.
"No?" He queried. It was pretty clear he wasn't used to anyone telling him no, and he wasn't quite sure what to make of it.
"No, I'm not going anywhere with him." The conviction of that statement was evident in her voice.
"Ma'am. You need protection. You are a witness, and Novak isn't fond of witnesses." Montero was shaking his head. "I don't want to take you into protective custody, but I will if I have to." There was steel running through his words.
"Do that and I'll develop amnesia." Stephanie stated. Her voice icy.
They glared at each other for a minute locked in a battle of wills. Montero's eyes were hard as flint, and a lesser man might have buckled under this stare. Stephanie guessed it was the good thing she was a woman, because look or no look she wasn't backing down. Montero's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. It was pretty clear, he was all out of moves since his go to one had failed. Clearly Montero had never met anyone from the Burg before.
A beat went by, neither of them blinking or bending. Montero rested his fingers over his mouth. She was pretty sure he was doing that to keep himself from saying something he might regret. The bulging vein in his neck and the ticking muscle in his jaw meant he was angry, but he knew he needed her cooperation.
Stephanie blew out a breath. She liked the Marshal and she really didn't want to make his life difficult, but she could not, she would not, go with Ranger. Not right now. Everything was far too raw, and she was deathly afraid she'd beg him just hold her and tell her it would be OK. She didn't have any reason to trust Ranger any more than anyone else, but somehow, she did. She knew she would spill her guts in thirty seconds alone with him.
The problem was she had no idea where his loyalties might be. He was basically a mercenary that had lied and gotten close to her for the sole purpose of gaining her trust. He wanted information, not a relationship, yet her belligerent body couldn't seem to understand that. Still, he had kept her secrets from Montero.
"I'm not stupid. I understand Novak is dangerous. I am the one with the bruises and the gunshot to prove that, but I'm not going with him." Stephanie's head gestured in the direction of Ranger. "How about detective Morelli. I'll stay with him. He has a gun and, in theory, is trained to use it. Will that work?"
Montero ran a hand through his hair. "It wouldn't be my first choice. Ranger is former special forces and so are the rest of his guys. They are better trained. They specialize in this sort of thing. You would be safer with them."
Stephanie gave Montero credit. He was clearly a reasonable man. Something that was a rarity in law enforcement. But Stephanie wasn't so sure she would be safer with Ranger. She had a feeling that wasn't true at all. Physically maybe, but time alone with Ranger. Yeah, now that had disaster written all over it.
"Give us a minute." Ranger told Montero. Montero nodded and stepped out.
He knew this was going to be bad, not that he didn't deserve it. But right now, he was still wrestling with the fact that he had come so close to losing her. Listening to her relay her story had made him sick. Les had been stationed right outside, and yet she'd almost been shot and strangled to death. It had been her own sheer force of will that kept her alive, and Ranger didn't think he could handle being on the outside with his nose pressed to the glass. He needed her to be safe. And he needed to be the one to make sure she was.
"Babe." Ranger started.
Stephanie rounded on him and he was hit with the full force of her anger. It was coming off of her in waves. Anger was good. It was better than cowering in fear or withdrawing. Ranger could handle her anger. She was definitely entitled to it.
"I have a name. Unlike you, my name is still the same. In case you forgot, you can call me Ms. Plum, Stephanie, or Steph. But do not call me babe." She hissed.
Stephanie saw his eyes narrow ever so slightly. "Whatever you say princess." His gaze was locked on hers. His eyes hard, but she saw the corner of his lip twitch up like he was thinking about smiling.
Stephanie gave him the death glare.
Ranger held up his hands. "OK, Steph. I know you're mad, and you have every right to be. I know this looks bad, but I can explain. I was going to tell you tonight at Mo's."
Stephanie held up her hand in a stop gesture. "Save it. I really don't give a shit what you have to say. You targeted me for information, and then you seduced me. End of story. I'm a big girl, I get it. You were just doing your job. Hey at least I got off, so really what is there to complain about."
Stephanie could see the muscle in his jaw ticking as he worked to control himself. "It wasn't like that."
"How was it then?" She snapped.
Ranger stood there stumped for a second. How on earth did he ever explain this.
"Forget it. I'm not interested in anything you have to say." If looks could kill, Ranger was pretty sure he'd be dead.
"Understood. But, please just let me keep you safe." Ranger came as close as he ever did to pleading. "It doesn't even have to be me."
"I'm not going with you now or ever." Stephanie hated that her voice cracked. She really hoped he would think it was due to her injuries and not the fact that he had ripped her heart to shreds.
"Look Steph you're trying my patience here." They needed to be practical about this. Her life was at risk. Forget wounded pride. That you could get over. Being dead, not so much. It was kind of final.
"If you don't like it, then you can leave. I'll figure it out on my own." She snapped.
Ranger was on her in a flash. He backed her up against the wall, his arms on either side of her body, caging her. Stephanie's hands instinctively went up and pressed against his chest. They were so close that their lips were practically touching, and she could feel his heart beating under her hand. She'd sort of hoped his heart would be racing, but his heart was steady. Her heart was the only one racing. She saw his eyes darken, and he leaned in to her ever so slightly, and a hot rush of panic flashed through her. She was terrified he was going to kiss her, or maybe she was terrified he wouldn't.
"I didn't say I didn't like it." His lips brushed ever so lightly across hers. "I like everything about you." His eyes drifted down and went to the RangeMan logo on her t-shirt. "I especially like the idea of you wearing my name on your breast."
"You do?" Stephanie licked her lips. Her breath coming in shallow pants.
"I do." Ranger held her gaze for a moment and then stepped back.
Stephanie immediately missed his closeness and cursed herself for being so stupid and weak. She was just a pawn in his game. She couldn't fall for his lies. Not again.
"You need protection. We can do this the hard way or we can do this the easy way." Ranger crossed his arms and waited. The tone he'd used made grown men quake in their boots. He could tell it didn't seem to have the same effect on Stephanie. In fact, it didn't seem to faze her at all.
"I'll stay with Morelli. If you want to assign guys to his house, then feel free, but I'm not going with you." Stephanie crossed her arms and glared back at him. Praying Morelli would even let her stay. It wasn't like they were on the best of terms. Surely getting shot and choked half to death would trump their current relationship problems.
It took all Ranger's willpower not to reach up and pinch the bridge of his nose to ease the stabbing behind his eyeball. He had a really bad feeling, that stabbing pain was going to be a regular thing around this woman. Ranger could tell there was no way to win this war. She was dug in. She was hurt, she was angry, and she was right. It wasn't supposed to have gone down like this. But at least she was willing to go home with Morelli. That was better than nothing. He'd put some guys on Morelli's house and then work to convince her to move to a more secure location. He wondered if Morelli was going to tell her about Terry, and if that would change her decision.
"If you go with Morelli tonight, will you agree to sit down and talk tomorrow?" Ranger asked.
Stephanie debated it for a minute. Her chin went up defiantly. It was pretty clear she didn't plan to let their talk change her mind. "OK." She finally said.
Ranger just nodded. "I'll get Morelli for you."
Stephanie watched him go, and let out the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Morelli might not be her boyfriend now or ever again, but he was a friend. So why did it seem like such a bad decision.
Why was it that everything in her being screamed to trust Ranger? To go with him? He had lied to her. He had used her. Perhaps the lack of oxygen to her brain had caused damage, because that would be the only thing that would explain that stupidity.
She sighed. When had life gotten so complicated. Now Raymond was dead. E.E. Martin was a pile of ashes, and she was the witness to a mob hit. She was also hiding evidence from the feds, but she decided not to think about that too hard.
Stephanie looked up when the door opened. She'd been expecting Morelli, but it wasn't. Les Santos was standing in the doorway. His big form filling the space.
"Stephanie Plum." He grinned at her. "We can't keep meeting like this. People will start to talk."
She couldn't help but smile back. Her eyes cut to his shirt. He was wearing a RangeMan t-shirt.
"You work for RangeMan?" Stephanie thought it was entirely possible everyone worked for this mysterious company she'd never heard of before tonight.
"Yes, ma'am." He grimaced a little.
Stephanie eyed him suspiciously. "Is your name really Les Santos?"
"It is. Ranger's my cousin." He shrugged. "I also knew Marc Pardo was his alias, and I'm not in a habit of breaking his cover, so you will just have to be mad about that." Les figured he'd just tackle the elephant in the room. It was pretty clear Ranger's cover story was blown all to hell.
Stephanie thought Les had a point. It was hard to be mad at him for just doing his job, and she appreciated that he'd come right out and told her. Apparently, he wasn't afflicted with the same inability to have a conversation that Ranger was.
She just shrugged. "You were at the warehouse. You distracted the goon." It was a statement, not really a question.
Les nodded. "I did."
"Well, then I guess we are even." She gave him a weak smile. Clearly Ranger knew she had recognized the fireplug, but he hadn't ratted her out to the Marshal on that either. Interesting.
Les stepped into the room and stepped closer to her. She tilted her head and looked up at him. His eyes were scanning her, taking in her injuries. He reached out and brushed a finger across her cheek. "Are you OK?" His voice was soft. It almost sounded like he gave a damn.
Stephanie meant to say yes, but instead tears welled in her eyes. "No." She whispered. "Not really." She had no idea why she told him the truth.
Ah shit Les thought. This was all his fault. He should have had better instincts. She got hurt on his watch. "I'm sorry."
He pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her, and just held her. He could feel her shoulders shaking ever so slightly as she tried not to cry, failing miserably at it.
Stephanie had no idea why she was clinging to some man she didn't know. They had barely even met before this moment. There was just something about him. He seemed like a guy you could tell anything to. A friend, which was ludicrous. He was probably a mercenary like his cousin, and probably just as crazy. A couple of minutes went by and she pulled back.
"I'm sorry." She said as she wiped her eyes. "I don't know what's wrong with me."
Les watched her for a beat. In his estimation exactly nothing was wrong with Stephanie Plum. She was bright, fierce, and beautiful. And Ranger was doomed, he just didn't know it yet. Although Les had to admit, it was going to be fun to watch his cousin lose some of that legendary control. Assuming of course, these two didn't kill each other first. He really thought he should say something to defend Ranger, but really, he couldn't think of a thing to say. He was squarely in Stephanie's corner on this one. Ranger had been an idiot to lie to her.
"I brought you something." He held up a bag.
She took it and looked inside. She pulled out a pair of shoes. A look of revulsion went across her face.
"You bought me crocs?"
Les smiled. "Yes, really good ones. They're lined and everything. Besides, I wasn't exactly sure what size shoe you needed or how bulky the bandages were." He shrugged.
Les had a point. "They're ugly." Stephanie wrinkled her nose. She knew you weren't supposed to look a gift horse in the mouth and all of that, but damn those were some ugly ass shoes. She was really afraid if she put them on, along with the RangeMan t-shirt that was sized for bigfoot and fell almost to her knees, she would officially become like her parents. The dreaded moment when comfort took precedence over fashion, and you became old and decidedly uncool.
"They're comfortable." He shot back. "Comfortable is always sexy." He waggled his brows at her.
"I'm going to take a wild ass guess here." Stephanie said as she held up the plastic monstrosities and examined them. Maybe crocs wasn't such a bad name. "You don't fare so well with the ladies long-term, do you?"
Les gave a bark of laughter. "Guilty. What was the giveaway?"
Stephanie just raised an eyebrow at him and put the shoes on. They were surprisingly comfortable.
"Thank you." She was smiling at Les when Ranger walked in.
Ranger's eyes cut between the two of them and he barked something to Les in Spanish. Les responded.
"I'm only fluent in sarcasm, I don't speak Spanish. Want to let me in on the secret?" She snapped.
Les just gave her an apologetic smile and left. "I'll see you around Stephanie Plum." He called to her.
She couldn't help but smile at his retreating back. He was impossible not to like. Her eyes met Ranger's. He was scowling at her. She just cocked an eyebrow at him. "I guess we know who got the charm in your family."
She saw a ghost of a smile play across his lips. "Babe." A little thrill went through her.