Chapter Twenty-Three
When they got to the hospital, Les and Ranger got out scanning the parking deck. They were on a mostly deserted lower level. Seemed like a great place for an ambush in Stephanie's opinion, but she kept that to herself.
Les got out and opened the door, the Wonder Twin beside her got out, and then Stephanie got out. The other Wonder Twin followed her out and stepped behind her, along with Ranger. She was inside a little box made of men in Kevlar vests. She had a feeling; this was the shit is serious technique. They got on the elevator, moving in a little pod. They seemed to know where they were going, which was a good thing, because the only thing she could see was the broad expanse of their backs. No one spoke. The tension in the elevator was stifling and the vest was heavy and hot. Stephanie was starting to feel a little claustrophobic and she was glad when the doors popped open and they stepped out.
She was ushered into a small waiting room. The walls were industrial gray, and did nothing to lift her spirits. She vaguely wondered why a hospital would purposefully paint their walls such a depressing color. It wasn't like hospitals weren't already depressing enough. The smell of sickness and despair lingered just below the almost overwhelming scent of antiseptic.
"Wait here." Ranger told her and disappeared. Stephanie just glared at his retreating back. Apparently please wasn't in his vocabulary. In English or Spanish.
The Wonder Twins stood at parade rest in front of the door, glaring at anyone that had the audacity to want to come into the waiting room.
Stephanie looked around and spied a vending machine, and walked over. The siren's song of chocolate drew her and she peered lovingly in the glass. Really, it wasn't like a grilled chicken salad with no dressing wasn't nice and all that, but somehow it just couldn't quite compete with sugar, carbs, and trans-fat. She had no idea where they'd come up with this chicken soup nonsense, everyone knew those were the things that really soothed the soul. She'd always suspected psychopaths were really just people on a low carb diet, and she was beginning to think lunch was proof her theory was right.
A movement caught her eye, reflected in the glass. She watched U.S. Marshal Rafe Montero enter the waiting room. Every muscle in her body coiled tightly, a combination of a healthy dose of fear and the fact Montero just might be the embodiment of every woman's fantasy.
The way he moved was poetry. The almost sensual movement of his hips and his languid gait was a complete contradiction to his intelligent assessing eyes and the hard set of his jaw. The way he moved made him look like he was approaching a lover, but at the same time, those eyes and the set to his jaw, made him seem authoritative and maybe just a little ruthless. Then again, maybe that was how he approached a woman. He definitely had that take charge look about him. A little tingle traveled through her. Every movement practically screamed sex. She could understand why women stopped to gawk at him. She couldn't deny he had that je ne sais quoi vibe about him. Those startling blue eyes, scanned the room, landing on her with laser focus. She sucked in a sharp breath, and willed herself not to flinch.
Stephanie watched him peruse her body. The Marshal obviously didn't realize she was watching him in the vending machine glass. The look on his face was hungry, almost predatory. He was watching her with unrestrained interest and appreciation. She felt her pulse kick up a notch. The Marshal was an attractive man, and clearly one that knew his way around a woman's body.
Stephanie couldn't stop her eyes from tracking downward over the broad shoulders and expansive chest that tapered to a V leading down to his jeans. His badge clipped to one hip, reminded her he just might be dangerous. But damn, that man could fill out a pair of jeans. She had a feeling, his ass probably looked like a bona fide work of art in those jeans. They were well worn, fit like a glove, and looked soft to the touch.
His eyes caught her in the reflection. His lip twitched up in a half-smile knowing he'd been caught, but not caring. The heat in his eyes didn't abate. She felt herself swallow; her mouth suddenly dry. Oh boy, now that could be complicated.
He stood side-by-side with her; eyes locked in the glass.
"I know that look." He had a deep sensual voice, that had just the slightest hint of a southern drawl or maybe it was Cajun. She couldn't quite tell. If felt like the brush of velvet over her taut nerves. A shiver worked its way up her spine.
"What look is that Marshal. The look of a desperate crazed woman, whose life is in the toilet?"
Stephanie smiled at his reflection and he smiled back. It felt like the temperature in the room had just gone up. He had a world class smile. It made him look boyish and just a little roguish. She had a feeling, if you looked up panty dropping smile, Rafe Montero's picture would be right next to it.
"No, the look of a fellow chocoholic."
Stephanie raised an eyebrow at him. OK, so that had surprised her. With that body, she would have thought organic greens and brown rice.
"What were you thinking?" Montero inclined his head towards the vending machine. "I'm a snickers man myself. It's hard to go wrong with a snickers."
"Well sure, and the peanuts. You can pretend it's nutritious."
Montero nodded his head sagely. "Exactly. That and everyone knows peanut butter is its own food group. Or at least it should be."
Stephanie couldn't help but laugh. It was hard not to like Montero; even though he might be arresting her pretty soon.
"So, what are you having?" He asked.
"Well, I'm from Jersey so it's always going to be the tastykake." Stephanie replied. "But I guess I'm not having anything."
"Why?" Montero sounded genuinely confused. "I'm pretty sure you've earned it. With a week like yours, you deserve a tastykake. Whatever that is."
Stephanie eyed him suspiciously.
"You've never had a tastykake?" Stephanie sounded appalled, mostly because she was.
Montero shook his head. "No, where I'm from it's beignets all the way."
"Beignets?"
"Basically, a French donut, with loads of powdered sugar." Montero turned to face her, his eyes raking over her body. "Although I don't recommend wearing black when you eat them."
Stephanie grimaced a little. "Yeah, you're not a fan of the queen of the dammed look?" She batted her lashes at him and Montero laughed. It was a deep rich sound. Montero had a good laugh.
"Well ma'am, I think the right answer there is you'd look ravishing in anything, even in a SWAT barbie get-up." He winked at her.
Stephanie laughed until she had tears in her eyes. She couldn't believe Montero had just called her SWAT barbie, because that is exactly what she had thought when she saw herself in the mirror. She realized she'd needed a good laugh. Stephanie wiped her eyes still smiling at him.
"Please don't call me ma'am. It makes me feel old."
Montero assessed her for a minute. "OK Plum, are you getting that tastykake or what?"
She shook her head. "Sadly no." She liked that he called her Plum. It made her feel confident, and just a little badass.
Montero quirked an eyebrow up.
Stephanie shrugged. "No money."
"Ah, well I'll make you a deal." His voice held a conspiratorial tone.
"I'm listening."
"I'll buy us both a tastykake, because really how could I pass up such a culinary adventure, and when this is over, you'll buy me lunch. How does that sound?"
Stephanie thought lunch with Montero sounded pretty good, and mentally kicked herself. What was she doing? Well, bad Stephanie replied, you're saying yes to lunch with a gorgeous hunk of a man that might actually want to date you, and knows the value of a tastykake and peanut butter. Assuming of course you live and he doesn't arrest you in the meantime, she reminded bad Stephanie.
"One question."
"Shoot." Montero replied.
"How do you take your coffee?"
She could see his mouth curve into a slight smile. If her question seemed odd, he didn't show it.
"Café au lait, if I can get it. Lots and lots of cream, if I can't." She could tell the question amused him. She could see the sparkle in his eyes. "Did I pass?"
"You drive a hard bargain, Marshal." Stephanie looked at him for a beat and held out her hand to him. "Deal."
Montero took her hand and they shook on it. He fished out his wallet to find some money.
"So where are you from?" Stephanie asked him as he fed the money into the machine.
"New Orleans."
"New Jersey is a long way from New Orleans. Do you miss it?"
Montero shrugged. "Sometimes, but no matter where I go it's always a part of me. I love the food, the music, the architecture. Ever been?"
Stephanie shook her head. "No, but I should go one of these days."
Montero picked up the tastykakes from the vending machine and handed her one. He examined his. Stephanie thought he looked a little skeptical.
"I've got high expectations of this." Montero told her.
"You won't be disappointed." She informed him.
His eyes turned a darker, stormy blue. "No, I don't think I will."
She could have sworn the tone of his voice had deepened. Stephanie was pretty sure he was not talking about the tastykake. She felt a flush creep up her neck and heat her face. She took a bite of her tastykake to cover her reaction.
Montero was watching her. When he took his thumb and brushed a crumb off her bottom lip, she was pretty sure she might faint. She knew she would never look at eating a tastykake quite the same way again.
She heard a noise and looked over as Les cleared his throat. Ranger was watching her and Montero. His expression unreadable. His posture deceptively relaxed.
The spell was broken and Montero stepped back from her.
"I'm going to need your statement; do you think you will be up for it today?" Montero was back to being all business.
Stephanie nodded. Mostly because she didn't think she could speak.
"Plum, I know you don't know me, and it's a lot to ask. But I need you to trust me and tell me the truth about what you know." Montero's voice was low, and only for her. They locked eyes. She could see the sincerity in what he said. She had a feeling he was a good man, and a good cop. Those two things combined were a rarity in her experience, but she was pretty sure Montero was the real deal.
"OK." Her voice was barely audible.
Montero nodded and then turned to face Ranger. Stephanie watched the two of them face-off for a moment, and her breath caught, tension rolling through her. The air between them was thick, laden with testosterone and alpha male dominance. In her experience two alphas in the same kennel never turned out well. She just prayed Ranger didn't take a swing at Montero. The last thing they needed was a brawl in the waiting room.
Watching Montero and Stephanie together had about the same effect on his nerves as scraping nails down a chalkboard. Ranger had an almost overwhelming desire to bash his head against the wall. Not only would it distract him, but, if he was lucky, it might have the added benefit of knocking him unconscious, and then he wouldn't have to watch Montero give her that panty dropping smile of his, or hear her laugh at something Montero had said. Ranger wished he could make her laugh like that. A genuine, throaty laugh that hit him like a sledgehammer to the gut. The sound had almost knocked the wind right out of him. What he wouldn't give to hear that.
Not that Ranger could really blame Montero, but did Stephanie have to be looking at Montero with the same enthusiasm she did when she saw a tastykake? Seriously, Ranger thought. He was pretty sure he was going to crack his back molars if he didn't unclench his jaw. Ranger focused on relaxing, and failed miserably. When he saw Montero wipe the non-existent crumb off of Stephanie's lip, he was surprised he didn't actually have a stroke, because he was pretty sure his blood pressure was veering dangerously close to stroke territory.
Ranger could see Les out of the corner of his eye watching him. Les was probably debating whether or not it was a good thing were already in a hospital. The good news, if he had a stroke, he would get prompt medical care. The bad news, he might be more inclined to take a swing at the Marshal.
Les cleared his throat and when the Marshal's gaze swung to him, he gave Ranger a look that said game on. Ranger gave an almost imperceptible nod of his head. But really, what was he doing. Ranger didn't do relationships. He told Stephanie he was a bad bet, so why did he want her to bet on him?
Ranger broke eye contact. He was not going to get into a pissing contest with Montero over a woman. Montero was a decent guy from what he'd heard. As far as Stephanie went, there really wasn't any contest. Montero was the better man.
Montero walked over and stopped in front of Ranger.
"Let me know when Ms. Plum is back at RangeMan. I'll come by and take her statement."
Ranger nodded and watched Montero walk out. He could feel some of the tension leave Les, and he would have sworn he heard a collective exhale from the room.
"Morelli is awake." Ranger told Stephanie. "Come with me."
Ranger put his hand on her low back and guided her out of the waiting room and down the hall. The Wonder Twins followed behind them forming a solid wall.
As they approached the door, Stephanie saw a huge guy standing outside. He was wearing what she'd come to realize was the standard RangeMan uniform. He had a flaming skull tattooed on his forehead and muscles in places where muscles weren't supposed to be.
Stephanie's stride faltered a little when she saw him.
"You have a…" Stephanie's voice trailed off looking for the right word. "Man guarding Morelli?"
"Of course."
Stephanie rolled her eyes and came to a halt, whirling on Ranger. Stephanie was pretty sure it was the clothes, they were making her into a badass, even if she did look like SWAT barbie, or maybe it was SWAT skipper, barbie's ugly friend with the dark hair and much smaller boobs. With this stupid vest on, you couldn't even tell if she had boobs.
"You may think you're all mysterious like Batman and Bruce Wayne talking in one-word riddles, but that doesn't really work for me. So why don't you tell me, in full sentences, why you would put a man on Morelli. And for god's sake, why that one." Stephanie hissed between her clenched teeth.
She saw Ranger's lip twitch up. "Technically that was two words." He told her.
Stephanie narrowed her eyes at him, and he held up his hand in mock surrender.
"OK." Ranger said. "It's bad for business when a cop gets shot, and putting a man on him buys us a little goodwill with the boys in blue." A beat went by. "And, Morelli is important to you."
All of Stephanie's righteous anger went right out of her with a whoosh. "Thank you." She whispered.
"I'm sensing a theme here Babe. Batman, Bruce Wayne, the Bat Cave. It's the car, right? It gives off that vibe, confuses you." Ranger was smiling at her.
Stephanie gave him a half-hearted eyeroll and tried not to smile back. Or maybe it's you, she thought. It was a little hard not to think of him with a sense of awe. He was mysterious, he dressed all in black, he didn't have an address, and he'd jumped off a bridge and saved her. Not to mention he'd rescued Rex and hand fed him carrots. In her book, that pretty much made you a superhero.
"That guy over there is Cal." Ranger nodded towards the hulking man with the flaming skull tattooed on his forehead.
"Don't underestimate him," Ranger said. "He can spell his name. He's not overly violent, as long as he remembers to take his medication, which he usually does. And he gives good shade."
Stephanie couldn't help but grimace just a little. Ranger grinned at her and hooked his arm around her and pulled her to him. He kissed her on the forehead. It was a simple comforting gesture, that screamed of a familiarity that she was beginning to realize had developed between them. Sure, they'd been naked together, but this was different. She was beginning to realize she kind of liked Ranger, and not just naked.
"You two are going to get along just fine." Ranger stepped back. "Are you ready?"
Stephanie nodded and they walked to Morelli's door. Cal nodded to Ranger and stepped to the side.
"I'll be right outside." Ranger told her.
Stephanie took a deep breath and squared her spine. The pungent smell of hospital disinfectant invaded her nostrils as she entered Morelli's room. It was like the smell was only there to hide something terrible. Her gut twisted, and she forced the nausea down, making one foot move in front of the other.
The room was silent apart from the beep of the monitors. She found comfort in the sound. It meant Morelli was alive. The room was both eerily sterile and gloomy. The walls were a sickly green color and the linens were grayish in color, and looked stiff and uncomfortable. Stephanie thought there was nothing about the room that would inspire anyone to get better. She really hoped Morelli would be out soon. Everything about the place ruthlessly stamped out hope.
She knew it would be bad, but she'd been unprepared. Morelli had always been larger than life, boisterous, and full of fire. Seeing him lying motionless in the steel framed hospital bed hooked to endless wires and monitors broke her heart. His eyes were closed, but he didn't look relaxed. His face was pinched in pain, and he had a white bandage across his chest. His complexion looked a sallow.
Stephanie cautiously approached his bed, and his eyes opened. It took a moment and then they focused in on her.
"Hey cupcake." Morelli's voice was weak and a little raspy.
Stephanie sat down by his bed and took his hand.
"Joe, I am so sorry." Stephanie tried to stop the tears from coming, but she couldn't.
"I never wanted anything to happen to you. I'm so sorry you got hurt." Stephanie brought his hand to her lips and kissed it.
"It's Ok Cupcake, you've been breaking my heart for as long as I've known you." Morelli gave her a weak smile.
Slightly hysterical laughter escaped her, and she smiled at him through her tears.
"I'm the sorry one Steph. I'm sorry they got past me, and they took you."
Stephanie just shook her head. "It wasn't your fault."
Morelli closed his eyes for a second. She could tell he was in pain. She could see it etched in his face. The beeping on the monitor went faster, and he opened his eyes and looked at her. Willing himself to stay in the present.
"About Terry, how I treated you. It wasn't fair." His voice was weak, and he seemed to be fading.
"We don't need to talk about that right now." Stephanie gave his hand a squeeze. Stephanie didn't think they really needed to talk about it ever, but she did appreciate the apology.
"Suppose I lay down on the pavement and you run over me a few times with my own car...just for old times. Would that make it better? I know I deserve it."
Stephanie smiled at him. She couldn't believe he was joking, but it felt good. It felt right. Whatever had happened between them, she knew it didn't matter anymore. It seemed trivial compared to the fact Morelli had almost died, and so had she. Stephanie didn't want to be angry at Morelli anymore. They'd pushed forward with a relationship when neither of them really wanted it. They'd both been living someone else's version of them. Morelli loved Terry. He couldn't help that.
And, Morelli loved her or at least the idea of them together. Of that, she was sure. They had a complicated history, one that most people wouldn't' understand. Hell, half the time she didn't understand it. But it was their history, and they were bound together by it for better or worse. But that didn't mean it had to dictate their lives. They didn't have to be hobbled by tradition or what anyone else wanted. Not anymore. Morelli should be with Terry, and Stephanie? Well, she didn't know what she wanted, but she would figure it out.
"How about we just call it even, and let the past be the past. OK?"
Morelli squeezed her hand. "I'd like that." A minute went by neither speaking. "Steph, I'm going to be OK. You need to listen to Montero. Do what he tells you. These guys are dangerous. I don't want you hurt. Promise me."
"I promise." Stephanie figured that was the least she could do. Morelli took a bullet for her, and she wasn't about to waste his sacrifice by doing something stupid.
Morelli gave her a weak smile and closed his eyes. He seemed to be fighting to stay awake.
"Rest." Stephanie told him.
"Will you sit with me a while?"
"Yes." Stephanie was pretty sure the drugs had already pulled him back under.
She held his hand and gently rubbed the back of it, as the monitors beeped slow and steady. Morelli was going to be OK. Eventually. She knew he had some serious recovery and rehab in his future, but he'd lived, and right now that is all that mattered. When she'd seen him laying on the floor, blood pooling all around him she hadn't been sure. That had only been this morning. She couldn't believe everything that had happened. It was like a blur.
She leaned forward and brushed a kiss across his forehead. There was a finality to it that was both sad and satisfying. The door on their relationship was closed, and the only thing that was in front of her was the vast unknown. Suddenly everything was up in the air. No job, no boyfriend. Her future was a blank canvas. A little thrill of anticipation went through her.
Ranger caught movement out of his eye. He saw Terry Gilman striding towards Morelli's room with a determined look on her face. Oh shit, that was not going to go well. The last thing Steph needed was to see Terry Gilman, and the last thing anybody needed was a cat fight.
Ranger took off at a fast pace, closing the gap to intercept.
He grasped Terry by the elbow. When she tried to pull away, he increased the pressure of his grip until she knew he meant business. Ranger guided her into a vacant room, pushing her in front of him and closing the door.
Terry turned on him eyes blazing. "What the fuck Ranger!"
Ranger just glared back at her. Terry simmered down a little.
"We need to talk." Ranger's voice was low and lethal and he was pleased to see the little flash of alarm cross Terry's face. Terry was a tough woman, but she knew how the game was played.
"No, I need to see Morelli, and you and your goons aren't going to stop me." Terry tried to push past him.
Normally Ranger would have pushed back, but not today. Terry was pregnant and he was never going to be anything but gentle with her, even if she was a pit viper. Ranger might do things that were a little left of the law sometimes, but he had a strict code. Ranger could see the fear in her eyes. Not of him, but for Morelli. It was pretty clear the mob princess was in love with the cop. And Ranger thought his life was complicated.
Ranger grasped Terry by the shoulders and gentled his voice. "Morelli is OK. I'll take you to see him in just a minute, but we need to talk and it is about Morelli."
That seemed to get her attention. "What about Morelli?"
"You tell me." Ranger said.
Terry looked at him perplexed. It was pretty clear she didn't know.
"Terry the guys that shot Morelli. They worked for Vito."
Ranger watched as all the blood drained from her face. Ranger helped her to a chair to sit down. Her breathing was shallow and quick. Ranger took her head an pushed it between her legs.
"Breathe slow and deep." He instructed. Fuck, the last think he needed was for Terry Gilman to pass out. That would just be the cherry on the sundae of this already shitty day.
A couple of minutes went by and her breathing evened out and he let her head up. She leaned back and closed her eyes for a minute.
Ranger watched her. She looked like she might puke and he really didn't want to be in the way of that. Her color slowly improved and she opened her eyes.
Terry blew out a labored breath. "This pregnancy is kicking my ass. One minute I want to cry, one I want to scream, and the next I'm puking my guts out."
Ranger gave her a stiff smile. Being knocked up by a cop, probably did put a little crimp into the whole mob enforcer thing. Maybe Vito was calling in reinforcements.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?" Terry finally asked after a few more deep breaths.
Ranger pulled out his phone and showed her pictures of the two guys Montero had fished out the river.
"Those are Vito's guys." Terry whispered. "What the fuck happened."
Ranger could see the tears shining in her eyes. He knew Terry hated that he saw her weakness, so he pretended not to notice.
"They broke in to Morelli's house. They had orders to kill Stephanie Plum. They shot Morelli instead." Ranger shrugged. He watched her closely for a reaction.
"Why would they try and kill Stephanie?" Ranger asked her.
Terry was shaking her head. He could see the confusion swirling. "I don't know."
Ranger was pretty sure Terry was telling the truth, but then again.
"How did they know Stephanie was at Morelli's?"
Terry locked eyes with Ranger. "Oh god." She whispered. "It's all my fault."
Ranger felt his whole body stiffen. He just waited for her to explain. Forcing himself not to shake the information out of her. He reminded himself Terry was pregnant, and she'd probably projectile vomit on him, so waiting was the prudent move as much as he didn't have the patience.
"Morelli texted me last night." Terry looked away from Ranger. "We were supposed to meet and talk. About things." A beat went by, and Terry continued. "Morelli said something had happened with Stephanie and she was staying the night. He cancelled on me."
Ranger could hear the bitterness in her voice. Ranger had a feeling playing second chair to Stephanie didn't sit well with Terry, but he doubted it would be enough for Terry to try and harm Stephanie. It wasn't like that hadn't been the case for years. Of course, Terry hadn't been pregnant before.
Terry took a deep breath; Ranger could tell fear was starting to be replaced with anger. That was good. Anger he could deal with, a terrified, pregnant mob princess was a little out of his wheelhouse.
"Vito borrowed my phone to make a call. I didn't think anything about it. He must have seen the text from Morelli." Her eyes locked with Ranger's. "Vito must be mixed up with Novak. Why else would he send someone after Stephanie?" There was a definite challenge in her voice.
"Did you know?" Ranger asked.
"About Novak? No, but then I don't know all of Vito's business." She shrugged like it was the most obvious statement in the world.
"Does Vito know about the baby?" Ranger asked.
Terry looked away from him. "Yes."
So, Vito knew Terry was pregnant with Morelli's baby, and he'd sent his men to Morelli's house anyway. Maybe Morelli was an accident, but Ranger had a feeling Vito didn't really care if Morelli took a bullet. In fact, it was entirely possible they would have shot Morelli either way. Maybe it was two birds with one stone. Take out Stephanie and eliminate the Morelli factor. Terry pregnant by a cop, wouldn't be good for business. It did mean, whatever Stephanie had witnessed or whatever was in those files tied directly back to Vito.
When Terry looked back, Ranger was taken aback by the look murderous look on her face. "What do you need?"
"I need Vito and Novak off the street."
Terry nodded. "I'll let you know about Novak, but you have to promise to leave Vito to me."
Ranger felt an involuntary shiver go up his spine. "Understood."
Terry stood up and Ranger stepped back. Hell had no fury and all that, was an understatement. It was pretty clear Vito had been doing business behind Terry's back, which probably wasn't all that unusual. But when Vito had gone after Morelli, Ranger was pretty sure he'd made a fatal mistake.
Ranger opened the door and followed Terry out. Stephanie was coming out of Morelli's room and looked up and saw Terry and Ranger.
Ranger saw the flash of anger, but he was impressed when Stephanie schooled her expression and just nodded to Terry walking off. Ranger let out the breath he'd been holding. Apparently whatever animosity was between them, was put in a box. At least for now.
Oddly, it felt like Stephanie's anger was directed at him more than Terry. He knew she'd seen him with Terry at the coffee shop, and just now they were coming out of a vacant room. If he didn't know better, he would have thought Stephanie might be just a little jealous.
Ranger grimaced a little. He'd never been one to explain himself, but maybe he should make an exception in this case. Ranger had no doubt finding out Morelli was Terry's baby daddy was a blow to Stephanie. If Stephanie thought something was going on between him and Terry, it might make her less likely to trust him, and that lack of trust could get them both killed.
Ranger really didn't want to think about it too much, but he wanted Stephanie to know she had nothing to be jealous of when it came to Terry. He wasn't sure why it mattered. Maybe because Stephanie had lost out to Terry with Morelli, maybe something else. Ranger didn't want Stephanie to be insecure. Terry was a beautiful woman, but there was nothing about her that even remotely held a candle to Stephanie, and for some bizarre reason Ranger desperately needed Stephanie to know that.
No, he schooled himself, he did not need to explain himself to a woman. One that clearly had moved right on from him without a backward glance if that little vending machine scene had been any indication. Yet, Ranger was moving after her with purpose. He let out a sigh. Women made men stupid, and clearly, he was an idiot.
Maybe Stephanie and the cop really were done, and for some reason that pleased him. Now he just had to contend with the U.S. Marshal. Somehow, he had a feeling Montero had always been a far bigger threat than Morelli.
It wasn't that Morelli was a bad guy. He had a bit of a reputation with the ladies, but then again so did Les. Ranger wondered if that's what drove Morelli? He wanted Terry but couldn't have her, and he tried to tamp down the fire by sleeping with other women. Ranger's thoughts drifted to Vinita. He could see the merit in that. Maybe that's what he needed. A distraction. Ranger gave a mental eyeroll. Yeah, who was he kidding. Stephanie had robbed him of his sanity and his interest in other women, and that was absolutely terrifying. The last time he'd been with Vinita all he could think about was Stephanie, and that was before he'd even slept with her. Now that he'd felt the softness of Stephanie's skin, and knew how she felt underneath him, he was a little afraid nothing would ever compare.
Ranger shook his head. He used to be such a badass. Everyone had been afraid of him. Everyone wanted to kill him. There'd been a time he had needed Tank to walk behind him just to keep the paid assassins under control. And now, look at him. He was trailing after some woman like a love sick puppy. Ranger reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't even remember the last time someone had tried to kill him.
Ranger rounded the corner and met Stephanie's eyes. They were blazing with fury, and something that looked a little like hurt. Maybe Ranger didn't need to worry so much about no one trying to kill him. If that look on Stephanie's face was any indication, she'd probably be happy to help him out.
Ranger took a deep, calming breath. Stephanie just glared at him. Yep, maybe someone should just kill him now. He had a feeling that would be a far better, far less painful option. Stephanie Plum was one of those women. The kind that drove men to drink and drive off bridges. She was also the kind that caused men to fall fast, hard, and deep. Ranger was terrified he was in that camp. And for the first time in his adult life, he had no idea what to do about it.
"Babe." Ranger held out his hands palms up. If he kept this up, someone was going to need to revoke his badass mercenary card.