Chapter Six

Standing in the doorway, silhouetted by the light from the house, was Ranger. Except it wasn't the Ranger she had met in Colombia; it was Ranger 2.0. Stephanie's eyes feasted on his powerful physique filling the doorway, and a little shiver that felt way too much like anticipation worked down her spine. It had been less than forty-eight hours and already she craved him. A whisper went through her head, if work hadn't intervened, she would be in Trenton with him at this very moment. Michail misinterpreted the tremor that snaked through her and pulled her tighter against him.

Ranger's eyes were hard and the muscle in his jaw ticked as his gaze landed on Michail's hand wrapped around her, anchoring Stephanie to him. Ranger looked dangerous even in a sea of other dangerous men. The intensity was coming off Michail and Ranger in waves. Two titans clashing. Getting caught in the crossfire could be deadly, she reminded herself.

Ranger was dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt, open at the collar. He had a huge diamond winking in his ear, and he was wearing a thirty-thousand-dollar watch. Damn, that man hadn't been born to wear a suit. His silky, dark hair was cut short, and there was an air of sophistication about him. Either he was very good at playing a part or he'd been born to this life. He was completely at ease with the luxury that surrounded him.

"Mr. Pardo." Michail greeted him, although the steely tone of his voice didn't sound very friendly.

Michail angled his body in front of Stephanie's. She realized Michail saw Ranger as a threat to her. He might be bratva, but there was honor in him. A protectiveness and gentleness about him that surprised her. She wasn't sure why. Bad men could do good things. Then again, what was bad, anyway? It wasn't the law that split the difference between bad and good. Stephanie was often left of the law just like Michail, and some of the most evil, callous people she'd ever met had been prosecutors and law enforcement. Interested far more in a win than actual justice and truth. Destroying people's lives and letting monsters walk because the monster had information that would help their career.

She supposed it was all just a matter of perspective. Society might call Michail a bad man, it might call her a bad woman, yet both of them had a moral compass that so many good men seemed to lack. Stephanie liked to think she always came down on the right side, no matter how she got there. Stephanie had learned long ago; law and justice were very different animals.

Ranger's eyes flickered over Stephanie again. "I see I'm late to the party."

Stephanie had always thought Ranger's voice sounded like a silky purr, but tonight it was more like a growl that had all the hair on the back of her neck standing straight up. She had to remind herself Ranger was on her side. Well, probably. She had no idea what Ranger or Mr. Pardo was doing at Alexi's party.

Really, what did she know about Ranger? Somewhere between nothing and not much. At least nothing that would help her right now. She knew what he sounded like when his need for her hit a fever pitch. She knew the feel of his body, his scent. She knew the unexpected vulnerability on his face when he lost control and tumbled over the edge. Those things she knew. Everything else was a mystery. Stephanie would just have to trust her gut.

She gave Michail a gentle squeeze, willing him to understand. She felt Michail's arm tighten around her and she held her breath. Violence was in the air, sharp as a knife's blade.

The seconds ticked by as Stephanie held her breath. Michail gave an insolent half-shrug and turned to Stephanie as she released the breath she had been holding. He tilted her chin up, searching her face, looking for confirmation. She hoped the look she gave him was reassuring. A moment went by and he seemed satisfied with whatever he saw in her eyes. Michail stroked his thumb over her bottom lip.

"Until next time, little fox." Michail winked at her.

When his gaze flickered down to her lips, her pulse quickened, her nerves pulled taut like the strings of a bow. The moment passed, and his gaze returned to her eyes.

"What makes you so sure there will be a next time." Stephanie whispered, raising her eyebrow at him.

Michail just gave her a knowing smirk. Against her better judgement, Stephanie smiled back at him. She watched the mask snap back into place as Michail turned to face Ranger. He gave her a little nudge towards Ranger who had been intently watching the exchange, his expression completely closed off.

"You'll like her. She's a spirited one." Michail told Ranger with the same tone he might use to make a recommendation for a good wine. Michail was a talented actor, then again, that kept him alive. Michail turned his attention to Alexi. "Come, we have business."

Alexi threw Stephanie one last wistful look as he followed Michail back into the house and they disappeared out of sight. Stephanie barely managed not to curl her lip back in disgust, but she couldn't quite suppress the shudder that worked its way through her at the memory of him grinding against her.

Stephanie took a step towards Ranger, but stopped. The vibes coming off of him were unsettling. He seemed angry, and she briefly wondered if she'd made a mistake. Michail was Nikko's inside guy. She really didn't know what Ranger's role was.

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

"Working. What are you doing here?"

"Working." Stephanie retorted. Irritation winding through her. Two could play that game.

"You're working with Michail Petrov?" Ranger's voice was tight and she could tell he was angry.

Stephanie just gave him the look. The one that said the answer to his question was obvious. Just like Ranger, she would work with the devil himself if it got results. In fact, she was pretty sure she already was working with the devil. She thought it imprudent to point out Ranger was at the same party working all the same people.

Ranger blew out a harsh breath. His anger seemed to evaporate and his eyes turned soft and inviting. His arm snaked out, and he pulled her to him, and Ranger kissed the side of her head. Stephanie wrapped her arms around his waist and let herself relax into his warm, powerful body. She'd missed him with a ferocity that frightened her, and being wrapped in his arms just felt right.

"He's dangerous, babe."

"I know." She whispered against the side of his neck.

She didn't bother to point out Ranger was dangerous, too. Hell, by most people's standards, she was dangerous. But there was dangerous, and then there was Michail Petrov. They weren't even on the same city block.

Ranger's crisp scent fluttered around her; and Stephanie closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. Memories of their night together crashed over her. Had it really only been a few days? It felt like it had been too long, but maybe not long enough. She had been entirely unprepared to see Ranger standing in the doorway. She thought she had more time to prepare, restrain her emotions, get herself under control before she saw him. His presence had both startled and thrilled her. There were a thousand things she wanted to ask him, and a thousand more she wanted him to say, but right now they needed to get out of here and quick. Every minute she stayed was one more minute something could go wrong.

Ranger seemed to read her mind. "Let's get out of here. Word is the Albanians have something planned."

Stephanie smiled up at him. "I thought you'd never ask, but I have to warn Michail first."

Ranger gave her a look like she'd lost her damn mind. "I'm sure Michail has his own sources."

Not telling Michail didn't feel right. She couldn't stomach the thought of him hurt or killed, not when she could prevent it. He lived a dangerous life, she got all that, but someone would be in that position, and Stephanie would rest a little easier if it was someone like Michail. He didn't peddle in flesh and he didn't kill innocents. That was his reputation. You crossed him and you were dead, but Stephanie didn't have any intention of doing that, so garnering a little goodwill with Michail could be useful.

"I have to try." Ranger just nodded; it was clear nothing he said was going to dissuade her. She gave him credit for recognizing the signs and not wasting time arguing. She was dug in on this one.

Stephanie would find Michail and warn him or get Nikko to do it. Nikko had to have a way to contact Michail, at least she sure as fuck hoped so. It was the best she could do, and she would have to live with it. Sometimes life was full of shitty choices.

Ranger took her elbow and guided her through the room towards the heavy double doors. Stephanie could feel her pulse flutter in her throat, convinced someone would stop them at any minute.

The guard nodded to Ranger and opened the door and let Stephanie and Ranger pass without so much as a second glance. Apparently, it was good to be Pardo. Clearly, this wasn't Ranger's first rodeo with these guys. There were a lot of things she didn't know about Ranger, and he was becoming more intriguing by the minute. He wasn't just some ex-special forces guy that did corporate security.

As they made their way through the hall, Stephanie wondered if they were just going to waltz right out the front door. She should have known better. She spotted a guard to her left, heading their way with purpose.

One instant they were making their way towards the door and the next Ranger pushed her against the wall. Ranger's hand slid into her hair, tilting her head for better access, his intense expression caused her heart to thunder. Ranger pushed his hard, muscular leg between her thighs, and a needy little whimper bubbled from her throat when the roughness of the fabric chafed against her skin. She tried not to rub against him, even though need surged through her like a tsunami at his touch. Her brain registered it was just a little show for the guard, but her body didn't care. His groan told her he could feel her heat through the thin fabric of his suit.

"I missed you," he whispered. The intensity in his eyes made her legs weak.

Her heart did that thing again, where she couldn't hear anything but the sound of it thumping wildly in her chest. She barely had time to register his expression before his lips claimed hers.

Gentle and teasing at first, as his tongue flicked along her bottom lip. Her eager mouth opened for him, and he took full advantage. The second his tongue touched hers, the restraint broke, and the kiss turned hungry and frantic. Both greedy to taste the other. There might come a time when they could leisurely explore each other, but now was not that time.

The way he stroked in and out of her mouth telegraphed what he wanted to be doing, and the knowledge made fire streak through her veins. She molded against him, drinking in his hardness and strength and absorbing his warmth. He pushed into her and she felt his arousal cushioned against her stomach. Ranger wasn't anymore immune to this thing between them than she was. A wave of satisfaction rolled over her as she continued the feathery strokes of her tongue against his. They were fused together, but not quite close enough, as she clenched around nothing, the empty ache intensifying.

Stephanie was grateful she was anchored against the wall; the man made her legs tremble and robbed her of her proper self. She claimed his mouth with hungry kisses and breathy sounds. Desire poured through her and pooled liquid and hot between her thighs. She pressed against his leg, trying to ease the throbbing. The growl that rumbled from his throat told her he felt the evidence of her need. The man knew what he did to her. The way he kissed her told her this was just the tip of the iceberg, and she briefly wondered if she would actually survive an entire night in his bed, or if his fire would consume her.

Her fingertips traced along the hard, unforgiving muscles of his chest, forming a picture of what he looked like naked. Maybe one of these days she'd get to see all of him. Maybe one of these days they would make it into an actual bed. Stephanie gave herself a mental head slap. That presumed they were going to sleep together again, and that was a huge presumption. One she wasn't prepared to make.

Stephanie heard the guard's stern voice. "Upstairs."

Ranger just waved him away, and through a lust filled haze she heard the guard's irritated grunt as he moved away.

They could have kissed for one minute or one hour. Stephanie had lost all sense of time, her brain focused solely on Ranger, and the sensations that were ripping through her, and the searing need that had robbed her of rational thought. Ranger was addictive and dangerous. A girl could lose herself in him. The beauty, the intensity, the magic of his touch. Stephanie knew she needed to be careful. A man like that could burn her to ashes.

Ranger pulled back. The heat in his eyes scorched her and stole her breath.

"Hi." Her voice came out in a breathy whisper.

Ranger grinned at her. "Hi yourself."

Somewhere along the line she had practically crawled up his body. His hand palmed the back of her thigh she had wrapped around him, the warmth of his touch branding her. He eased her leg down, and Stephanie felt heat flush her cheeks. She wasn't usually quite so wanton or so careless. She worked to slow her breathing as the feel of his kisses tingled her lips. That man knew how to kiss a woman senseless.

The guard cleared his throat and Ranger took her hand, tugging her towards the stairs. She followed him on weak legs that trembled from whatever the hell that had been. The explosion between them had been unexpected and scary. She had lost herself to his touch, to him. It had been a long time since a man's touch had ignited her like that, maybe never if she was brutally honest. Stephanie needed to take a step back and get some perspective. She was working for cripes' sakes. A woman's life depended on her.

Ranger stopped in front of one of the open bedrooms. A few of the doors were closed and the sounds coming from the rooms left very little to the imagination. Apparently, Alexi provided both the women and the beds.

Ranger's lips brushed the shell of her ear. "Alexi wires these rooms for sight and sound. He uses the tapes for blackmail and leverage. Be careful what you say."

Ranger feathered light kisses along her collarbone and the hollow of her throat. The brush of his lips caused her skin to tingle, and warmth spread through her, making her skin flush. He took her hand, inviting her inside. To a casual observer, it looked like he was just a party guest taking advantage of one of the many party favors.

The room had a baroque feel about it. Heavy, ornate furniture and red damask. Her eyes swept the room, spotting at least one camera. Not surprisingly, it was trained on the bed. Stephanie moved farther into the room and felt Ranger come up behind her.

His hand brushed her hair to the side as his lips skimmed along the nape of her neck, pressing whisper soft kisses as his warm hands splayed across her ribcage. Stephanie pressed back, shamelessly rubbing her backside against him. She told herself it was just a show for the cameras, but she knew better.

"I hope that's an invitation for later." Ranger growled against her neck.

Was it? Stephanie thought it might be. She made a noncommittal sound and pushed back against him harder.

She heard his sharp hiss of breath. Ranger leaned down and kissed the top of her shoulder, peppering light kisses up her neck, that left a trail of fire in their wake. Desire, liquid and hot, streaked through her, and she arched back into him. The breathy moan that tumbled from her throat was authentic.

Ranger's hand slid around and palmed her backside, gently kneading the flesh, and then his hand slipped between them, his body shielding hers from the view of the camera. Stephanie's breath hitched as his hand found its way lower. His long, wicked fingers just barely teased her through the tiny scrap of fabric that pretended to be panties. It was an exquisite torture, and she pushed against his hand, desperate for more than a teasing touch.

His feral growl vibrated straight to her core. She wanted to pretend this was all an act, but she knew better. She wanted him to touch her. She'd thought of this reunion ever since his plane had gone airborne.

"I can feel your heat." He murmured against the shell of her ear. His fingers rubbed her ever so lightly, sending a jolt through her that made her buck. "How drenched you are." His words brought another flood of arousal, and this time his growl sounded more like a groan.

The bite he gave her neck was sharp and immediately soothed with a kiss. Stephanie was afraid she would spontaneously combust. Melt into a little pool of need right there on this expensive plush carpet.

"We have to rain check this, but make no mistake, you will come riding my cock before this night is over." There was no mistaking the promise in his voice.

Stephanie was pretty sure that startled little gasp came from her. The certainty in his voice rocketed straight to her core. Gawd, this man and his wonderfully filthy mouth were going to be the death of her. She wanted to tell him he was presumptuous and wrong, but Stephanie knew better than to bet against the house.

Ranger pushed her towards the French doors that led to the balcony. Stephanie pulled her thoughts away from the throbbing between her legs, to the minor matter of escaping the clutches of the criminal underworld. That's how they were going to get out. Stephanie suppressed a sigh. She'd be damn lucky if she didn't break her fool neck. She wished for the tenth time tonight she had on boots and a pair of damn pants. Stephanie would have even settled for underwear that actually covered her ass. She let out a small sigh. Men always had it easier.

The night air washed over her, cooling Stephanie's overheated flesh. She looked around the small balcony and spied a drain pipe running down the side of the house. She had a bad feeling that was going to be the only way down unless she wanted to jump. Ranger's husky voice jerked her back.

"We're going to need to time this between guard patrols. Alexi turned off the motion sensors but increased the guards." Ranger's voice was low and close to her.

At least he didn't ask her if she could do it. Stephanie just hoped his faith in her agility was not misplaced.

"You go first." Ranger nudged her towards the pipe. "I'm going to go in and make a show of pouring us some drinks." Ranger gave her a wolf grin. "And telling you how I'm going to spend the next twelve hours ruining you for all other men."

She might have thought it was an outrageous statement, if it weren't for the fact she was pretty sure he already had.

"OK." Stephanie pressed a hard kiss to his lips. A warning that said he had damn well better make good on those promises. "I'll see you down there."

Ranger turned and walked back in, and Stephanie examined the drainage pipe. She was going to have to shimmy down it, and it would not be easy. She reached out and tested the pipe. It seems sturdy enough but rough to the touch.

She considered taking off her shoes, but the pipe would probably cut her feet, which would be a far worse problem. It was best to take her chances with the shoes.

Stephanie took hold and swung out, gripping the pipe with her hands and feet. Just a walk in the park, she told herself as she started the descent.

She could feel the air cool on her nearly bare backside. Nothing like climbing down the side of some half-rate crime lord's house with her ass hanging out. She really hoped no one was watching. Hand-over-hand, she eased her way down the pipe. Its rough texture gnawing at her hands and inner thighs.

She was almost two-thirds of the way down when her feet started slipping. She scrambled for purchase, but couldn't find a toe grip. The heels of her shoes sliding uselessly along the pipe. She was going to rip her hands all to hell if she kept sliding. Stephanie took a deep breath and let go, prepared for a hard landing.

Stephanie heard the soft grunt as she connected with a hard, muscled chest and arms of steel wrapped around her like a vise.

"Careful little fox." Michail's silky voice whispered next to her ear.

He swung her into the shadows next to the house and sat her on her feet. Stephanie quickly pushed her dress down, not that any amount of effort would make it modest.

She gave Michail a dark look. Of course, he would see her flail and almost land on her ass. "Enjoy the show."

"Immensely." Came Michail's droll reply.

He gave her what she'd come to think of as his signature bored look, but she could tell by the way his lip tipped up, he really wanted to smile.

"What are you doing out here, anyway?" Stephanie whispered as she peeked out to see if Ranger was on the way down yet.

"Making sure you got out."

Stephanie gave him a questioning look.

"Nikko wasn't happy I left you with Pardo." He gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "He said he would kill me if something happened to you."

"Nikko threatened to kill you?" Stephanie hissed. She thought Michail must be joking. Michail just shrugged, like that was a common occurrence.

"Yes. Nikko doesn't make idle threats. I'd be a fool not to take him seriously."

Michail was the head of the bratva, and he was wary of Nikko. A little slither of fear curled down her spine. Nikko had held a gun to her head and Stephanie realized he could have easily killed her. He and his partner had wiped out an entire rebel camp with ruthless efficiency. Two against thirty. Now she was working with Nikko, and she even kind of liked him.

Hysteria bubbled low in her throat. Really, what could possibly go wrong. This night just got better and better. She was working with Satan, she had practically dry humped the head of the bratva, climbed down a drainpipe with her ass hanging out, and now the Albanians were coming. And that, well, that had all happened in the last half hour. She was afraid to even imagine what the rest of the night would bring. She really hoped a Ranger induced orgasm, but she quickly pushed that thought away.

"Why?" Stephanie asked, genuinely curious about Nikko.

"He's the second-best in the business." Michail said it like everyone knew that and Stephanie was clearly late to the party.

Well now, wasn't that just the cat's pajamas? Stephanie sighed. She was pretty sure she didn't want to know exactly what Nikko's business was. A beat went by as she absorbed what Michail had said.

"Second? Who's the first?" Curiosity getting the best of her.

Stephanie poked her head out again. Where the hell was Ranger.

"A woman."

"A woman. That's it. That's all you know?" Stephanie quirked an eyebrow at him.

Michail's brow knitted together for a second, like he was filing through his memory. "Some say she's Nikko's partner. Some say his lover. Some say both and others say neither. No one really knows. At least no one alive, anyway."

Stephanie's mouth suddenly went dry. She had a feeling she knew who the woman was. Her mind flashed to Colombia, and the image of the woman wiping blood off a knife. The same woman that had been at the wine tasting. The woman Nikko had devoured with scorching intensity. The heat between the two of them had been off the charts. Stephanie's money was on partner and lover, but she kept her mouth shut.

"So, I could have been an assassin?"

"Yes, I thought it was possible, maybe it was a set up. Nikko had sent you to kill me." Michail confirmed. No hint of sarcasm in his voice. Stephanie had been joking, but Michail sounded dead serious.

"I thought you and Nikko were allies." Stephanie was confused.

"Allies one day, enemies the next. You know how it goes." He waved his hand breezily, like it was a self-evident truth that everyone knew.

Actually, Stephanie didn't know how it went, but she let that slide. She was not even remotely equipped for this world.

"You weren't sure if I was going to kiss you or kill you?" Stephanie teased.

Michail smiled at her. "It was fifty-fifty."

"What made you take the chance?"

Michail gave her a wicked grin. "I thought kissing you would be worth dying."

Stephanie smiled and rolled her eyes. "Seriously?"

Michail made a tsking sound. "Come, little fox, you know men like me don't die of old age. I would rather the last thing I saw on this earth be a beautiful woman, such as yourself, then die at the hands of a pig like Alexi."

Stephanie thought Michail had a fair point. "Hmm."

"Besides, I saw your shoes. No respectable assassin would wear those shoes."

Stephanie looked down at her sandals, perplexed. "What's wrong with my shoes?"

"Chunky. Kind of manly. Stilettos make better weapons." Michail was grinning at her.

Stephanie could see Ranger on the balcony. It was about damn time. Michail looked up and saw Ranger starting his descent.

"You have interesting friends, little fox."

Stephanie was realizing just how interesting they were.

"Does that include you?" Stephanie asked Michail.

He cocked his head and studied her. "I'd like to think it might."

Stephanie placed her hand on his arm. "Good. Then listen to what I'm saying. You need to get out of here. The Albanians are planning to hit the house."

Michail locked eyes with her as he weighed the information. Stephanie held his gaze, so he could gauge the truth of her words for himself.

"Careful little fox or I might think you care."

Michail's hand reached out and his fingers traced down her temple, his touch light as a feather gliding across her skin. His eyes were warm and open. No hint of hardness or sarcasm marred his face. For just one moment, the sharp edges blurred, and he looked softer, almost vulnerable. She realized just how young he actually was, how beautiful.

"Thank you Michail. Thank you for tonight, for everything."

He raised her hand to his lips and brushed a light kiss across the back. "It was my pleasure." There was no double meaning to his words, just sincerity.

"If you ever need anything or I can be of service." His voice trailed off.

"Same." Stephanie whispered back.

A noise drew Stephanie's attention. "Shit, here comes the guards."

Michail leaned in and kissed her on her forehead. "I've got this."

It was weirdly tender and touching. She had a feeling; friends were a rare commodity in Michail's world.

Ranger dropped to the ground without a sound and tucked into the shadows. He and Michail eyed each other for a minute, and Stephanie held her breath. Michail gave him a nod and headed out towards the guards that were moving their way. Michail pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one, the flame drawing the guards' attention towards him.

She heard his angry voice, but couldn't make out the words in Russian. The guards were clearly apologizing and headed back the way they had come.

Ranger grabbed her hand and tugged her towards the wall.