Thanks for giving this unconventional storyline a chance, especially if this isn't your usual cup of tea. I appreacite all the reviews/traffic this has gotten. Story upped to M rating to give more freedom for upcoming chapters.
It's been a hectic week and haven't had much time to finish the pending updates to other stories. Hoping to get a few updates for those out this weekend.
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Mistakes are mine. Oops.
Stephanie's POV
Ma reached for my left hand, giving me a small tug so that she could lead me away from the bars after Galluzzo left. She basically shoved me into a seated position on her bunk. In complete silence, Ma began the arduous process of detangling my rebellious curls. I thought it was a valiant effort considering that even when I had access to all of the necessary hair products, I still struggled with getting my hair to cooperate.
Not sure how long it took her, but Ma got the job done. She even helped me wash my face. It was quite obvious I'd been crying. My eyes get extremely puffy when I do.
It struck me a little late that Ma didn't know that my tears had been sorta happy tears from seeing Ranger after so long. That reminded me of the whole sick set up Galluzzo and his people have going.
"How long has this been happening?" I croaked out once Ma completed her self imposed task. Guess there wasn't much else to do. We're still stuck in our cells twenty four hours a day. Most have gotten a little shut eye by being inventive or by simply succumbing to exhaustion.
Ma was quieter than usual as she sat next to me in her tiny bed. We both stared blankly at the wall ahead. "Long time." Ma finally replied, placing her hand on my left knee and giving me a gentle squeeze.
I frowned, because she didn't even need any clarification.
"Why haven't any of the women spoken out?" I asked. I was extremely lucky that it was Ranger and that I didn't have to go through what the others have had to. In fact, on my escort back to my cell it finally clicked that the 'family visit' was the code word the inmates dubbed for the sick shit that happens in that room. It's not the inmates paying for it, it's someone else paying for them.
Ma sighed. "Who's gonna believe it?" The hard shake of her head told me that she's either lived this in the flesh or has seen it previously.
"It's wrong." I bit out, anger spreading within me like a wildfire.
Ma scoffed. "Most would ignore it or flat out refused to believe the dark truth." She said that it was just the way things were; that on the inside there wasn't anything we could do. "They always target the young, beautiful or those that don't have anyone looking out for them." Ma said she figured I was too much of a risk for the guards.
"Guess not." I muttered, not revealing what really happened inside of that room.
"Get some rest." Ma shared her secret to her a good sleep despite the lights being on. "Plus, they've relaxed the rounds considerably." She said I should be able to have a good couple hours of uninterrupted sleep.
I nodded my understanding, following Ma's suggestion. I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
S&R
Ranger's POV
"Plum?" The unidentified male voice floated out of our surveillance equipment.
Not only did Hector devise something for me to record video and sound during my secret visit, but he also came up with a tiny tracker and sound transmitter. With Kirk's help, CO Galluzzo is now at our mercy. And if he somehow finds said miniature gadget, his vehicle and home are bugged as well. He's done for.
"Yeah." Galluzzo replied. I recognized his voice. He's going to wish he'd never been born by the time I'm done with him.
"Mmm, all that creamy skin and those fucking blue eyes!" Galluzzo's companion let out a groan. "How much would it cost me?" The son of a bitch asked.
Hector had to hold up a hand for me to remain seated. After I left the facility in the same VIP discrete fashion I arrived, I met up with Hector and Tank. Hec got a mobile monitoring station set up so that we could monitor the sound feed live.
"You can't afford the price tag on Plum." Galluzzo laughed. My hands fisted at my sides. He is a dead man.
"Aww, come on. Where's that employee discount?" The second asshole had the balls to joke about their sick set up.
"Pick another one." Galluzzo's smirk carried over despite us not having a visual. He's getting off on this. "Plum's going to be the new VIP option." My stomach dropped at the idea of what this asshole had planned for Babe.
The second man whistled, muttering something about Babe needing more holes if she's going to be able to satisfy all of their elite customers.
"We'll take care of them." Tank said in a scary sounding calm tone besdie me. He's just as furious. We all are. Things are worse than we initatlly thought.
"That VIP must have railed her real good, cuz Plum's been sleeping since." The unknown mad supplied, joking about the supposed brutal rape.
"Oh I bet she's tired." Galluzzo embellished the supposed details, painting a disturbing picture.
The wait felt eternal, but time doesn't stop. We followed after Galluzzo once he left. Hector drove at a hidden distance, as we tracked our target.
Galluzzo was alone when he pulled up to his house. He lived on a quiet street that had several houses in various stages of completion. I smiled to myself. Without knowing it, Galluzzo chose the best possible location for us to nab him.
Mobilizing as one, our team descended on the two story home. Research said Galluzzo was divorced. His ex-wife and children lived in Michigan. While he partied his money away, his ex worked two jobs to provide for their children. That alone would have put him on my shit list.
While Hector temporarily disabled the phone line, I slipped in through the back of the house. Tank's coming in through the front if it's absolutely necessary.
Distorted sounds floated down the upstairs hallway as I made my silent approach. Heat signatures confirmed he was alone, so that could only mean that he was having a solo pleasure session.
"Oh yeah, baby." Galluzzo groaned as he stroked himself hurriedly. His eyes were closed as he stood in his bathroom. His phone was propped up on the sink counter, sound reverberating in the enclosed space. It took me a moment to realize that he was replaying the recording of Babe's 'moans' and cries. Not only did he sell access to various women, but he also stood by the door to record the sexual assaults in progress. There's a special place in hell reserved just for him.
He'd stripped his clothes, which was helpful. That gave me a clear indication that he was unarmed. As he reached his release, I took the opportunity to slip in behind him.
"Wha-" His groan of pleasure morphed into a heated bark as he felt the barrel of my Glock press against the back of his head.
"Hope you enjoyed that." I said in my deadliest voice. "Because that'll be the last pleasure you'll ever experience." It was my turn to growl as I expertly subdued him.
S&R
Tank's POV
I watched as Ranger landed another blow on our guest. He's been going at this for over thirty-six hours with minimal breaks. I haven't seen Ranger this unrestrained since the whole Abruzzi episode.
"I think he knows more." I said flatly, flicking my eyes towards the bloodied man. Galluzzo turned out to be a little bitch. He wailed and pleaded after the first round of special Ranger torture, not that it did him any good.
"Si." Hector agreed, making a production of sharpening his blades.
"I told you everything!" Galluzzo gurgled out, choking on the blood running down his throat thanks to his broken face.
"That's not enough!" Ranger growled as he bent his head to be able to look at Galluzzo's battered face. "Who is calling the shots?" Galluzzo had one eye swollen shut, yet still managed to track Ranger with the minimal vision he had left.
I've seen men in better shape crap their pants and Galluzzo would have too if he'd had anything left to spew out of his body. He's on the brink of death. Galluzzo's been a dead man since Hector closed the deal.
"You were the first client. I swear!" Galluzzo pleaded for his life, the deluded prick. He's managed to hold on this long, but he won't be able to do so much longer.
"There shouldn't have been any buyers." Ranger gritted his teeth before he inflicted more pain.
"I-I di-didn't kn-no-ow." Galluzzo wheezed out. The man's a goner. He'll be dead soon. Ranger did not hold back. None of us did.
"Didn't know what?" Ranger snarled, a feral look crossing his dark eyes. "That what you did was wrong? Or that you would finally get caught?"
Galluzzo sealed his grave when he said he would have left Bomber out of his cash gig if he'd known she was Ranger's woman.
"Wrong answer." Ranger made sure Galluzzo felt extreme pain before he was sent to the other side.
"Death's too good for that bastard." I said to no one in particular as we moved onto the next phase. Despite getting what we needed from him and all the torture he sustained, it still didn't feel like enough of a punishment for someone as depraved as Galluzzo.
When the sun rises, the whole state is getting a huge bombshell. By the time Galluzzo is found, the whole nation's going to know every single depravity that went on under his reign. Galluzzo signed his detailed confession before 'taking' his own life. All the dirt we've found will be made public. We're going after every single person who had a hand in Bomber's torture, whether it was directly or indirectly.
Ranger wasn't kidding when he said he'd burn the whole world to the ground to get to Stephanie.
S&R
Mary Lou's POV
I dropped off my oldest boys at school and took advantage of the fact that my mother was looking after my youngest to make a quick stop at Tasty Pastry.
Lost in thought, I waited patiently in line for my turn. Because of the lockdown, I haven't been able to visit Steph. I've been worried about how she's doing considering the last time I saw her Steph wasn't well.
As I instructed Nancy, the new worker behind the counter, what to add to my order a small smile spread across my lips as I spotted the last remaining Boston cream.
"I'll take it." I told Nancy. She gave me a smile and did just that.
The bell chimed as the door burst open and I heard a gasp from the person standing behind me. The wide eyed look Nancy got, coupled with the sudden change in atmospheric pressure told me that it was none other than Angie and Bella Morelli. Of course.
But before either of them could start with their usual tirade, something caught my eye. Nancy likes to watch the early morning news. The small flatscreen TV mounted on the wall by the register was running a special report.
"Up the volume, will ya?" Someone behind me asked. From the sound of the raspiness it has to be Mrs. Puglisi. She lives across the street from the Plum's and unlike the rest of the Burg, usually keeps to herself. Looks like she watches the news too.
All eyes were glued to the screen as we listened. It took a moment for the info to infiltrate my somewhat groggy brain. I swear my youngest left me with permanent mom brain. It was a little embarrassing how long it took me to absorb the information.
There was a collective wave of hoots and hollers swirling around the small bakery, followed by two grunts of displeasure. It wasn't until then that it finally clicked. It's over!
"Hear that?!" I jabbed a thumb at the TV while looking over my shoulder at Angie and Bella Morelli. Flashing my best grin, I took great pride in my next statement. "Every single dirty 'official' involved is getting what's coming to them." I made sure to glare at the two, drilling in that Morelli is at the top of that list. That asshole denied being with Stephanie that night. I know for a fact that he had a hand in everything that followed after.
"I put the evil eye on y…" Bella Morelli had to eat her words when I threw back that maybe she should focus her efforts on her grandson.
"He's going to need all the help he can get." I snarled before returning my focus to the screen. Moments later I heard the bell chime as soomeone made a quick exit. Without turning back, I knew Morelli's mom and grandma were gone.
"These are on the house." Maria Marino came from the back of the bakery at some point during my exchange with Bella. She's owned the bakery for the last six months, keeping the same taste we know and love intact. "Tell Stephanie I have a special treat for her." Maria flashed me a friendly smile as I thanked her.
I practically ran to my minivan, wanting nothing more than to return home to watch the news.
As I drove the short distance, I tuned into a local radio station. They were talking about the whole abuse of power that led to violence and sexual assaults in Steph's facility. My heart broke for my best friend, but at the same time I felt ecstatic that this whole unexpected spotlight shown a light to the forsaken things going on behind those walls, especially the injustice against Steph.
The next two days flew by as piece by additional piece of new info was released. There's a long list of people involved in the whole depravity, from guards, to supervisors etc.
When the news finally hit that after a bunch of mumble jumble legal words that I didn't quite grasp, Steph would be released I was beyond relieved.
"She's free!" I shouted, startling my youngest out of his morning nap. "Shshsh." I apologized, swaying him one more time to get him to go back to sleep. It was hard to accomplish it when I was full of buzzing energy!
The rest of the day went by just as quickly. I fed, bathed and got my sons into bed with Lenny's help. I didn't want to miss any of the coverage about Steph.
It was dark and my kids were pretty much down for the night when the special report came on. Dozens of news sources were camped out, wanting to be the one to report the most up to date news on this mega scandal. There are a bunch of agencies and the feds are in the mix, investigating the claims. It's been confirmed that lawsuits against the people involved with the years-long unchecked abuse are in the works. It's a big story for sure.
Though I'm glad that the disgusting people behind the gross practices are under scrutiny, I'm focused on one thing. Well, one person: Stephanie.
A choked sob escaped me when I finally spotted her being escorted by some guy in a suit. The camera crew did a good job of following her progress behind the large glass windows in the lobby.
The moment Stephanie stepped foot outside of that horrible place, she was swarmed by the various reporters. She kept walking, her gaze locked on something or someone behind the camera line.
One of the reporters asked how she was feeling now that her name was cleared and she had her freedom back after her horrifying ordeal, but Steph didn't reply. Nope, my BFF kept walking.
Yes, keep your head up high, Steph! Rub it in all those motherfuckers' faces that despite all their efforts, they couldn't destroy you.
I grinned to myself, because I knew exactly who was waiting for Steph inside of that shiny black SUV.
Ranger.
S&R
Stephanie's POV
"Babe." Ranger's voice in my ear snapped me out of my thoughts. I blinked only to realize that I spent the over forty minute drive lost in thought. Everything since Ranger's covert visit has felt like a daze. So much has happened in such a short period of time and now poof! I'm free once again.
"Welcome home!" A chorus of Merry Men greeted as soon as Ranger helped me out of the fleet SUV.
"Hey." I gave the men a small finger wave, feeling somewhat awkward as all eyes settled on me. This really feels weird. I'm a little afraid that if I blink, this will turn out to be a dream.
"We really missed you, Beautiful." Lester was the first brave Merry to step up. "There's all your favorites, including cake." He rambled on as he approached, enveloping me in the tightest hug ever. "I'm really glad you're back with us, Stephanie." Lester whispered in my left ear as he gave me a series of tight squeezes.
"Missed you guys too." I said, returning his hug.
As soon as Lester let go, I was enveloped by yet another set of muscular arms. While I was basically passed around from Merry Man to Merry Man, I briefly wondered if I'd get bruised from brushing up against all that hard musculature. At least I'll be black and blue for a different reason this time.
I was on sensory overload by the time I found myself standing inside of the Rangeman lobby. I didn't even remember moving from the underground garage and into the building. When my wandering gaze landed on Ella's sweet face, I felt like I was teetering on the edge. I didn't want to break down, so I worked on taking a deep breath.
I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry. I'm not going to cry…
My mental chanting was broken when Ella smiled at me. Her usual loving and caring essence quickly swirled around my obvious trembling body.
"Mi niña." Ella motioned that she was going to take a step closer to me. I gave her a tiny bow, thankful that she gave me a heads up of her intent to touch me. "Welcome home, mija." Her reassuring hug gave me a sense of momentary relief.
"Ella…" I choked out as her arms tightened around me ever so slightly. The feeling of safety that washed over me as I felt Ranger's big hand land on my nape, coupled with the realization that Ella referred to me as her daughter caused the waterworks to release like an overflowing dam.
Yes. I'm home.
Let me know your thoughts. The next part of the story will follow S&R and Co. dealing with the things on the streets of Trenton.