Chapter 5
I sat in silence, waiting for Ranger to explain that remark. My ego was a little wounded that he wasn't desperate to see me for my own sake, but I suspected this had more to do with my safety than anything else.
After a few minutes, I gave in and asked. So, why am I here?Is that a philosophical question?
No! Why did you bring me here? Yeesh.
Word on the street is there's still a price on your head. Ranger's jaw had tensed. Maybe that was what he was worried about. He didn't want me to die. Okay it wasn't true love, but at least he wasn't upset enough about me breaking into his apartment while he was gone to want me dead. That was something, right?
Why? Didn't Sally take out the whole gang? Who wants me dead now? Why did someone always want to kill me? I really wasn't that bad of a person.
That's what we're trying to figure out.
I didn't realize I was shaking until Ranger put his hand on my shoulder to steady me. It's going to be okay, Steph. We're going to take care of this.
I looked at him. If anyone could take care of this, I had no doubt it was him. That was comforting. What bothered me was that he would be putting himself in danger in the process. I was always putting him in danger, why didn't he just tell me to go away already? God knows it would make his life simpler.
I asked, searching his face for an answer.
He quirked an eyebrow at me. Gee, guess he expected an explanation.
Why do you always help me?It's what you do for the people you care about,he said. I stared at him wide-eyed. I didn't know how to come back at that. Earlier he'd said he loved mein his own way, and now he was admitting to caring about me. I can think about all this later, I told myself firmly. Right now the important thing was staying alive.
Luckily my thoughts were interrupted by Ranger's phone ringing.
he answered.
I'll tell her.
He flipped the phone shut and looked over at me. Uh-oh, he didn't look happy with me.
Something you forgot to tell me, Babe? he asked in a low, quiet voice.
Who was on the phone? I countered.
I started. Why would he call you?He wanted to give you the heads up. Seems your assailant somehow managed to escape. Ranger's face gave away nothing as he spoke.
That guy,I nodded, remembering the hold-up. He was just a mugger. I didn't think he was important enough to mention. Besides, Mooner took him down. I explained.
Ranger asked, with one eyebrow raised. He didn't look convinced, so I explained.
He was wearing his super suit, so he had his stun gun.Let me get this straight, Mooner stunned your mugger?
I nodded.
Ranger smiled and shook his head in disbelief. Only you would be rescued by the skip you were bringing in, Babe.
I wasn't going to argue that point. From what I'd seen of Ranger's skips, I didn't think it was likely they'd rescue anyone, let alone the bounty hunter bringing them in. I just shrugged in response.
The amusement faded from Ranger's face. Steph, we need to find out who's behind this contract. Any ideas?
I mulled over who might want me dead this week. Joe's not happy with me, I volunteered.
Ranger grimaced. I think we can safely rule out Morelli. Anyone else?Maybe an old skip? Maybe someone from the Slayers survived? I was grasping at straws, and starting to get depressed.
This is serious, isn't it?
Ranger sat beside me on the couch. He lifted my chin with his index finger and locked eyes with me. Yeah, Babe.
I stared into his eyes. Maybe my mom was right, maybe I should put in an application at the button factory. No one ever tried to kill button factory workers. I'd just have to worry about dying of boredom.
Wouldn't help. Ranger said.
I swear I hadn't said that out loud.
The contract's already in place. It's not going to go away just because you change jobs.How do you do that?I have my ways. He was wearing his mysterious, sexy smile. Damn he was sexy, I thought.
I placed both my hands on his shoulders. Still staring into his eyes, I moved closer to him, until my lips met his. His arms wrapped around me, crushing me against him. Ranger drew back.
You're playing with fire, Babe. His eyes were dark and he was regarding me in the same way a man dying from thirst might look at a tall glass of ice water. Are you sure this is what you really want? There will be no turning back.What are you talking about?
What about him? I asked, seriously confused now.
Ranger stared at me, and brushed his knuckles against my cheek. I caught my breath as Ranger moved to stand.
You need to work out things with Morelli. With that he turned and headed to his bedroom. He closed the door behind him leaving me gaping at him. What the hell was that? If he thought I was ever going back to Morelli he was a whole lot stupider than he looked!
