Disclaimer: See First Chapter
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Okay, this was as good as I'm gonna get.
It was a sobering thought.
I stared at myself in the bathroom full length mirror.
I'd discovered a bandage at my left temple, along with bruises on either side of my face that although beginning to fade were still prominent. The right side of my cheek had a cut on the bruise. My bottom lip had a cut that had scabbed over and my hair looked like tangled seaweed.
My shoulder had a very big, very dark bruise on it that hurt like hell.
I'd maneuvered the shower slowly, not wanting to fall. The water had helped. I wasn't as sore and the aching in my head had diminished to almost nothing.
After exiting I'd explored the room and found a closet.
Loaded with clothing… that fit me.
So I'd selected comfortable looking jeans and a pullover sweater that was white with light blue snowflakes on it. The pullover sweater had been impossible to pullover with my shoulder shooting pain at me every time I moved it. So I'd settled for a white button down shirt that had skinny, brown vertical lines on it.
I'd tried to brush my hair, but found that it hurt. In the shower I'd found the cause of my pain. A lump at the base of my skull. It was very tender and if it was that size at least five days later I could only imagine what'd been like originally.
So instead of brushing, I'd run my hands through it. It was wet still so it didn't too bad.
I found some boots that were my size too – coincidence?
Probably not.
What I could not find was make-up.
Studying my reflection, I decided… I could really use some make-up.
I turned away and entered the bedroom again; glancing at the clock. It was past eight.
Jeez, I'd been in the shower longer than I thought.
Standing outside the door, I took a deep breath.
I was really nervous; like serious butterflies and sweaty palms nervous. Ranger's family was outside this door; and I'd already made a less than stellar first impression.
I wasn't sure why, but I really wanted these people to like me; and I really wanted to like them. It was important.
"You ready Babe?"
I jumped, pulling the door open and staring at him in shock.
"How did you-"
He smiled, shrugging those wide, muscled shoulders, "Just a guess."
I nodded, understand, he was Batman.
He studied me, from top to bottom, "Come on you look like you could use some food."
Oooooh food!
He laughed, my expression must have brightened.
He reached out and took my hand in his, it was a surprise.
A good one.
It made me feel special.
And as he led me through the large living room and into another room, I felt my nervousness leave.
I was with Ranger. Everything would be fine.
Still pathetic, right?
Yeah, well I was emotional at the moment… almost getting killed does that to a girl.
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It was a kitchen.
I think.
Looked more like a restaurant to me… but they were all lounging around like it was kitchen.
All eyes turned to us when we walked in. All conversation stopped.
I scanned the faces again, finding that most had been witness to my…. moment.
My eyes landed on Tank and he grinned.
Tank hadn't been there before.
If Tank had been there I might have not gotten so hysterical.
"Hey bombshell," he said in his usual way.
I blushed; I so did not need this family to hear that nickname…
"How ya feelin?" he asked.
"O-okay…" I actually stuttered, and Ranger's hand squeezed mine.
"If you could all stop staring at her as if she were a rare bird on exhibit at a zoo, I'm sure she'd be better."
I gasped.
They giggled, smirked, or smiled.
An older woman stepped forward, her dark hair pulled back into a long braid. Her dark eyes kind and twinkling.
His mother.
"Hi honey," she said kindly, "I'm Rick's mom, Celine," she pause d here, holding me gently by the shoulders as she studied me. For a moment I did feel like I was on exhibit, there was an intensity in her gaze that wouldn't let me look away, "Welcome to my home."
She said, but I felt a shiver run through me, because never before had the word home sounded so much like family.
And then she hugged me.
A nice hug; and she smelled really nice and I didn't mean to, but I found myself hugging her back.
And tears stung my eyes.
I was turning into a cry baby….
She smiled at me when she pulled back as if she could read my thoughts… hey why not… she was Mama-Bat, "It's been a rough few days for you, huh?"
I nodded mutely.
She grabbed my other hand, pulling me towards the center of the restaurant (kitchen) I dragged Ranger with me.
"Everyone this is Stephanie Plum, she's a very good friend of Ricky's and she's going to be staying with us until this mess gets cleaned up."
Ricky?
Had she just called him Ricky?
I looked at him, he grinned, a real 1000-watts grin… and it made my toes curl.
I had a feeling though, that the introduction was for my benefit. As I looked around at the faces, all amused, I had the knowing suspicion that these people knew a lot about me.
A lot.
"Rick why don't you introduce Stephanie, while I get her a plate of food."
Food!
My eyes instantly brightened.
Mama-Bat walked off to a corner of the restaurant (kitchen); we were all conglomerated in the center, where there was an island of type… a big island… surrounded by stools.
"Where're the kids?" Ranger asked.
"Upstairs, with Veronica." The woman who'd been in my room answered.
Elaina… that was her name…Lane.
Ranger's twin.
Hmmmm, and I thought him being a dad was mind-boggling.
"Okay Steph," he said, "Let's start with the ones you've already met."
I narrowed my eyes at him; that statement sounded suspicious.
"That's Lane," he said motioning towards his sister.
"You know Tank…" he said, "Tank is actually Eddie. We met when I was five. He came to live with us when he was nine. Mom adopted him two years later."
My eyes widened.
Wow.
"And that's Ralphie," he said pointing to a guy I'd had the encounter with, "I think you've already made a great impression on him."
There was choked laughter.
I glared at Ranger, before shifting my gaze to his little brother.
I grimaced, "Sorry 'bout… uh… earlier…"
Yeah, Steph, that's it -- blind them with your vocabulary.
He eyed me for a minute, before shrugging carelessly, "Wasn't planning on havin kids anyway."
"Wuss…" the reply came from someone else, my eyes went over to him and then widened.
Oh.
He was gorgeous.
I suddenly took a step back.
My eyes going over these people again; as if seeing them for the first time. There were five men and two women standing around and they were all gorgeous.
The women were… well… women; But the men…
They were drool-worthy in fact I might me drooling right now.
Lula would have an orgasm on the spot if she were in the room.
All tall, with mocha skin, glossy black hair, wide shoulders, and dark penetrating eyes…
How did I not notice before?
"Notice what Babe?"
Uh-oh, did I say that out-loud?
Must have 'cause Ranger was looking at me very concerned-like and everyone else was looking at me like I'd lost my mind.
I shook my head, "Nu-nothing… it's just…"
Oh whatever, I've never been good at keeping things to myself.
"You're all gorgeous!"
Shocked silence followed this statement; before the room erupted in laughter.
"You'll fit right in." One of the guys said.
Huh?
Ranger glared at him, before turning to smile at me, shaking his head and pulling me back towards him.
"Babe, that's Tony over there… the one that called Ralphie a wuss; the gorgeous brunette on his arm is Lacey… his wife… yeah we wonder what she was thinking too… . Next to him is Marcus, he's the oldest and the guy back there with Eddie is Lucus – Lane's husband who's also Lacy twin… and you've already met mom… so that's everyone."
It took me a few seconds to realize that Eddie was Tank… hmmmm that was going to take some getting used to.
Tony was the one who'd said I'd fit in. All the others were just smiling at me... except the other one... the oldest... he wasn't smiling.
Mama-Bat came back and my attention was completely diverted.She placed in front of me a plate of the best smelling food I'd ever experienced in my life.
Everything else in the world faded except for that plate of food.
It was rice with something in it, and chicken, and salad, and these little round things that looked like they were fried.
I went for those first… just to taste.
Forgetting that maybe I should thank the lady for giving me food…
It was crunchy and salty, and soooooo good… I think I might have moaned… the plan was just to taste… but well… I couldn't just taste it and leave it.
I finished it.
Then the rice called to me, I'd thank the lady in a second, reaching for the fork, I brought some of that rice into my mouth.
My eyes slid shut, I moaned in ecstasy.
But the chicken… ooooooh the chicken… it was soooooo good…
Just a few more bites and then I'd thank her…
All my attention was focused on the plate in front of me; I have to admit I actually forgot there were other people in the room.
A string of flowing Spanish reminded me though. My head shot up and I found Mama-Bat shooting sparks at Ranger and waving her hands in the air before she hurried off the magic corner of the kitchen – where the food came from.
I blinked a few times.
Ooops, had I done something wrong?
They were all staring at me and I felt a blush rising.
"What was that?"
Ranger refused to me my gaze and proceeded to shoot intimidating glances at everyone else.
Those intimidating things must not work on twins 'cause Lane lifted her chin and then looked right at me.
She grinned, "Mom wants to know what the hell Rick was thinking not bringing you here sooner. Anyone who could be so passionate about food is not only always welcome here, but sure to understand the family." She paused, "And deserving of desert."
My mind was still wrapped around the understanding the family bit when she mentioned desert.
"Wait till you taste Mama's flan, Stephanie, you're gonna freak," this came from the other woman.
Lacey.
She was grinning, "It's almost an erotic experience."
"Apparently all food is like that for Steph," that was Tony.
My eyes flew to him, and I narrowed them. He grinned back at me. My eyes widened, "Wow."
The word was out before I could stop it.
I shrugged when they all gave me questioning glances, "I'm really impressed with the gorgeous-ness in this family, that's all."
Immediately after saying this I went back to work on my plate.
Slowly conversation picked up around me.
I did my best to concentrate, but then again… I was eating.
"So how long are we on shut down?" Ralphie.
"As long as it takes." Marcus. So he does speak.
"Can't do, I've got a life." Ralphie.
"Sure." Tony, with loads of sarcasm.
"I do!" Ralphie, taking fake offense.
"Yeah and we're it." Mama-Bat, aggravated.
"Here you go honey," she said sweetly, after slapping her youngest on the back of the head, "You enjoy that and tell me if you want seconds."
I love you.
This wonderful woman placed in front of me a slice of something resembling cheesecake and dripping with some caramelly type liquid.
I would have jumped for it.
But suddenly it was removed from my line of vision.
Following it up, I found the plate in Rangers hands.
"Put. That. Back." I said slowly, narrowing my eyes in traditional do-it-or-else fashion.
He grinned, "Nope, finish the food, than maybe the sweets."
My eyes widened, I was outraged, and gathering smoke to release the outrage when someone else jumped in to be outraged for me.
"Oh please Rick! Just 'cause you've decided to cut all actual food from your diet doesn't mean Stephanie has to suffer." Lacey.
I liked Lacey.
"If I know Mom, there's rum in this… she on pain meds."
"No she isn't I took her off them." Lane.
I liked Lane.
"You're gonna put her back on them, though, aren't you."
"Ricky give the girl back her desert." Mama-Bat.
Ranger stared at his mother, then sighed, and slid the plate towards me.
I pulled it towards me covetously, and stuck my tongue out at him before digging in.
"ooooohhhhh…. this is… it's…"
"Orgasmic?" Lacey offered.
"Oh gross," Lucus stated, "I so do not need to hear that from you."
My eyes flew up to him, he hadn't spoken yet, and on doing so I saw Tank again.
The flan momentarily forgotten, I frowned at him, "You weren't here before." I accused.
He grinned at me, "I know, I was sorry to miss it though… real sorry…"
I glared, turning my attention back to the food. Once again conversation picked up around me. I tried to follow, but occasionally missed a few words or phrases while I was savoring.
"So they had nothing to say?"
"Beyond the fact that this wasn't over, not really…"
"Were they going to… you know… kill her…"
That got my attention.
"I don't think that was the intention, Victor's never been big on killing, his style is more…"
"Leaving reminders." My words turned all attention back on me, I shrugged, "One of the guys said something like that…"
Ranger grimaced, nodding, "That's why they use knives instead of guns."
"How charming."
"We all think so." Tony.
"Almost as charming as you." Ralphie – of course.
I chose to ignore the comment, seeing as I had kneed him in the gonads… hard.
I went back to my food; feeling very sad as I noticed that very little left. Ranger must have read my mind.
"Don't worry, Babe, every meal in this house is fried, dead animal, or dripping with sugar… you should feel right at home."
"Well that's where she is." Mama-Bat.
I swallowed hard.
Huh?
Ranger sent his mother a look. I couldn't tell what it meant, it was too loaded with meaning for me to even attempt it, but she glared back.
After a moment, Tank spoke up, dispelling the tension, "Bombshell'll feel like she's in heaven with your cooking Tia."
Mama-Bat beamed at him.
"Okay, let's let Steph finish her food in peace. You all met her; she met you all; so we're good."
No one moved.
"Break it up people!"
Smiling the people began to languidly move away. All shooting meaningful looks at Ranger.
Marcus stopped next to him, "Eleven?"
Ranger nodded once.
When the kitchen had emptied and I'd scraped both plates clean, I eyed him warily, "What's at eleven?"
He took a deep breath, "I'd hoped you'd let that go."
"Nope. What's at eleven?"
"You don't have to worry about it."
Which was basically a nice way of telling me it wasn't any of my business. I felt myself get angry very quickly.
"I do hafta worry about it, Ranger, I have to worry about a lot of thing. Like what exactly I did that got me kidnapped. And how exactly you're involved and how exactly your family's involved, and how long it's gonna take to fix this… or hell is it even fixable at all! Don't tell me not to worry about things! I have every right to worry!!
"Maybe a right, but when you're with me, no reason."
Damn.
How to argue with that??
The anger left, replaced by irritation. I scowled at him, "That's a really obnoxious thing to say."
He grinned, but it faded quickly, "We have a lot to go over Babe. I need to tell you what I know and you need to tell me what happened; but before we do that my brothers and I need to talk."
"I don't understand how my getting kidnapped involves your brothers."
"You will. I'll explain."
"Promise?"
He nodded.
"I mean it Ranger…"
"I will…"
"Good."
I stood up, the world didn't. It just sort of lurched around.
His hand was on my arm instantly.
"You had a really bad concussion, Babe… kinda scared me there for a second…."
I looked up at him, blinking a little… a vague memory trying to work its way out…
"I'm fine, just the movement thing…"
"Come on I'll walk you to your room."
We walked slowly and in silence, there was no one in the living room and I was beginning to wonder how big this house was if all those people plus kids could disappear.
"Ranger?" I asked.
"Yeah?"
"Is there… are you… do you have problems with your daughter?"
He stopped we were outside "my" room.
He looked at me, "Why do you ask?"
I shrugged, "You seemed kinda upset when I mentioned her before."
"There's a lot going on right now. Nica's kinda having a rough time and she's not letting anyone, me included, help her out."
I nodded.
"Thirteen's hard. You feel like your supposed to be grown and you wanna be grown up, but your just still not there. It's frustrating."
He nodded. "I'm giving her time."
I eyed him a moment… time as in: avoidance?
Nah, Ranger didn't avoid…
But just in case, "Not too much time."
He met my gaze and I felt my heart pick up speed, "I'll keep that in mind."
He leaned in close, "Have a good-night Babe. If you need anything press the black button on the keypad by the door."
I nodded.
He pulled me towards him suddenly, and kissed me.
It sure as hell didn't feel like a good-night kiss.
More like a come on in kiss. Then reached over me, opened the door, and gave me a soft push inside.
"See ya tomorrow Babe."
And he was gone.
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