It was now getting late. Ranger assembled the Rangeman employees together in the conference room to review the events of the day. Tank had already been running down possible locations for Willard.
"The fact is that Stephanie and her family may still be in danger as long as this guy's on the streets. We need to pick him up fast. He has to know we released Mr. Plum. He wasn't the target anyway. Noble was hoping that Stephanie would show up alone. She's the hostage he wants. She's the bargaining chip with Morelli."
Lester spoke up. "You really think he would try to come here to find her? That would have to be totally stupid."
Ranger grinned. "You're assuming he knows his adversary. He doesn't know about these offices and me. I'm betting that he'll try to take her. You need to be on alert, but also let him up to the apartment if he makes it into the building."
Once again, I was doing distraction work for Ranger. Only this time, the guy we were after was actually after me. The plan was for me to stay in Ranger's apartment, seemingly without Ranger. Ranger would be close by and hopefully Willard would try to break into the building.
I sat up in the apartment by myself watching a movie. Unfortunately, the Ghostbusters weren't helping me tonight. 'Who you gonna call?' I asked myself. Like magic my cell phone rang.
"Yo," I responded to the caller.
"Babe," came the smooth voice on the other end.
"Ranger, where are you?"
"Close enough to know you are getting antsy waiting. Movie not helping?"
I smiled. Nothing short of Batman himself would help me now.
"Sorry, Babe, but that's going to have to wait until we see if your friend shows up."
How does he do that? "Promises, promises," I replied, thinking of our earlier conversation.
"You'll see. Later." Like that he was gone.
I put the cell phone on the table and considered going to be bed. Ranger's king size bed was the lap of luxury, but a bit lonely without the big man himself. I knew if I tried to lie down to sleep, I would only end up reliving the entire day. I decided to shower before attempting to sleep.
To say that Ranger's private bath was spacious compared to my apartment's was an understatement. The first time I stayed in this apartment, I hadn't tried the large garden Jacuzzi tub, but recently enjoyed it with Ranger. The shower itself was an experience with or without the infamous shower gel. I stepped inside the large shower enclosure and let the various showerheads rain hot water upon my body. It was a sensuous experience that made me further wish that Ranger was within reach.
I stayed in the shower until I was totally wrinkly, and then folded myself in one of the bath sheets that lay on the towel rack. Everything in this apartment was the best quality. The choice of items and colors reflected more about the owner than anyone would have imagined. I considered the contradictions that were Ranger. In one breath, he was a street-smart bad guy; in another, he was the consummate businessman. He was obviously intelligent enough to run the Rangeman businesses, but it was also strong and dangerous.
I donned a tee shirt that I had pulled out of his dresser. I still needed to go shopping again to replace the clothing I lost in the fire. Good thing I had renters insurance. I climbed into the big bed and reached to turn on the light. It was just then that I felt like someone was in the room. I nearly called out to Ranger, but stopped.
I held my breath and waited before whispering, "Is anyone there?" I've done that a thousand times in my apartment and never got an answer. Not true this time.
"Yeah, little girl, I'm here."
Standing in the doorway to the bedroom, armed with a handgun was Willard Noble.
I brought my knees up to my chin in a defensive gesture. "What do you want?" I asked him. "Why did you take my father?"
He just shook his head, as if to say he wasn't going to answer me. He waved the gun back and forth. His finger was still on the trigger.
"Don't you be worrying about that! I don't intend to harm you unless that jackass of a cop you call your boyfriend doesn't cooperate."
"Just what is it that you want him to do?" I pushed myself further up in bed. I knew that Ranger and the other guys were nearby. They allowed Willard to get into the apartment; otherwise he could never have broken through their security measures. I just had to keep him talking, to find out what he wanted.
"That's not your concern anyway. Just get up and let's get out of here." He pointed the gun in my direction.
"You're going to have to step out. I'm not decent," I explained. Maybe he would be stupid enough to do just that.
"Forget it, Cupcake. Isn't that what the cop calls you?" He came closer. "Get out of the bed now!"
I started to move and was surprised to find Ranger right behind Willard, a gun to his head.
"I believe she told you to step out of the room," Ranger snarled between gritted teeth. He grabbed the gun from Willard, slapped the cuffs on his wrists and handed both the gun and the man off to Tank who was waiting in the living room.
"I never heard any of you come in," I told him, my voice shaking only a little.
"Need to be more aware of your surroundings, Babe. You were never alone." He pulled me into an embrace that felt safe and warm. All I wanted was to stay that way the whole night.
As if he read my mind, he leaned down and whispered into my ear, "Let me take care of your stalker and then I will come to bed with you." He kissed me gently, before putting me back into the bed. On his way out of the room, he turned out the lights.
I hadn't planned on falling asleep. Maybe it was the downside of the adrenaline rush, but I was out like the lights. I had no clue how much later it was when I felt Ranger climb into the bed beside me. I could tell he was trying not to wake me, but I wanted to be awakened.
"Ranger," I whispered.
"Yeah, Babe," he responded.
I slid over to his side and pressed up against the warm length of his body. It had the desired effect. I heard and felt his sharp intake of breath as well as the swift movement of his hands to my flesh.
"I wasn't scared, you know," I started to explain, enjoying the movement of his arms along my body. "I knew you would protect me, like you always have. I knew I was safe."
Ranger's mouth claimed mine and I thought there would be no other words. Therefore, I was surprised when he pulled back and whispered, "I want to always be there for you, Babe. I didn't realize how much that meant to me until now. I need you and hope you need me."
Oh my God, Ranger needed me. Ranger wanted to be there for me. I had to be dreaming. I pinched my arm.
"Ouch," I cried. No, I was awake.
"You're not dreaming, Babe. I do care. I always have, even when I didn't have the right. I knew you were different the moment I saw you. You didn't fall all over me like some other women do. You asked for my help and you listened, well most of the time." I had to hit his arm for that comment. "I've never met anyone like you and I didn't know how to handle it."
Whoa, confessions from Ranger. I didn't know how to deal with this. I didn't want to think about it right now anyway. I wanted to thank him properly for assuring my father that he would protect me. Carefully, I rolled him over onto his back, climbing on top of him to keep him there.
"I thought I would never say this, but Ranger, you talk too much." He grinned up at me and those were the last words spoken as we proceeded to kiss each other all over. I was looking forward to a night of unbridled passion and knew he would help deliver.