"You have some explaining to do." She hissed.
"What?" I asked and righted myself on the bed so I was no longer in Ranger's lap.
"An old lady can't even go out on the street anymore without being questioned about who her grandbaby's sleeping with now!" Grandma Mazur was hysterical.
Of all the things Grandma Mazur could be upset about, it was who was invited into my bed. And I hadn't even slept with Ranger since... well...
"Morelli's mamma wasn't so happy that you were sleeping with Ranger." Grandma said, arms crossed across her chest and her face twisted.
"I didn't do anything! If it weren't for Morelli, I wouldn't be in this mess!" I said, my voice almost reaching a yell, and lifting my bandaged arm.
The room went dead quiet. Ranger stirred uneasily on the edge of the bed. The bed squeaked, and everyone turned to look at him. "What are you talking about Stephanie?" My mother asked quietly.
"He kidnapped me, mother. He's a pig! Lucky I'm not pressing charges." I said, softer and glanced at Ranger. For a moment, I saw pity.
"Stephanie, I think your bandages are on too tight. Joe stopped by yesterday afternoon and said you weren't feeling right, but this is something else." My mother said and folded her hands in front of her.
I gave her a glazed look. "Joe said he found that horrible Norman Carver holding a knife to your throat. Joe tried to talk him out of it, and just managed to save you before Norman blew up." She took a deep breath and paused to ask, Why me, in her head before continuing". And then I find out that Ranger spent the night here."
"Morelli's no hero." I said and my breath caught again.
"Sweetheart, maybe you should have some time alone to get some sleep and maybe you'll remember it." My mother sent Ranger a death glare, and Ranger obediently stepped outside.
I balled my hand into a fist and smacked it into the palm of the other. The engagement ring jabbed the soft skin, and I immediately pulled back and discreetly slid the hand under my leg. God only knows what an engagement ring would do to this mess.
"Night Sweetheart." My mother said and kissed me on the forehead. Grandma Mazur did the same, but shot me a nasty look. Usually it was Grandma who took my side.
(POV change)
Mrs. Plum pulled the door closed behind her, and looked at Ranger who was sitting against the door watching like a hawk.
"You stay away from my daughter. You'll only hurt her." She said, not looking up to meet his eyes.
"Mrs. Plum..." Ranger started, heartbroken.
She held out her hand, stiff and rigid. "I know you think you're protecting her, but she's big enough to take care of herself. You keep encouraging her to do this bounty hunting crap. If it weren't for you she'd...she'd... she'd be a nice burg housewife to a nice burg man who worked a 9 to 5 desk job. I want to see my daughter grow old and have a husband and kids. She'll never be able to with a job so... repulsive." And with a shudder, she was gone.
Grandma Mazur lingered for a moment. Her head hung low, and in a soft voice. "I believe Steph." She raised her head to look at Ranger. "You have to help her."
Ranger nodded and bit his bottom lip. Mrs. Mazur began to walk down the hall. "Meet you at Stiva's at eight. You explain the ring." She said to him over his shoulder, and then was gone.
Ranger stared at her smaller form. She wasn't the Grandma Mazur who shot through a chicken and into the good china. She was a caring little old lady who was genuinely concerned for her granddaughter. And no surprise, she was taking Stephanie's side.
Ranger pondered whither he should go in a see Steph again or not. He had not counted on her mother in his plan. Maybe she wanted out. Ranger would have been happy to oblige.
Even so, that still left him with a problem. He'd only told Steph that they were drug runners. He didn't dare tell her that they had hacked into the Rangeman system, and that tons of important information was at stake. Particularly a very important set of social security numbers and a few fudged immigration papers.
Ranger sighed and pushed off the wall. With the back of his knucles, he knocked on Stephanie's door. No answer called him in, but the lack of sound let Ranger know she was probably asleep. He opened the door slowly, and she jostled at the sound of the click. But, she was asleep. Quickly, Ranger pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'll be alright babe. Get some sleep." He whispered softly.
She smiled in her sleep, and Ranger rubbed his thumb over the ring he'd given her. He was amazed she was still wearing it. Then, he was gone like a black cat in a dark alley.