Dawn Tracy
The characters you recognize belong to Janet Evanovich. I'm just borrowing them for fun and pleasure.
Rating: R
Spoilers: HS through EOT CHAPTER FIFTEENI wondered if the safe house on a private hill was the bat cave. It was an hour outside of Trenton. A secure gate blocked the private road leading up it. It wasn't monstrous, but it was a big house. It had five bedrooms and a separate apartment over the garage that Ella and Louis were using. It was furnished tastefully. I was too tired for much exploring when I first arrived.
The master bedroom that was Ranger's was obvious. In the dressing room I found Ranger's clothes and clothes that Ella must have bought for me. She also did the same for Nicole. I was relieved because I noticed the child came with no luggage.
Barely aware of my surroundings, I ate the meal that Ella prepared and sat with Nicole in front of the television for a while. Lucky for me Ella seemed aware of my distraction and kept up a conversation with Nicole.
Nicole went up to bed.
"You haven't heard anything new about Ranger?" Ella asked me.
"No, nothing." I assumed she was just as much in the loop as I was. It was disheartening to have her asking me questions.
"You did the right thing bringing Nicole here. She is comfortable with you already. I know his family doesn't agree with him having her, but it will be good for him. The three of you can make a family."
I started to cry. I wondered if I was going to see Ranger again. Ella put her arm around me.
"Ranger is going to be fine. You must have confidence. Be strong."
Sure that was easy for her to say.
Ella came in my room in the middle of the night. "Stephanie."
I sat upright. "What's wrong?"
"They found Ranger."
"Is he?" Oh God, I couldn't even say it. I had a lump in my throat.
"He's alive, Lester and Bobby are taking him to the hospital."
"Where is he?'
"Trenton."
"I want to go to him."
"I figured you would. Get dressed and Cal will take you. Junior and Louis and I can stay with Nicole."
I turned on the light and threw on clothes. I pulled my hair into a ponytail. I decided I would tell Nicole before I left.
I stood over her bed. "Nicole."
"Mmm. What?"
"Nicole. They found your father. I'm going to see him."
"They found Daddy." She sat up straight in bed. "Is he okay?"
"They are taking him to the hospital. I'm going to meet him there. I'll bring him back here. I'll call you in the morning okay?"
"Promise you will call me." She pleaded.
I felt for my phone. "I promise." I gave her a hug and left.
It was hours before I could see Ranger. I found out that it was Bobby and Lester who found Ranger. He was at one of Bruzniak's construction sites. They called the police and the police came in and arrested Sanchez and his men. Lenny Bruzniak was still out there.
I finally was allowed to see Ranger as they were getting ready to release him. His face was badly bruised. One eye was almost completely swollen shut. He had a cast on his left hand that went from his hand to his forearm.
I lightly touched his good arm and kissed his lips lightly. "Ready to get out of here?"
"Yeah."
I called Nicole and let her know that we were on the way back and the extent of her father's injuries. In addition to the broken hand and arm, he had cracked ribs and a concussion.
Once at the house I steered Ranger straight to the bedroom. Nicole was at our heels.
He sat heavily on the bed and reached his uncasted hand to her.
"Daddy. What did they do to you?" She hugged on to him.
"It's okay Nicky." He comforted her.
"Are the bad men who did this to you in jail?" Nicole demanded to know.
Ranger smiled, a painful smile. "Yes."
"Do you want me to call Auntie Linda and Grandma?"
"If you want to."
"I will. You should take a nap Daddy. You don't look good."
Ranger tugged on her ponytail.
"You should lie down and take nap." I agreed after she left.
"I was thinking about a shower."
"A shower? You can barely stand up."
"I've showered in worse condition. Besides you are here. You could help me." Ranger gave me a half smile.
I realized he was kidnapped for days and I'm sure that Sanchez didn't give him a chance to take a shower. If I were in Ranger's position I would want to take a shower too.
"Okay. Let me get something to cover your cast."
I found a plastic bag and I locked the bedroom door. In the shower I think Ranger did better than I did considering he was holding on to me for support. I nearly died when I got a good look at all the bruises on his body.
Tears ran down my face as I gently washed him.
"It is nothing to cry over babe." Ranger told me softly.
"I don't want anyone to hurt you."
I tucked him into bed and I sat until Ranger fell asleep and for a little while after just watching him. Ranger slept for most of the morning. I watched television with Nicole and played a computer game.
When he woke up and we settled him on the couch and we watched movies all afternoon. Ella and Louis went back to their apartment. Cal and Junior were lurking around somewhere. But it was just the three of us relaxing. I wondered if it was a unique experience for them.
I don't know that Ranger really enjoyed Harry Potter. I think he nodded off during most of it. The fact that I made him take a pain killer probably helped him fall asleep. Nicole didn't seem to mind that he wasn't paying attention to the movie. She glanced over at him now and then and looked content that he was there. I think I was familiar with that feeling.