Ch. 10

"If I know Steph, she'll want to do this. It should be her choice." Ranger's voice was controlled, but the frustration in his tone was unmistakable.

"She's not your wife!" Joe spat through gritted teeth, stepping forward and invading Ranger's space. They stood inches from each other, feet apart, arms crossed, in perfect battle mode. Their eyes were narrowed, nostrils flared as each breathed hot fire at the other. Ranger didn't quite know how to respond to that. He, Joe and Steph had an interesting history, but they'd gotten past it and eventually become friends. Since then, Joe had never seen the need to stake a claim the way he just did. But Ranger couldn't blame Joe for his aggressiveness. If Steph were his wife, he'd feel the same way. In truth, Steph was the only woman who had ever made him even consider taking that leap of faith with a woman again. But he knew in reality he couldn't do it. He didn't have room in his life for those kinds of feelings, which suited him just fine. Ranger respected Morelli as a man who was able to do the one thing that he himself couldn't. And he understood that Morelli was dealing with feelings of frustration and worry that best expressed themselves through anger. Steph was lucky to have Morelli, and vice versa. And as both of their friends, he was going to stand down from a confrontation with the man in front of him. He wasn't about to get on his case now when his woman was in danger.

Relaxing his stance and taking a couple steps back, Ranger replied, "Whatever you think is best, Morelli."

I stood in the doorway to the kitchen and took in Joe's rigid stance, the clenched muscle in his jaw. Tension was pouring off of him in waves, dousing Ranger with it.

After a few undetected moments, the guys' attention finally shifted to me. I walked into the kitchen, coming to stand between Ranger and Joe.

"What's going on in here?" I asked warily. "Joe, you're acting very tough."

"Takes a tough man to face that hair every morning, Babe," Ranger joked.

Joe slanted Ranger a sly grin. "That's my wife you're talking about, but that's a good one." Ranger smiled in return. I frowned. The tension between the guys seemed to have dissipated for the moment, but mine was quickly growing.

"I know what you two are doing. You're trying to distract me by pissing me off. Well, it won't work."

"You're not pissed?" Joe asked, a teasing glint in his eyes, "because I thought the hair comment would do it for sure."

I narrowed my eyes and took a deep breath before responding. "No, Joe, I'm not distracted. I want to know what you two were arguing about."

Joe averted his eyes in a telling gesture that he was attempting, once again, to avoid the question. Turning back to me with concerned eyes, Joe asked "What are you doing out of bed Cupcake?"

"I woke up and you weren't there. I wasn't expecting that."

"Sorry. I wanted to spare you one of those awkward morning after scenes." Joe mustered up a tiny smile, trying but failing to lighten the mood. And the harder he tried to keep from answering my question, the more I wanted an answer.

"For the last time Joe, you cannot joke your way out of this. Right now, tell me what is going on."

"Nothing," Joe asserted.

"A plan." Ranger confessed.

Frustration was mounting, and I found myself taking another deep breath. "Well, which is it. Because a plan doesn't sound like nothing. A plan to get me out of here sounds like something."

"It's a nothing plan," Joe argued, "not even worth mentioning." His gaze pierced Ranger's, daring him to say otherwise. Ranger took the dare.

"Leslie has challenged Joe to a duel of sorts. He wants the two of you to meet him somewhere, where he and Joe can face off. Whoever wins, gets you," Ranger said.

I sucked in a startled breath. I wasn't sure that's what I was expecting to hear, but at the same time I knew that I would do it, willingly and gladly, if it meant getting out of here and back home with Joe.

"Fine, when are we going to do it?"

"Hold on a minute Cupcake. You can't seriously think that I would allow you within a foot of this guy." Joe slashed his hand through the air. "No, we'll find him some other way."

"How Joe? It's been weeks already and you haven't been able to get a lead on his location. I can't take much more of this. I want to be home. Please understand that. He's offering to come out of hiding, to show himself, how can we not take him up on it?"

Joe regarded me with a long look. "You're amazing," Joe said finally. I shot him a suspicious glance, attempting to gauge his motivation for that comment, determine if he was putting me on. But there had been a slight trace of awe in his voice that told me he wasn't. At my look of suspicion, Joe gave his head a slight shake. "I mean it, Cupcake, I love your fiery temper and sass. You excite me and you challenge me. No other woman can match it and I won't lose it."

The firm set to Joe's mouth told me he was done discussing the matter and that his final decision had been cast. I was moved by what he'd said, but no way was I backing down. I wanted to do this. I slowly made my way over to Joe and placed a light kiss on his chin. Then I took his hands in mine. I wanted that physical connection to corroborate my words.

"Joe, I trust you more than anything else in this world. Not for one minute do I think anything will happen to me with you there. And once this guy comes out in the open, and we grab him, we can be together again. I belong by your side. Please let me do this. Please."

Joe's eyes softened, his grip on my hands hardened. I felt his turmoil, but knew I had already won. So I waited patiently to hear the words that Joe was struggling to say.

"OK, Cupcake, we'll do this together. When Leslie calls again, I'll let him know that we'll meet him. After that, I'll get in touch with Ranger, and give him the details."

I tried hard not to let out a holler of joy in the face of Joe's look of defeat. I had confidence this would turn out alright, but Joe couldn't be as objective when it came to my well-being. A little reassurance might be in order. "Well, I'm glad that's settled. I think I'll go take a shower now. You coming?" I asked Joe.

Joe gave me a smile that warmed his eyes and melted my heart. "That sounds great, Steph, but I need to talk to Ranger a little bit more." I eyed him with caution, not sure I should leave them alone again. Joe reached out and stroked my cheek. "It'll be OK Steph, I just want to work something out with him. After that I should really get going. It's not safe for me to stay any longer. It could raise suspicions."

I fought back the pure disappointment I felt that Joe was leaving. He certainly didn't need a guilt trip from me. "Alright. But, Joe? I'm so glad you came."

"Me too, Cupcake." He treated me to one more sexy grin. "Now, we won't have further contact until I see you at the meeting spot. And I just want you to know that I'll keep you safe that day."

"I have no doubts. Just tell Ranger when and where and I'll be there."

Joe gave me a light, sweet kiss to avoid the inevitable sparks between us from flaring up. I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck for a few seconds, reassuring myself with his strength, then turned and left the kitchen.

Once Steph was gone, Joe turned his attention to Ranger. As he told Steph, he had some business with the man.

He regarded Ranger uncomfortably. "I'm sorry about earlier. I was out of line. I know you were only trying to help." Joe paused, unfamiliar with feeling humble. "I'd really like it if you were there backing me up when I meet with Leslie."

"I wouldn't think to have it any other way," Ranger said without hesitation. "A couple of my men and I will get there the night before, stake out the area, and then camp out. That way we won't risk Leslie seeing us arrive."

"Thanks, Ranger. This guy is volatile, and I don't want anything setting him off. And while I'm grateful you'll be nearby, I do want you to stay in the background. This fight is between me and him. I've been waiting for this opportunity and I'm going to be the one to take this bastard down."

"Agreed. And you're good, but don't get cocky. You need to stay on guard. I'd rather this not play out with something happening to you."

Joe's lip quirked up in amusement. "So nice to know you care," he razzed. Ignoring the scowl Ranger threw at him, Joe said, "Steph will be there. I wouldn't do anything foolish to risk her, you should know that. But this guy is going down." Joe hesitated before continuing, not anxious to voice his next thought. "However, if something should go wrong, if anything unexpected happens to me…Ranger, I'm trusting you with Steph. You bring your men in and just get Steph the hell out of there. There is no way Leslie is to be allowed to leave with her."

At the mere thought, a small shudder ran through Joe. "I still can't believe I let Steph talk me into this. She is something isn't she?" Joe asked with a wry smile.

"That she is." Ranger extended his hand, and Joe grasped it in a firm shake. "And I assure you, Leslie will never get his hands on her." Ranger grinned. "But that doesn't let you off the hook. All joking aside, I still don't expect you to get yourself hurt out there. Got it?" Joe returned the grin, but said nothing. He knew he would do whatever it took to keep Steph safe, no matter what that meant for him.