Disclaimer: If you haven't figured this out yet, you probably never will.
SO sorry that this took forever and a half to update. I had a major writer's block. But, thanks to the helpful advice of Ally, I've sorted through my thoughts and stolen some of hers (-grin-) and thus, here is chapter 8.
Chapter 8
I watched Ranger read through the note. His entire expression grew angry and then shuttered and I was left looking at his blank face. However, even with the blank face, I could see he was furious.
He looked up at me. "Babe, I have to go." He brushed a light kiss over my lips and then he was gone.
I groaned. Why did the bouquet have to come now? Why couldn't it have come in fifteen minutes, when I knew what was going on with me and Ranger? But nooo, it just had to come now, right when we were getting somewhere.
I glared at the flowers and then sank down on the pillows, resigned to wait until I was released or Ranger came back, whichever happened first.
My wait lasted all of five minutes before the door opened. A man stepped in. I didn't know him, but I'm pretty sure I've seen him before. I was trying to figure out who he was, when he spoke.
"Surprised to see me?"
I recognized that voice, but just faintly. I tried to remember where I'd heard it. Oh yeah! I'd brought him in on a distraction job a while ago. Matt Clark, I think. I think I remember Ranger being annoyed about him a while after the distraction job. Something about him getting released because he hired a really good lawyer.
I didn't have a chance to formulate a response, because he walked over to my bedside. He ran his fingertip very lightly over my stomach. I shuddered and slapped his hand away. He narrowed his eyes and glared at me. "You shouldn't hit me. You're already in enough trouble."
Partially because I actually wanted to know what was going on, but partially because I was hoping someone would come back and help me, I asked, "Why? What did I do?"
He snorted. "Like you don't know. You were mine, and then, while I was away, you slept with another man. And got pregnant with his child!" I'm not entirely sure how he'd decided, after about 10 minutes of interaction, that he had ownership of me. "So, I don't know if I should kill the baby and give you another chance, or just kill you and find someone else." He smiled at me, but it wasn't a nice smile. It looked totally evil and also totally insane. "The other two didn't get another chance. Did you like my presents? I wanted to show you what might happen to you for your bad behavior." He shook his finger at me, like I was a naughty child. "You shouldn't be sleeping with other men. I don't want a whore for my woman."
I looked at the call button to get a nurse. Unfortunately, he stood between me and it. He noticed my glance and looked back at me, even more angry than he had been. "It hurts my feelings that you don't even want to spend some time with me. I'd been thinking that maybe I'd forgive you, but I changed my mind. I just don't know if I should kill you know or later. Are you scared? Because that will be your punishment. I want you to be scared before I kill you, so that before I kill you, you are begging for my forgiveness."
I tried to get out of the bed and put it between us, but, as I pushed up to a fully sitting position, a wave of dizziness hit me. He grabbed my wrist in a painful grip.
"Stop trying to leave."
I looked down at his hand, which felt like steel around my wrist, and then upat the insanity lurking in his eyes. I was dead.
Ranger's POV
I walked out of Stephanie's room, annoyed by the timing. Why had the flowers had to come then? Now, instead of telling her that I loved her, I had to go try to find her stalker. Did I want her stalker caught or killed so she and my baby would be safe? Yes. But did I want to have this stalker interrupt our conversation when I'd finally worked up the courage to actually tell her the truth without any stupid add-ons like 'in my own way'? No. I'd rather finish that conversation.
It was probably because I was so annoyed that I didn't notice Diesel standing by the exit until I'd walked past him and he grabbed my arm.
"Did you tell her?"
I turned and glared at him. He released my arm. "What? Tell who what?"
Diesel gave me an annoyed look. "You know. If you don't, you're an idiot. Did you tell Stephanie that you love her?" I shook my head and opened my mouth to explain, but he cut me off. Have I mentioned how much this guy annoys me? "Why didn't you tell her? I send you in there with one simple job. Talk to Stephanie, sort through your problems. But did you do that? Nooo! You just left, for some stupid reason, I'm sure, before you get anything solved. It's no wonder she didn't tell you about your baby! Look at you! You're a moron! Would I want a moron raising my baby? No. I should have said yes when she asked if I was going to help raise her baby. Better than subjecting the poor thing to you."
I stiffened. "She asked you to help her raise the baby?" I was getting angry. Partially at Stephanie, for asking another man to raise my baby before even mentioning to me that there was a baby to be raised. But also at Diesel, for even suggesting that he'd raise my baby.
Diesel looked at me and must have seen how angry I was, because he winced. "No. Not exactly. She asked if that's why I was here. I'm here because I was told that she was in danger and pregnant. She's always in danger, so that's not a big deal. But pregnancy screws women up. I've seen it first hand. So I knew that she might not be able to protect herself as well while pregnant. And seeing as how you're too busy being moronic to help her, I had to step in. So, she asked if I was here to raise the baby, but she didn't actually ask me to raise the baby."
That calmed me down, despite the fact that I'd just been called a moron for the second time in the last minute or so.
Before I could reply, Diesel spoke again. "So, go back in there and talk to Stephanie. I'm tired of dealing with you two and your messed up relationship. Just figure it out."
I hesitated, then nodded. Not, of course, because I was obeying him. Just because it's what I wanted to do. Just wanted to make that clear. I pulled out my cell phone and flipped it open, calling Tank. "I need to talk to Stephanie for a bit, and I want you to get started on looking for her stalker. I have a note here. I'm not sure it can help at all, but it has the name of the florist she just got flowers from. I'm giving the note to this guy here, Diesel. He'll stand here and give it to you." I gave Diesel a look that I was pretty sure would make sure he stayed and did what I wanted, then I described Diesel to Tank and hung up.
I handed the note to Diesel, then described Tank to him. Then I turned and went back the way I'd come, headed for Stephanie's room. Just as I reached the door, I heard a male voice.
"Stop trying to leave."
Shortly after that, I heard a sound that I think came from Stephanie. It was sort of a mix between a whimper and a groan, and it sounded totally hopeless and terrified.
A/N: Ok. Not the best ending ever, but whatever. I'll probably post 9, which'll probably be the conclusion, tomorrow. Please review. And, again, I'm sorry for the huge amount of time between 7 and this.
