Chapter 13
Ranger's POV
I felt someone watching me as I slept. Tank was sitting on the chair beside my bed when I opened my eyes. His phone chimed. I watched him smile as he read the text. There was only one reason for Tank to smile. Stephanie.
"My head feels like I went on an all-night bender," I groaned.
"Bobby sedated you," Tank replied. He smiled as he returned the text. "Get up and shower. You have company. Five minutes"
I groaned and climbed from my bed. My shower was short and cold to clear the cobwebs between my ears. It was 0700. I missed my shift on monitors. After dressing in my Rangeman uniform, I grabbed my keys and exited my apartment.
Tank waited across the hall from the elevator doors. He pushed away from the wall when I approached. I preferred the stairs, but my legs still wobbled from the sedation. We stopped on the fifth floor to grab my notes for the meeting. I noticed contract workers on the monitors. "Explain," I demanded.
"Follow me, boss. You'll see for yourself soon," Tank replied. Tank had a smirk on his face. Whatever was behind the conference room door would not make me happy.
I pushed the door open to see Babe was sitting in Tank's chair. Her brother took Lester's seat. Tank returned Stephanie's smile before standing in front of the room. He got our weekly assignments and updated the staff regarding the military database. I clenched my teeth as Tank reminded the men it was only to get accessed if we had written consent. He added that Rangeman needed the applicant to provide a passcode to the military records department. "We're lucky Rangeman didn't lose the contract," Tank stated. "I worked through the night to renegotiate the terms." Tank pushed a paper toward me for his signature. I noticed Lester, Bobby and Tank had already signed.
After Tank finished talking, Stephanie stood up. "I'm sure you guys see the resemblance between Marco and me. We are twins. Our DNA showed we have identical alleles except for the X/Y chromosome. It's not common, but it does happen. One month before our second birthday, a man seeking retribution from my father attempted to kill Marco. However, I will not get into too many details because that information is classified. My brother got raised by close family friends, Sam and Nina Barker," Stephanie explained. I was glad Stephanie explained the uncanny resemblance.
"How did you two meet?" Cal asked.
Stephanie smiled before answering, "You have to thank your boss for that. He broke me when Jeanne Ellen said they were married. I left Trenton and found my brother."
"I think it would have happened regardless," Axel said. "Marco knew he had family in Trenton." I could see his words made Stephanie happy.
"Now, for the other reason, Marco and I are here. Neither of us is interested in working for Rangeman. If or when you need a woman for a distraction, I will help. The same goes for using my contacts to locate your skips," Stephanie offered.
"No," I replied. "You will not work for Rangeman in any capacity."
"That's what I thought you'd say," Stephanie said. She pointed to the stack of papers in the middle of the table. "How are you going to keep the Trenton office staff? I noticed all your men requested transfers to get away from you. I'm still your friend, Ranger, but I don't trust you. Everyone here thinks you should move to Miami. Marco and I will leave if you don't." I could tell that last statement hurt her to say.
Tank pulled Stephanie off his chair and sat down. He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist, lifting her onto his lap. She buried her face into his neck. I always knew Tank was in love with Stephanie, but I never realized it was mutual. Stephanie pulled back from Tank and ordered, "Ranger, mats. Now." My Babe was lost to me as a lover and I only had myself to blame.
"I don't want to hurt you, Babe," I replied.
She laughed as though it was impossible to get physically hurt by me. "Ranger, I bet I can still kick your ass with one arm tied behind my back," Stephanie snapped. Stephanie looked determined to show me she was capable.
Tank whispered in her ear, and she nodded. Babe had to prove herself. "Fine," I said before leaving the room. Stephanie and the guys followed us to the gym. She pulled off her top, revealing her sports bra and the gauze on her shoulder. Her yoga pants showed off her muscular frame. I wondered when she got trained.
"What are the rules, Bobby?" Stephanie asked.
"No kicking, punching or using the injured arm. Three trips to the mats end the session," Bobby said. Stephanie and I agreed to the terms.
"Would you like to make a little wager, Batman?" I nodded. "The winner stays in Trenton."
"The loser?" I asked.
"Moves far enough away that we don't accidentally run into each other," she replied as she stretched her muscles. "You can't let me win either." Marco sat on the floor beside her, giving some instructions. "I can do this, Marco."
"I know you can," Marco replied. He stood beside Tank as we climbed into the ring.
I kicked toward Stephanie's hip, but she swept me off my feet before I could connect. "One for Stephanie," Bobby called.
"Shit, she's fast," Axel said, impressed by Stephanie's moves.
She wasn't pulling her punches, so I gave it my all. I threw a punch at Stephanie's good shoulder. She quickly ducked and swept her leg to knock me to the mats again. "Two for Stephanie," Bobby called.
We circled around the mats. Stephanie got a few good kicks in, but I couldn't knock her down. She regained her balance surprisingly fast. "Angelita, cracker," Hector called out.
"I'm going easy on you," I said. Stephanie slammed down her blank face, but I still saw the anger in her eyes.
"You really shouldn't, Ranger. I can kick Charlie and Hawk's asses too," she replied. I was shocked because they were nearly the size of Tank. "I kicked Hector's ass too."
I chanced a glance at Hector, who nodded. "She was injured," Hector added.
Stephanie smiled before she lowered her arms. I watched as she dropped to her knees on the mats. It was the best time to attack. With a well-placed kick to her chest, she'd fall over. Giving it my all, I smiled before kicking Stephanie. She grabbed my leg and flipped me over her head. "Match," Bobby called.
"Thanks, Ranger," Stephanie said. "Kicking your ass was easier than Charlie." I had underestimated Babe. She was a worthy opponent. "Never underestimate me again, Ranger."
I conceded defeat and left the gym. Babe didn't need me anymore. I never thought I'd see the day she could hold her own in the ring. Marco and the men trained her well. "I'm proud of you, Babe," I said when I entered the elevator. Stephanie is not the same woman who left Trenton nearly six months ago. After showering, I opened my laptop to send a company wide memo. I was relocating to the Miami office.
Stephanie was waiting in the garage beside my car. "Do you have a minute?" she asked. I nodded. She stepped closer to wrap her arms around my waist. "You could have told me before making the deal."
"I didn't want to lose you," I confessed.
"Ya. Hope in one hand, shit in the other. Which one will fill faster?" she asked. "You took away my choice, Ranger. I made it clear that infidelity was a hard line for me. It's not something I could accept. You know what Dickie did."
"Tank?"
"I love him, Ranger. Our relationship grew since I left town. He was the voice of reason, and Tank supported my decision to leave. I don't want to lose our friendship. We'll revisit your move to Miami in a few months," Stephanie replied. "Don't give him a hard time."
"I wouldn't think of it. You can kick my ass," I joked.
"When we're both healed physically and mentally, we'll need to have a rematch," Stephanie suggested.
"Just name the day and time, Babe."
"Take care of yourself. I need my friend."
"You too, Babe. I do love you," I said.
"I know, but it's not the right kind of love," she replied. Stephanie kissed my cheek before removing her arms from my waist.
"If Tank hurts you," I said.
Stephanie rolled her eyes as she added, "You'll kick his ass. I think Tank already knows." I got into my car to drive to Miami. She waved as I exited the garage.
Stephanie's POV
It was hard to say goodbye to Ranger. But we need the separation for now. In time, I'm sure we could be great friends again. He learned that I'm not the same woman. I'm not a doormat and I refuse to let people put me down. The best test of all would be attending dinner tonight at dad's house. I want Tank to come with us, but having Marco at dinner would be enough of a shock for mom. What would the neighbours think?
I felt arms wrap around me. The scent of the Calvin Klein Eternity cologne indicated it was my man. "Baby, watching you spar with Ranger was both frightening and arousing," he whispered.
"Ranger probably let me win," I said.
"Not likely. You won because Ranger underestimated you. The element of surprise knocked him off balance, and your quick moves were unexpected. Where did you learn those tricks?" Tank asked.
"Mostly from Marco. We practiced until the motions became an automatic response. But Charlie and Hawk taught me more ways to throw someone off balance. They wouldn't let me go after Gomez until I proved I could protect myself," I replied.
"That sounds reasonable." I couldn't agree more.
"Did you talk to Ranger about us?" I asked.
"Not yet. We'll talk when Ranger comes to terms with his stupidity," Tank replied. I turned in his arms to face him. He lifted me to press his lips against mine. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around his waist. We got lost in the kiss until Cal interrupted us.
"Hot damn," Cal said. "You two are hot. Look at me. I'm hard."
I giggled while Tank told Cal to get to work. "The cat's out of the bag. Cal is probably telling everyone," I said. Tank kissed me again before placing my feet back on the ground. "How late are you working?"
"I work until 1500. I have a late surveillance shift with Bobby," he replied. "We'll check on Lester between the shifts."
"Okay. I'm stopping at the hospital to visit him." I never noticed Marco waiting beside my car. Marco grinned as he drove us to the hospital. I knew he was happy for me. "You need a girlfriend," I said.
Lester was in good spirits when we visited him. He was anxious to leave the hospital but had to stay at least one week. The doctor said Lester should remain in urgent care for a couple of weeks, but he could get the same care at Rangeman from Bobby.
"What are you watching?" Marco asked.
"Beautiful kicking Ranger's ass," Lester replied. I hung my head because I didn't notice it got recorded. "You have some serious footwork going there, Beautiful."
"I used the moves, Marco, Charlie and Hawk taught me," I explained. I was still convinced that Ranger had let me win.
"Ah. I thought I recognized Charlie's signature shuffle drop," Lester said before laughing. "Seriously, Beautiful. You learned a lot since we trained you at Rangeman." He paused the video to point out my abs. "When did you get those?"
"I'm not sure. Marco had me doing sixty crunches a day. The first few weeks hurt like hell, but I pushed past the pain," I replied.
"Look at your firm ass," Lester said. Marco groaned behind me. "You always had a nice butt, but now it's better. I bet you'd rock that little black dress in your closet."
"Most of my clothes are too big. I have to go shopping. Oh, shit. I'm supposed to go to the mall with Tim in an hour. I have to go home to shower. We have to go, Lester. I'll see you tomorrow," I said. After kissing his cheek, Marco and I left to go home.
Tim waited inside the living room as I quickly showered. With my short hair, it was easier to get ready. I was surprised when Marco and Buck came with us to the mall. They went to the arcade while Tim and I raided Macy's. I found several dresses on sale. Tim insisted that I try them on. "Girl, your man will be all over your fine ass. You look hot," he said after I put on the short red dress.
I turned to see my back in the mirror. The dress stopped three inches beneath my ass. If I bent over, you'd be able to see my thong. "I don't know. It's too short," I replied.
"Nonsense. You have got to buy this dress. Take your man dancing this weekend," he insisted. I decided to take his advice to buy the dress. "Turn around, girl. I want to take some pictures." I turned until my back was toward Tim, then peeked over my shoulder.
"Let me see," I asked. Tim showed me the photograph. He was right because I did look hot. "Can you forward it to me?" When I received the picture, I sent it to Tank. My phone rang a few seconds later. "Hey, Big Guy. Can I help you with something?"
"God, Little Girl. You are every man's wet dream in that dress," Tank replied. "I hope you plan to give me a private showing." I laughed and agreed to wear the dress for him this weekend. He wanted to take me dancing with the other Rangeman guys.
I found a gorgeous blue wrap shirt and a khaki skirt to wear tonight. Mom and dad were expecting me to arrive for dinner. Tim and I shopped until I had to get home to change. "Thank you for shopping with me," I said as we left the lingerie store.
"No problem, girl. I enjoyed our time together," Tim replied. We got to know each other better during our shopping spree. Tim purchased a few more dresses and shirts for me. He wouldn't take no for an answer. "I enjoy spoiling my sister." We met Marco and Buck at the Starbucks. I got into the backseat of Buck's car with Tim.
Marco was nervous about meeting our mom. He heard stories about how she treated me. "I hope mom doesn't badger you for not contacting her for six months," Marco said.
"Daddy knew I was with you. I'm sure he set mom straight." I didn't believe what I was saying. "Marco, you don't need to worry about me. I'm not going to let mom chastise me for being away so long."
I drove to dad's house since Marco didn't know the way. He fidgeted when I mentioned we were a few blocks away. "Do you think she'll get mad that Dad deceived her?" Marco asked.
"It doesn't matter, Marco. Daddy had his reasons for keeping mom in the dark," I replied. Dad explained how mom would have reacted. She would have blabbed to whoever would listen that her son got sent away. I had a feeling mom would find a way to blame me.
"Mom better not blame you," Marco said. I knew I didn't vocalize my thought. He must have read my mind. I parked the car at the curb. Valerie had her minivan in the driveway behind dad's taxi.
Grandma Mazur was waiting by the open door. Her eyes popped open when Marco and I approached the house. "Grandma Mazur," I whispered.
"Marco," grandma said as she pulled him into her arms. "I'm glad you're alive." Marco wiped the tears off her cheeks when she leaned back to look at him.
"Hi, grandma," he said. Grandma grabbed his hand to pull him inside the house.
"Helen. You have got to see who I found outside," grandma crooned. Mom came into the living room while wiping her hands on the apron.
"Marco," mom said before fainting. Valerie and I brought the food to the table while Marco carried mom to the couch. Grandma couldn't stop touching his arm and back. It was as though grandma couldn't believe he was alive.
"Dinner's ready," Valerie called. Valerie came to dinner without Albert and the girls. She felt Marco's reunion with mom would go smoother without the children around. Mom came to as we passed the food around the table.
"Stephanie Michelle Plum. How could you disappear for six months without calling me? Why me? Why do I have an irresponsible daughter who doesn't care about her family?" Mom asked. "You could have been dead, and I wouldn't have known."
"Mom, daddy knew I was with Marco," I calmly replied. "I was safe, and I found my brother."
"You need to marry Joseph, quit your job and stop hanging around those thugs," mom said.
"I will not marry Joe Morelli if he was the last man on earth and human survival depended on us procreating. Joe and I bring out the worst in each other. I will not quit my job, and I want you to stop calling my ex-military friends thugs," I stated. She was surprised I didn't raise my voice, but it didn't stop her from criticizing me.
"Proper Burg girls get married and have children. They don't behave like a floozy," she said.
"Helen," Marco shouted. "I will not sit here and listen to you bashing my twin sister." He pushed away from the table to get out of the chair.
Dad decided to intervene. "Helen, enough!" he sternly said. "I will not have you talk to Stephanie that way. You have been nothing but a cruel woman to her."
"It's all her fault that Marco got killed," she said. I knew she'd blame me.
"Helen, Marco didn't die. One of my enemies attempted to kill him. I got him to safety," dad said.
"I saw the body," Helen cried. "My boy was burned beyond recognition."
"It wasn't our son, Helen. The child we buried died in a horrific car crash. I needed my enemy to think the boy was our child to keep Marco safe," he explained.
