Chapter 1
"Great!" I shouted to the sky. "Why me?" I shook my head after realizing I sounded like my mother. My latest piece of crap car caught fire from the cigarette someone had tossed near it. I lowered my chin to my chest when I heard the TPD officers had arrived. Ashley Morton, my current skip, grabbed my arm. She didn't attempt to run from me when my car caught fire. However, the 500 from her bond wouldn't be enough to replace my car.
"The car must have had a gas leak," Carl Costanza said to my cousin-in-law, Eddie Gazarra, after speaking to an eyewitness. "What make and model was this latest junk?"
"I think it was a Ford Taurus. Did anyone win the pool?" Eddie asked. I glared at him in frustration. Eddie knew I hated them profiting from my misfortune.
"Nope. The way the car caught fire wasn't correct," Carl replied. "We have Molotov cocktail, rocket launcher, gunshot and bomb. Nobody guessed fire by a cigarette."
"Are they always like that?" Ashley asked.
"Unfortunately," I replied. Ashley shook her head and promised to go with one of the officers. She must have felt I went through enough shit today.
I got annoyed with Carl and Eddie. Betting on my car fires or explosions angered me more than Morelli arriving and making me feel like worthless trash. Isn't all trash worthless? I guess some types of trash weren't. Otherwise, the saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure," wouldn't exist. A prime example would be my car. It was junk to someone else, but it was my only means of transportation. Now I have no car and no money. Carl offered to take my skip to the TPD. Ashley winked at me before she climbed into the back of Carl's cruiser.
"Are you okay?" Vince asked as he approached me. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders to pull me into an embrace. I waved my fingers at Cal, letting him know I was fine.
"I'm fine. At least it will be once I get Alexander to cut off the singed hair," I replied. "There aren't any injuries, Vince."
"I'll feel better after Bobby checks you over," he whispered. Vince kissed the top of my head before releasing his hold. Bobby arrived as Joe Morelli approached me. Joe wore dark jeans, boots, and a white shirt with an unbuttoned navy blue shirt. His dark hair was a little long, the front covered the paper-thin scar through his right brow. I could see the steam rise from the top of his head as he approached me.
"Is that thug the reason for our recent breakup?" Joe screamed, waving his arm at Vince. "How many of Manoso's thugs are you screwing?"
I wanted to laugh at the absurd comment regarding Vince. Before Vince could stop me, I yelled, "Vince and I have never slept together. Nor will I ever have sex with him." I had stopped short of telling Joe precisely why I would never sleep with Vince. From the corner of my eye, I saw another black SUV pull up and parked at the curb. The men exited the vehicle and waited at the back for me to speak to them.
Joe moved away from me, realizing Bobby had arrived to check me for injuries. He may not like the Merry Men, but he knew they would handle my injuries. I often wondered why Joe yelled and screamed while pointing out my faults during my car mishaps. A lightbulb went off in my mind. It never mattered if we were in the on or off phase because Joe didn't care enough to ask if I was okay. He was only concerned about how my actions impacted how others viewed him. It was typical for the Burg inhabitants, who only cared about what the neighbours thought.
Lester and Cal blocked Morelli from view so Bobby could examine me for injuries. My leather jacket protected my upper back from getting burned. "You're lucky to have been wearing this coat," Bobby said as he checked under the collar of my shirt.
"It was a last-minute decision to swap out my jacket. I almost wore the nylon one," I replied as a shiver passed through my body.
"Nylon would have melted. You would have got burns on your shoulders and neck," Bobby added. He had seen many injuries caused by melted nylon. The Rangeman jackets got made using a fire retardant material. They were more expensive than what I could afford.
"You can have my spare coat," Vince offered.
"Can I think about it?" I asked. I didn't want the other Merry Men, or Ranger, for that matter, to think Vince and I are in a relationship. Vince hugged me before nodding to Eddie. I gave my statement to Carl and Eddie as the firefighters controlled the flames erupting from my car.
Nobody knew Vince was my second cousin. His mom, Belinda, was grandma Edna Mazur's niece. Belinda passed away when Vince was six. She had advanced-stage breast cancer. Vince's dad, Graham Larter, sent Vince to his Larter grandparents while he got deployed. While Vince was in basic training, his father passed away when his heart quit pumping. They were never able to determine the cause of death.
A few years after Graham's death, Vince lost his grandparents. His grandpa had a heart attack, and his grandma died from a stroke a few days later. Vince's only living relatives were on the Gatling side of the family. Gatling was my grandma's maiden name.
When Vince started working at Rangeman nearly two years ago, we agreed to keep our familial relationship private. Of course, grandma Mazur knew who Vince was, but she maintained our secret. I was surprised mom didn't know. But grandma explained that mom didn't get along with the Gatlings and never attended family reunions. My mom was as Burg as you could get.
Joe approached me once Vince guided me towards his Rangeman SUV. "You're coming with me, Cupcake," he demanded. Vince pushed me behind him when he saw Joe reaching for my arm.
"I don't think so, Joe," I said. I sighed before stepping in front of Vince. It was time to remind Joe exactly why we had broken up. "Joe, do you remember when my car got firebombed at the mall four weeks ago?"
"Yes. It wasn't the best day for me," he said. I rolled my eyes because Joe had to make it all about him.
"Huh. Anyway, you called me unsavoury names. Your arms flapped around so much that you clipped me in the chin, knocking me over. We decided that being in a relationship brings out the worst in each other. I thought you agreed," I said, narrowing my eyes.
"But the boys miss you," Joe whined, using his line that used to get me back into his bed.
"Get someone else to visit your boys. My girls don't want to play your game anymore. Bye, Joe," I said, rolling my eyes. I got into the passenger seat of Vince's vehicle, closed the door and locked it for good measure.
"Are you okay?" Vince asked again when he got into the driver's seat. "Cal caught a ride with Bobby and Lester," Vince added when I looked for his partner.
I rolled my eyes and swung my head around to look at him. "Stop asking if I'm okay. You have to start trusting me to tell you the truth when you ask, Vince," I snapped.
"Sorry, Steph. Old habits die hard," he said as he pulled away from the scene. He drove towards the mall to see if Alexander was available to cut my hair. It was his way to apologize for second guessing me.
"Stupid Rangeman parking karma," I grumbled when Vince parked near the entrance. He grinned as he jumped from the car. His good luck prevailed as we approached Alexander.
"Stephanie. What happened to your gorgeous hair?" Alexander asked. "And your clothes?"
"Fire, and I fell when I tripped over my feet." I replied. He shook his head and directed me to an empty seat. Vince sat in the waiting area for Alexander to work his magic on my hair.
"I only have to cut a few inches," he announced. I sighed, relieved that he didn't have to cut it shorter than shoulder length. He asked how my hair got singed. I told him that I was too close to the car when it ignited. Alexander couldn't believe the crap luck I had.
"I need a vacation," I mumbled.
"You should visit Italy. It's beautiful during this time of year," Alexander said. "My domestic partner took me last year. When I saw him under the lover's moon, I knew we were destined to be together." I always knew Alexander was gay, but I didn't realize he was in a committed relationship.
"If only I had the money to go," I said with a sigh. I barely made enough money to cover my rent this month. Maybe I'll find my life partner under the lover's moon.
"Your cousin will send you," Alexander said, nodding towards Vince.
"How did you know?" I whispered. Nobody would guess Vince and I were related.
"It's in the way he treats you, darling. I can see he loves you, but not as a man who loves a woman. He loves you like a man who loves his family," Alexander explained. "No one knows?"
"No. Only you, Vince, grandma, dad, and I know," I replied, confirming his suspicion.
"I won't tell anyone, darling. You can trust me to keep your confidence," he said. He used a special gel to tame my curls after cutting my hair.
"Wow," I said when he showed me the completed look. "You're a god." Alexander smiled at the compliment.
Vince paid the bill for my appointment and drove me home. "Stephanie, I did something, and I hope you don't get mad at me," Vince said as he parked behind my apartment building.
"What did you do?" I asked.
"We'll talk upstairs," he replied. I rolled my eyes but followed him to my apartment. He took my keys to enter the unit to complete the required Rangeman check. "May I use your printer?"
"Sure." Vince paired his phone to my wireless printer to print the ticket receipt to Italy. He grabbed the document and pulled me to the couch. I sat beside him, placing my head on his shoulder, which was our usual interaction. "Is it confession time?" I asked.
"Steph, I heard you tell Alexander that you could use a vacation, and I agree with the place to visit," Vince replied. "I booked you a trip to Italy to visit your Plum grandparents. The return ticket is open-ended, so stay as long as you wish. Take this receipt to the ticket booth to collect your pass."
"Vince, this is too much," I said, hoping he'd reconsider.
"Please," he replied. I nodded, caving to his generous offer because he had used the magic word. Vince was aware that word would guarantee my compliance but was careful how frequently he played that card.
"You have to tell grandma," I said, grinning.
"It was all part of the plan, Steph," Vince said before laughing. "Your flight leaves in four hours. Get packing while I call Aunt Edna." He stood up, then pulled me to my feet. Vince turned me towards my bedroom before giving me a gentle push.
After taking a much needed shower, I didn't waste time packing for my trip. Grandpa and Grandma Plum lived on a street with steep hills. I only packed one pair of black stilettos and a nude pair. The remaining shoes were low-heeled wedges or runners. I would wear my Doc Martin's to the airport.
Vince ended his call when I dragged my two suitcases into the living room. "Did you pack sweaters?" he asked. "Passport?"
"Yup. I have everything covered, Vince," I replied. I grabbed my passport from the drawer of the table beneath my phone. As we left the apartment, I asked, "What about Rex?"
"I'll stay in your apartment," Vince offered. I was happy he would take care of my fur baby in my home. The last time Vince stayed in my apartment, he filled my fridge and cupboards with food. He also hired a maid service to do a thorough clean. Vince offered to pay the maid to clean my apartment once a month, but I declined his offer.
We stopped by the bank for Vince to grab some cash. He got them to put the money inside an envelope. "What is that for?" I asked when he climbed back into the SUV and handed it to me.
"Spending money for you, Steph," he replied. Before I could build up the anger, he added, "Please, Steph. I want you to have fun. I've got your back."
I wiped the tear that dropped from my eye. "Thanks, Vince," I murmured when I accepted the envelope. I tucked it into my carry-on bag.
When we arrived at the airport an hour later, Vince gave me a different cell phone to use in Italy. I said I had my phone, but he said it didn't have an international plan. We exchanged phones outside the terminal. "I have Hector, Lester, Bobby, Tank and my numbers programmed in your phone," Vince said.
"Not Ranger's number?" I asked.
"No. I remember what you said after he left for Miami. Ranger played with your emotions, stringing you along by promising that you'd have a relationship someday. Use this vacation to get over your feelings for Ranger."
"Okay, Vince. I'm sure this will help," I replied. I kissed his cheek before entering the building with my luggage. He honked the horn before driving away.
Using the signs, I maneuvered my way to the ticket booth to collect my boarding pass. I provided my passport to receive the ticket. "The return ticket is open. You should arrange for your return boarding pass at least two days before you plan to come home," the kind woman said. I thanked her for explaining the protocol. It wasn't until I was halfway to the terminal that I realized Vince had bought me a first class seat.
When I got to the terminal to catch my flight, Zero was near the window, sitting on the bench for the flight to Italy. "Stephanie, what are you doing here?" Zero asked when I approached him.
"I'm flying to Italy to visit my grandparents," I replied. Zero was 6'3" which is 6" taller than me. His shoulders are broad and he's muscular. Not as much as Hal, but more like Lester's lean frame. Examining Zero closer, I would guess he was the same build as Lester.
"Me too," he said. We talked until the flight attendant announced the first-class passengers for our flight were boarding. I was shocked when Zero took the seat in first class beside mine.
As the plane taxied down the runway, Zero grabbed my hand. "I've got you, Steph," he whispered. The seats were too far apart for me to place my head on his shoulder. I took comfort in his touch. His thumb stroked over my knuckles, calming my nerves.
"Thank you, Zero," I said after the plane took off and levelled.
"Stephanie, please call me Theodore or Teddy." I wondered how he got his nickname. "Perfect aim, baby," he said, answering what I had assumed was a silent thought.
