Chapter One
Tank ended the phone call before he saw Stephanie walking past his office.
"Ranger is going to kill me, but I need her help," Tank mumbled.
Tank opened his office door, "Hey, Little One, do you have a minute?" Tank reluctantly asked.
"Yeah, what is up, Tank?" she wondered. He waved her into his office as he looked over her shoulder. Tank wanted to avoid the office gossip.
Stephanie walked into Tank's office, and he shut the door after she was sitting down. The two of them locked eyes, for a moment,
"Little One, I got a call from a Rangeman client. He needs some undercover work. I need someone to back me up, specifically, female back-up. Specifically, I need a wife. I thought of you because the client has not seen you before. You must pretend to be my wife to get closer to his wife. I am not sure what is going on. But he is requesting help. I think it has something to do about his business, but I am not sure. It could be anything. It is in New York for a minimum of a couple of days to start. Are you interested?" Tank explained.
Stephanie was hesitant to agree, but her Spidey sense indicated Tank needed her help. "Yeah, Tank, I would love to. I have never been to New York. When do we leave?" she asked with a grin.
"In a couple of hours. I will set up the details, and you go pack a bag." Tank said, barely suppressing a smile. He raised an eyebrow, hoping she would leave to get prepared.
"All right, I am going. I will stop by my mom's on the way and let her know I have to work out of town for a couple of days," Stephanie replied. She left his office and Rangeman to pack a bag.
Tank went down to the basement and used his key card
"Hey Jake, I need some items, two wedding rings, an engagement ring, and formal clothing for myself and Stephanie Plum. Undercover Assignment," Tank stated
"Okay, I need a couple of hours to get everything ready," Jake said.
"Good," Tank said and then took the stairs back to his office.
Tank was in his office, thinking of little one, he knew about the gossip about little one and himself. He thought about the looks that she was giving him, and the looks that he gave her. "I can't if I do Ranger will kill me. But how much longer can I deny my feelings for her
At Stephanie's apartment
She walked in and saw Morelli waiting in front of her fridge. He was leaning against the appliance for her to come home. Stephanie was annoyed because he was not supposed to have a key.
"Hey, Joe, how many times do I have to tell you we are through? We have been through for the past two months. I am sick of you coming into my apartment and begging for me to give you yet another chance. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to pack. I am working undercover with someone from Rangeman," Stephanie said.
She pushed past Morelli to walk into her bedroom. He followed her as she removed a bag from her closet and put a few things in it
Morelli asked, "How long is this undercover thing, Cupcake?"
"I don't know, but you are leaving now," Stephanie said as she pushed Joe out of her way towards her bedroom door. She grabbed her bag to leave. Stephanie waited until the stairwell door closed before getting into the elevator.
Morelli left her apartment and went down the stairs, waiting for Stephanie to exit the elevator in the lobby.
Joe Morelli watched Stephanie as she got in her car and drove away.
Ten minutes later, Stephanie pulled up in front of her mom's house. She got out of her car and went into the house.
"Hi sweetie, I am making pot roast for dinner tomorrow," Helen said.
"Mom, Rangeman needs me to work, and I will be out of town for the weekend. You are on your own this weekend, and no, mom, I am not getting back with Joe," Stephanie said as she walked out of her mom's house. Stephanie was happy she did not have to take her grandma to the funeral viewings.