Chapter 21

"Little one," Tank said, hoping she'd provide an adequate explanation.

"One of the Security Guys at the airport grew up with Morelli and me. We were childhood friends. He knows I have a gun. I promised him that I would not use it on the plane." Stephanie replied, grinning.

"Waters," Morelli said as he looked at everyone. He was proud Stephanie was resourceful.

"Who is Waters?" Tank asked.

"He was one of my school buddies when I was growing up. Waters lived in the same neighborhood as Cupcake and me," Morelli answered.

Tank just shook his head. He was surprised Stephanie had pulled it off without his knowledge. "Okay, Zack, take my wife with the real Morelli back to the hotel."

"Tank, I don't want to leave," Stephanie said. He silently begged her to go. She squinted at him and added, "I am fine."

Tank looked at her and quietly said, "Please."

Stephanie let out a breath. "Fine." She didn't like when the guys used the magic word to guarantee her compliance.

"Can I have my gun back?" She asked Tank, batting her eyes.

"What do you think?" Tank asked her but didn't hand her the weapon. Tank pulled her into his arms, "I love little one."

"I love you too." Tank lowered his head and gave her a deep, heated kiss. Stephanie moaned as he pulled her flush against his body.

"We will take care of her," Zack told Tank, interrupting their almost indecent public display of affection.

"You better," Tank said after breaking the kiss. Tank and Ranger watched the three of them leave.

"What about me?" the fake Morelli asked.

Tank gave him a fifty. "Go get drunk." He shook his head when the man excitedly took the cash.

"Sweet," the fake Morelli said as he shoved the bill into his pocket.

"Drake, if you are not going by the time I turn around," Tank threatened as he started to turn towards the man.

"Right," Drake and the fake Morelli quickly ran out. Tank shook his head as they left.

"One question, Ranger, was Lula paying you to keep little one as your property?" Tank demanded.

"She did offer me money, but I turned her down every time," Ranger replied.

"I did treat her like she was my property. But Morelli did too. Both Morelli and I treated her badly at times. I realize my mistakes, and I think Morelli realizes his too. Both Morelli and I lost her because we mistreated her. I can see how she has grown because she is with you. She really does love you, and I can tell that you love her too. You two are good for each other," Ranger admitted.

"Okay, that is all I needed to know. Let's get to the hotel so I can be with my wife. I still don't trust Morelli with her," Tank said to his boss.

"Yeah, I know the feeling," Ranger agreed. They got into the rental car and left. Both men were silent during the drive to the hotel.

Stephanie, Morelli and Zack went to the hotel. "Cupcake, are you really happy with him?" Morelli asked. He didn't think Stephanie could be content with one of Manoso's men.

"Yeah, I am Morelli. I love him. He treats me like you and Ranger never did. He lets me be me," Stephanie said. "Tank loves me for the woman I am, not who he wants me to become."

"I can see that. Tank has helped you grow, and I am sorry, Cupcake. There were times when I treated you like Ranger. As property sometimes, and I lost you because of it," Morelli said.

Their conversation got interrupted by a knock on the hotel door. Zack looked through the peephole to see Tank and Ranger on the other side. He opened the door to let them in.

"Little one," Tank said when he entered the room. He saw the king-sized bed along the back wall. "We are taking this room," Tank told everyone.

"Yeah," Morelli said. He kissed Stephanie on the cheek before walking out of the room with Zack. Ranger remained in the room to speak to Stephanie.

"Babe, I am sorry for treating you badly at times, but I swear I never took any money from Lula. I protected you because I care about you. I know that somewhere down the line, you will be a great Bounty hunter someday. I see the way that you and Tank look at each other. I apologize for keeping you two apart for so long. You two belong together." Ranger put his shades on and left them in the hotel room.