Disclaimer: Everything familiar belongs to JE and the creators of Criminal Minds.

Warning: Adult Situations

Chapter 32: Wednesday, August 24th, 1600-1800

MDPD/Hospital

Joe's POV

I can't believe that these guys are considered the best of the best. They spent most of the day staring at paperwork, going over ideas, but not coming up with anything definitive, they don't even know who is behind the attacks yet. The Behavioral Analysis Unit, The BAU, the chief had wanted to call them in during the deli case, but we talked him out of it. I'm glad we did, considering that we solved the case without their assistance.

They seem to idolize that thug Manoso, especially the spic Luke Alvez. Garcia is a train wreck, I mean, she dresses like she's color blind or something. Not to mention, she thinks the world revolves around that gang banger Hector. JJ is hot, along with Prentiss. I could see myself in bed playing hide the salami with them. They are both probably wild cats. I think that Emily is the more adventurous of the two. Rossi seems like he would be a cool guy. I could probably get him on my side soon enough. After all, we are paisans.

Fortunately, Manoso and his men aren't here today, except for Hector. The rest of them are at the funeral for his ex-wife and her family. Why he needs that many bodyguards are disturbing. I wish I could talk some sense into Cupcake. She doesn't understand how dangerous her life will be if she stays with him. Not to mention, he'll only need her now until Julie gets settled. I can't see him keeping his daughter. I'm sure he'll shove her off to some family member to raise while he continues to send her his money.

Now, Rita, I think she's Ron's sister, seems to want that brat, Julie. Maybe I should contact her. With the information I have on Manoso, especially the hidden evidence from Abruzzi, I should be able to help Rita gain custody of the brat. I think I will contact her later tonight in the hotel room. I need to be careful when I'm around the BAU.

I need to figure out how to get Stephanie to come back to Trenton with me. I got so much shit from everyone when they found out that she came down to Miami with Ranger. My mother kept telling me to let Stephanie go, that if she could leave my house to go off with another man, then she can't possibly love me. Mrs. Plum was hysterical, worried about what the neighbors think now that her daughter is shacking up with that thug and spic in Miami instead of staying with me, her fiancé. The guys on the force are telling me that it's only a matter of time before I lose Cupcake to Manoso. Carl went as far to say that I'll have to hand in my man card if Stephanie doesn't return with me, because if I were that good in bed like I claim, then she'd never want to leave it. Bastards, all of them. I'm brought out of my musings by JJ.

"Detective Morelli, we found some information that we need to act on immediately. We can use your input." JJ addresses me.

I give her my panty-melting smile, before replying, "sure thing, Agent."

I stand and walk behind her, watching her ass sway as she walks. She has a great ass; I could tap that ass.

"Okay, now that we're all here, we are going to go over the intel we received. Hector, ¿puedo contar contigo para compartir esta información con tu jefe?" Prentiss asks the gang banger. (Can I count on you to share the intel with your boss?)

"Si, Senora," Hector replies as he sits next to Alvez.

"It has come to our attention that there have been several men sharing a home in a low-income area of Miami. While this in and of itself isn't a cause for concern or unusual, several people have been seen entering and exiting the home, and twice, a witness observed money changing hands. The items that the buyer walked away with were larger than bags full of drugs, which is what is the norm in this neighborhood. From the surveillance photos, we were able to obtain, we have identified two of the men as Julie's attackers. We were able to get into the traffic cameras in the area and have determined that the house is currently empty. Based on the pattern we observed from looking at the feed, we know that the home will be fully occupied tomorrow night. We are going in then, hopefully, to take down the entire team. MDPD SWAT will be the lead team, with Rangeman and us backing them up. Manoso is scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning at 0800 so we will plan the operation at that time.
Héctor, estaré disponible por el resto de la noche si tu jefe necesita contactarme. Él tiene mis números de teléfono." Prentiss finishes her briefing. (Hector, I will be available for the rest of the evening if your boss needs to contact me. He has my phone numbers.)

It pisses me off that Manoso is going to be involved in the takedown. Why? He's not the police. However, if I want to stay in the loop, I need to keep my mouth shut.

Suddenly, Hector's phone goes off, and he rips it off his waist. He reads the message before exclaiming, "¡Mierda! Coche bomba acaba de volar el coche de Ranger. Él, junto con mi Angelita y Julie están bien. Sucedió fuera del hospital." (Shit! A car bomb just blew up Ranger's car. Ranger, with Angelita and Julie, are fine. It happened at the hospital.)

"Rossi, Alvez, you're with me. Let's go find out what happened. JJ, Simmons, work with Garcia to see if you can find anything from the cameras at the location. Whether or not you find something come down to the scene in about fifteen minutes."

"Agente Prentiss, ¿puedo air con usted?" (Agent Prentiss, can I come with you?)

"Sí."

With that, Agents Prentiss, Rossi, Alvez and Hector all left for the scene. Meanwhile, I'm getting angrier and angrier. Even away from Trenton Stephanie is a disaster magnet. She hasn't been in Miami a week and already blew up one of Manoso's cars. I wonder if it was the Ferrari or Lamborghini. That would be priceless, having Manoso lose a car worth that much money.

I decide to play good cop and help JJ and Matt look at the footage from the traffic cameras. Lewis is busy talking to some of Goodwin's and Ron's coworkers on the telephone. We see someone approach Manoso's car, which unfortunately is one of his fleet SUVs, and place a device under the engine. We try to track them leaving the scene, but they seem to know where the cameras are because they quickly move out of the site of the cameras. They only appear on film because he parked the SUV in the direct line of site of one of the cameras. The guy kept his face hidden, so other than body type; we have no information to go on to try to identify the unsub.

When JJ and Matt get ready to leave, I decide to make my case.

"Do you think I can get a ride with you to the scene? I've known Stephanie most of my life, and I'd like to make sure that she's okay."

"Sure, no problem," Simmons replies after glancing at JJ. I grab my battered file bag and head out with the agents.

On the ride over to the hospital, which takes about fifteen minutes, we talk about the city of Miami in general. JJ has been to Miami to help with cases at least four times, Simmons once before. They are familiar with the city but haven't had a chance to check out the nightlife. They are hoping that when this case is over, the team will have a few days off so they can enjoy some of the Miami fun.

When we arrive at the scene, I see MDPD and MFD already on scene. I watch the car smoke, as they usually are when I come to the scene of one of Stephanie's disasters. I observe the fire chief talking to Manoso. I observe how Julie is clinging to Stephanie and how she is consoling Julie as if she is her daughter. I've had enough of watching her play house with Manoso. It's time that she comes home with me. If she can act all motherly with Julie then she is ready to become a mother to OUR children.

"Cupcake, I don't know why you still refuse to come back to Trenton with me. Even in Miami you still manage to blow up your car. You are a hazard to yourself. It's time you finally marry me and start popping out babies."

"Morelli, stop. I won't have you yelling at Stephanie in the middle of the street. Enough is enough." Manoso says as he steps in front of me.

"Detective, from what we have gathered, this bomb had nothing to do with Stephanie." Agent Prentiss said.

"Oh, great! The fucking BAU is under the Rangeman spell. Why is it that only TPD can see you for what you are, a bunch of mercenaries, criminal thugs." I yell.

Alvez decides to get in my face. "Detective Morelli, Lt. Col. Manoso is a highly decorated Army Ranger. If it weren't for that man, I wouldn't be standing here right now, along with the rest of my team. You are a Navy washout, never getting anywhere, being forced to leave because of all the days you spent drunk or in the brig for fighting. If you don't think I know your history, think again, so, before you call Lt. Col. Manoso or any of his men thugs, you need to learn your facts. Are you jealous that your Commander refused to support your application to the SEALS, sealing your fate that you would never get accepted? Get over it and move on with your life. Watch how you speak to Stephanie. She deserves her fiancé to treat her and speak to her with respect, especially from a man who thinks she wants to marry him."

"Please, Stephanie needs to know her place. Her place is to be at home, keeping my house clean and taking care of our kids."

Stephanie takes a step towards me, and I can't help a smile from forming on her face. I can tell that I've finally gotten through to her. Now, we can head back to my hotel where she will first service my boys, and then we'll fly back to Trenton. She stops in front of me and starts to talk, "Joseph Anthony Morelli, you will leave Miami today, and go back to Trenton. I will have Tank meet you at my apartment so you can pick up whatever you left behind. You will give him back the key to my apartment." Stephanie stops talking for a moment. I'm getting angrier as she continues. Just as I'm about to reply she continues, "I am taking off your house key and giving it back to you. We are over, finished, done. I will NEVER get back together with you. You are a jerk, and I should have broken both your legs when I had the chance. I should never have helped you clear your name. You don't deserve me." Stephanie finishes throwing my key in my face.

As she turns to walk away from me, I grab her arm. No woman walks away from a Morelli. "If I'm going back to Trenton, so are you. I won't allow you to be HIS whore. The only reason you are here is that I allowed you to come. Now, you are returning with me."

"Joe, let go of me, you're hurting me," Steph says. I glance at Manoso, and he's livid. Maybe I can provoke him to throw the first punch. Then I can have him arrested.

"Detective Morelli let go of Ms. Plum right now. If you don't let go of her arm within five seconds, I will have you arrested. Ms. Plum, if you choose to press charges, we will support you." Agent Prentiss says firmly.

"Please, you're only a skirt. I bet you slept and fucked your way to that comfortable position."

Agent Rossi steps in front of me. I know he's going to confirm my suspicions. "Listen here, paisan, you will release Stephanie, and you will apologize to both Stephanie and Agent Prentiss. Both women are more admirable and competent that you will ever be. I will be calling your Chief of Police, Senator Juniak, and the Mayor of Trenton, demanding your removal from TPD. Trust me when I tell you, I have friends in high places. If you don't comply, your career in law enforcement is permanently over."

Shit. I need to regroup. I release Stephanie, and she falls into Manoso's arms. I watch as he holds her and comforts her, whispering to her in Spanish. I decide to take Rossi's advice.

"Agent Prentiss, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any disrespect." I say to Agent Prentiss. Then I turn towards Stephanie, "Steph, you know that you belong to me. You know once I return to Trenton without you, your mother will be on the phone ordering you back home. Why don't you save us the hassle and come home with me now?"

Manoso looks at me with malice and takes two steps back. I see Stephanie trembling in his arms. At that moment, my phone rings, along with Stephanie's.

I step away to answer the phone. "Mom, what's wrong?"

"Your grandmother had a stroke. She's gone." She says before she starts to cry. Fuck.

"Mom, when did it happen? Are you okay?"

"This morning. I went to Tasty Pastry to pick up a coffee cake and some cannolis. Bella didn't want to come with me, so I left her behind. When I got home, I found her on the floor of the kitchen. I called 911 immediately. Eddie and Carl came along with the EMTs. Do you know Melinda Curcio, her mother, Anita, works at the school as a secretary? Well, anyway, she was the EMT who took care of Bella. She was stable when she arrived at St. Francis but passed away about two hours ago. I need you to come home to help me plan the funeral. Stephanie doesn't need to come with you. I don't need her here unless of course, she's actually planning to marry you."

"I will try to get her to come with me, but she is helping the teenager. I think the girl's aunt is coming tomorrow, so maybe she'll come home then. The girl can't shower on her own or dress yet with the broken arm and ribs."

"Okay, Joseph, but don't force her. If she loves you, she'll come home with you. Remember what we discussed a few days ago?"

"Yes, Mom, I remember. I love you." I say before hanging up.

I see that Stephanie finishes her call at the same time as I finish mine.

"Stephanie, you need to come home with me. Grandma Bella died this morning. I need you to come home to help my mother with the funeral arrangements. It's only proper for a good daughter-in-law to be to help out in times like these." I say.

"As I told my darling Mother, I am not returning to Trenton before September 4th. If you need to go back, go. I'll see you then." Stephane replies, before addressing Manoso, "Carlos, can we please go get that ice cream now than go home? I'm exhausted, and I'm sure Julie is as well."

I watch as Manoso assesses his daughter and then completes his business with the fire chief. Within minutes, they are piling into his Cayenne and driving off. I can't believe my Cupcake is choosing Manoso.

"Detective, your behavior is appalling. I will be contacting your chief and asking him to send down another officer to deal with the Trenton cases. I don't want you back in Miami on this case. You are unprofessional. I am sorry about your grandmother, but maybe you should take this time to reexamine your career choice and your choices in your love life. Considering Ms. Plum didn't even attempt to console you only tells me that she doesn't love you. I think you need to let her go." Agent Prentiss tells me. Then she turns to her team, "time to head back. We have a few more things to go over before we call it a night. Lester and Hector, are you coming back?"

"We'll stay here a few more minutes to make sure that everything is good. Then, we'll meet you back there. Give us about forty-five minutes. Would you like us to pick up some food?" Santos responds.

Agent Prentiss answers. "That would be wonderful. Cuban?"

"Perfect. I know just the place. Anything special or do we have free range?"

"Free-range. We trust you." Agent Prentiss replies before they drive off, leaving me behind.

I turn and decide to walk the three blocks to my hotel. I'll call the airlines for a flight once I get there. If I have time, I'll take a shower and get something for dinner. I'll work on a plan to get Stephanie back while I'm flying back to Trenton.