A/N: Wow...almost two months without posting. Do I suck or what? In my defense, a whirlwind of stuff happened. I got a promotion and ended up moving to a new city. It's been crazy but wonderful. I've been stressed and busy with the move and the new job so I haven't been writing as much. I will finish this though, not to worry. Here is the next installment...and hopefully it won't be as long until the next one. As always, please review and let me know what you think! Enjoy!
Don't Kill My Vibe by Sigrid
"…But I throw myself from heights that used to scare me
Guess you're surprised I'm the puzzle you can't figure out
I tried to play it nice but
Oh-oh-oh, ooh, ooh
Don't kill my vibe
Oh-oh-oh, ooh, ooh
Don't break my stride
(I tried to play it nice but)"
Defining Moments
Chapter 16: Dropping a Bomb(shell)
Steph's POV
Quinn and I enter the extravagant home of one Sergio Ambrosini. He's one of the biggest mobsters in the tri-state area. He opened his luxurious New York mansion for a gala tonight. Sergio while a well-known mobster, also has a lot of Diplomatic contacts which makes this crowd very interesting tonight. I was lucky enough to get the invite since Grandma Mazur has been seeing Nicolas Bianchi. The two of them are also here somewhere. Quinn and I came posing as a couple. We've been working well together for the past couple of months. While we're here to do surveillance and see if Ian shows up, it's a spectacular party that I want to enjoy. I'm dressed in a gorgeous strapless dress that falls to the middle of my shins. It's white with dark blue abstract patterns with gold outlining the blue patterns. It's absolutely gorgeous, and I'm wearing a beautiful blue pair of Manolo Blahnik's that match the dress perfectly. While the bureau doesn't pay me too much, I now have a steady income to spend. My shoe collection has grown.
Once we catch Ian, I'll have even more money in the bank. Of course, I'll split the money with Quinn since we've been working on it together. Vinnie's lucky he's had more time to try and catch Ian before having to forfeit his money. Little does he know that the FBI talked to the judge so it would be extended since we're trying to gather more evidence on the family.
I'm standing next to Quinn at the end of the bar and sipping slowly on a flute of champagne. My neck tingles, and I reach up to rub it. I notice Quinn's been staring for quite some time.
"What's up with you?" I question with a smile as I scan the other side of the room.
"You won't believe me if I tell you," he says quietly without turning to face me, "Ranger's here." My heart skips a beat before I let out a little laugh.
"Quinn, that's ridiculous," I say, turning to see for myself. I'm frozen as I meet eyes with one, Ricardo Carlos Mañoso, my mentor, friend, and one-time lover. I was also head over heels for him the last time I saw him. The beating of my heart reminds me that I still am in love with him. The last time I saw him was a month ago when he showed up in my apartment after my night out. After I admitted my feelings for him. After he left without answering me. All this time and he's been stateside. There's still electricity between us. I try to compose myself as he approaches. I wonder what he will have to say. Quinn puts an arm around my waist, probably to give me some of his strength. I welcome it at the moment. Ranger extends a hand to me. I reach mine out, and I'm surprised when he brings it to his mouth for a small kiss. Heat travels through my body at the contact. He lingers for a moment before letting go. My skin is on fire from the touch and my pulse is racing.
"I couldn't help staring at such a beautiful woman," he says with the audacity to flirt, "My name is Marc Pardo. And you are?" Oh, shit. He must be undercover. So he still is on his mission which makes sense that he hasn't contacted me. What kind of shit storm did he get himself into? Most of the people here would kill him without hesitation. Throw in a fact that several Trenton families are in the room means he could be exposed at any moment.
Quinn introduces himself, extends a hand and shakes Ranger's. I use this to scan Ranger. My heart aches. He looks so good in the dark blue suit, and I'm shocked he's not wearing black. I don't think I've ever seen him so dressed up and he looks…delectable. The two seem to be having a stare off. I work hard to come up with a question to stop the two of them.
"So…Marc Pardo…what brings you here to New York?" I ask pausing before and after I say his name. It's odd to call him another name. I also have a ton of other questions to ask him, but I doubt if he'd answer any of them.
He only utters, "Business," before I see movement beside him. Blonde hair. Oh god. I feel my chest contract, and I try to keep my breathing even.
"Marc, honey, there you are," Jeanne's high pitched voice says as she grabs Ranger's arm. Quinn squeezes me closer and presses a light kiss on my forehead. I'm so glad I have him with me tonight. Thankfully, my heart doesn't shatter like that night so long ago when I first saw them together. Jeanne puts out her hand for us to shake.
"Emelyn Pardo," she says with a huge grin as Quinn takes her hand. My heart clenches even more. They're here together pretending to be man and wife. Jeez, I really never stood a chance. At least I was honest and Ranger knew how I felt. He just never got to tell me he didn't feel the same. Stupid man, stupid mission. I feel shocked yet I can't even feign surprise. I never thought he would truly pick me. Hope, is another story. I had hoped.
Quinn and I make introductions, and my attention is drawn across the floor. I see Ian. I'm a little shocked that he would make an appearance. We've seemed to be right behind him this whole time and now we're actually in the same room as him. I nudge Quinn and nod in Ian's direction.
"Ian's here," I breathe out in a whisper. It doesn't take long for Quinn to notice. He makes goodbyes for us to Ranger and Jeanne before we try getting over to Ian. I have a bug handy so we can track him once he leaves. The only problem is we need to get close enough to put it on him without him noticing. We're also supposed to act naturally. The plan is to bug Ian and track him. We think he has something deadly planned, but we don't know specifics. We move quickly, but naturally across the floor. Ian is dancing with Alexandra Ramos. Hmm…I wonder how her grandfather feels about that. I'm sure he's not happy.
Quinn takes my hand and leads me onto the dance floor. My mind is focused on our task. I don't want to think about Ranger right now. Especially when he's here with Jeanne. At least I have Quinn. I look up at my partner and I count my blessings he found me when he did. He's been my saving grace.
"Let's try to get close to Ian, stumble, and drop the tracker in his pocket," Quinn suggests as was we get closer. I nod.
"Sounds good," I say as I shoot him a smile, "I'm known to be klutzy." We dance closer to Ian and Alexandra. Quinn times it right and just as the song ends I "fall" and grab Ian on my way down. Thankfully, I don't really fall and am able to catch myself. The bug falls effortlessly into his pocket. Quinn grabs me and we apologize to Ian before he can really register what happened.
We continue dancing as the party goes on. Of course, Ranger can't stay away. I swear he enjoys torturing me.
"May I cut in?" Ranger questions, his voice velvety smooth. Quinn looks at me to make sure I'm okay with this. I nod even though I'm unsure. Ranger pulls me to him and I can feel the warmth spread through my body. The electric feel that's always between us is humming and it's like we haven't been apart a day. He spins me unexpectedly, and I can't help but break out into a grin. I shouldn't be surprised that dancing is another thing that Ranger is good at, but I am.
"You really look stunning, Babe," he says, his chocolate eyes sparkling. I can't help the blush that spreads over my cheeks. Why is he being so charming and…flirty? I look him over again in his beautiful blue suit.
"Thank you. You do too," I say, "I like the blue." He gives me a grin and chuckles.
"So how did you meet Quinn?" he asks not meeting my eyes. I scan the crowd to find my partner. I smile as I think about him. He's one of the best people to come into my life. I tell Ranger a watered-down variation of the truth. He stops us from dancing and puts a thumb on my chin so I'm looking in his eyes.
"Babe, tell me something," he says seriously, "does Quinn make you happy?" I feel incredulous as he asks me this question. What the hell does he mean? Does Quinn make me happy? Then it dawns on me. I look up at Ranger. He thinks Quinn and I are an actual couple.
"Me and Quinn?" I question with a laugh, "we're just partners…" Shit. I should not have admitted that. I look up at him with wide eyes. I wonder if he'll question me on that…although knowing Ranger, of course, he will.
"Partners?" he questions as he raises one of his perfect eyebrows. I smile innocently trying to figure out how to play this off.
"Well um…I'm showing him the bounty hunting ropes," I say thinking fast, "he's like my Eliza." I can tell that hits a nerve with Ranger as he raises his eyebrow further. He's also not buying this for a second. Damn him and his superior bullshit detecting skills.
"Babe, you know you can tell me anything, right?" he says sincerely and I can't look him in the eyes. How does he know how to cut through me every time? It's not fair. I look around to see who's close by. No one I recognize. I look back into Ranger's eyes. They're a beautiful chocolate brown with caramel swirls.
"He is my partner, Ra-Marc," I say quickly saving myself from using his real name. My eyes move up to his once again and I take a deep breath.
"We're FBI agents," I state in a low whisper. Our faces are so close I can feel his skin against mine. His aftershave smells so good. I want to rub against him like a cat and bathe in his scent. I've missed him so much and he's not even mine to miss. My heart aches. I'm truly pathetic. He's silent and I pull back to study his face. He has a blank face as usual. He's still spinning us around the dance floor. All of a sudden he shoots me his signature 100-watt grin and I have to blink after being stunned. I must say it's been a while since I've seen him smile like that. I return his smile.
His arms tighten around me and it's like the world slows down. My heartbeat picks up as his lips meet mine. A tingle rushes down my spine and I feel warmth between my legs. The kiss starts off slow but his tongue darts over my lips seeking entrance. I moan against him as I open my mouth as his tongue explores. In an instant, he stops and pulls away from me as he comes to his senses. I'm breathless and my heart is still beating fast. How could I be so easily distracted by him? And what did that kiss mean?
"Gotta go now Babe," he says as he stares in the distance. A quick glance tells me he sees my Grandma approaching. Definitely not someone he wants to see him when he's undercover. He looks back at me and his lips quirk into a smile.
"I love you." He drops that bomb before quickly turning and walking away. I stand, stunned. What did he just say to me? I blink a few times. What the hell just happened?
"Steffie," Grandma says nudging my arm, "was that hunk I just saw you with Ranger?" I blink again. Shit. I turn to look at Grandma. She really looks stunning tonight.
"No Grandma," I reply with a pointed look, "that was Marc, a friend." I see as she processes it and seems to understand. She nods and I scan the crowd trying to find my partner. I see him dancing in the distance. The song ends and he politely disengages. He's by my side in an instant. His blue eyes are assessing me.
"You okay, Sweetheart?" he questions. I nod. I am okay and I will be fine.
"Nothing I can't handle," I say shooting him a small smile. Still… I'm shaken up by that encounter with Ranger. He's never said 'I love you' like that so casually and without a qualifier. A beeping from Quinn's pocket makes us both think back to the present. He pulls his phone out and it shows that the tracker is heading away from the mansion. Guess party time is over. Time to go put this bad guy away for real.