45. Roar

(*) = In Spanish

The week at Rangeman continued to have its ups and downs. After Cal had left his sister Monday night, he was left with the monumental decision as to who to tap for a talk with the Boss-man. Tank was his first inclination, but that was more to do with their closeness, not their ability to discuss 'feelings'. In the end, there was really only one viable choice… Hector. At least if Ranger snapped and threw the first punch, Hector would hold his own. Here goes nothing. Cal sent Hector a text Tuesday morning, having checked the schedule to confirm he was off for the day.

C: Need to talk- in private.

H: Finally ready to admit you want me?

C: Fuck off. It's about Ranger.

H: You want him? I'm hurt.

C: Goddammit, I need help. Just come to my apartment.

H: Been waiting for you to say that. Be there in 10.

…

H: Wear something hot… ;)

Sonofabitch. Cal hadn't even started the real conversation and he was already annoyed. Hector, on the other hand, was laughing his hot Mexican ass off all the way to four. Sometimes it was just too easy to fuck with the men. He knocked on Cal's door, "Sexy man, I here to 'help' you...". He made sure his voice carried the entire hallway. Cal flung his door open, looking murderous and five shades of red. "Goddammit, if you weren't so scary I'd punch you." Hector chuckled. "Si, pero, you need me." He wiggled his eyebrows and stepped inside without invitation. "Que paso?" Cal rubbed his forehead and fell down onto the couch. "You've noticed Ranger has been more of an ass lately?" "Si, jefe es muy bitchy." Cal nodded, it was an accurate statement. "I know why, I think… And you're gonna have to talk to him about it..." Hector raised his eyebrows in slight disbelief. "I listening..." Hector was a badass motherfucker that scared most people, but he was loyal to a fault. If he could help his friend, he would.

Cal's discomfort was tangible. "New Years Eve, my sister slept with him… According to her, it was a no strings kinda thing. When they were… done… she left. He's been assy since. I think he was expecting more…" Hector was laughing before Cal had even finished. "Es muy bueno! I knew she had it in her! Good! I tell her she need man for some sexy time!" Hector was truly proud of Lil… Cal was wishing a giant hole would open up and swallow him. "Pero, tell me why she go? Y why Ranger mad?" Cal explained the happenings to Hector, just as Lil had explained it to him. He was nodding in the appropriate places, apparently understanding the things that Cal wasn't. "Is OK. I talk to jefe, el idiota." He stood to leave and slapped Cal on the back. "No preocupes, I fix. Or I kill him… So, I fix either way." He laughed again and walked out the door. The funny thing with Hector was you never knew if he was joking…

Hector took the stairs two at a time, headed to the gym. A fast text to the control room said that's where Ranger was now. He entered the double doors, scanning the area to see who else was around. It wasn't surprising that no one else was using the equipment, avoiding Ranger was a top priority for the Rangemen as of late. Hector pulled the doors too and locked them. Then he looked up to the nearest camera and aimed a special fob at the system. The feeds were all killed. When the light changed from green to red he approached Ranger on the treadmill. Hector had known Ranger for a while now. They had seen each other at their worst. They also knew exactly how to push the other's buttons… which is exactly what Hector did. He reached over and turned Ranger's machine off mid stride. The boss stopped abruptly with a curse. "What the fuck?" Hector gave him a look, the one he reserved for criminals. * "You're being a dick. Pull your head out of your ass and stop pouting." It was Ranger's turn to look menacing. "What the hell are you talking about?" "You know what I mean. You slept with Lil. She didn't fall at your feet like the other women. She didn't fall madly in love with you… She didn't try to push you for more so you could then run and hide like a pussy." Ranger's fists were clenching harder than his jaw. "It's none of your damn business Hector." "Bullshit. It is my business. She is family. And you are about to fuck up something really good for all of us."

Ranger stepped off the treadmill and into his face. "I'm not fucking anything up." Hector snorted. "Yes. You are. You're walking around all bitchy because things didn't turn out like you're used to. The great Carlos Manoso has always snapped his fingers and had a willing woman. You've never had to chase a female. Well guess what, she's different. Lil's not some woman you can push around, she's not going to fall for your 'pressure'. And that's what makes her so special." Ranger took a step back, Hector advanced. "If you're so fucking smart, what do I do?" Ah… he was getting somewhere. "Well Dumbass, have you thought of asking her out, like on a fucking date?" Ranger stilled. He'd told her he was attracted to her… told her he wanted her… had he expressed a desire to have an actual relationship with her? Something besides sex or innuendo? Well shit. The look of embarrassment that crossed his face was all the answer Hector needed. "She left because you didn't give her any reason to stay. Man up. Ask her out. Let her know you want more than a fuckbuddy… Because if you don't, someone else will." With that final threat, Hector punched him in the stomach and walked out of the gym. It was only a love-tap… Still felt good to get a free shot in on the boss…*

By Wednesday morning, Ranger had calmed down considerably. The other men didn't know what had happened to change his attitude, but they weren't looking a gift horse in the mouth. Lester addressed the group in the morning meeting, "I've finally gotten through to Maurice Theriot, he's agreed to a client meeting here on Friday. Since this has the possibility of being BIG, I figured you'd want it." Lil shifted in her seat, she knew that name. Theriot Jewelers was well known all over the world, and highly exclusive. Even celebrities had a hard time getting in to see him. The waiting list was rumored to be years long. Ranger nodded, yes, this was a client he would need to take first-hand. He turned to Lil, "Will you be there Dulce? We've been trying for Theriot since Rangeman opened. He's been tough to pin down." Lil gave him a smile and a nod. The team continued with their business. Cal was the last one to address the group. "I received a call from Agent Carlson this morning. The feds are planning on making their move by the end of this week on MSF. They have made it clear that they want NO involvement from Rangeman..." Growls echoed through the room. Lil's was the loudest.

Thursday, Lil spent her day with Hector after range time and PT. She endured three hours of good-natured ribbing about 'finally getting some'. Really, she didn't mind, Hector was a hoot as far as Lil was concerned. When he asked if the boss had talked to her, she looked confused. "He talks to me nearly every day. Why?" Hector just shook his head and muttered under his breath. She thought she caught something about an idiot and a derogatory female body part… who knows, her Spanish might be a little rusty. Lester dropped off the possible client proposals and searches his team had completed on the jewelry store to Lil that night, knowing she would want to be as prepared as possible. Wow, this really could send Rangeman into a completely different tax bracket. Sweet Cheezits. She spent a good part of the evening studying the info and doing some additional research. Theriot was widowed with four grown children and twelve grandchildren. No matter how much she read, she couldn't shake the feeling that the creative mastermind of the empire lived a lonely life. Sure, he was constantly appearing in magazines and on red carpets, but his family was never with him. It made her sad.

When Maurice Theriot, his Executive Assistant, and his bodyguard arrived, Lil was shocked. He was a man in his late 60's, small in stature, and very well dressed. His blank face gave nothing away. Lil knew right away, she would never want to play poker with the man. He wasn't being off-putting on purpose, at least she didn't think so. He was just very reserved. It didn't help that he was allowing his assistant to do all of the talking. Ranger, Lil, Lester, and Junior sat across from Theriot in the largest conference room. Lil offered them beverages which Ella had kindly set up before the meeting. While the assistant was making conversation with Lester, Lil watched Theriot. Yup, he was a statue. His keen eyes traveled to each person as they spoke in turn, it was the only discernible evidence that he was following along. Lil had the extreme urge to give the older man a hug… he just looked like he needed one.

Ranger laid out three possible proposal ideas for their Newark store, with coinciding options for their boutiques in New York City and Coral Gables. The assistant, Celine, was more interested in flirting with Lester. To his credit, he was trying to keep the meeting on track, get some kind of feedback on the proposal. Ranger reiterated their services, company history, commitment to security and discretion. When Celine would comment on business, she was a pill. Lil realized really quickly that she was one of those women who enjoyed being difficult. Got off on it. Bitch. They went round and round for over an hour. Theriot still hadn't spoken. At the ninety minute mark, Lil was seriously considering her stance on alcohol when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. No one would be calling right now unless it was an emergency. She covertly pulled her cell out of her blazer pocket and read the screen under the table. Ranger looked down at the same time to see a text from Ella: 'Tilde fell off the swing. She's fine but wants to see you soon'. Ranger stood, "I'm sorry. Something has come up with a member of our Rangeman family. We need to attend to it." He hit a few buttons on his own phone and waited by the door. Celine looked thoroughly put out. Lil sat in shock, this was definitely a risky move.

Less than a minute later there was a light knock on the conference room door. He opened it to find Ella wringing her hands and Tilde with a tear-streaked face. Only, Tilde was dressed as Rex from Toy Story. The little girl in bright green ran in to her mommy without a thought for the others in the room. "Mommy, I fell down. It's hard to swing with dinosaur arms! Look!" She pointed to the small scrapes on her palms. "Oh peanut, it's OK. Maybe you shouldn't wear your Rex costume on the swing. Here, let me kiss them." She placed noisy, silly kisses on her daughter's little hands, making her giggle. When Lil smiled and lifted her head, Mr. Theriot was smiling too. Tilde finally acknowledged the other people in the room. She turned her large brown eyes to Theriot, "Hello Sir. I'm Matilda. I'm sorry for imerupting."...Bum Bum Bum... Another one bites the dust... The jewelry tycoon was a goner. He smiled broader, "Are you un dinosaure? A dinosaur?" Tilde hopped down off Lil's lap and moved closer to model her costume. "Yes, but only today. Tomorrow I think I'll be a little girl." Maurice Theriot turned to Ranger. "Mr. Manoso, I agree to the second option you proposed. Please have the papers drawn up." Lester was out the door in a flash. Celine had a sour expression on her overly-painted face. Tilde turned to her and let out a very unladylike ROAR. Ranger leaned back in his chair and watched as Lil had a pleasant conversation with the man. He caught snippets about his children and grandchildren all living overseas, that he didn't get to see them as much as he would like. When their very successful meeting concluded the men shook hands with Theriot's group. Lil followed her instincts and gave Maurice a hug. Tilde stood at her full thirty inches and used her best Rex voice to give him a "Merci!".