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Chapter 15

"No te mereces su gilipollas. Bobby la cuidará, la dejará ir." (You don't deserve her asshole. Bobby will take care of her, let her go.)

Bobby's POV

I don't know if anyone else in the car caught the comment Hector made to Ranger, but my ears perked when I heard my name. Hector was right, I will always take care of Stephanie, for as long as she would let me. I'm hoping Ranger gets the hint now that even Hector has mentioned it to him, and he backs off.

We were waiting to approach the building when Hector came back over our comms. "Ranger will not be a problem. I have sent all other available members to your location as back up. Be ready to breach when I say the word." I had to smile at that. Big bad scary Ranger had been reprimanded by Hector. If it had been any of the rest of us we would have been ordered to the mats after this whole ordeal was over, but Hector was a scary ass dude. Most of us had skills when it came to killing… he made it into a sport, but NEVER would he hurt a woman or child. That's where his line was drawn. It didn't matter if they were aiming a gun at his head, he would disarm them without injury. The ex gang member had morals, surprising right?

Stephanie's POV

I sat on the same old discarded mattress back in the same dusty old room I had woken up in, praying the boys would come soon. My guard stood staring at me. If I hadn't known he was on my side it would have gotten a bit creepy.

"Why do they call Bomber?"

Well hell, I should have known he would have heard about that. "I have a tendency to be around things that get destroyed … cars, apartments, a funeral home once…" I shrugged "That one was NOT my fault though!" He still looked puzzled . "Everything blows up around me. Hence the name… for a time I was called the Bombshell Bounty Hunter. " He got that OHHH YEAH look on his face after that. "My actual name is Stephanie Plum in case you weren't aware." I stuck my hand out to shake his, figuring we could at least get acquainted while I was stuck there. He grabbed it with what I swear was a sparkle in his eyes and shook it. "You are?"

"Ken Maines. But I go by Trouble." I laughed.

"Don't let the boys hear you say that, they'll steal it for a new nickname for me!" I smiled at him, and then looked him over. Now that I wasn't afraid he was going to attack me at any point I could check him out. He looked like he would fit in with the Merry Men no problem. At least 6'5 he had a shade lighter coloring than Ranger and Les, and his eyes were the bluest I had ever seen. I wondered how he and Hector knew each other… he caught my glance and smiled.

"We grew up together, and were in the same gang until I got shipped out to the miliitary. It was that or death. " I did a quick look at his eyes and didn't see any teardrops. "I got out before I had to do that." He must have the same ESP as the Merry men have. "No you said it out loud." He laughed quietly.

"Oh, yeah I have that habit." I blushed.

"By the way." He looked down at his feet and I swear his cheeks were pink. "I'm sorry about earlier. I hated having to put my hands on you like that. Did I hurt you?"

I shrugged. "I've had worse, trust me."

"Well, my mother taught me not to treat women like that, so I'm sorry. Also about the comments… I've been working for Bowman for a few months and needed to keep my cover."

Again I shrugged. "Trust me big guy, it's nothing I can't handle. So have you talked to Hector? Are the guys on their way?"

He shook his head. "I haven't made contact. Hopefully they'll be here soon, because he has plans for you before killing you and I don't want you subjected to that. "

Well that sounds like a ball of fun. I closed my eyes and prayed that the guys would be here before Bowman decided to pay me a visit.

Ranger's POV

FUCK!! I've lost the respect of my men, I've lost Stephanie… hell even Morelli made me feel like a jerk. I picked up the phone and called Julie to let her know I would be coming to Miami on a more permanent basis after we rescued Steph, and she was thrilled. I could tell she was worried about me, she wasn't used to me discussing Steph in strictly job terms. Now if the guys would just call to let me know they got her, things could calm down a bit. We still need to have that discussion…I was ready for her to be safe and back under this roof where she belonged. Then I would deal with my men.

I dialed Tank "Report!"

He was my best friend, the one I knew I could count on above anyone else. I knew he cared about Stephanie as well, but didn't realize the depths of his affection.

"We haven't breached yet. Hector will watch the video and let us know when she's in a safe spot. I'll call you when it's done Ric." And just like that he was gone.

DOUBLE FUCK!! At least he said more than one word to me, and he hadn't cussed me out. I considered it a positive.

I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes, remembering...I knew Stephanie was different the first time we met. That moment at the diner started it all, but I really knew when she called me to get her out of the handcuffs Morelli had trapped her in. When I walked into the bathroom and saw her naked my life changed, I knew she would be in it forever. I introduced her to my men, helped her become a better bounty hunter, and then I went and fucked it all up. The thing was I wanted her in my life, but I knew it wouldn't be the way she deserved. Pulling her into dark alleys and stealing random kisses, as hot as it was, shouldn't be her life. It wasn't fair to her to string her along for my own pleasure when I knew it wouldn't lead anywhere. She deserves happiness, and at one time I thought that she would get it with Morelli but now I knew better. Bobby will take care of her, and I'll watch from Miami. That's the best decision for both of us.

Hectors POV

My Estephania deserved better than that imbécil (idiot) Ranger. I am thrilled that Bobby finally stepped up to the plate, if he hadn't I know there was a line of men here that would have loved the opportunity to be with her, myself included. I see movement on the monitor that I'm watching, and my blood runs cold.

Trouble's POV

I glanced at the little whisp of a woman sitting on the mattress in that cold building in shock and awe. She was strong , I knew that from talking to Hector about her for the last couple of years, but I had no idea the depth of her strength until earlier. She held her ground against Bowman, even sassing back to him a bit. I hated the fact I had to put my hands on her in the way I did, but I have a part to play, even if it is just for a little longer. Once this op is over and Stephanie is safe I'll need to find a new employer, and I'm hoping Hectors company will be the one for me. I heard a noise outside the door and she jumped up as it opened .

"Still comfortable Ms. Plum? It won't be long now, I expect Monoso will be here soon." Bowman entered, sneering at her.

Stephanies POV

I grimaced. "Um, if you're expecting Ranger you are gonna be waiting a while. He and I are barely friends." I regretted it the second the words slipped past my lips…it pissed him off and he strode the few steps towards me, punching me hard across the face. Surprisingly I kept my outburst to a whimper and cut my eyes towards Trouble, slightly shaking my head so that he didn't break his cover, holding a hand over my cheek.

"You better hope that isn't the case, or things will get rather uncomfortable for you soon." He stormed back out and as soon as the door was shut Trouble rushed over to me. I waved him off, rubbing my hand over the mark.

"I'm fine Trouble." He pulled my hand away and gasped.

"Its already starting to bruise. I can't get you any ice, he'll get suspicious…" His face looked like a sad puppy dog, it was sweet.

"Trust me, this is nothing. I'll get patched up whenever my guys get he-" I hissed in pain as he probed his fingers over the area.

"Sorry, I was checking to see if you had a fracture. I don't think he broke the cheekbone, but it's going to be painful for a few days."

Hectors POV

The moment the man punched Estephania in the face I was done. "As soon as the rest of the group arrives, you are free to enter. He has 8 guards around the building that I've seen, that does not include Trouble. He is with Stephanie, do not I REPEAT DO NOT use lethal force on him he is a friend and ally. If you have to, pretend to take him in, unless you kill Bowman." I barked out orders over the comms, and heard the reply back that the other teams were pulling up.

"Hector where's Stephanie?" Bobbys voice came over the intercom thick with worry.

"She is in an office, bottom floor. No windows, it's an interior office." I watched the video waiting for the right time to send them in. I waited too long.