Chapter 17

I felt so tired, and so sad. I was having a wonderful dream that I didn't want to end. I could hear the sound of waves breaking on the shore and the salty smell of seaweed left to dry, I could feel a soft breeze floating across my face, but my intense sense of contentment came from the smell of my man, Bulgari and Ranger, a heady combination, and if I concentrated on my dream I could feel him, his essence, his being. I wavered from falling back into despair; I didn't want to wake up to the reality that I'd found myself in, the pain physically from my head and my back, and the pain of loss. Loss of my freedom, loss of my love, loss of everything I knew. I couldn't go back to that, to the loneliness, to the horrific noises at night, to the cold and the dark. So I fought to stay in my dream and made myself turn to my illusion of Carlos, wanting him, craving him, and loving him. I was imagining the tenor of his voice the vibration of his chest as he spoke, oh and how I imagined the cadence from the language of his heritage. I dreamed and I was happy until I knew it would leave me, a tear rolled down my cheek as if reminding me that I really didn't want to wake up ever. My dream seemed to understand that I was destined to stay, because as the emotions overwhelmed me the sensations from my dream grew stronger until I could almost believe it was real.

"Babe, wake up for me"

"Babe you can't leave me"

"Babe, I love you"

Yes I needed to stay forever in my dreams.

"Babe please, open your eyes for me"

"I need to see your beautiful blue eyes"

Can you open your eyes in a dream; can you feel kisses on your face? I could, as well as the heartbeat next to me, and the soft breaths across my ear and cheek. My eyes in my dream were heavy, but I wanted my dream world, so I struggled to open them and there was my dream. Warm chocolate brown eyes and a face so open to emotions, love, concern but also a sadness I couldn't understand. Why was his face so sad in my dream? My eyes opened further and I felt the warmth of his skin against mine and the hold of his hand on mine. If this were a dream then it was so real, more real now than the depression of the cell.

"Babe it's real, I'm real, and you are here with me"

I moved my head ever so slightly to realize that I was in a room of sunlight and sounds. Sounds! A look to my right and I heard a beeping noise, and a whishing sound as something seemed to clamp on my arm, I winced at a pull from something in my hand. I tried to form words but my mouth was dry and my throat sore. Carlos raised my head and shoulders and placed a pillow behind me bringing a straw to my mouth. When I looked into his eyes they were moist, was I dying?

"Babe you've been very ill, but I have you now, you're safe"

I swallowed, water, but it tasted like nectar in my mouth and throat.

"Where am I, how?"

"An island far away from anyone and everyone who would ever hurt you, I suppose I should say you were the princess rescued by knights in shining armor"

I smiled at that, I was already feeling more grounded, tears again fell from my eyes.

"My dream wasn't a dream?"

"No querida, your dream is real"

"Please hold me"

And he did, despite the restrictive tubes and wires, an arm around my shoulders and an arm around my hips, I held him around his waist, and oh god it felt so right. He released me but still held on.

"I need to call Angel to come check on you, OK?"

I nodded as he lifted the phone and spoke. A minute later a woman walked into the room a wide smile on her face.

"I am so pleased to see you awake, and now I believe, that the door to our soul is through our eyes, you have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen"

I smiled back at her and I immediately liked her. She was like a pixie, small and petite with layered blond hair to her shoulders, flicked as it fell around her face, amber eyes the color of honey stood out under long curled lashes and skin touched by the sun to give a warm tanned color. As she checked over the equipment she smiled at me again. "Stephanie you are doing so well I'm going to get rid of all this paraphernalia. Then I need to see how strong you feel. That okay with you?"

I nodded and she took off the cuff, unstuck the pads from my chest and very gently holding my hand removed the needle.

"Now I need to remove your catheter, you OK with Ranger here or does he need to go?"

I squeezed to hold onto his hand

"Stay"

"Now lay back and hold your breath, a slight tug, and there it's gone"

"While you're laid down roll over to your side and let me check your back"

I rolled to my side wincing at a pain on my lower back.

"You have some really nasty bruising here which will hurt, but the incision is healing great"

I looked to Carlos with a frown.

"I don't know what happened for me to have an incision"

"When you're up and comfortable there's a lot to talk through, but what's most important at the moment is that you are feeling better and are comfortable, OK?"

"Yes, can I try to get up?"

"Only with someone helping you, and only short distances. How about we set up the chairs on the terrace for you and I'll arrange a drink and some light food?"

"That sounds perfect"

Carlos helped me to sit up, and with my legs over the edge of the bed, feet on the floor, and his arm around my waist he carefully raised to me to a standing position. I remained still, trying to get my equilibrium. I couldn't have stayed up without his support, feeling a weakness wash through me.

""You're doing great Babe, let's try a few steps"

Very slowly, one step at a time we moved toward the opened doors, I was determined to be outside. Once outside he lowered me onto a deep cushioned sun lounger, raising my legs in front of me. That was exhausting, but so worth it. The view was incredible, an aqua marine sea with small waves breaking onto white sand. We seemed to be in a bay with rocky outcrops at each end, surrounded by palm trees and low shrubs, steps led down to a path that meandered down to the beach. The breeze was warm and carried with it a cacophony of sounds from bird life. Yes this place was like a piece of heaven. To my side was a low table with small portions of fruit and bread, juice and water.

"Angel would like you to drink plenty of water to help your kidney repair"

"No problem, Carlos what happened?"

He got up and moving me slightly sat behind me with his legs on either side of me, pulling a thin blanket up over my legs, it was then I realized I was only wearing a short sleeveless nightshirt.

"What do you remember?"

"Going into the bank with Lester and a middle aged man led me down into a gated room, he wouldn't let Lester come with me"

I was picturing the scene as it unfolded in my mind.

"I'm probably going to sound muddled, because I need to say my thoughts out loud"

"No problem, we'll put the pieces together"

"I had my key in my hand and he used one, the box opened and he placed a closed drawer on the table, inside were papers that I took out, I think he'd moved away by then. I had my phone in my hand for some reason and then as I'd reached the last one there were shouts and people appeared from nowhere around me. I was surrounded and everyone was shouting, for some reason my hands were in my pockets, I heard a familiar voice and turned, lots of shouts, a loud noise then I felt a something hit my back, then I fell and I think I hit my head. That's it. I don't know what happened next, but I was aware of being in a small room, so cold, strange voices and murmurings and screams coming from around me. I felt so much pain in my body, and felt sick and my head was swimming, I don't think I was really awake because everything is a blur of sounds and light. Then I woke up with you beside me"

By this time I was crying as I remembered that awful place I'd been in and shivered at the memory, Carlos wrapped his arms around me, turning me slightly so I was cocooned against his chest.

"Shush my querida, you're safe now"

As he wiped away my tears and the crying subsided I drifted into a dreamless sleep. I came awake; aware of voices talking in hushed tones, slowly opening my eyes I saw a stranger sat close on a chair facing us. He had long blond streaked hair around a face that was attractive with prominent bone structure, good skin with a scar on his forehead above one eyebrow, his eyes reminded me of Angel. He was wearing cut off jeans and a white T-shirt that framed the muscles below. I stirred and his eyes looked into mine, a smile on his face.

"Good afternoon sleeping beauty"

"Hi"

I slowly sat up straighter still supported by Carlos behind me; he moved a small cushion placing it at the small of my back.

"Babe you feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you"

"This is Kade, he basically walked into the hospital where you were, wheeled you out then brought you here"

"Oh"

Yeah real eloquent, he actually reminded me of Diesel with dimples in his cheeks when he smiled. He was wearing a Seals hat that I'm sure I recognized.

"That hat, I'm sure I recognize it?"

His voice was low but had a lilt to it expressing a serious tone.

"Carlos returned it to me today, you see a few years back this man of yours risked his life to get me out of a hell hole, I was badly injured, a bit delirious with a fever from infection. He saved my life in more than one way, so after I recovered I gave him this hat, to say I owed him my life and would be forever in his debt. He thinks he's paid up because I helped to get you out.

"Kade, no price, you've saved mine by bringing Steph to me"

"Well I 'aint finished yet, because chica bonita we're gonna get those scum bags responsible for this"

I stared wide-eyed at him, why would he help me? A movement caught my eye with Angel coming into the room followed by Lester and Bobby?

"Why are you two here? I'm so glad to see you"

Bobby approached first and kissed my cheek.

"I had to make sure my favorite patient was healing"

"Thanks Bobby"

Not to be outdone Lester gave me a noisy kiss right on my lips, eliciting a low growl at my back.

"Beautiful I'm so sorry"

"Sorry for what?"

"Letting you get hurt"

"You didn't, you couldn't do anything"

"Well I sure am glad to see you, and you look to be doing well"

The guys all sat around chatting, how was I so lucky to have such amazing people around me? I half listened to their conversations just enjoying the jovial atmosphere around me when I realized I really needed to use the bathroom. I tried to get up but Carlos wasn't having that, I whispered so only he could hear, a little embarrassed.

"I need to use the bathroom"

"I'll help you to get there and Angel can help inside. Angel can you help Steph out please?"

I was lifted onto my feet, much better now, I seemed to have found my balance, and slowly walked inside.

"I feel more solid now, and walking is easier"

"Good, still not leaving your side though"

In the bathroom Angel helped me to use the toilet, I looked at my reflection in the mirror as I washed my hands. God I looked so pale and I had dark circles under my eyes, my hair was an absolute mess.

"Don't worry, I tell you what, why don't I help you to shower and sort your hair, then I have an ideal dress you can wear that won't catch or irritate your back?"

"That sounds wonderful"

An hour later I felt refreshed, Angel had braided my hair off my face, and I was wearing a calf length, cream wrap around dress and white flip-flops. My muscles were loser and the ache in my head and back had dulled.

"Thank you Angel that has made me feel so much better"

"I thought it would, err, so who's this hot medic you've brought in?"

"You like the look of him?"

"Well he seems like a guy I could get to know, and he's certainly nice to look at"

"You'll be pleased to know he is a lovely guy, and as far as I know unattached, so go for it girl"

We were laughing as we went back out to join the men, I noticed Bobby give Angel the once over, maybe with a little bit of push? You never know?

Soon evening came upon us; the sky was an amazing hue of reds as the sun set behind the water, though it was still warm outside. There was only Carlos and I left with the remnants of a meal that had appeared. A woman, maybe the age of my mother, appeared to clear the dishes away. Her face carried a permanent smile, lines from age and probably the sun, with warm eyes, added to her charm. Carlos spoke to her, I think in Spanish, before she disappeared. Returning to our previous position, of Carlos wrapped behind me, I felt the need to ask questions.

"So who's Kade, and where are we?"

"Kade as he explained is a very good friend who hit on bad times after he was injured, he came to me for help and in the end he set up his own company similar to Rangeman over on the north west coast. He doesn't just do what we do though, more soldiers for hire, but he has a very strong moral code and won't just sell his soul to the highest bidder. That's how he afforded to buy this island, he always had this dream of a paradise to escape to"

"So he has more men and more equipment and resources?"

"Yes, not something I wanted to get involved with because I was still under contract to the Government and that was enough for me, Kade couldn't do that because he was discharged as medically unfit"

"So why's he going to help us?"

"That's who he is Babe, he'll move heaven and earth if he sees something as an injustice, and I think he's fallen for your charm already"

"Hmm"

"Come on you must be tired let's get some sleep then maybe tomorrow we can walk a little"

I used the bathroom, this time on my own, and found one of Carlos's T-shirts and a pair of my briefs on the bed, I held them up at Carlos with a frown, how the hell were they even here?

"I packed some of your clothes that I thought you could use and brought them with me"

"Mind reader!"

I lay over onto Carlos's chest my head over his heart, his arms around me and drifted into a deep sleep.

Chapter 18

It wasn't quite light outside when I came awake and it took a few seconds to register what had disturbed me. Steph was moving in her sleep and it was becoming more pronounced, she was obviously agitated and moans were resonating in her chest. I tried to sooth her by stroking the skin on her arm and face, but her sudden movements caught me by surprise, a sudden violent jolt shot through her body accompanied by a scream from her mouth. Then as suddenly as it started she stilled completely, with tears rolling down her cheeks. I sat up and brought her up to my chest rocking her and talking to her, I needed her calm enough to return to sleep or to wake up. The latter was the result and I saw her eyes fluttering as consciousness came to her. She was disorientated so I continued to talk.

"Mi amante, your okay, your safe, I have you"

She shuddered as she began to sit up, the tears slowing.

"Oh god that dream seemed so real, I was scared I was still in that cell"

"I'll never let that happen querida"

"I remembered the shooting. That bastard shot me"

"Who Babe?"
"Morelli!"

That statement took me by surprise, Morelli was a good cop, and surely he wouldn't shoot someone who was unarmed and even less so Steph.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I remember bringing my arms up, hands open, he was behind me, and I heard his voice, I turned my head and looked into his eyes because I recognized his voice, but before I could turn my body he shot me, hitting my lower back on my right side. Why would he shoot me?"

"I don't know Babe, he was the one who came to me and told me where you were. He'd been to see to see at the prison and he'd got a doctor to see you. He basically asked me to get you out and make you disappear"

"I don't understand, who were the men there and why was Morelli there?"

"The word out is that the FBI along with TPD had a sting set up to catch a bomber at the bank"

"And they thought I was the bomber?"

"Seems they think there was enough evidence to point the finger at you"

"Did I hear right yesterday that there was an explosion at Rangeman? Was anyone hurt?"

"Yes a bomb went off, but no one was hurt. The police and FBI tried to say that was you as well, but we kept them out and feigned it as a gas explosion"

"Why would they think it was me? Why a bomb at Rangeman? Whom was the bomb meant for?"

"Slow down a bit, a parcel addressed for me was in the office down stairs waiting to be checked out when it blew, you were upstairs with me when it was delivered and we were getting ready to leave. I don't think whoever planned it realized how close we are"

"My phone, I need my phone"

"I don't know where it is"

"But we have to find it"
"Babe, you're getting stressed out, calm down. Where was your phone? Why do you need it?"

"I used it to video the documents as I looked at them, I put it in that secret pocket in that new coat you gave me"

"Then we'll try to find your coat"

At that moment there was a knock on the door and both Angel and Bobby came in.

"Steph just here to check you out"

I got up and looked at Bobby, nodding my head toward the door, Angel went over to talk with Steph.

"Babe I'll go bring you your breakfast and something to drink, what would you like?"

"Anything is fine"

Bobby came with me into the lounge and we stood beyond the door out of earshot.

"She woke up from a nightmare so she's upset, she remembers the shooting and details from the bank, so go easy on her"

"Will do, she still looks so pale and I'd say she's lost weight which isn't good for her. I've spent time with Angel going over her medical notes and the treatment Angel carried out. Steph still needs antibiotics for another few days but the pain should be less today. Err Ranger three weeks for her to heal before anything physical"

Was he implying I would hurt her by demanding sex, un-fucking believable. I didn't give him a response; hopefully the look I gave him would exude my annoyance at him. He looked suitably chastised and disappeared back into the bedroom while I went in search of food. I returned with a tray of pancakes, coffee and juice on a tray prepared by Sofia, I suppose Steph would liken her to Ella. I placed the tray outside on the terrace and went in to help Steph move. She was moving better, but yes I now acknowledged that she had lost weight. Steph was more alert today, I don't know if she realized how much she had dozed yesterday while sat outside, so I decided a walk would do her good, she had eaten some of her breakfast so hopefully her appetite was coming back.

"Would you like to go for a walk along the beach?"

Steph didn't answer but held her hand out and smiled, I took that as a yes, and with an arm around her waist led her down the path, across the beach to the waters edge.

"You still haven't told me where we are"

"The island's called Ile De Caille and it's 3 miles off the northern tip of Grenada, which is that way, over there is Barbados and over in that direction is Venezuela"

I'm not sure how good Stephs mental picture of countries was but the answer seemed to satisfy her. We walked along the edge the water to where the rocks began and then returned and sat down on the sand, she laid back, eyes closed soaking up her surroundings, and I couldn't resist kneeling behind her head and kissing her.

"I hear a certain beautiful woman likes kissing upside down"

She smiled and cupped my face in her hands.

"I love you Ricardo Carlos Manoso"

"I love you too Babe, more than ever, I was so worried about you"

"Well I'm here now, wait what about my parents and friends, what do they know?"

"Not sure, I need to catch up with Tank this morning, come on lets head back then while you take a rest I'll talk with him and get all the news from Trenton"

I left Steph sleeping and went through to the main house to find Kade. He was in a very high tech office on his computer when I entered.

"Kade I could do talk with Tank, what's the best way?"

"Use that sat phone, it's secure"

'Thanks"

I made the call hoping Tank was around his office to answer.

"Ranger how's my Little Girl?"

"She's doing great Tank, much better, and she's remembering things"

"Good what do you need 'cos business is running smooth"

"Tank we need to get hold of the coat Steph was wearing to the bank"

"Why?"

"Her phone is in it and she videoed the documents from the safety deposit box"

"That would be an excellent piece of evidence to get hold of, I'll get Ram on that"

"Tank it was Morelli who shot her"

"Ah shit, how's she taken to that memory?"

"Nightmares, but she seems to be bouncing back. Any thing else?"

"Yeah Hector has been trying to get info on the bank, no records at all on who had those boxes, I suppose back in the day you paid and got a key, apparently the cost was phenomenal even by todays standards, but it meant no one knew what was in them, except the owner. Thing is Hector found out that the bank was an immigrant bank, they sold steamship tickets to immigrants and families and there are passenger lists which document the name of the ticket purchaser, details about the passengers, and family members. There are ledgers, used for immigration information, and to help individuals with the naturalization process or help family members seeking asylum"

"Tank how does that help?"

"Maybe the box belonged to a Jewish family?"

"And the woman?"

"Maybe she wanted what was in the box?"

"We need Stephs phone, Tank what's the talk about town on Steph?"

"Well some says she's dead, others that she's in prison and then there's the one that she ran away"

"I'll give Don a call and see what the FBI are saying, you heard from Eddie?"

"Yeah, he called yesterday. Apparently there are no loose tongues at TPD, Morelli's being real quiet and hasn't mentioned anything about Steph. Those two agents who came to see you, they ran the whole bust. Real quiet at the Plum household, Eddie said it was strange when he visited, Edna and Frank weren't there but Stephs mother hardly said a word"

"Thanks Tank, I'll catch up with you"

Kade was looking at me as if trying to decipher a puzzle, which we were.

"Ranger how about we have a meeting after dinner to start really dissecting all this?"

"Yeah"

I felt no closer to any solution; in fact it felt further away. When I returned to the terrace Santos was with Steph playing cards, she looked brighter and was laughing obviously enjoying his company.

"Santos we have a meeting after dinner, so talk to Kade and set up a room with all the contents of the files"

"Will do"

As they finished their game I decided Steph would enjoy a tour of the main house and lunch. The afternoon was spent with Steph sleeping and me going through the evidence

again. We spent an enjoyable mealtime with Kade and his men, a lot of reminiscing, new stories being told. Angel and Steph half listened and had their own stories to share, when we'd finished Kade led us into a large conference room. Steph immediately started to look at all the papers pinned up on the boards. She turned to Kade.

"Can I have a pink highlighter?"

"Pink, do I look like I use pink?"

"Nah, but it would look good on you"

Angel laughed and handed one to Steph then we stepped back and silently watched her as she worked her magic, looking for those elusive threads.

"Kade let's leave her to it and discuss our next steps"

We sat at a table at the far end of the room, the three of us from Rangeman and Kade and his two men.

"Santos can you trace where Steph travelled and look at who made the hotel bookings, bought air tickets and find out about that bike at the airport"

"On it Ranger"

Kade was watching Steph, I think trying to work out what she was doing.

"Ranger what's she doing?"

"Looking for connections, she gets a gut reaction and something will stand out to her. She calls it her spidey sense and I'd trust her instincts anytime"

"Santos you up to date with the report from Tank?"

"Yes and I updated the boards"

"Kade any ideas?"

"Let's start with a list of possible bad guys"

Beatrice Lang or Charlotte Rains but real identity unknown

Langley- FBI- older but complacent

Mosely - FBI –young and arrogant

Grossman – Journalist, may be no one but he was following Steph around

Sandor and Hickman– both new to Rangeman who knew about Steph going to the bank, Tank checked and no one else knew, other than those I trusted,

The bikers – maybe Cal has a lead or Hector can get something from one their phones

Morelli – TPD, part of sting, I'd say a good cop

"But he shot me"

We all turned to look at Steph, hands on hips with an absolutely beautiful glare on her face. Kade laughed at her.

"You run out of pink ink Bonita?"

She gave him her famous Italian hand gesture and returned to the boards. I took charge deciding our next actions.

"Kade can you research Grossman"

Steph had now come closer to the table.

"My job"

"Babe are you in this meeting or not?"

"Yes, I want Grossman, I think he knows something"

She was pacing with everyone watching, Santos, Bobby and I knew her too well, while Kade and his guys were looking at her strangely.

"Babe what are you thinking?"

She had a plan and for some reason I didn't think I was going to like it.

"We need to be in Trenton"

"Shit, no, I can't risk that, you could end up a target by just about everyone"

"Angel and I talked about this, anyone we need to talk to is back home, we thought that if Angel gave me a make over so no one will recognize me as Stephanie Plum, she'll talk to the people close to me and I'll pick up the others"

I looked at Kade.

"Don't look at me, I had nothing to do with it, but for what it's worth I think it could work"

"Primo, we could work out of the satellite office, only the core team know about it, and if we use the logo from Kade he can have Angel and Steph as employees"

"Shit why do I feel out numbered on this?"

"Because you are Carlos"

We allocated names for different people to do the research on and decided we'd leave the island in two days, Tobi and Jobe were going back to Trenton with Santos and Bobby tomorrow evening to set things up and Kade had two other men still at home who would join them, Steph and I would then fly out with Kade and Angel. We turned in for the night ready to start the next morning. I felt anxious and obviously Steph noticed.

"Carlos it will be alright"

"Babe, I nearly lost you I can't go through that again, and there is no way the FBI or police are going to arrest you"

"I have a good feeling about this and I need to be doing something, you know that"

"I'll agree with you on one condition"

"Go on"

"If I think you are in immediate danger you're out of there"

"Same with you"

"Agreed"

I sealed that agreement with a kiss; taking her face with my hands she opened her mouth and traced her tongue across my lips we both opened our mouths to each other and our tongues danced as we turned our heads to deepen the intense feelings being stirred. I felt my reaction to her and pulled away laying my forehead on hers.

"We can't, not until you've healed more, I don't want to hurt you"

"Shit, I know, I got a lecture from Angel this morning"

"Makes me feel better, because I got one from Bobby"

We settled into bed, her in my arms.