Chapter Thirty-One

Ranger held tight to my hand around the grip of Joe's gun. My arms shaking. His expression wasn't stone anymore. I looked around for Alvarez, but Ranger was on one knee in front of me, blocking my view of where the gunman had been standing.

Ranger always was smarter than me.

He pulled the gun out of my clenched hands. "Building's cleared. Paramedics are on their way in. How are you feeling?"

"I'm o-okay." A touch of amusement lit his eyes. "Don't l-laugh a-at me. I h-hate ad-renaline. I c-can't stop sh-sh-shaking."

"It'll wear off soon enough," he said, holding in a smile. "You were incredible."

"Did...did you sh-shoot him or did I?"

"Would it make you feel better if I shot him?"

"Yes."

"Then it's your lucky day."

There were voices in the hall. Coming toward us with something on wheels. Morelli's arm moved. Barely. He was trying to reach for me. Still struggling to find his way to consciousness. The cement was red under his head. I caught his hand, but his fingers were weak. Tears stung my eyes.

Ranger lifted me up when the medics got to Morelli. Gathered me against him to keep me out of the way. "They must have hit Morelli a lot harder than they did you," he said, feeling the lump at the back of my head. "We'll have you checked out when we get to the hospital."

"No, I'm okay."

"Babe, I wasn't asking. There are a lot of risks associated with head trauma. Not to mention how hard you hit the ground."

I watched them wheel Joe toward the hall again. Guilt eating at my insides. "It doesn't matter how hard I fell. I'm not pregnant."

"Babe."

"No, it's official this time. I found out at my mom's house. I'm not late anymore."

"You sure?"

"I can't get much surer." I wasn't looking at his face, so I couldn't see how relieved he was. Not that it was likely to show anyway. Ranger's cop face is even better than Joe's. The tension didn't change in his body at all. Unlike mine. I was getting tighter by the second. Stupid heart. I squeezed my eyes shut. Wishing my brain didn't know better. But it did. "I can't do this anymore."

"Do what?"

"This. Whatever this is. I can't do it. It's too risky."

"You need promises."

I nodded. "I need solid ground. It doesn't work, trying to build bridges out of pillows. I know. Getting married again isn't in your life plan, but it might be in mine. You can't do relationships. Turns out I can't do just love and affection."

"That's an intelligent and mature observation," Ranger said. And then he turned me in his arms and kissed me. Soft and deep. The kind of kiss that poured like lava through all the best places. I might have stopped breathing for just a second. There was an almost smile on his lips when he pulled back. Resting his forehead on mine. "If you ever find yourself feeling stupid, you know where to find me."

Oh boy. Did I ever.

ooo

Ranger ended up staying behind to help sort everything out. He hadn't really brought the army, but given the number of people involved, he might as well have. FBI, DEA and TPD were all there in full force. Rounding up the handful of Alvarez's guys that had tried to cut and run when the cavalry arrived.

Hal waited with me at the hospital. Morelli had a pretty bad concussion, but there wasn't any swelling, thank god. They wanted to keep him overnight for observation after they sewed up the wound from the bullet that grazed his shoulder. All in all, he'd been lucky. It could have been so much worse. Nollen was still in surgery, too. The shot he took had broken his arm. It would likely be a couple months before he was ready for anything but desk duty. Given what he'd gone through in his first week, I was guessing he'd be good with that.

I decided to check in on Thatcher while we were waiting for Nollen and Morelli. Knocked on his open door before I stepped inside. He was leaning back in the elevated bed, the blankets pulled high on his robust belly. Agent Carson standing beside him. Thatcher didn't look happy until he glanced over and saw me. Then a little smile pulled at one corner of his mouth. "Hey, babygirl."

I gave him a little finger wave. Carson wasn't nearly as happy to see me. But then, I'm not sure if there's anything that makes Carson happy. He read the room and seemed to think it was a smart idea to step out for a minute. It was a good read. Thatcher was beaming when Carson shut the door behind him.

"You save my life and my mood. Aren't you the eighth wonder of the world."

"I do what I can. What did Carson want?"

"Some kinda bullshit about being a confidential informant. Ratting on less reputable dealers. I told him for years he can shove the offer up there with that stick he's got up his ass."

"Yeah, I don't like him either. He's a jerk. But...Ranger says he's a good agent. I guess that might count for something."

"Maybe," Thatch admitted. "I heard from Mini. She says now that Alvarez is gone she's willing to turn herself in. Said you could meet her down at the courthouse if you still want your recovery money."

"Gee. That's thoughtful of her."

"She's a good girl. It was just unfortunate circumstances. You know?"

Guess that was true. It's not like I was a stranger to unfortunate circumstances. "Tell her to call me. She has my number."

"Willdo."

I turned to leave and then stopped. "About Carson's offer. Maybe you should tell Mini. She's a smart girl. Could be she could do some real good."

"I'll consider it."

ooo

I waited until mid morning the next day to pick up my stuff from Rangeman. Figured Ranger was most defiantly working by then. No matter how late he was up. I'd called ahead and asked Ella to get my things together anyway. It was a cowardly move. I realize this. But I thought it was a smart idea to minimize the chances that I'd end up alone with Ranger in his apartment. I'm not really all that good with self control. I took Rex home and dumped the laundry basket on my bed before I headed to the bonds office. The bomb had done more damage than I was expecting. DeAngelo was going to have to redo quite a bit of his work. Which would cost Vinnie even more money. I'll be honest. Hard to really feel bad about that one, given the whole ad thing.

Lula was leaning on the edge of Connie's desk when I got inside, a doughnut in her hand, her tiny poison green dress barely covering her doodah the way she was sitting. She waved me over. "What's this I hear about you livin' with Ranger?"

"I wasn't living with him. I stayed one night because my apartment was a crime scene. That's all."

"So you telling me you didn't take full advantage of the perks of residency?" Lula wanted to know. I didn't say anything, but I must not have needed to. She looked me over real good. "Oh, girl, that's what I'm talkin' about! You got your bell rung real good, didn't you?"

"I'm not one to kiss and tell."

"That's because you're a classy lady, like me. But even us classy ladies can trade the occasional juicy store, if you know what I'm sayin'."

I knew what she was saying. Still wasn't going there. "Got anything new?" I asked Connie.

"Nothing good. It's been a slow week. Good thing you still got something left over from The Rug. It should keep you in the black for a while, even if things don't pick up."

Here's hoping.

My phone chirped. I looked at the number. Not one I recognized. I got that squishy feeling in my stomach, but I'm pretty sure it was residual. I answered. "Hello?"

"You Stephanie Plum?"

"Yeah, that's me."

"This is Tovin Miller. You said I should call you when Earl came back from his fishin' trip."

"Yes! He's home?"

"Saw him about five minutes ago."

"Great, thanks! I'll be right there."

"Who was that?" Lula asked after I hung up.

"Earl Belter's back. Wanna help me round him up? I've charged my stun gun and everything."

"Damn skippy!"

The story continues in Notorious Nineteen

Keep an eye out for PLUM CRAZY, a contemporary story that will take place after Tricky Twenty-Two. Until then, enjoy Ranger's side of the story in DARK PASSION. And then in FEARLESS, In Progress Now.