Chapter 4
Suddenly Ranger was jolted awake by a loud clap of thunder that rattled the windows. He sat quietly for a minute to get his bearings. Realizing, he had just woke up from a terrible dream and that he was at Stephanie's, in his chair in the corner of her bedroom, he quietly rose to leave, one to think and the other to decide on someday.
He knew his past put Stephanie in danger, but did she realize how much danger she was in, he pondered. Probably not, the land of denial was her hiding place.
His dream was enlightening. He remembered being in a jungle about to be killed, Steph was the only thing on his mind, she and the pain she would endure after he was gone. "Babe" was the only thing he wanted to say. Next, he remembered was hearing an explosion and seeing Alvarez drop, dead as a hammer. How? Then it came to him, Lester, Steph had sent Lester. Shit, now she was saving him even in his dreams. Fuck.
Chapter 5
As Ranger stepped out of Steph's apartment building he instinctively ducked his head and hunched his shoulders as the storm and rain grabbed at his body. What a bleak and miserable night. A lightning bolt lightened up the dark sky quickly followed by an imperious thunder rolling over his head. Damn weather. Quickly running over to his Porsche, Ranger slid behind the wheel and pulled the door shut, barring out the gruesome storm and rain.
Could he make it work? Ranger looked up to Steph's dark windows on the second floor and considered all the changes a relationship with him would bring to Steph's life. She would have to move in with him and needed to agree to bodyguards whenever she left the Haywood building; two at a time. That was non-negotiable. Shooting and self-defense training would be another must, as well as endurance training so that she'd be able to run and get away if need be. And of course she would need to agree to several tracking devices. Best would be a GPS transmitter transplanted under her skin. That way there would be no risk that she could lose it or that it could be taken from her. He knew Steph would fight him over all of the requirements he was going to impose on her, she did not realize it was ALL for her safety. How was he supposed to make her see that all this was necessary if they wanted to have their someday? Selling all these requirements to Steph had clusterfuck written all over it. Sighing, Ranger let the engine roar to life. What was he supposed to do? He loved Steph, more than anything. She was his life, the center of his universe. Hitting the steering wheel in frustration, he drove out of the parking lot and turned the Porsche towards Haywood. Perhaps a hot shower would bring order into the chaos of his thoughts.
Chapter 6
Ranger was relishing the warmth of the hot shower. He had gotten a chill on the quick walk from Steph's building to the Porsche.
While standing in the shower letting the water flow over him, he thought about someday and selling Steph on the idea. He hoped she would agree to all the terms he would set before her tomorrow.
He had told her he loved her, but always with qualifiers, all those qualifiers were out the window. Tomorrow he would send her flowers with a card asking her to dinner. After dinner, he would talk to her about someday.
He also made himself a mental note to call Ella in the morning and ask her to make Stephanie's favorite foods. Trying to make tomorrow night as special as possible was going to be key in getting all his dreams into reality.
Ranger shut off the shower and stepped out. While thinking about Babe's favorite foods, he wrapped the towel low around his waist. He was taking nothing to chance . Grabbing his stationery and a pen he wrote a note to himself, call Ella, have her make veggie lasagna, salad, fresh bread and flan for dessert. Also, call florist and order the flowers two dozen long stemmed red roses.