Chapter 12 — From the heart

Stephanie's POV

At first I was numb. I'd figured that Kraven knew I worked at Rangeman full-time and was no longer bounty hunting, but I didn't expect him to up his game and send me an email directly. He'd been sending them to Carlos until now.

"Do I want to know?"

"Probably not, but knowing you if I'd deleted it you'd be mad at me; it's still in your inbox."

My iPad was in my bag so I took it out and opened my Rangeman email. I saw Kraven's ridiculous 666K email address and opened my present from Satan.

'Good morning Ms. Plum. Since your boyfriend doesn't seem to be sharing the pictures I've sent him, I've decided to take it upon myself to show you my plan for you. You're not going to be able to avoid me forever and this is my latest purchase.'

There was an attachment, so I looked over to Carlos before I clicked on it. He nodded then grimaced.

What was on my screen hadn't been Photoshopped with my head like some of his other 'masterpieces' but it had clearly been used, as a pool of what looked like dried blood had hardened on and under a cage the size of a human body — one that wore sharp metal spikes on the inside.

He was a sick individual and I wasn't going to let him get to me.

"Do you think he's actually used this recently? We would have heard, wouldn't we?"

"I think he's playing with you and he'll do anything to get a reaction and this is one of the reasons I came down here. He's getting more aggressive."

"Has he sent one to Hector too?"

"Not yet, but I suspect if you ignore him, he will. I think he's a expecting a reply; don't give him one."

It would only take a single tap of my finger to tell him just what I thought of him and his stupid games but Carlos was right, he was baiting me.

"What about you? Did he send you anything new?"

"Looks like it's just you this time Babe."

Ranger's POV

Stephanie looked dispirited. I supposed she was under the assumption that once she was out of Trenton his emails would stop. It doesn't work that way. And how would he even know that she was out of town? I wasn't going to sugarcoat the truth. He was a dangerous man and if he indeed managed to grab her again, I wasn't sure I'd be able to get to her in time. I know he seemed to like to play with his prey before finishing them off, but something told me he would act quickly with my woman. Not something I wanted to dwell on.

And I supposed my timing was off too. I had wanted to wine, dine and romance her before telling her about Kraven, but apparently I'd left out the third step in my equation. Not that Stephanie seemed to notice, but I did. Now I'd have to start all over again, and getting Hector out of the apartment would be problematic—I'd caught wind of the three laptops he had set up. Maybe we could take a trip to Siesta Key for a few days. I needed her to know that she was safe and well loved.

"Babe, how would you like to get away for a few days?"

"You mean after we talk to Maria?"

I actually meant now. Hector and Silvio could take care of Maria on their own, but I understood Steph's sense of duty. And one more day wouldn't make a difference.

"When do you plan to talk to her?"

"Silvio and Hector were going to get her schedule and depending on her hours, either tonight or tomorrow."

Shit. So much for romance if it were tonight.

"Then let's head out as soon as we can after you talk to Maria,"

"Does Kraven know I'm here? Is that was this is about?"

"No Babe. This is about me needing to be with you. I told you last year I wanted to romance you and I don't feel like I've been doing a very good job with that. You deserve more."

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You give me a lot. Our sex life couldn't be better..."

"That's not romance."

"We have a beautiful house on the shore..."

"That's not romance either Babe, it's a roof over our heads..."

"Yeah, a palatial one."

"Yes, it's big and it's beautiful, but that's not what I'd call romance. Three days at a private resort on Siesta Key with the whitest sand in the world, a personal chef during the day and dinner and dancing options you'd only find in exclusive areas of the world. Three days with nothing but each other. What do you say Babe?"

"Tell me again. You want to do this why?"

"Because I love you and you deserve it."

"I love you too Carlos. Isn't Bobby going to be upset with you?"

"He'll get over it. He and Ashley are planning two weeks in Paris next month. All the men seem to take vacation time but me." I could see her hesitating. "Yes or no, Babe?"

"Yes, of course, I was just trying to figure out why. And why now?"

"I told you. You deserve more. Can I ask Ella to go shopping for you and send some things down? I know you just packed for a couple of days at Rangeman."

I could see the wheels turning. She was about to tell me she had clothes in the apartment here. Yes she did but I wanted to buy her some new things. It was part of romancing my woman.

"I'm not going to win, am I Carlos?"

"Win what? This isn't a competition."

"I feel guilty when you spend so much money on me..."

"Don't. I have it to spend and I want to spend it on you. Nothing makes me happier."

"Ok then, do you know where you want to go? Can you show me some pictures?"

"I'd rather surprise you. If I tell you that the place is similar to the resort we stayed at on Hawaii, would that be enough for you?"

"That place was beautiful. I think I really fell in love with you there..."

"Likewise Babe. I didn't want it to end." Fucking Morelli, at least this time no one would interrupt us. I also realized that I'd changed a lot since then. I manned up and went after what I really wanted. Establishing a relationship would always come with bad timing-but I just couldn't stay away from Stephanie, no matter how hard I'd tried. So now I owe it to myself and her to show her just how much she means to me.

I pulled out my phone but didn't want to put any words in her mouth. So before I made the call that I'd had on my contacts list for a while, I asked once more for clarity, "Deal?"

"Deal."

Without hesitation I let the phone dial and when someone picked up, I made a reservation. We had a 3 pm check in tomorrow and a four-hour drive ahead of us. Of course I'd secured the room on my Amex Card so they'd hold it for us even if we were late. Now I'd just have to put pressure on Silvio and Hector to get Stephanie back as early as possible. I immediately placed another call.

"Santiago," I said when Hector answered, "timeframe?"

"The Padilla woman is working two to ten today. I tought we'd head over between three and four before the dinner rush. Is Steph with you?"

"Where else would she be? We're on our way."

I relayed what I learned to Steph, paid the bill and we headed out. We'd be back at Rangeman before three and it looked like I'd be able to make reservations for tonight and try once more to romance my woman.

My woman. I liked the way that sounded. My wife? I liked the way that sounded too. And I'd make her my wife before the year was up. Ella had recently asked me if we'd thought about a wedding. I knew she wanted to make us a party but I'd yet to have this discussion with Steph. Maybe it was something we'd talk about over the next few days. We'd told my family and the Plums that we were going to get married at our house, so if we really intended to do that this year, we'd need to start planning now. I just hoped Steph wouldn't go into overwhelm at the thought.

I let my thoughts go back to the flesh and blood Stephanie on my right as we pulled into the Rangeman garage.

"I'd like to try again," I said to her, taking her hand.

"Try what Carlos?"

"I'd wanted to wine and dine you, then sweep you off your feet."

"I had a nice lunch," she said innocently, "and we had wine too," she added.

"And then I turned into an ass and brought up Kraven. Can I take you to dinner tonight? I promise no Rangeman talk and no crazies."

She looked at me like she couldn't believe what I was asking.

"Just us?"

"Just us Babe."

"Ok, but why do I think you have a hidden agenda?" she mumbled, probably not realizing she said that out loud.

"My agenda isn't hidden. Wine you, dine you, get you naked," I wolf-grinned, then winked at her.

She looked stupefied as I got out of the car then opened her door for her.

"I need to stop thinking out loud," she mumbled, letting me help her up.

I found it endearing so I wasn't going to comment on that one. She probably wouldn't be able to stop anyway; it was engrained in her personality. Dios, I loved this woman.

Stephanie's POV

Sometimes I really wondered about him. Right now was one of those times. Jeez, he could be so annoying. Anyway he couldn't seem to get enough of me which was stifling on its own, but this idea he had in his head about not romancing me enough was just silly. We went out to dinner at least twice a week although some of the time it was under the watchful gaze of a couple of men in black, but at least we went out. And do I even need to mention the sex? Oh my God, what that man can do to me in the bedroom...and the shower, and oh God again, even the kitchen counter.

"Stephanie? Did you hear me?" Ranger asked breaking my concentration.

"What?"

"I just told you that Hector said he's been texting you. Have you checked your texts lately?"

"I'm sorry, no. Let me look. Oh shit. Carlos, they're ready to go and I'm dressed like I'm going out on a date. I need to change."

"Why? You look fine to me Babe."

"These shoes are too high and this dress is too expensive looking. Keep Hector and Silvio company for a few minutes while I find something more appropriate," I said as the elevator came to my rescue.

Carlos was texting away.

"They'll pick you up out front in ten minutes. Silvio went for gas."

"Is Hector still upstairs," I asked. If he wasn't I'd start stripping in the foyer. Ten minutes wasn't enough time for a transformation.

"He's with Silvio. Want me to hold your shoes so you can run?" he asked, obviously ESPing me.

"I'm good, just make the elevator go faster."

"This is as fast as it goes Babe."

Carlos fobbed us in and I made a beeline for the closet in our bedroom. I knew I'd packed some black Gap slacks and a color-block tee. They'd have to do and I'd just switch out to the wedges I wore on the plane. There, that'd be fine. At least I wouldn't scare Maria off.

I came out eight minutes later transformed. I'd even pulled my hair back into a ponytail and added a little lip gloss. I was ready to go. I kissed Carlos goodbye and called for the elevator, which was still on our floor. Guessed no one used it but me.

When I got down to the lobby, I waved hi to Carl and then stood by the front door. Silvio and Hector pulled up ten seconds later.

I got in the back and we pulled away from the building even before I had my seat belt buckled. Wondered what the hurry was. Wasn't she working until ten tonight?

"What's the rush?"

"Her neighbor just called in a suspicious activity to MDPD. Maria's apartment was tagged with a crown. The Kings knows she's here."

"Shit. Does she know yet?"

"Rangeman just picked it up on the scanner, I doubt she knows anything. Her neighbor didn't even know her name which tells me we have time to get there and talk to her before the police arrive," Hector told me while Silvio drove.

"So how do we want to handle this," I asked. The prior plan was for me to talk to Maria by myself. I mean I could still do that but it might be easier if the three if us went in with our Rangeman IDs first.

"We go in together," Hector said, reading my thoughts. "We don't have time for small talk, we need to move her. I have the keys to a safe house in Coral Gables."

"Ok good. That was what I was hoping. But if you want me to take the lead, I can."

"Yes. She'll be mistrusting of us, we need you to gain her trust. You have five minutes."

"Gee thanks guys."

"You're welcome."

Silvio parked right in front. The place was empty except for one patron finishing up his hot dog. The woman behind the counter looked very much like the picture I had in my purse.

"Hector, is that Maria?" I asked just to make sure.

"Sí, and we're right behind you."

I walked up to the counter and ordered three hot dogs. I mean that's what I did with Lula all the time and it was a great conversation starter. Usually. When she turned around to put them on the grill, I spoke.

"Maria Padilla Quiñones?" I asked.

"Yes?"

"I'm Stephanie Plum and I work at Rangeman with these two guys behind me," I said offering up my ID. "We have reason to believe someone is after you and we want to help you stay safe."

"What?"

"Your apartment was just tagged by the Latin Kings, they know that you're living in Florida now. My partner Hector Santiago," I said bringing Hector closer to the counter, "spoke with Tater Moreno the other day. Antonio Fernandez is looking for you and Pierre Sherman."

"Tank? What does Tank have to do with this?"

"Tank is second-in-command at Rangeman, the company we work for, and he's engaged to one of my closest friends. I'm speaking the truth. Silvio, Hector, back me up."

"Sí," Hector began in Spanish, reiterating what I hoped was the whole story.

Maria looked stunned. "Does he know where I work?" she asked in English, looking from Hector to me.

"I don't know," I replied, "but we'd like to get you to a safe place until we know for sure that it wasn't a random tagging," I told her.

"I work till ten tonight, I can't leave."

"We can ok this with your boss," I said, "do you have a way to reach him? Unfortunately they could be right on our tail, so we need to get you someplace safe pretty quickly."

She handed me a card with the owner's name and number and I pulled out my phone.

"Mr. Lozano?" I asked when a man answered, "this is Stephanie Plum from Rangeman..." "No your restaurant hasn't been robbed," I interrupted him, telling him what we knew and asking if someone could cover for Maria for a few days.

"You say Antonio Fernandez has targeted her?"

"Yes. The Inca of the New York/New Jersey Kings," I told him again.

"I know Antonio Fernandez. Yes, I can cover for Maria; just get her someplace safe. I can be there in twenty minutes."