Family Ties

Chapter 26

Ranger was trying to wake me. "Babe, we're here." I struggled to open my eyes, as he undid my seatbelt and helped me out of the SUV. We walked to the room with me leaning on Ranger heavily.

Ranger let me lean on him all the way to the bathroom, where he started the water running before going out to get the rest of our bags. "Can you manage from here?"

I nodded and started getting my clothes off. I fumbled with the leather tie that had managed to hold my hair all this time before finally getting it out. It was a relief to take down the braid, and I was scratching my scalp as I stepped into the shower.

Once under the spray, I just stood there for several minutes, letting the hot water work out the kinks. I stuck my head out of the shower, intending to ask Ranger to bring in my bag of bathroom stuff, and saw it sitting on the counter. I made a long arm and grabbed it. I shaved everything that needed shaving and was about to start washing my hair for the second time when Ranger stepped in with me.

"Turn around." I followed directions as he plucked the shampoo bottle out of my hand. Seconds later his strong hands were massaging my scalp. I couldn't help the sigh that slipped out of me.

He finished with my hair, and gently but firmly washed the rest of me. I relaxed and just enjoyed being taken care of. He washed quickly before drying us both and tucking me into bed. "Sleep Babe, you're exhausted." I felt the bed dip under his weight, and rolled over to snuggle in.

It was fully dark when I woke, slightly disoriented. Ranger and I were still wrapped around each other, and I smiled a little as I tried to sneak out from under his arm.

He tightened his arm around me. "Babe." His voice was husky from sleep.

"Shh, go back to sleep. I'll be right back."

He let me go, and I headed to the bathroom. Business finished, I walked back into the bedroom to find Ranger awake and waiting for me. We'd turned the air conditioner on full blast, and I shivered a little as I got back into bed.

"Cold?" He asked me.

"A little."

"Want me to warm you up?"

I reached for him with a smile.

The next time I woke up, sunlight was streaming through the window. I blinked at the brightness as Ranger walked out of the bathroom, still damp from his shower.

"Hey Babe, you awake?"

"Mmm, awake some."

"There's fresh coffee, and we're meeting the Imaris and Sonny and Wendy for lunch in an hour and a half."

"Lunch? What time is it?"

"Just after ten."

That brought me more fully awake. "Ten? You mean to tell me I've been sleeping, well, mostly, for what, like sixteen hours?!"

He smiled down at me. "You needed it."

A few minutes later I padded out of the bathroom and helped myself to some coffee. Ranger spent several minutes kissing me good morning, and the last of my sleepiness faded away. I rubbed my hand across his face.

"I know. I need to shave."

I followed him to the bathroom, sipping my coffee while I watched him. "So how exactly does this work when we pick them up this afternoon?"

"Well, technically Snake and Kappy are picking them up, as they're licensed here and we're not. Once in their custody, they sign them over to us and we take them back to Trenton."

"What time are we leaving?"

"The plane gets here from Trenton at 1:30, so anytime after that." He finished shaving and nuzzled his chin against my neck. "Better?"

"Mmm, much." We spent a few minutes enjoying each other before I pulled away with a sigh. "I need to get cleaned up if we're going out to lunch."

He released me after one last kiss. "You want me to pack for you while you're in the shower?"

"You don't mind?"

"Why would I?"

"That would be great. Let me just grab some clothes."

I took a long shower. I felt better than I had for a long time. Well, a ton of sleep and Ranger could do that for a girl. I stuck my tongue out at my reflection. It didn't stop the smile.

Hair tamed, makeup on, I was ready to take on the world. Or at least face it. Ranger was on the phone when I walked back into the bedroom.

He was smiling. "No that's great, Tomas. Tell her I'll see her tomorrow, and give her a big kiss for me." He disconnected.

"Sam?"

"Had her first solid food today. She's already bugging her Dad for a burger and some fries."

"A girl after my own heart."

"I'm going to visit her tomorrow, do you want to join me?"

"Are you sure she's up to having a stranger visit?"

"I'll ask Tomas in the morning."

"If she's up to it, I'd love to."

We loaded our bags into the SUV and checked out of the hotel.

A few minutes later we pulled in the parking lot of a Chinese restaurant, the Green Dragon. I looked a question at Ranger.

"It's the one place Pat could think of that would have something for everyone."

"Works for me."

We entered the restaurant to find everyone else already waiting for us. Ranger updated everyone on Sam's condition, adding to the celebratory feeling.

We ate and laughed for well over an hour. I was glad I had the chance to get to know everyone a little better. Even Sonny and Ranger relaxed around each other.

All too soon, it was time to get back to work. I exchanged numbers with Pat and Wendy, and promised to keep in touch.

We followed the Imaris to the police station, and waited outside while they assumed custody. Ranger handed me my holster, and I noticed he'd already put his on.

After what seemed like an interminable wait, Jack and Pat came out, escorting a handcuffed pair. Brennan and Lydia looked none the worse for wear, and I found myself briefly wishing that Odie and his crew had found them.

My wishing was cut short by Lydia attempting to run down the street. Pat took off after her. Ranger started to follow, but Jack held him back. "Let her go."

We watched as Pat cut the distance between them, then my jaw dropped as Pat leapt into the air to deliver a kick to the middle of Lydia's back. As Lydia's hands were still cuffed behind her back, she went down hard.

Pat pulled her up by the back of her neck and brought her back to us, half dragging her in the process. Lydia's clothes were dirty and slightly torn in a few places, but it was her face that caught my attention. Her nose was bleeding, her cheek was scraped up, and she was crying again.

"She broke my nose!" she sobbed.

Pat's eyeroll was worthy of a Jersey girl. "God, I hope so."

Ranger almost smiled. "Feel better?"

Pat's grin was unrepentant. "Yes, thanks. That was most...satisfying."

Her eyes turned to me. "Nice move." We high-fived each other while the guys got the prisoners secured in the SUV.

"Thank you." She gave a little bow, and held out a small scrap of paper. "Listen, Steph, here's my brother Javi's number, just in case you need an in at the state prison."

"Thanks." I took it from her. I had no idea if I'd ever need it, but it was always good to have more people on my side. I hugged Pat, then Jack. Ranger hugged Pat, then did that handshake/back pat thing that guys do.

After promising again to keep in touch, we headed out to the airport. The private jet we'd arrived in was waiting for us. I glanced over at Ranger. "Some friends you have."

Ranger's amused eyes met mine. "I have all kinds of friends. The plane actually belongs to Tomas. He lets me use it from time to time."

The door opened and the steps lowered as we approached the plane with our prisoners. Tank stuck his head out the door. "It's about time you got here!" He descended the stairs and helped secure our silent pair on the plane.

Prisoners and baggage stowed, we settled in for the flight. Tank turned to me. "You look good, Bombshell. You get enough rest?"

I smiled over at him. I appreciated his discretion in the way he asked, in case I hadn't yet told Ranger about the nightmares. "Yeah, I slept more last night than I have since, well, ever, I think. And I've only had one nightmare the whole time we've been here."

Ranger's eyes snapped to his best friend. "You knew?"

Tank returned his gaze calmly. "Yes. It wasn't my place to tell you. Stephanie is a friend. I'd no more tell her secrets to you than I would tell yours to her."

Ranger relaxed immediately. "No, of course you wouldn't."

The three of us made small talk for a while, and Tank updated Ranger on what had been going on at Rangeman during his absence. I tuned out most of this.

"Babe?"

"Hmm? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

"I was just asking how you'd feel about continuing to work my skips with Tank. It would free me up to help with Brennan's investigation and a couple dozen other things I've neglected since all this started."

I glanced at Tank. "That work for you?"

He grinned at me. "Of course. Come on, it'll be fun."

I turned back to Ranger. "Sure."

"Good. Thanks."

I tuned out again for a while, thinking of all the things I needed to do once I got home.

There was an SUV waiting for us at the airport, Hal behind the wheel. We turned Brennan and Lydia in, and they were formally charged and arrested. Brennan was charged with attempted murder, and Lydia with child endangerment.

Tank and Hal had left while Ranger and I waited on the paperwork. Someone had delivered his Porsche to the station though, and I smiled as I slid in.

"Where do you want to go, Babe?"

I sighed. "Home, I guess."

Ranger drove us out of the parking lot. "What are your plans for the rest of the evening?"

"Well, I need to pick up Rex, and I need to make a grocery stop, and I need to call my family and let them know I'm back, and do some laundry. You know, stuff like that."

"Mind if I come over later?"

I took his hand. "Of course not. You don't need to ask, just come over whenever."

Ranger reached into the glovebox of the Porsche and handed me a remote on a keyring, identical to the one I'd used to get into his apartment months ago. Pressing it into my hand, he brought our joined hands up to brush a kiss across my knuckles. "Same back."