Family Ties

Chapter 29

Javi stared at me for a long minute. "Steph, you know he's a gangbanger, right?"

I nodded. "I know. I brought him in."

"And what do you need to talk to Ward about?"

I studied him as I thought. If I told him the plan, he might go along with it. On the other hand, he couldn't get in trouble for prior knowledge if he didn't have any. "Best you don't know, I think."

His stare was even longer this time. Finally, he seemed to make a decision. "How private do you need this conversation to be?"

"No record of it, and no ears to hear it."

He thought about it for a minute. "I'll need to rearrange the duty list a little. I'll call you tomorrow and let you know when I have it arranged."

I let out a breath. "Thanks."

His smile came back. "Just following orders."

We paid for our sodas and made small talk as he walked me out to my car. When we reached it, he had one more question for me. "Hey Stephanie, you sure you know what you're doing?"

I nodded. "I'm sure, but thanks."

We said our goodbyes and I headed back to Rangeman. I was starving, and couldn't wait to get back. I was looking forward to an uninterrupted evening with Ranger.

Just as I thought that, my cell phone began to ring. "Yo." I knew who was calling.

"Hey Babe, you headed back soon?"

"On my way now, actually. Miss me?"

I heard the smile in his voice. "Of course. Do I get to show you how much?"

I laughed. "Only if you feed me, I'm starving."

"I think I can manage to do both."

"I'm looking forward to it."

His voice was deeper and huskier. "Me too, Babe. Hurry."

"Be there in ten."

I pulled into the Rangeman garage smiling. Tank was just getting off the elevator. "Hey Bombshell, find anything out today?"

"Just the names I called in. I'm hoping the guys can get a lead on where these women are located now."

"They will."

I nodded. "Hey, thanks for today."

He smiled. "No problem. I don't know what you said to him, but he was much better when he came back. That's only the second time I've seen him lose his temper like that, and the first time...well, you weren't around to cool him down."

I shuddered at the thought of an out of control Ranger.

Tank noticed. "Exactly."

"Hey, have you thought any more about joining Rangeman?"

"I'm still thinking about it."

"You know, it wouldn't change anything. You're already doing the majority of the work with us. You'd just have health insurance, retirement, and the option for more backup than just me if you needed it."

"I know. And the reasons I'm hesitating have nothing to do with work."

"Worried that things between you and Ranger will get weird just because he's your boss?"

I sighed. "Yeah."

He shook his head. "Never happen. Neither of you would let it."

I wished I was as sure of that as he was. With a last reminder of my appointment with Bobby in the gym in the morning, Tank headed home.

I smiled to myself as I rode the elevator up to the seventh floor. Ranger was waiting for me in the doorway. The minute I stepped off the elevator he was striding forward, then pulling me into the apartment before kissing me until I was dizzy and could barely breathe.

"Ella will be here in ten minutes with dinner. I intend to spend them just like this." And he lowered his lips to mine again.

I heard a knock on the door, but it seemed unimportant, and I sighed in disappointment as Ranger pulled away. Ranger grinned down at me. "That'll be Ella, Babe."

Huh? Oh yeah, dinner. I attempted to pull myself together as Ranger let her in.

"How was your day, dear?" She asked.

I shrugged. "Found a little information, but it's too soon to see if it's any use to us."

She patted my shoulder. "I'm sure you and Ranger will figure it out."

I smiled at her confidence. Ranger tended to inspire that in people. "Thanks."

Ranger and I sat at the table for dinner. Neither of us paid much attention to the food. Ella cooked it, so I'm sure it was wonderful, but I don't even remember what it was. All I knew is that I needed to finish fast and get back in Ranger's arms.

Judging from the look in his eyes, he was thinking the same thing. He just set down his fork and pulled me from the table. In the space of a heartbeat he had one hand in my hair while the other was quickly removing my clothes. "We'll eat later." He murmured against my lips.

My hands were trying to get him undressed as fast as they could. "Much later." I agreed.