Chapter 17
Ranger took the first flight home late that evening, explaining to Gina that work had come up or so Hector tried to explain. Hector's English was a little off, but it was steadily improving. Since his flight wasn't expected in until after midnight, I decided not to stay up.
It was early in the morning when I felt a warm body move closer to mine. Ric was home.
"Hey," I stifled a yawn.
"Babe," was all he said. I fell instantly back to sleep.
The next time I woke up, it was to find Ric looking at me. He was fully dressed, but had climbed back into the bed and was stroking my hair.
"Run already?" I smiled up at him.
"Yeah, it's late. You need to get up so we can get to the office."
"You know about the letter, right?"
"I know," was all he said. He wasn't wearing all black today, so I knew he had planned on making the office visit short.
"Ric, this doesn't change anything."
"Stephanie, get dressed. We have to talk." Ranger's use of my full first name never boded well for me.
"I mean it, Ranger, it doesn't change anything. You try to shut me out this time, there will be hell to pay," I snapped at him. I realized last night how he would react and honestly didn't want to have to deal with that.
"He's after you because of me. Do you understand how that makes me feel?"
I did understand, because there were a lot of times when Ranger was in danger because of me. It tears at your heart until you think you won't survive, but you do. I did and he will.
"Yes, I understand, but you can't let him win this one. I'm safe. Hell, I'm safer with you than without you. I thought we dealt with this already. Don't backtrack, Ric."
He walked out of the room without a backward glance.
I jumped into the shower, letting the hot water attempt to reduce my temper. I really didn't want to fight with him. It was unsettling to fight with Ric. It was more unsettling to fight with Ranger. He always won. I quickly dressed and went downstairs. Ric was waiting at the bottom of the stairs. He took my arm and led me into the library.
"We have to talk," he began.
"Okay, so talk," I replied, attitude in every word.
"I know you won't like this, but I need to put a guard on you. I would prefer you stay at home, where you can be fully monitored, but I realize that this won't work." He sighed in obvious frustration.
"I can't bring Elena here, Babe. I can't risk her. It's bad enough I have to risk you."
So, that was out. "Ric, listen to me. I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to live with you. You're probably right about Elena and for that I'm sorry, but it was my decision to be with you."
Ric put his arms around me and kissed my forehead. "Babe, this type of stuff means we may never be able to build that nursery." He seemed to be holding his breath.
"Look at me," I demanded, "Ric, look at me. It doesn't matter. I've never been sure if I could possibly handle a baby. I figured it would have to be a surprise thing anyway. I doubt I could ever consciously decide to get pregnant, but if I did, I would want you as the father. No matter what may happen, you're the one I want." I sealed that declaration with a kiss.
The eyes staring back at me now were all Ranger eyes. "I'm not sure I deserve you, Babe, but I sure as hell am glad you're mine." He led us to the sofa. "The meeting with Gina didn't go the way I wanted anyway. She wants to move from Florida. She's got a new man in her life and he wants to move to Washington state. I don't think I have the right to stop her."
"Ric, I'm really sorry about that. I know how much you love your daughter, but this move doesn't mean that you can't see her."
He leaned back against the sofa. "I know."
Lester knocked on the library door even though it was open. "Hey man, new intel."
Ric became Ranger and any personal business was pushed aside just like that.
The Rangemen gathered in the apartment over the garage. I followed Ranger up there more out of curiosity than any belief that I could actually contribute.
"Martinez has left a message for you, Rangeman," Tank offered, handing Ranger the note.
I watched as Ranger read the note. There was a momentary flicker of emotion that shut down immediately when he glanced in my direction. His comments, however, weren't directed to me.
"Find him fast," he ordered. The men broke up without another word, each appearing to know their assignments instinctively.
"Babe, I need you to stay here today, in this apartment. I'm asking you to do this for me."
"Ranger, what is it that he said?"
He handed me the note. It was obviously computer generated and contained a photo of me asleep in our bed. It appeared to have been taken last night. The caption read "Payback is hell."
"I'll stay here, but not alone. Who's on duty?"
"Lester."
I watched as he went to the weapons locker and loaded a utility belt. He was still in his jeans, but he covered his shirt with the black windbreaker.
"Babe, don't go crazy," he said and kissed me goodbye. I was going to reply, but he was already gone.
Lester was watching the monitors as the trucks pulled out of the property.
"How'd he get through?" I asked him.
"That, my dear, is exactly what you and I are going to figure out," he said in a Sherlock Holmes kind of way.
All right, I thought. Finally, I can be part of the solution rather than just part of the problem.
"Lester, will I ever get to hear the whole story?"
"Steph, you heard everything I know. Come over here and start going through the tapes from last night."
Lester and I worked for several hours straight. It appeared that the camera were disabled sometime around 2 am.
"Lester, what time did Ranger get home?"
Lester looked at his log book. "Ranger arrived at the house at 2:45 am. His flight was delayed in Charlotte."
I thought it was around that time. This Martinez character had cut it pretty close. Maybe he did it on purpose. Maybe he thought Ric was already home. I was trying to rationalize the guy's desire to take me out. If he wanted me dead so bad, it would also stand to reason that he wanted Ranger to witness the killing. He wanted to see Ranger's face as I died. I'd bet on that being something he really wanted bad. He wanted to hurt Ranger through me. It was, as Ric had feared, his nightmare come true.
Lester and I were going to prevent that from happening. I needed for Ric to see that we could resolve this and go on with our lives like it never happened. Well, at least that was what I hoped was going to happen.
It was close to dinner time and Lester offered to fix us something quick. I wasn't about to turn down food at this point, although I would rather have Lupe or Ella's cooking.
"I talked to Anna today," Lester offered over dinner. "Things sound a bit rocky with Morelli."
That caught my attention. "Why do you say that?" I tried to sound only mildly interested.
"Come on, Bomber, we both know that he still has it bad for you. I saw the way he was the other day. You handled yourself just fine, but I am betting Morelli was trying to pressure you to take him back. Stupid SOB forgets he's married."
I didn't really want to think about the way Morelli acted. Anna is important to Ric and Lester. I had to find a way to help make things work with her and Morelli. "I set him straight, Les. I'm not the one for Joe anymore."
Lester just stared at me for a moment. "Fuckin' A you're not. You're Ranger's woman and you always will be." He was deadly serious, but then lightened up instantly. "Course, if you weren't, I would be right up front making a play for you, doll face."
I grinned despite myself. Lester could be a real pip. "Thanks, Lester."