Slight smut

Life for One

Chapter 4

I walked into her apartment; she was still standing in the hallway where I left her. I cupped her face in my hands and kissed her slow and tender. I walked her backwards into the bedroom. When the back of her legs hit the mattress, I nudged her onto the bed and followed her down. I slowly removed our clothes and trailed my lips over her face and neck, savoring every moan of pleasure as it escaped from her. I wanted to hear her say my name when she came; and tell me that no other man had ever made her feel the way I do. I skimmed my hands over her body willing the baby that was growing inside of her to be mine. I lapped at her wet center as I splayed my hands on her abdomen. I wanted to turn back time to another day before things had gone so desperately wrong.

I struggled awake and sat up in bed rubbing my face. My heart was beating out of control and I was drenched with sweat.

I looked at the clock, it was 3 AM and I was alone in my apartment in Boston. Stephanie was in Trenton, and it had all been a dream.

I heard a knock at the door, and I pivoted my chair away from the view of the Boston skyline.

"Come in."

The door opened and Travis entered with an attractive woman dressed in the standard black Rangeman issued uniform. My eyes met hers and she smiled.

I stood and held out my hand as Travis introduced us.

"Ranger this is Mia Franklin."

"I've heard a lot about the boss from Trenton, pleased to meet you."

Her handshake was firm and confident; her eyes never wavered from mine as she spoke.

I motioned for Travis to take his seat behind the desk I watched Mia as she took a seat in front of Travis. Her hair was cropped short and was so dark black it was almost blue. It suited the small features of her face perfectly. Her eyes made my heart ache with their blue intensity, reminding me of why I was here in the first place.

"Travis tells me that you supervise the apprehension division here in Boston. "

"That would be correct sir."

"How many bounty hunters do you have on the street?"

"Five at this time but more are needed every day."

"I'll get right to the point. I've looked at the figures; financially it's not feasible to concentrate on apprehension any longer. Rangeman Boston has recently been touted as the number one corporate security business in Boston. Travis and I have discussed the issue and we have decided to phase out of the apprehension business and concentrate fully on corporate security contracts. Since you are leader of the division I want your thoughts on the matter before we move forward with our decision."

I saw a momentary spark of anger in her eyes, and then a blank expression. I smiled inside at the recognition of familiar traits found beneficial in Ranger training.

"Don't patronize me when the decision has already been made."

Travis spoke up, but her steely gaze never left mine.

"Mia we have discussed this option before. This isn't news to you."

She pulled her eyes away from mine and looked across the desk at Travis.

"The last meeting we had you said the numbers were looking better, you knew I was looking at another job with Providence Security. You blew smoke up my ass knowing what was coming, just so I would stay with Rangeman."

Travis smiled and I knew that he had no idea what was about to come.

"Mia I did no such thing. You are the best bounty hunter in Boston. That's a given. You know that if you leave today you will have a job within hours. I also told you that if you wanted to stay with Rangeman you would be put on field security assignments and not stuck in an office position."

She stood and planted her hands on top of the desk looking him in the eye.

"And I told you what you could do with your field security position. Fuck you Travis, you sold me out."

The smile on Travis' face got even bigger.

Shit.

"Mia you know how it turns me on when you use potty talk."

"Travis." I said.

He looked in my direction and I shook my head.

Her gaze swung back to me.

"And who are you, thinking you can change the Boston office over night. Why don't you go back to Trenton where you belong?"

I felt my teeth clinch as I walked over to her.

"Miss Franklin if one of my men talked to me in that tone with that lack of respect they would find their ass knocked on the ground. I'm your boss as well I don't appreciate your attitude."

"I know exactly who you are. I respect you what I don't understand is your lack of respect for my leadership in this company. I'm the only female to be a vice president over a division. I take a lot of flak, but it doesn't bother me because I've fought male chauvinist attitudes all my life from the minute I went to boot camp to the last mission I completed with the Rangers. I worked hard to be where I am in this company and I think its bullshit to expect me to go down without a fight. I'm damn good at what I do because I love my work; this isn't easy for me to accept."

Her face was flushed and the fire in her eyes was lighting up the room. Damn if she wasn't a firecracker.

"Miss Franklin you wouldn't hold the position you maintain in this company if you weren't respected for your work. You've been in the game long enough to know it's nothing personal. Financially this is a strategic move for Rangeman."

"I need to know what you are going to offer the men in my division."

"We will meet with them in a couple of days as soon as we decide what we want to offer."

She walked over to me as if she was stalking new prey. She stopped in front of me with her hands on her hips and a defiant expression on her face.

"And Mr. Manoso just what do you have to offer me?"

I walked into the apartment and noticed the light on the answering machine flashing. I hit the message button and closed my eyes as Stephanie's voice filled the silence.

"Ranger I need to talk to you, don't avoid me, or I will come to Boston and hunt you down."

Shit, she found me out faster than I anticipated.

I pulled my cell off my hip and hit speed dial. She picked up on the first ring.

"Yo."

"Yo yourself."

"You have some explaining to do."

"Babe."

"Don't Babe me Ranger; you know what I'm talking about."

I knew exactly what she was talking about, and I had dreaded this conversation since the minute I did it.

"You can't continue working skip apprehension in your condition."

"I know that, I'm doing some work part time, but it will possibly work into a full time position."

"Where are you working?"

"I'm doing psychic readings over the phone."

"Babe."

"Ranger it's a job. I just look up the person's phone number and I have cards I read according to their geographical location. It's easy work, if my conscience can hold out."

"Just quit and concentrate on taking care of yourself."

"You of all people know I can't do that. How could you pay my rent and all of my utilities for a year in advance?"

"Babe I have my ways. Consider it an early baby gift."

"If Joe finds out he's going to be severely pissed."

"So don't tell him. How are you two getting along?"

"It's better, but far from fixed."

"It'll work out."

"Well at least he's accepted that the baby is his."

Bastard.

"I can't accept you paying my way Ranger it's not right."

"Go back to work at Rangeman, we always need research specialists."

I heard her sigh on the other end of the line.

"I don't deserve the things you do for me."

"No you deserve more."

She deserved to be here with me, in a real relationship.

"I miss you, how's Boston?"

"Busy, and I miss you too. I'll call Tank and let him know you'll be stopping by to see about your old job."

"Lula says if Tank had any hair he'd be pulling it out. He's stressed and she's a bitch because he doesn't have time for nooners."

I smiled.

"He'll get over it. He wanted the responsibility; he has no one to blame but himself."

"You think he can handle it? Vinnie shit a brick when Tank let him know Rangeman was pulling out of the apprehension business."

"He'll get over it, and Tank will be fine."

"I have to go; I'm going to dinner at my parent's house."

"How's your mom handling your pregnancy?"

"She is threatening to disown me if I don't marry Joe."

"Has he asked?"

"He's mentioned it, but he knows how I feel."

"Follow your heart Babe."

"I can't do that Ranger."

"Why not?"

"Because if I did I would be in Boston right now."

"Babe…"

"Thank you for everything, bye Ranger."

I heard a click and then a dial tone.

I sat in the SUV watching Mia. She had a skip handcuffed and pushed face first into the side of a building across the street. A man in a black SUV pulled up beside her, she threw the skip in the backseat, and he drove away. I slid out of the truck and walked across the street. She watched me approach her with a look of total disgust on her face. Guess she didn't want to hide her expressions today.

"Nice work."

"So are you going to spy on me all day?"

"You asked me to observe your operation before I decided to close your division."

"You know I didn't mean for you to follow me around I asked for you to look at the financial figures and cost projection for the next fiscal quarter."

I smiled.

"I heard you were impressive in action. I wanted to see for myself."

She blew out a breath and looked away from me.

"Mr. Manoso I passed the physical endurance challenge for this job with flying colors. I scored the highest percentage anyone has ever received in the history of Rangeman Boston. In my opinion, I'm over qualified for the job. I'm sure you could pull the recording of my physical endurance test in my file and observe any time you like."

"I like to see my employees in action in front of me, not on a recording."

She looked back at me with a faint smile on her face.

"You're very good you know that?"

I took that statement to mean any number of things but the first thought in my mind had me feeling uneasy.

"At what?"

"You intimidate well, and you leave the impression of uncertainty. I have the feeling your motto is 'always leave them guessing.'"

Her perception was as good as her physical capabilities. Who was this woman?

"I don't have a motto, but if I want to observe an employee doing their job I have that right."

"So tell me how I rate in your eyes?"

She gave me a small smile but I could tell it didn't reach her eyes. I had pissed in Miss Franklin's Cheerios.

"You are very capable of doing the job, but I need to discuss an opportunity with you."

"I'm not doing field security, and don't offer me a position in the lab testing security devices. I like being outdoors and not in the confines of an office. If I wanted an office job, I would apply for the opening in Atlanta."

"The only opening in Atlanta right now is CEO."

"Exactly, if I take a desk job, it's going to be the top desk job."

I laughed.

"I can picture it now; the entire company would be focused on fugitive apprehension."

She smiled and this time her eyes sparkled.

"I've done the research the potential for large monetary gain in fugitive apprehension is possible if done on a large scale. The business would have to include international apprehension as well as contracting with major cities in the US. The company could be owned by Rangeman but deal only in fugitive apprehension."

"Open your own company, why have it connected to Rangeman?"

"Because you have the money to invest, I don't."

"There is a huge potential for corporate security right now. It's just not feasible to invest in fugitive apprehension when we can't handle the demand right now for security contracts."

I had a thought cross my mind but I knew she wouldn't bite.

"You ever been to Trenton?"

"Yeah as a matter of fact I have relatives in Philly and Newark. Why?"

"I had a large market for apprehension from a local bail bondsman there. When I left Trenton, my partner had to give up the apprehension part of the business due to lack of available bodies to cover the demand. If you're interested I'm sure I could put in a good word with the bail bondsman, you could start a very lucrative business for yourself."

"So are you offering me a position at Rangeman Trenton?"

"No, I explained we don't do fugitive apprehension at that office anymore."

"I could make you some big profit if you would give me the chance."

I looked at the determination on her face and I remembered a time I felt that determined.

"I don't know, I'll have to think about it."

"I promise you won't regret it."

I sat in the conference room at Rangeman and looked around the room at the men I worked with since I started Rangeman. It was good to be home. I stood and looked at Mia and the three men she had chosen to transfer to Trenton.

"I would like to introduce Mia Franklin she is a former Ranger and has been employed by the Boston branch for the past two years. Due to financial reasons, we have recently phased out the apprehension division at the Boston branch. Mia was the leader of that division and she has agreed to transfer to Trenton and cover fugitive apprehension for Vinnie. Rangeman Boston also employed the three men with her and they have decided to transfer here as well.

"Gentlemen could you please stand and introduce yourselves?"

The three men next to Mia stood up. The first man was six foot five and looked as if he had fell face first into a tackle box. He was covered with piercings.

"Name is Spike, any jokes and I'll smile the whole time I'm shoving your head up your ass." He sat down to a rumble of laughter.

The next guy introduced himself. "Name is Coyote. I hate Trenton but I hear you candy asses can't handle the job anymore, so here I am." He smiled and took a seat. Bobby and Lester looked at one another and howled. The rest of the room found it funny, Coyote wasn't seeing the humor.

The third guy was six feet seven and I estimated he weighed 350 lbs.

"My name is Bear and I'm sure it's obvious why. I don't like jokes about my size because in my mind I'm a sexy motherfucker." He smiled and the room erupted in laughter.

I motioned for Mia to stand. She stood and looked around the room, you could have heard a pin drop.

"I'm Mia Franklin and I am glad to be offered the opportunity to work here covering fugitive apprehensions. I look forward to getting started."

Tank stood and shook her hand.

"We're glad to have you aboard Mia. Vinnie is aware you're coming in to the bonds office so when you're ready I'll drive you over."

I stood up and looked at Tank.

"I'll take her over if it's okay with you. I have some business with Vinnie."

Tank gave me a questioning look. "Sure whatever you want."

I looked at Mia. "I'll meet you back here in ten minutes I have some business I need to discuss with Tank."

She smiled. "Sure I'll be waiting."

I followed Tank to my old office and shut the door; he turned and looked at me.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know I don't have time to manage what business I have now, and now you're telling me we're back in the skip business. What the fuck Ranger?"

I could see the haggard fine lines around his eyes, he was losing sleep and taunt as a piano wire.

"I'm sticking around until Mia gets her feet on the ground. She can handle this on her own. Once she gets the hang of the scene here, she'll be good to go. She ran a tight ship in Boston; she'll be an asset to you."

"Are you screwing her?"

I felt my jaw clench.

"No but if I was tell me how that would be any of your business?"

"You've been in Boston three weeks. You come back with some kick ass ex -Ranger chick and announce she's over fugitive apprehension which not a month ago we decided wasn't benefiting us anymore financially. It sounds to me like this woman has you by the short and curlies."

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair.

"Travis and I phased out her division. I watched her apprehend a couple of high dollar skips. She's good. I talked to Vinnie and he upped the ante since he's short on bounty hunters right now. I couldn't pass up the opportunity."

"Bullshit, you're getting soft man I can see it in your eyes she played you like a flute."

I was done with his analysis bullshit.

"She's staying and if you have a problem get over it or tell me now and I'll replace you too."

"So that's how it's going to be, last week you rehire Stephanie because she's knocked up. This week you make a job for another piece of snatch where there isn't one. What's next week building a homeless shelter?"

"Yes if I say so."

He shook his head and looked at the pile of papers on his desk.

"I hate this, I hate stress and I hate that you're gone. You need to come home and face your demons. You can't run from her forever, especially now that she's working here."

I sighed as I slumped down in the chair behind me.

"Where is she?"

"She's working three days a week, she's off today."

I gave Vinnie a look that would make most men wet their pants. He finally dropped Mia's hand and stumbled back behind his desk.

Mia shot me a pissed look and I smiled.

She turned back to Vinnie. "So the woman named Connie in the outer office has the files I will need?"

"Yes she'll be glad to get you started and welcome aboard Mia, I look forward to working with you." he winked and I wanted to punch him in the face.

I steered Mia to the outer office and Connie looked up at us and slammed down the phone. I knew what that meant half the burg had me and Mia screwing or married by now.

Connie handed Mia the stack of files and looked up at me.

"You decide to move back to Trenton Ranger?"

"Nope, just helping Mia get started."

"She working for you?"

"She's working for Rangeman."

"Well good to have you Mia, if I can help you in any way I'd be glad too."

I could see the wheels turning in Connie's head. She was about as sincere as a reptile.

Mia smiled. "I appreciate that Connie; I understand you take care of a lot of the rebonding for Vinnie."

Connie smiled sweetly. "Why yes I do, so don't hesitate to call, my cell phone number is in the front of all the files."

"I'll keep that in mind."

Mia looked up at me.

"You ready to go?"

I nodded. We headed out to the Expedition parked at the curb. We had just reached the sidewalk when Lula's red Firebird pulled up in front of the Expedition.

I felt my stomach twist in a knot as Stephanie stepped out of the car. She was wearing a maternity shirt and I couldn't help but smile as she approached us.

"Stephanie how are you?"

"I'm good what brings you to Vinnie's?"

She looked at Mia and Mia smiled.

"This is Mia Franklin she is a bounty hunter from Rangeman Boston she's transferring to Trenton to do some skip apprehension for the Trenton office."

Stephanie smiled and shook Mia's hand.

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you Stephanie."

Lula walked over and stuck out her hand.

"I'm Lula I'm a file clerk part time and part time bounty hunter if you need help I'll be glad to show you the ropes."

I appreciate that Lula I'll keep that in mind."

Stephanie spoke up.

"I thought you decided to give up the skip business."

"Change of plans Babe."

She nodded and looked away, I could see the hurt in her eyes and I felt my gut clench even tighter.

Damn she looked so beautiful.

Lula nudged Stephanie. "We got food to eat girl, you're eating for two now."

Stephanie nodded and turned to go. I touched her arm and she turned to look at me.

"Take care Babe."

"You too, nice to meet you Mia."

"Same here." Mia said.

I walked over to the truck and slipped inside.

Mia turned and looked at me as she buckled her seatbelt.

"This may not be any of my business, but are you the father of her baby?"

I felt the words freeze in my throat.

"No why do you ask?"

"Well it's obvious you two have a history."

I looked at Stephanie's profile through the window. The outline of her slightly rounded abdomen was visible through the shirt she was wearing.

The vision was like a sucker punch to my gut. I always felt like I was the better man in Stephanie's life. I didn't feel that way today.