One Week Later

It has been a week since we put in the security system at the Monroe house. The day went off without a hitch. She was very kind, polite, and professional. She never hinted at wanting more than a professional relationship. Which still pisses me off. I wanted her to make the first move even if it was just a look. Her cameras are monitored 24-7 technically. The men monitored her cameras to make sure all is okay. After all, that is what she is paying for.

I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I couldn't seem to stop. My fingers would just walked themselves to those few keys that needed to be pushed to bring up those cameras. As for what I was doing wrong, I was personally watching her cameras. All hours of the day and night. Monday through Sunday. I find myself pulling up the camera in the nursery and watching the nanny with the baby. There is something about that child that I just couldn't put my finger on. I have never met Ashley so I sure as hell haven't ever slept with her… yet. I looked up the child's birth certificate and the name for the mother is Ashley Renee Monroe and father is unknown. Unknown… I kept staring at the line, trying to understand what it could mean. Because to me it didn't make sense. I thought maybe she was raped, that would explain the unknown on the father's name, but there was never any police report filed. However in this day, I know that doesn't mean anything.

After watching her cameras for a week, I haven't seen any man that could pass as the little girl's father. Only Alexa, Jeremy, and 2 other women have been to the house besides Ashley and I didn't know any of them. The mystery around this is driving me crazy. I don't do crazy.

I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost 5:30. I needed to get going. I was having dinner with Steph, while she was in town. I looked at the cameras in the Monroe house one last time before shutting everything down and going upstairs.

"Babe, you look beautiful! Married life is most certainly agreeing with you." I wrapped her in my arms and cursed myself once again. I was a fucking idiot. I never admitted to myself that I was in love with Steph until after she already fallen in love. By that time it was too late. She was the one person who put up with me and my shit.

"Thanks, Ranger. You look pretty good yourself. And it does help that Diesel isn't the "Burg". She told me.

I laughed and agreed. "So where is your husband now?" I asked her. She grinned at me. And another beautiful smile crossed my mind. One that was attached to a peaches and cream complexion with a pair of milk chocolate eyes. What the hell? Where the hell did that come from?

"You know I can't tell you that." She teased me. Isn't that a trip? Our roles were reversed. I gave her my wolfish grin.

"Bored already so you came running to me, huh?" I replied easily. She rolled her eyes and once again that pair of chocolate brown eyes came into view. Damn. Twice in a few seconds. That can't be good.

"In your dreams, Ranger." She said. She really had no idea.

We ordered our food and continued to talk. It really amazed me how much she has changed since being married. But not like Morelli would have changed her. She's happy and carefree. She even looks younger. My contract will be over in another month and all I can think about is if I should re-up or not. The General doesn't want me to. He thinks I was the best but that I needed to rest. Hell I haven't been on a mission in over 3 months. Maybe I'm growing restless.

Ashley's POV-

I reached out and shook my lawyer's hand. "Thank you so much for seeing me, Mr. Benton." I replied and he gave me a warm smile before responding.

"You have been through quite a bit, Miss. Monroe. I'm only glad I can help you understand and help keep you assured." He responded. I gave him a small smile.

"Thanks. Is everything set with the adoption?" I asked.

"Everything is final. Sophie Elizabeth is completely yours. It did help that your name was already on the birth certificate." He answered. "How are you and your friends holding up?" He then asked.

"We're doing okay. Shannon's death wasn't unexpected. We knew that the path she was going down was going to kill her. I can honestly tell you, it's almost a relief that she's gone. It was very hard to keep Shannon away from drugs while she was pregnant. And getting even harder after Sophie was born."

"I heard it was worse, once Sophie was born. What was going on?" He asked. I took a deep breath.

"Yea it was. It was even harder for me to sleep after she was born. I was always afraid Shannon would disappear in the middle of the night with Sophie. I sleep more now with a crying newborn than I did then. After Sophie was born, if Shannon got pissed off she would run and take Sophie with her. Almost killing her twice in the process." I replied back.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Miss Monroe. Now you do know that if at any time, Sophie's real father comes into the picture, he can fight for custody and win?" He told me. I knew that was something I use to worry about.

I nodded. "We don't even know who Sophie's father is. Shannon never told us and I really don't think she told him either."

"Really?"

I nodded my head. "The only thing we know is that he's Cuban and he gave her one hell of a great night." I explained as I rolled my eyes. "He was probably a junkie, just like her. We have no other reason to believe different."

"Okay, no father… what about grandparents, any relatives of Shannon's?" He asked. I let out a sigh. I hated telling people this.

"Shannon's whole family disowned her once she started doing drugs three years ago. I contacted them after Sophie was born and sadly they didn't care." I told him.

"That's very sad to know. Do you have any more questions, Miss Monroe?" He asked me. I bit my lower lip. I hope this question didn't come back and bite me in the butt.

"Did my father have any influence on me getting full custody of Sophie?" I asked; afraid of the answered. Please say no. Please say no.

"Miss Monroe, your father is a very influential man, but he in no way had any say on Sophie's custody matter." My lawyer smiled at me. I gave him a tight smile in return. I loved my father but sometimes he wouldn't let me fight my own battles.

"Thank you, Mr. Benton." I stood up and shook his hand again. We said our goodbyes and I walked out of his office.

Ranger's POV-

It was very quiet at her place. I knew I was wrong. And I knew I should stop, but I couldn't help it. It was 2130 and everybody was in bed. The baby was sound asleep in her crib and Ashley went to bed alone. I know because I saw everybody leave over an hour ago.

Dinner with Steph was great. Just like it always was. I loved being around her and hearing her laugh. I didn't mind as much that she was married. I was just glad it wasn't to Morelli. I just couldn't stomach her being married to him.

The baby cried out and Ashley came running. She was wearing a matching pajama set. It was white and has pink sheep all over the shirt and pants. How cute. It fits her. She's adorable. She's hot and sexy. My cock starts to throb. I really needed to get laid. I looked at the brown eyed little minx. That was what I was working on.

She sat in the rocking chair murmuring soft words and singing. She has a beautiful voice. Did she have any flaws at all? Probably not. She was probably perfect in every way. Perfect hair, perfect eyes, perfect breasts, perfect sweet hot tight little pussy… I shuddered and my cock throbbed harder. Get a fucking grip, Manoso. Damn, I really needed to get laid.

I wondered if Jeanne Ellen was busy. I shuddered with repulsive . No I didn't want to spend another night with her at any cost. The last time was the last time. She wants a fucking relationship and I don't do relationships. Not then, not now, not ever.