Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own anything. The Plum characters belong to Janet Evanovich. However, I do own Sofia.

Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I appreciate the encouragement. Also, thanks to JessicaRenae for editing this chapter. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Let me know if you liked it.

Chapter 26. Danger

Steph's POV

The plan was set in place half an hour later. Ranger took me by surprise when he told everyone on the team that I was not to get involved. He strapped knives and guns to his clothing and walked out of a vehicle wearing SWAT gear. I was speechless, unable to formulate any words other than "please don't go in."

"Don't worry," he said quietly. "I won't die and give him the satisfaction."

He winked, and then kissed me. I pushed against his chest and looked into his eyes. If I plan to build a life, a home with him, then I had to understand that there are times he will be in danger. Both of us could be in danger.

Sofia appeared a few minutes later, her hair tied up in a pony tail, combat boots, and wearing gear. I rolled my eyes in exasperation. Lester appeared at her side, panting, with one hand over his stomach wound.

"Beautiful," he said tenderly, sitting on the sidewalk next to me. He put a reassuring arm over my shoulder.

"When are you going in?" I asked Sofia, my head down. I am supposed to be the one going in, but Samantha refused. It didn't matter how much I begged and pleaded. I was too 'important,' and they can only 'use me as the last resort.'

I couldn't help feeling like an item, and they just didn't know what to do with me. My left eye started to twitch. If only I had Alonde right in front of me, he would regret ever messing with me.

Samuel didn't back me up, arguing that he wouldn't forgive himself if something happened to me. Did they understand how much I had at stake? I could lose Ranger, lose my friend, and I would have no one else to blame but myself. As selfish as it may sound, the idea of losing Ranger was completely intolerable and not something I was willing to do.

"We're studying the options," she said.

"Mendes," Ranger called out. Sofia turned around with a frown.

"What makes him think that he can give me orders?" She asked, annoyed. "I'll be right back."

Lester smiled a little, his eyes full of worry under a mask of calm. I gave him a fake punch on the face. He smiled.

"How do you deal with it?" I asked him. "How can you let her go?"

"I'd do the same if I could," he replied, pulled his shirt up to show me his neat row of stitches.

"They didn't let you go either," I concluded, nodding my understanding. "What are the chances?"

"We have the advantage," he said. "We outnumber them, and we have Samantha. She's the best when it comes to this kind of situation."

I chuckled in despite of my worry.

"You're perfect for Sofia," I confided. "She needs someone to support her decisions and urge her to do her best. She has walked a lonely path until now."

He seemed to think about for a few minutes, breathing deeply. It made me wonder if Sofia ever told him about her life, her relationship with her father, and about her past.

"They'll be fine, you know," he soothed, his head lowered in deep thought. Ranger walked over to me with a phone in hand.

"Ricky wants to talk to you," he said.

"Hi mommy!" My son's voice blasted through the speaker, making me jerk away from the phone.

"Hi honey, did you eat breakfast?"

"Yeah," he replied. "Grandma and grandpa are here."

He was happy.

"Really?"

"Ah-uh," he replied. "They brought me toys and pizza."

"Wow." I stretched the sound of the words. Tears leaked out of my eyes. "Honey, that's amazing." My parents' silent support overwhelmed me, warming my heart.

"Mommy, you working?" He asked.

"Yes, Baby," I responded. "As soon as I'm done I'll be there, okay?"

"Okay," he agreed. "Go get the bad guys."

I laughed in surprise, the tears now streaming down my face. Obviously, the Rangeman employees are becoming a significant influence on my son.

"Be good, baby," I said. "I love you."

"Love you too, mommy." Ricky said before disconnecting to go and play.

"Did you talk to him?" I asked Ranger a moment later.

"Yes," he said, his voice even.

"Your parents heard the news and immediately drove to Haywood. I'm afraid Ranger's parents are on the way as well," Lester informed me. It occurred to me that my parents wanted to stay with Ricky, just in case...

Ranger pulled me up and kissed me slowly. I broke apart to nestle my head on the crook of his neck.

"Don't get hurt," my words came ragged.

"Don't go crazy," he responded, and with that, he walked away. Sofia walked over to me and gave me a hug. She smiled, a smile that was always mischievous, just like she was holding a secret from the world.

"I'll take care of him for you." She smirked. I shook my head, amused.

"Be careful," I told her. Lester pulled her to him, capturing her head between his hands, and kissing her before she had time to react. We all looked away for a moment to give them privacy.

Sofia stepped back from the kiss stunned and breathless. She stumbled a little as she walked away to join the squad.

The SWAT team penetrated the fort-like walls that surrounded the compound. They jumped over and into the garden. The area was silent for a few minutes, except for the sound a helicopter above.

I glanced back to towards the other side of the street, now taken over by the media. Samantha's partner took over the task of managing the reporters. They had gathered behind the wooden barrier out in place by the police. A number of police officers stood on the side, making sure no one crossed the barrier. Cameras clicked away, and voices called out my name when I walked around the van.

My head hurt. I ran a nervous hand through my crazy hair. This morning I was kissing Ranger, about to make love to him. Why couldn't crime have better timing? It's like every time I wanted a bit of time for myself, something had to happen. My son's soft voice came into my mind, the reminder of a goodnight kiss on my cheeks.

"I love you, mommy."

-RS-

Ranger's POV

"Sofia, pay attention." She straightened and glared my way. Much better. She was about to step in a hole. No doubt Lester's kiss gave her plenty to think about.

We moved cautiously toward the house, working under the assumption that the left side of the building –being the only side without windows- would be more vulnerable. He could hear voices coming from the inside, shouting and a woman yelling angry commands.

We moved stealthily, making decisions as we went. This was not the typical hostage situation. Judging by this guy's history, there's only one way to handle him. We took our positions and waited for the signal.

"You are surrounded. Consider an exchange or we will go in," the agent's voice resonated through the walls of the complex.

"Manoso," Sofia's worrisome voice came from my side. I glanced up to see where she pointed. I tried to keep my composure. This was definitely not the time to worry.

-RS-

Steph's POV

"Hello," my voice became weary.

"Ms. Plum," came Alonde's smug voice. "I think you should reconsider your place. How do you think this is going to end?"

"Oh, I don't know, with you in prison," I answered. "Considering that you're so confident, tell me, why?"

"Do you think I would be so stupid as to stay in the house?" He asked. "I'm sorry, my dear, but that is not my scene."

"Where's Leticia?"

"She's in the house," he affirmed. "I left her to handle my explosives. Perhaps, Mr. Manoso will take better care of them on her behalf."

The world stopped around me for a few minutes. The rhythm of my heart accelerated, my body becoming cold.

"Lost for words, Ms. Plum?"

"What should I do?"

"There's an officer around the corner of Maine Street. He will bring you to me, walks casually, don't tell anyone. If someone asks, make an excuse. You have one hour, or I'll blow up the house."

I hang up, coming back to the sounds of cars and the voices of the people around me. This was a trap. It has always been a trap.

-RS-

I had misguided Lester, telling him I needed to run to the bathroom. The wound on his stomach restricted his moment, so we agreed that he would wait for me. A man with beady eyes and a growing goat's beard met me near the end of the street. It felt like a long walk, but it took me less than a minute. He ushered me into a police car.

"Phone?" He asked. I gave him my phone without question. He sat behind the steering wheel and drove me out of sight without uttering a word.

It took less than seven minutes to reach the shores of Point Pleasant. Soon we were walking towards the walking path. The beach was crowded with people, many of them children. The sun was hot on my skin. I could feel the rapid beat of my heart, causing a low thunder in my ears.

A man sat on a lonely bench. He was dressed in khaki dress pants and thin button up shirt combined with walking sandals. I thought I was looking at a dead man. Alonde. Mr. Matta. Mr. Smith. These were all the same person. This version had a sandy hair, his skin tan, eyes knowledgeable.

"How is it possible?" The words fall out of my mouth.

"My brother was an idiot," he said. "He needed to die. Please, sit and join me, Ms. Plum."

I sat next to him, my hands curled into a fist to stop them from shaking. He took a cup from his side and handed it to me.

"Lemonade?" He asked. A ball reached his legs, followed by laughing child. She stopped half way, her eyes smiling.

"I'm sorry, sir," she said.

Alonde took the ball and handed it back, the smile on his face calculated.

"No worries." He dug into his pocket for a candy bar and gave it to the girl. "This is for you, sweetheart." The words sounded sweet without any trace malice, my stomach hurled.

"The man at the club, he was your brother," I said, "and you killed him."

"Like I said," he started. "He deserved to die."

There was no point to argue with a psychopath. He turned on his side and glanced at the police officer waiting at the distance.

He stood up, his frame big and dangerous, and offered me his arm. "Link yourself to me, Ms. Plum. We are going for a ride."

-RS-

Steph: (chanting, her eyes closes) I must be brave, I must be brave...

Ranger: Babe. It's okay to feel fear sometimes, it's part of life. Just don't let it paralyze you, or stop you from reaching your dreams.

Steph: (kisses Ranger) Thanks.

Ranger: This fanfiction is the writer's version of being brave. Comments and reviews are welcomed and encouraged. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter.