Boxes of Red: Chapter 4
All characters belong to Janet. They've just come out to play. Bear is all mine.
…ooOoo…
"Well." I breathed out. "This is all too much, guys. Tank? Care to explain what is going on?" I glared at him directly, not angry, but something was going on and I wanted to know. He smiled and raised one eyebrow.
"Come into my office and we shall discuss." He glanced at the Merry Men and with barely a nod indicated for a select few to join us. Hmm. This had better be good.
…ooOoo…
Everyone seemed at ease as I followed them in. Lester's eyes had a definite twinkle as he swaggered inside and Bobby was smirking, just slightly but knowingly. Tank sat behind the large desk in his sumptuous chair beckoning for me to sit in one of the visitors' chairs as Hector closed the door and winked at me. Hmmm. Curious. Tank's face was deadpan but his eyes were gleaming, so not quite the blank face. I defiantly stood my ground with my arms folded tapping my foot. Lester snort laughed and I glared at him with my hands now on my hips which made him laugh out loud.
"Lester. Santos." I warned through clenched teeth. "So help me, I might have to zap you a third time because you really are playing with fire and seem to like to get burned. Will you ever learn? You are such a glutton for punishment. Oh, lookie-lookie. What do I have here? Hmm. Ooh … It still has charge ..." I sashayed towards him with malicious intent. He leapt from his chair only to hide behind Tank. I rolled my eyes and smiled. Did Lester Santos just scream?
"Are you a pussy now Santos? Come on. Fight like a man, not a mouse. You are pressing my buttons and I have just the cure for you. Come to me, Baby. I've got a little button of my own here just for you. It has your name on it."
"Easy, Beautiful. You look so sexy when you're all fired up and -." Tank promptly slapped him firmly upside and indicated he sit. "Sit! Now!" Bobby grinned shaking his head at Santos.
"C'mon, Santos. You're clocking up some serious mat time. Bomber, do you want a session with him as well?" He was nodding his head conspiratorially with a sly wink.
"Sure. That sounds promising to me. But not with Tank to protect him." I smiled shrewdly whilst flexing my arms, interlocking my fingers and reverse clicking my knuckles with one of those internal twists whilst eyeing Lester with malicious delight. I took a deep breath.
"Okay. That was a diversion and I know it. Let's get to the point. Spill! Something is going on and you know something that I don't and I want in. It appears that I am involved and I want to know to what extent. So, what's the deal?"
"Little Girl, please sit? It's not at all bad."
There was a knock at the door and Hector opened it to reveal Bear, a tiny smile revealing those cute dimples, carrying another expected black-bowed box, a very flat red box, practically a large envelope. I rolled my eyes and his smile grew bigger and so did his dimples as he stood there like an Egyptian slave waiting patiently for a royal command.
"Oh, no. Nuh-uh. I am not opening another box until I get some answers. Tank?"
"What do you know so far, Little Girl?" answering my question with another question. I waited but he didn't let on nor would anyone else in his office. They all remained stoic, silent, yet reassuringly with just a hint of a smile in the uplifted corner of their mouths. Is that another Rangeman prerequisite? Bear stood there unaffected by my scrutiny. I took another deep breath and sighed on the exhale.
"Alright. Fine. This is what I understand. I have been invited to a ball, a masked ball with a red, black and white theme. It's formal. Black tie. It arrived in an invitation personally delivered to my apartment with some fresh Boston creams and a hot coffee. The invitation was in a fancy envelope and unsigned. Given the hot coffee and coercive Boston creams, one of you guys hand delivered said items. By the way, I did enjoy my surprise breakfast. So, I thank you. With that, I'm guessing that you are all invited or you are doing security … or perhaps both."
"One of these?" asked Bobby, holding up the same style of envelope. Lester, Hector and Tank also had their own, revealing their personal invitation within, Lester waving his at me with a brilliant smile. Bear winked at me and slid one out of his pocket.
"And since then I have had the pleasure of meeting Bernardo, aka Bear, many times, delivering these mysterious yet enticing black-bowed red boxes, the contents of which have just absolutely blown me away. To say I'm overwhelmed is a gross understatement and I know more is to come." I waved my hand indicating Bear and the red box. "And you are all in on it." I accused. "So, what gives?"
"We didn't intend to make you feel uncomfortable, Little Girl. We all chose to be part of this in preparation for the main event," he explained somewhat cryptically. Tank's phone buzzed. Ha! Saved by the bell. Grrr. With narrowed eyes I glared at him. He had the tiniest hint of a smile and he raised one eye brow at me rather whimsically. I rolled my eyes. Pfft. Another Rangeman prerequisite. Tank spoke very little after his initial "Yo" with just a few grunts and other noises of acknowledgement. His eyes dwelt on me for a moment and I knew, before I heard a word, that it was Ranger. I was instantly happy and excited and smiling expectantly. Putting it on speaker for all to hear, Tank sat down.
"Babe. Men. Bear you need to give Stephanie her current red box. Babe, you need to open it. Actually, Bear, give her both packages." Both? I looked around to see if there was a camera.
"Can you see us?" I quizzed as my curiosity piqued, glancing around Tank's office.
"How did you know? Ranger?"
"Chica. Due to security … where he is, he is not permitted to show his face but he does have visual."
"Oh… Okay." That got me thinking. I mouthed, "I miss you Carlos." And I heard a chuckle. Yep, he had seen it. Yay, me! So I licked my lips and I heard a groan. Ooh yeahhhh…. Tank, Lester and Bobby looked at me curiously, suspicious. Bear and Hector gave me that knowing look. Oops. I've been sprung as I put on my most innocent face.
"Playing with fire, Babe. There is going be payback, you know that. Now, Bear. Proceed." All the men were grinning at me. Oh, boy. I blew a curl off my forehead from the corner of my mouth.
"Okay. Give it to me, Baby." I said to Bear signing the tablet and exchanging that for the boxes of red. He decided to give me the flat box first. I shook it and listened. Upon opening it, leaving the black ribbon on Tank's desk, TGIF was written on the card.
"Oh. This. Girl. Is. Fantastic?" Tank burst out laughing, a lovely deep rumbling laugh which set everyone into peals of laughter. Grinning, I set the card on his desk and pulled back the black tissue paper to reveal a gift certificate. It was for a spa day, plus one – facial, manicure, pedicure, massage, warm mud wrap and more exotic treatments. There was also an appointment card for Mr Alexander. Oh. How lovely. Luxuriate and enjoy the pampering. I swallowed and felt my eyes prickle. So my Friday was mapped out as a pamper day in preparation for the masked ball that evening. I nodded my head but found myself speechless.
"Babe. You deserve it. You will be driven to the spa retreat, with a friend if you wish, and then Mr Alexander will come to you here at Rangeman, to do his magic with your beautiful hair. Okay, Bear. Number 2."
Bear handed over the small red box. I paused and smiled at my Merry Men. Again I shook it and something slid inside. That really made me wonder, so without further ado I undid the bow and lifted the lid to find the card. Para siempre - Forever. Oh boy. Slowly I opened up the tissue paper to reveal a delicate bracelet of black and white diamonds set in white gold. In the middle was a matching pair of earrings of three infinity links tapered in three elegant swirls. The links, each a pair of hearts joined to form the infinity symbol encrusted with black and white diamonds, swirling black over white, forming the pattern of undulating infinity. To infinity. Whoa. Talk about take my breath away.
"Chiquita. Allow me," whispered Hector as he removed the bracelet and placed it on my right wrist. It sparkled gloriously in the down lights and I was mesmerised. He kissed my hand and looked at me earnestly mouthing the words "Para siempre."
"Te queremos." He said reverently. My eyes were swimming with unshed tears.
"We love you." Bobby translated. I nodded numbly, blinking them away, smiling shyly with a lump in my throat.
"It's … Wow. It's … They're beautiful. Thank you," I whispered. I reached for a water bottle because my mouth felt suddenly quite dry. The earrings were so elegant, the bracelet exquisite.
"Babe? Please wear them all evening? They have a tracking device for added security."
I mouthed the words "I love you. I miss you." Ranger cleared his throat. I looked up and smiled. He, too, was overcome.
"I want you to know that I am in the process of closing my contract since I am not re-signing. I am finalising documentation and debriefing to enable closure. However, there is one final deal or capture before they will allow me to call it quits."
"Some details are not relevant but I want you to know that one of the guests is a high end person of interest. He may approach you but his M.O. is not a threat to you."
"So, am I a distraction? Is this a distraction job?"
"No, Babe. This is not a job. I promise you. You will be distraction, undeniably, and we will use that to advantage as he does have an eye for beauty. There is no doubt that you will look stunning at the ball and our capture will be swift, smooth and discreet. We don't expect violence but he is known to be a slippery and devious customer who has been able to move in high circles without hindrance. He is wanted for embezzlement and fraud of the highest level. Because we are already invited, we will all be in our black tie formal wear whilst also providing security with a team for that purpose. Regardless, everyone will be on the alert, so to speak. That includes you, Babe. We have been requested to handle this delicately as he is very well-regarded and respected in high society which has enabled him to operate successfully in his profession. If he approaches you, which I expect he will, engage in light conversation like you do so charmingly. Do not be alarmed, just be yourself. Your Merry Men will keep you occupied and close by and rotate as your dance partners. Tank, the pictures."
Up on the big screen a selection of portraits was displayed, in a variety of profiles, some close ups, some in situ on the street or in a café or restaurant. He was a very distinguished looking man with alert smiling eyes and a winning smile, certainly not a slimy looking character. I could see how he was able to blend in with the upper classes. He was impeccably well dressed and from the surveillance footage he moved with an easy grace. I nodded.
"Okay. He looks like he has been able to move freely in those circles. I gather he has a lot of charm and charisma. His wardrobe smacks of affluence and obviously gets his suits tailored. He is a very distinguished looking man, Ranger. But where will you be? You say that my Merry Men will be my dance partners. Does that include you, too?"
"Because he will recognise me, I have to be less conspicuous until we can capture him. If I am with you he will know instantly that I am there to take him in. We have crossed paths before, amicably and respectfully. We have done an extensive amount of surveillance as you can see and this event will allow us to move easily and discreetly. Once we have him sighted we will close in. When the capture is complete, you will know immediately, Babe."
"But, how will I know? So, are we all wired and …"
"No, Little Girl. We will remove him quickly and securely and then you will have one exclusive dance partner for the rest of the evening. That is how you will know." He winked at me and all the guys smiled at that.
"Oh." Yeah, real eloquent, I know. Then I grinned knowingly and smiled. Of course.
"I have to go. I will see you at the ball, Babe. You will go with the men in the limousine to the banquet hall and once he's captured, you're mine. Tank will organise your dance card. Don't go crazy, Babe."
Tank looked at the men and without a word they filed out.
"So, Tank. I am to have a dance card? How quaint. Will you be on my card as well?" He nodded.
"So. Let me get this straight. It's not a job and it's not a distraction but I will be a distraction."
"Yep."
…ooOoo…
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think. I love to read your thoughts in reviews.