Disclaimer: Most characters are borrowed from JE, any similarities with living persons is coincidental, and the title is borrowed from Bon Jovi

Warning: Bad language and adult content

Thank you all so very much for your reviews and suggestions. I don't know where I'd be without them, certainly not in the 23. chapter!

A special thank you to Jaime for suggesting the storyline.

JE's SuperJenn has nothing on my Stellar Stayce, editor and friend extraordinaire. Without her, I couldn't put two sentences together!

Keep the Faith

Chapter 23

When I woke up the next morning, I was alone in Ranger's bed. And it was almost noon. In my defense, we hadn't actually slept until almost four AM. I smiled at the memory.

Ranger had kept reminding me that he had to make absolutely sure every inch of my body was fine, and that he couldn't just take my word for it, and he kept coming up with places he hadn't examined before.

It was Saturday, but RangeMan was a 24/7 operation, and Ranger rarely took a whole day off. Most likely, he was on the 5th floor now, there was no noise from the apartment behind the bedroom door, although silence didn't always mean Ranger wasn't there.

I stretched and immediately regretted the movement as every muscle screamed. I'd expected as much, and I was glad the pain reminded me of hours spent in bed with Ranger now, not of being pushed down the stairs in Harry's house. Unfortunately, I couldn't just lie still though, I had to answer nature's call.

Since I was by myself, I didn't have to pretend, I was free to limp to the bathroom, feeling happy but very old and wincing with every step.

After answering Mother Nature's call, I took a moment to look at myself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror. It wasn't a pretty sight. Bruises in all shades from angry black to sickly yellow covered my legs, my hips and my arms.

The fading ones were from my accident almost a week ago, the black ones were from my tumble yesterday. I sighed. I really had to try to stay out of trouble for a while, at least until my skin was all one color again. I was glad it had been dark in the bedroom the night before, Ranger wouldn't have touched me with kid gloves if he'd seen the bruises. Although they didn't hurt, I just knew he wouldn't have taken the chance of hurting me.

On the other hand, I'd been really lucky bruises was all I had, no broken bones or open wounds, my head barely hurt anymore, and all that after a few days in a coma. I guess it's all a matter of perspective. I stuck my tongue out at my reflection and turned to take a shower.

While I lathered and rinsed I tried to remember a more hectic week than the one just behind me. The time right after Joe'd died had been very bad, but I'd been too traumatized to remember it all now. At least that's how the shrink had explained it to me.

And because I had a million things on my mind, I went over to Ranger's desk after I'd toweled off and wrapped myself in his rope. I sat down and wrote a to-do list.

I wanted to talk to Harry and tell him about the DalBo connection. And then I wanted to find out if Junior ever found out who vandalized my car, if Hector had been able to get Hartung to talk and if I was free to go or if I needed a bodyguard. And then I wanted to check out Elke's Deli and see if any of the employees knew anything about DalBo. Of course I couldn't forget to retrun all the phone calls I'd undoubtedly gotten since yesterday.

I looked at my finished list and frowned. To do all that would take me all day. So maybe I shouldn't start it until Monday, take the weekend off? I knew I couldn't wait to get my questions answered though, so I made a new list. One to do list 'Now' and one 'Monday'. And those looked better.

Pleased with my accomplishment, I started coffee brewing, got dressed and did the hair and make-up thing. I wasn't going to work, but I felt guilty for leaving Bob with my parents all this time and neglecting Rex, so a trip to my parents was first on my agenda.

I poured myself a cup of coffee and started listening to my voicemails and returning calls.

"I'm not talking to you," Lula answered the phone.

"I'm sorry I haven't called," I said.

"Girl, sorry doesn't cover it! If I didn't see my man at night, I wouldn't even know you're still alive!"

She had a point. I'd been sort of neglecting her. But I got an idea. "How about a girls' night to make up for it? My treat?"

"Hold on," Lula said and I could hear her tell Connie, "Steph wants to take us out for girls' night on account of she's sorry she didn't call or show her ass here."

I couldn't hear what Connie said but when Lula came back on the line she relayed the message. "Connie says if there's no limit she accepts. And I do too."

I smiled. "No limit, we'll get cabs to drive us! How about tonight?" I wasn't even sure I could make it or if it was such a good idea to go bar hopping right now, but I had to at least try.

"Definitely not tonight," Lula asked. "Tank got all banged up yesterday, and I hear you were there too, so tonight, I'm cooking him a special dinner and then I'm gonna give him some extra lovin'. How 'bout you come to the office next week and we set a date?"

Phew, I was off the hook for tonight and had still mended some fences! "Sounds like a plan," I told Lula and after I'd promised her to tell her all about what happened to Tank, we disconnected. One down.

I was debating whether to call my mom or just show up when my phone rang in my hand and I almost dropped it in surprise.

"Miss Plum," Harry greeted me when I connected. "I hope you are well after yesterday's events?"

Again with the polite dinner conversation. "I'm fine," I told him. "Are you okay?"

There was a short pause. Probably he wasn't sure how honest to be with me. "Nothing a stiff drink couldn't fix," he said and then he cleared his throat.

"Miss Plum, I would like to apologize for what happened. I gave you my word you would be safe and you weren't'. I realize I am indebted to you and Mr. Manoso for eliminating the threat."

Oh. That was a new angle I hadn't thought about. Harry indebted to me? Wow. He had promised me I'd be safe, but I thought that meant safe from him or his guys, not from the world and everyone in it. But okay, right? When I didn't say anything Harry continued.

"My staff was depleted because of an offsite meeting, so Mr. Manoso's help was greatly appreciated. I hope you will pass the message on to him?"
"Of course," I said automatically, not sure why he hadn't called Ranger himself. His voice sounded odd somehow, like this was really hard for him to say or something.

"I am deeply sorry I put you in danger like that," Harry continued and now I really didn't know what to say. How do you respond to a mobster apologizing to you?

"They were DalBo's men," I blurted out when I couldn't think of a good segue. Silence on the other end.

"I mean Eric DalBo," I explained. "RangeMan questioned one of the guys and he told them."

"I'm sure you understand I don't believe hearsay as a rule," Harry finally said. "I will get in contact with my attorney to arrange a meeting with the men."
More likely, Harry would tell whoever he had on the inside to ask the intruders the same question.

"I just thought you should know," I said. "He is now threatening my life and yours." Okay, that was an exaggeration, but I was in the moment.

"I appreciate your concern," he finally said, his voice cool. "But you can trust me to take care of my problems. Which brings me to the reason for my call."

I closed my eyes and took a calming breath. "Yes?"

"I consider your end of the deal fulfilled by the inconveniences you endured at my house yesterday," Harry said and I had the urgent need to consult a dictionary to translate what he was saying in his English professor English.

"I other words," Oh thank God! "We are even, Miss Plum."

Huh. I hadn't expected that. And before I could stop myself, I heard me say, "Not at all, I'm planning on fulfilling my end of the deal."

"As you wish," Harry said. "Just as long as you know I won't hold you to it anymore. Good day, Miss Plum."

I opened my mouth to respond but I heard the disconnect before I could think of anything to say. What the hell was wrong with me? Harry lets me off the hook and I jump right back on?

I knew exactly what was wrong with me. My fucking Burg upbringing. My conscience wouldn't let me off the hook as easily as Harry had. A promise is a promise and all that. Damned conscience!

I rinsed my cup and put it into the dishwasher, then I grabbed my shoulder bag and decided to visit my parents instead of calling. That way, I could mooch lunch.

"Where are you going?" Ranger asked when I knocked on his office door and poked my head in.

"What makes you think I'm going anywhere?" I asked all innocent like.

Ranger got up from his executive chair, smiling his almost smile. "Street clothes, make-up, shoulder bag," he counted off on his fingers. "You're ready to go."

"Just over to my parents' for lunch," I admitted. "You want to come?"
He had reached me and pulled me towards him by hooking a finger in the waistband of my jeans. "Maybe 'want' is not the word I would use," he whispered and brushed his lips over mine.

"But you're not gonna let me leave on my own," I finished for him. I'd expected as much, and I knew why it was necessary, but it had gotten old. I sighed exasperated and Ranger cupped my face with both hands.

"It's up to you, really," he said, the smile still playing around his lips as he lowered his mouth to mine again, then trailed my jaw line with his tongue and kissed my earlobe. "Just depends on whether you want to make it to your parents' house and back in one piece."

I knew he was right. I leaned into him and rested my head on his chest. "I do," I relented.

"Then give me an hour. I'll finish up here and take you."

Lunch would be over in an hour. "I'll ask Lester to take me," I said. "He's dying to get away from his desk, he'll even enjoy a trip to my parents."

Ranger chuckled. "That's almost evil. I like it." He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "I'm sure Hal can manage in the control room for an hour or two. Try and stay out of trouble."

I stuck my tongue out at him but he caught it with his mouth before I could draw it back and kissed me passionately.

"We could always have a late lunch upstairs," he whispered as we came up for air. Our eyes locked and he chuckled. "What am I thinking? My woman is hungry now."

"Raincheck?" I winked and kissed Ranger goodbye, then I left his office went in search of Lester.

Just as I'd expected, he got excited at the idea of finally getting out, he didn't even flinch when I told him where we were going. I love Lester.

We took Lester's SUV and I rode shotgun. Before we left the garage, he made sure I was wearing the panic button again and the GPS unit in my purse was working. I didn't mind the extra hardware, DalBo had fooled me often enough. Still, it was easier to pretend nothing was wrong if I was sitting next to a friend, not a bodyguard.

"Can we make a detour to Broad Street?" I asked casually.

"That's almost on the way anyway," Lester said. "Anywhere special?"

I hadn't had a chance to talk to Ranger about my findings, and I wanted to talk to him before I shared my ideas with Lester, so I fibbed.

"There's this deli Connie raves about, I wanted to check it out and bring my mom some cold cuts."

Lester nodded, threaded the SUV into midday traffic and grew quiet. I knew that all Merry Men did more than just drive. They constantly checked the mirrors for any tails, watched oncoming traffic for any unusual cars. Ranger had pointed it out to me one time, although I'd figured as much. RangeMen were always on duty, just like their boss.

He turned right off Hamilton onto Broad and glanced at the store fronts. "You know where it is?"

I didn't until I saw it. A very tacky, very 'loud' (even for Jersey) neon sign announced Elke's Deli on the next block, I could see it from 100 yards away and pointed at it. "Over there."

I convinced Lester to wait for me in the car, where he could watch who was coming or leaving, rather than standing beside me. That was true, after all. What was also true was that I wanted to ask the staff some questions that might have made Lester suspicious, as in, he might have gotten the right idea of why I was really here.

I took a quick look around to make sure DalBo wasn't in the deli right this second before I entered. It was fairly crowded inside, probably it would have been even busier on a weekday, with business people lining up to get their sandwiches. There was a long glass counter that ran almost the entire way of the small room, and on the right, a couple of Formica topped tables were set up for those diners that preferred to eat in, but there was no table service. Behind the counter, three women and a man dressed in traditional German clothing waited on the guests. At least I assumed it was traditional clothing, they looked like St. Pauli girls from the beer bottle.

Along the plate glass window, shelves were set up with canned foods, preserves and candy. The decoration was more butcher shop than deli, but the clientele obviously didn't mind.

So probably the food wasn't bad, but the same could be said for dozens of delis in Trenton, DalBo must have picked this one because of the German. Or was there another connection?

"Mrs. Morelli?"

I flinched at the name, expecting to see Joe's mother in the waiting crowd. I'd been avoiding her because I was afraid she still blamed me for Morelli's death. Instead, I found the little boy that lived in the house next to Joe's looking at me. He'd been talking to me. I swallowed the lump that had immediately lodged in my throat and forced a smile. "Hello Trevor. How's your mom?"

I didn't hear his answer over the blood rushing in my ears. And I couldn't help but wonder if I would have been Mrs. Morelli by now if Joe were still alive. I mumbled something that could have been interpreted as a goodbye and almost ran out of the deli, not really caring about what anybody would think, I had to get out before the old familiar pain would seize me.

Outside, I took a deep breath and waited for the world to start spinning. Of course I had to have another dizzy spell now.

I jumped and couldn't suppress a scream when Lester touched my elbow.

"Jesus, Steph, it's me," he said, tightening his grip. "Are you okay?"

He must have flown out of his car to get to my side so quickly. I took another deep breath and smiled at him weakly.

"I'm okay. Sorry. It was just…" I gestured back at the deli, "Let's just go, okay?"

"Okay," he was quick to say and led me back to the SUV. I could feel his sideway glances but couldn't meet his eyes until we'd left the deli a few blocks behind.

"Sorry. Bad memories," I finally explained.

"You looked like you'd seen a ghost or were gonna faint or something."

"Sorry."

And I was. I was sorry I'd scared Lester, but even more sorry I stormed out of the deli without talking to anyone. I hadn't found out anything I could present to Ranger. Well then, I decided, we'd have to try this again after lunch.

Lunch at my parents' house was pretty short because by the time we got there, my mom was already making dinner preparations. I'd lost track of time, it was two in the afternoon. In my family, just like in any other proper Burg family, lunch was served at noon. Two PM was no man's land, food wise.

Dad was out with the cab and Mom and Grandma Mazur were discussing recipes when I came into the kitchen.

"I'm here to pick up Bob," I told them. "I have to get back to work."

"Wait a minute," my mom said. "What's this business about you and Harry the Hammer? Eugene Strolini's mother said he saw you at Harry's house when he arrived with his ambulance?"

Damn. Why hadn't I thought of that? Of course it would have made the rounds in the Burg by now! My parents' phone had probably started ringing before I'd gotten home from Harry's house. Thank God I'd arrived after lunch so I had a good excuse not to stay!

I fished a couple cookies out of the cookie jar on the counter. "I was working. I'll tell you all about it, but I have to run, Lester is waiting for me."

I really couldn't explain right now, and even if I could, my mom would have a coronary. I didn't know if the work excuse was all that much better though.

"Are you coming for dinner?" Mom wanted to know. "We're having stuffed cabbage and I'm making pineapple-upside-down cake."

Ah, the big guns. She wanted to find out if there was truth to the latest gossip about me and she wasn't above bribery. Unfortunately, my mouth watered at the thought of my favorite dessert.

"I don't know yet," I told her honestly. "Maybe."

I clipped Bob's leash to his collar, fed him a cookie and turned to leave.

"If you do, bring Ranger," Grandma Mazur chimed in. "It's always more fun with him around. We need some life in this house."

"I see what I can do," I promised and let Bob pull me out of the kitchen.

Lester had already lowered the back windows for Bob when I loaded Bob into the backseat. "It was too late for lunch," I told him. "But I'm still starving. Let's go back to the deli and grab some sandwiches," I suggested in what I hoped was a casual tone. As much as I dreaded it, I had to go back to get the information I wanted.

Lester started the engine and half-turned to me. He was smiling his crooked smile that he knew made him look irresistible, but his eyes were studying me seriously.

"What?"

He shook his head slightly. "If you're freaking out again it's the last date I'm taking you on," he said and pulled away from the curb.

He couldn't have known how much I appreciated his humor right then. I was too emotional to explain to him what exactly had happened. It wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last, and I'd get over it, but I hadn't been prepared. I'd been in reconnaissance mode, ready to find out about DalBo, do my part to catch him. I hadn't been prepared for a Joe flashback.

Lester found a parking spot across the street from the deli and killed the engine, turning to me.

"Seriously, you gonna be okay?"

I took a deep breath. "A little boy called me 'Mrs. Morelli'," I said. "And I don't want to talk about it."

Lester let out a soft whistle but didn't say anything. With a last look over his shoulder, he got out of the car. I told Bob I'd bring him a sandwich if he was going to be good met up with Lester on his side of the car and we crossed the street together.

There were less customers in the deli now that lunch hour was over. Lester held the door for me and I tried to take a look around inconspicuously.

I should have guessed I couldn't pull it off. "We looking for somebody?"

"Just checking things out," I said, pretending to be interested in the cans on the shelf. "Trying to be aware of my surroundings."

Lester didn't look like he bought it, but he didn't respond. I had a feeling he was filing it away for later, when he could talk to me in private.

"Help you?" a young blonde with a décolleté like Dolly Parton asked, and although I was the one standing in line, she had eyes only for Lester.

I nudged Lester and inclined my head to her, trying my best to get the ESP working. It had never worked for me before, but now was as good a time as any to test it.

Maybe it was because I was acting so weird that he understood me? Or maybe he would have done what he did anyway and it just happened to be what I wanted.

"Hello Darling," he drawled. I had no idea he could drawl like Matthew McConaughey, but sure enough, he even put a lazy smile on his face.

It worked too, she couldn't have been more than 22 and red crept into her cheeks immediately as Lester asked "What's your name, Doll?"
Mental eye roll. Who in their right mind fell for that line? I cut my eyes to Lester. It wasn't so much the words she was falling for, I figured. The long-sleeved t-shirt he was wearing looked painted on and did more than hint at the toned chest underneath it.

"Jaime," she said on a shy smile. "Can I help you?"

"What's good here, Jaime?"

I almost laughed out loud as I got it. Lester hadn't joined my wavelength at all, he was just hungry and was doing his all to get the best service and food.

Jaime asked Lester to follow him to the end of the counter so she could show him the brats and I got the attention of the only guy behind the counter. "Excuse me?"

He looked up from wrapping cheese. I put on my nicest smile. "A friend of mine recommended this place. Eric? You must know him, he comes here all the time."

No recognition registered on his face, so I held my hand up. "About this tall, blond, a big guy, German."

I made sure Lester was still flirting Jaime's pants off, although I hoped not literally, and continued to lie my ass off. "He's here every day and says it's the best place to get authentic food."

The guy shrugged. "I don't really look at the guys that closely, if you know what I mean. I take their orders and prepare their food." He jerked his chin in Jaime's direction. "Check with Jaime though, she likes big and tall guys."

Yeah, and right now, she was busy with a big and tall guy that would want a whole lot of explaining if I questioned her now. Rats, I'd have to come back alone.

"So what's good here?"

We took our lunch to one of the tables in a corner. "Did you get the special?" I teased Lester as we dug in.

He grinned. "You jealous?" He waggled his eyebrows and winked. He was gorgeous, but he unfortunately knew it. I rolled my eyes and focused back on my sandwich again.

I glanced back at the counter mid-bite and almost choked. It was him!! DalBo must have just walked in, he was standing at the counter ready to order.

I coughed, trying to clear my throat, reaching for my water.

"You okay?" Lester asked, reaching around to pat my back.

I wanted to tell him, or at least point, but I knew I'd already drawn too much attention to us. With a side glance at the counter, I noticed DalBo was flirting with Jaime just like Lester had, so he was occupied for the moment. I shifted in my seat so that more of my back was to DalBo and locked eyes with Lester.

"Confirm visual?" I asked with a smugness I didn't feel, it was the only thing other that screaming 'Holy shit, it's HIM!'.

Lester raised his eyebrows and cut his eyes to where DalBo was standing. His eyes widened ever so slightly, the Merry Men equivalent of a gasp. Before I could ask him what he wanted to do, he had unclipped his cell phone and was dialing.

He got up and dragged his chair around so his back was to DalBo, but he was able to drape his arm around me and pull me in front of him like we were a couple.

"We have a visual on the suspect at 1020 Broad Street. It's just me and Steph, we need backup immediately," Lester said so softly I could barely hear him and I was sitting almost in his lap.

He disconnected a second later when, I assumed, the control room had confirmed.

"Here's what we're gonna do, Bombshell," he said, the tiniest bit louder than before. "I need you to go to the restroom, but sort of fade away to it, not make a big deal out of it, okay? Do you have your gun?"

I shook my head and Lester withdrew his arm to let me get up. "We'll manage. But please just do as I say. The boss is going to have me tarred and feathered if anything happens to you."

Okay, I thought, this was pretty simple. I could follow simple orders. All I had to do was stand up and walk slowly over to the restrooms, not too slowly though, just normally, inconspicuously.

I figured we had five minutes at best. Backup would never arrive in time, it was just me and Lester, and only one gun. The odds weren't exactly in our favor.Fuck!

Lester's gunshot wound was almost healed, it wouldn't hold him back any, but I'll never forget how he got shot in the first place: protecting me. I wasn't there for the briefing afterwards, I didn't know what Ranger'd said to him. But Bobby had made a similar remark a couple days ago, and he hadn't been the first Merry Men to tell me they'd rather die trying to protect me than fail.

I never knew how much they were exaggerating, I was pretty sure Ranger wouldn't harm any of them for failing to protect me from the trouble I at least partially got myself into.

Lester leaned into me, nudging me on. "Now, Steph."

Right. Now. I grabbed my shoulder bag, willed my feet to carry me and walk over to the restrooms without looking over my shoulder to check on DalBo's progress at the counter. I couldn't hear if he'd already ordered or was still flirting, and I was pretty proud of myself for getting to the bathroom door without having to breathe. It wasn't until I closed the door behind me that I realized I'd been holding my breath the whole time.

Of course now I couldn't hear what's going on at all. Was Lester going to confront DalBo by himself? What if DalBo hurt him, wouldn't I be the sitting duck? Had DalBo seen me? Not knowing the answers to any of these questions was driving me crazy, but I owed Lester.

Minutes ticked by that seemed to stretch into hours. I was pacing back and forth in the small white tiled room because I was unable to stand still. That was until I heard a gunshot, then I froze. I didn't know who'd fired and if anyone had been hurt, I was just praying it wasn't Lester.

I screamed and jumped two feet when the bathroom door was wrenched open. I was face to face with Eric DalBo and all I could do was scream. Luckily, I managed to pull myself together after that initial scream, although I wasn't sure if I managed to hide my fear successfully.

He grinned, lowering his gun. "Isn't it a little cliché to hide in the ladies room?" he asked.

His broad shoulders blocked the only exit and his cold eyes were watching me closely. "Alone at last huh? Time for payback."

Unlike his goons, he only had the slightest accent when he spoke. I guess that explains why I'd missed it when I'd talked to him before.

"W…where's Lester?" I pressed out, more out of concern for Lester than to stall for time.

DalBo's eyes traveled the length of my body, smiling as if he liked what he saw. I shuddered involuntarily.
"I'm a pretty good shot," he finally said, smiling cockily.

Tears welled up in my eyes when I understood the meaning. Oh my God! He'd shot Lester! And since he wasn't here yet, following DalBo, he must have been hit pretty bad. Or worse. If Lester had died for me I'd never forgive myself, I knew that right there.

Then Bitch Stephanie finally woke up, first slapping me for blaming myself, again, and then focusing her anger at DalBo.

"Where is he?" I asked, my voice cold and controlled, surprising even me, hoping not too much of my despair had shown on my face a second ago. Okay, who was I kidding, of course it'd been showing. The only thing I could hope for was that DalBo hadn't been able to read it.

DalBo raised his gun again, aiming it at me. "Don't worry about it," he said. "You and I are going to take a walk now." He jerked his chin at the door behind him. "And then we're going to find out how much you're worth to RangeMan."

I swallowed around the lump in my throat, trying to come up with something to say, or better yet, something to do. But instead, the room was starting to spin and I felt dizzy as panic squeezed the sandwich I'd just eaten into a tight ball that lay like lead in my stomach. Bitch Stephanie was trying to get me to kick him in the balls, but I wasn't quite suicidal yet, and I had no desire to find out how good he was with that gun.

"Where're we going?" I asked, this time to stall for time.

"Again, nothing for you to worry about," DalBo said and took a step aside, gesturing with the gun for me to walk through the door.

I was trying to stay calm and think, but honestly, I was scared shitless. I was scared for Lester, praying he was okay, and I was scared for myself.

"What are you gonna do with me?" I realized my questions were bound to make him lose his patience, but all I could think was that I needed more time, that Ranger needed more time to get here from Haywood.

He sighed, but the humorless grin never left his face. "They have something I want. Now I have something they want." He shrugged and took me by the elbow. "Move."

TBC

A/N: No, see, it's not actually a cliffie. If I hadn't told you opened the door, that would have been a cliffie. LOL OK, so a mini-cliffhanger to hopefully leave you wanting more. Do you think help is on the way? What happened to Lester? Is Bob OK???