Chapter 3
The Unasked Question
He wakes up next to a naked warm body. It takes him a minute to remember what happened last night. Another fight with Stephanie. Another night spent in a newly-opened bar with his pals. Another curvy blonde woman smiled at him and licked her supple red lips. He felt proud and more than a little happy that most young sexy women still found him attractive. He drank too much beer and whiskey. He's not very sure why he decided to leave with that woman. He didn't mean to cheat on his wife. He vaguely remembers the sleeping woman's name is Tiffany...or Tammy, or something. Maybe he was drunk. Maybe he was being horny and foolish. Maybe he just wanted to have a little revenge on Stephanie. She's not happy that a part of him will always care about Terry. But it drives me mad that a part of his wife will always love Ranger. He has been suspecting that this is the real reason why she doesn't want to have another child.
He quietly gets out of bed. He bends down to gather his clothes and shoes. His head immediately starts pounding. He knows he has made a mistake. He knows he should feel guilty and regret. He zips his pants. He buttons his shirt. He tiptoes out of the small bedroom. Outside in the untidy living room, a tiny, ferocious-looking Chihuahua growls on the couch. He quickly lets himself out. He walks down the stairs. He gets out on the narrow street and soon spots his car. He hopes no one sees him walking out of the apartment building at this hour. He knows Stephanie won't even ask him where he was last night. She, as well as everyone else, will think he spent the night on someone's couch like he usually does.
He drives through the morning city. Maybe he should stop at a bakery for cupcakes and doughnuts. Maybe he should get Stephanie some flowers. He thinks of his daughter and son and suddenly feels bad for what he did. He will be lying if he says he doesn't feel satisfied and contented about last night. The young nimble body. The strong, tempting scent of perfume. The hungry eyes. The eager lips. He hasn't been so aroused in years. He has never thought he will feel so lonely after eight years of marriage. He should be happy. He should be fulfilled. His life should be bright and full of hopes and laughter. He shouldn't be angry, confused, and unhappy. Everybody says they belong together. Everybody says they are right for each other. Everybody says Rose Maria is a most beautiful little girl. Everybody says Joe Junior looks just like him. But deep down within he knows something isn't right; something is missing. Now all the pressure and stress of his job and life have started to wear on him. And every time he hears about Ranger and his new "Babe", he will automatically taste the bitter taste of bile and jealousy.
Oh yes, he knows Ranger is happy.
The tall dark handsome dangerous Man of Mystery is still driving his expensive German cars. The muscular Cuban version of Bruce Wayne is stilling protecting Trenton and making big money. And every night that beautiful sexy cute clever and young bounty huntress is warming his king size bed. They are a match made in heaven, people say. They are perfect for each other, people smile. That Rozie O'Hara is way smarter than Stephanie Plum. Everyone likes her. All the cops are willing to help her. All the crazies and psychos stay out of her way. Even her skips like her. You don't hear stupid rumours and vicious gossips about her. She's totally different from Stephanie.
And the fact that she now belongs to Ranger makes Joe Morelli, the forty-five years old exhausted father of two children, way beyond mad. Life is so fucking unfair. He narrows his eyes and clenches his teeth as he hits the car horn impatiently. He simply hates feeling like the ultimate loser. Sooner or later he will do something to get even with Fate. Morelli silently swears. And with Ranger.