Previously-

Just as it got within a foot of Ranger, I reached over his shoulder and punched it on its head between its eyes and it turned. Then I launched myself at it and grabbed its slimy fin and poked it in the eye and elbowed it. It slapped me with its tail and launched me backward and I flopped into the water with a big splash as it swam away from me fast. I turned around breathing hard and looked up.

Chapter 6

Ranger was standing there naked making a fish mouth, but nothing was coming out. He rubbed his hands down his face. Finally out came a shaky string of Spanish I didn't understand, "Dios Todopoderoso! Por favor me dicen que no ver a mi mujer a luchar un tiburion (God Almighty! Please tell me I didn't just see my woman wrestle a shark)?" He was reaching to the sky waving his arms kind of like how Morelli used to do and then he looked down at me. Whoa! Batman has lost his cool. I think he's about to crack.

"Babe?"

I squeaked out, "Carlos." He reached for me and pulled me up and began checking me over.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I think I'm fine." I looked at my fingers and elbow. They were a little raw like a rug burn from the shark's skin. But I was good.

Hey, I just whipped 'Jaws'. Wait till I tell Lula and Gordon. I grinned at Ranger.

He had his hands on his hips with a 'WTF' look on his face. "Why did you do that? You could have been seriously injured."

"Well sorry Batman, but you weren't exactly aware of your surroundings and he was about to take a big bite out of your ass and I happen to like your ass and I want the whole ass. Not just part of it, both Cuban buns including the dimples…" No he didn't just reach out and squeeze my lips together.

"Babe, I don't know that it would have bitten me. There have been very few shark attacks in Miami history. It was probably just chasing a school of fish and got sidetracked by the smell of your blood. It was most likely just curious. What you did was crazy."

"I'm crazy? Tell that to your ass the next time you would have gone to sit down. I saved it!" I put my hands on my hips. He shook his head and went off into another string of Spanish. Probably curse words.

"What kind of shark was it? Did you see it?"

"Mostly I just saw you on top of it, but I think it was a nurse shark. They swim in the shallow water here."

"Ranger, you do know we're still naked right? Don't get me wrong, I like the view." He shook his head and pulled me toward the beach with him. He didn't bother dressing. He just grabbed up everything, pulling me with him to the house. I think he might be a little pissed.

"I'm sorry if I scared you. I had it under control. Saved your fine booty buddy, literally." I gave his bare butt a little squeeze and winked at him. He raised both eyebrows and then narrowed his eyes at me. Ouch. He was almost Hulk green. I was going to have to tame this Beast, tuck him in, and put him back to sleep.

When we got inside the house, I took the bull by the...well, not the horns, and led him to the shower and he fucked me harder than he ever had. Oh...and it was good. When we came out, he was calmer and the Ranger I knew was in control again. 'For the Victor Capture the State'. Worked that flagpole up and flyin' my colors now for sure.

I shooed him out of the bathroom and got ready for the distraction. I donned my ultra short slinky gold dress with a low back and little gold chain loops at the shoulders holding the dress together that didn't allow for anything but a satin thong and gold sandals. I used extra mascara and a shocking shade of red lipstick for courage and glittered my shoulders and cleavage. I used products to smooth my hair and left it down to hide my mic and earpiece.

When I walked out of the bathroom and saw Ranger I stopped dead. Gone were his dark clothes. He was channeling Don Johnson from the Miami Vice days, wearing light colored Gucci from head to toe with loafers and no socks. His silky hair was down and now I was the one making the fish face. There were plenty of words for what I was seeing in my brain, I just couldn't articulate any. When he looked at me the heat from his gaze scorched me and lit my nether parts on fire. "You are so handsome and look so different."

"You look beautiful too Babe."

"Ranger?"

"Yes, Babe?"

"Thanks for asking me to come here with you."

"De Nada." I put my arms around his neck and kissed him and then wiped the lipstick off his soft sexy lips. "Your shade would be more like pink in these clothes.

"I like everything that's pink on you Babe." Wolf grin. Shit, he scored a hit. That one made me blush.

We decided to combine lunch and dinner and go all out and stopped and ate at a restaurant not far from his house. Joe's Stone Crab was supposedly legendary for its seafood cuisine. I ordered coconut shrimp, wedge of lettuce with everything, warm water lobster tail, and Joe's famous key lime pie. When I finished I was stuffed like a Christmas goose. Ranger's mouth was twitching when I pushed my dessert plate back and declared the meal delicious with a very unlady like burp. "Uh...excuse me."

Ranger held my hand as we headed to the Rangeman office. We were able to see the sunset as he drove. It was so beautiful. I looked over at him and my heart seized. Oh no. I was falling in love with him. This battle had changed and become seriously dangerous. He could destroy me if he knew how I felt. He looked at me and smiled and moved his hand to my knee. Shit! I had infiltrated too deep.

Rangeman was in a seven-story building between the airport and downtown Miami. It was similar on the outside to the Trenton office, but more spread out because there was no underground level here. It wasn't a fancy office building, but here Rangeman was prominently displayed outside and there was a helipad on the roof. Ranger said that they advertised a little more here because the personal security business was bigger here. Ranger key fobbed our way into the garage and parked.

He took my hand and we got in the elevator and rode to the control room. A handsome older man was waiting at the elevator door when we got off with hands on hips. He grabbed Ranger into a bear hug. "It's about time you show your sorry ass here little brother. We've hardly seen you in a year. This must be the legendary Stephanie Plum and isn't she a pretty little lady?" Yeah, I'm still feeling pretty good about myself and thinking he came close to not having a whole ass to show here tonight.

Ranger looked at me and smiled. "You can guess who this is Babe. Meet my older brother Marco."

I shook hands with him. "Very nice to meet you Marco."

"Come to the conference room. The team is waiting. We'll go over regular Rangeman business and then talk about the distraction and Stephanie can spend some time with Elisa.

In the conference room, I met the rest of the Miami core team and some others. Second in command was Armando and there was Fredo and Jaguar (Jag). Then there was Cheche, Manny, Tito, Silvio, and Elisa. I sat through the normal Rangeman business, electronic security, growing personal security, surveillance, fugitive apprehension, new contracts, and problems. Then the meeting moved to the evening's distraction and apprehension job.

The target was a dangerous fugitive. Eduardo Ravelo was wanted for racketeering, conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, and conspiracy to possess heroin, cocaine and marijuana with the intent to distribute and he was number 493 on the FBI's most wanted list. Ranger handed me the file on him and shit, he was big and ugly too.

Marco said, "He and his cronies like to hang out at a popular Latin/American club in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday nights called the 'Opium Club'. That's where we're headed tonight. We got lucky on this one. The place is in a hotel and casino and is a popular place for A-listers and celebrities. Ravelo has been dealing drugs at the club. We have a security contract with them and it was easy to get cleared with the club for this job because they want him and his crew stopped and out of there.

We'll have a bartender inside, two others and Ranger inside, and one man at the front door and one outside in the lobby. Three team members will be in the hotel area outside the club. The ladies will be working together and we do not want you to separate if at all possible. This guy and his friends are dangerous. Keep in mind that we cannot muck this up with the customer. Our contract with them is a big one. It needs to go down smoothly and quietly."

Ranger said, "Babe, take a look around the room. Remember these faces. They are your back up and I'll be close. Go by the book and it will go down fine." I gave him a nervous smile and nodded.

"Stephanie, we want to thank you for coming to Miami to work with Elisa and help with this apprehension," Marco said.

I looked at Ranger and smiled. "No problem. That's what Ranger and I do. We help each other."

Marco said, "Go get dressed men and ladies and we'll head out in about an hour. Stephanie, you and Elisa can use the apartment on seven."

Ranger walked us to the elevator and handed me his keys. "For the elevator and apartment Babe. See you in a little bit." He kissed my forehead and handed me the mics and earpieces.

When the elevator closed, Elisa erupted. "That man is a sex God! Walking sex on a stick! Shit! Are you two together? I gotta' have details." I looked at her a little shocked and then laughed. I had been around Ranger long enough to see the reactions of women around him. He mostly ignored it, but she's right. He is hot sex God walking.

Elisa was cute. Obviously of Latin descent, she had big brown eyes and long dark straight hair and a little accent. She was shorter than me and curvaceous. The little girl had booty; the kind men liked a lot. She looked to be a little younger than me and she had a pretty face and full lips. She was perfect for distractions; that was for sure.

"Elisa, you're right. That man is sex walking and we are sorta' together. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Not right now, which is okay. I went back to school and I'm focusing on my job. Rangeman is paying my tuition."

"That's terrific. What are you taking?"

"Business Administration. They want to work me into helping with contract negotiation and customer liaison. Turns out some customers are a little intimidated by big beefy guys carrying guns. I'm going to be the softer side of the Rangeman office. Lucky me, huh?"

"I actually think that's terrific and a really smart idea. Who came up with that idea?"

"Umm...I think it was Ranger and the Trenton office."

Hmm...I'm surprised they haven't made that move in that office yet. I unlocked the apartment and we walked in.

"Let's get you dressed. Are your clothes up here? Do you need to shower or anything?"

"No shower and yes I have my clothes here." She pulled a slinky little red mini dress out of a bag and some platform pumps to match. She changed and went into the bathroom to do her makeup. When she came out, she looked like a little doll.

"Wow, Elisa you look fantastic in that little red dress. I sure hope the team is not distracted." She giggled.

"Thanks Stephanie."

"Let's get your mic and ear gear on you. Are you nervous?"

"I am a little because this is a serious bad guy, but I know my backup is the best and I trust these guys."

"Then you're a perfect fit for this office because that bond and that trust is the most important in this business. You have to trust your partners. That's what my relationship with Ranger is built on."

"You are a lucky woman. Woof, that Ranger."

I laughed again, "You know, his cousin who is also a hottie and a partner with him, works in the Trenton office and is totally single."

"Really? What's his name?"

"Lester Santos. He's a great guy. Total opposite of Ranger. He's silly and super friendly. He's the tech boss in Trenton. Seek out his expertise some time. Maybe a video conference in a low cut blouse." I winked at her and placed her mic and helped her to get her earpiece right.

"Stephanie, I think we are going to be great friends."

"I think so too. Now let's talk about the job tonight and come up with a little plan and backup plan just in case."

TBC

All your guesses at what the creature was were cute. I had to look up accounts of shark attacks on the internet and the only ones were actually this kind of shark and very few. One of you mentioned they aren't slimy which is correct, but in the account I read of a real attack by a nurse shark the person had mentioned that he felt something slimy touch him so I went with it.