Author's Note: Oh I hate that I confused some of you... so hopefully this chapter will clear things up but if not... When Lester refers to him or he... like 'he has to think we're lovers' he's not talking about Ranger. I didn't want to give away much more, but I think I'm going to reveal a little earlier than planned.. Not this chapter though... Please forgive me for this chapter... I wrote it in one day and kind of in a hurry.. hopefully nothing is too messed up in this chapter.. if so, I'll clear it up later. Lol! Enjoy!

Chapter Nine

This had been one of the weirdest weeks of Steph's life. Everything that was forward went backward and anything that was backward went sideways.

The next day they went to work and evil Lester returned and stayed. The whole thing where they were supposed to be lovers or in love or what the hell ever was bullshit. Lester stayed so far away from her, she could have put the entire state of Texas between them. He never even talk to her unless it was deemed absolutely necessary. The only time he even so much as looked in her direction was when he caught her talking to Ranger. The look he sent her was so full of hatred and anger, Steph felt it like an actual slap to her face. She retreated at once, but that didn't stop Lester from cornering her later on and telling her to stay the fuck away from Ranger. Steph just nodded her understanding. She had been too scared to say anything back.

This past week, she came to RangeMan and did searches until they went back home, to Lester's house. Lester had been taking it easy on her this week, letting her sleep in and not working out. But she knew that was coming to an end. She had however been eating healthy shit all week. No chocolate, cake, candy, chips, or soda for her. She missed her donuts and fried chicken for sure. They had been eating baked chicken breasts and fish and salads. Steph hated this type of food, but she kept her mouth shut and ate it. It was actually pretty good. Shh, don't tell anyone she had said that.

Now it was Thursday and she had just gotten off the phone with Lester who told her to meet him in the gym. Steph didn't argue. She dragged her ass down the stairs, per Lester's orders. He told her if he caught her using the elevator he would make her run three miles or until she puked. Yes, he was that much of an ass.

"I'm here. What do you want me to do?" She asked as she entered the gym. There were others around besides just her and Lester, but they really wouldn't talk to her anymore. They nodded at her, told her hey or hi and what's up, but that's pretty much where it ended. A few times she caught Lester giving them a dirty look so she could only guess what threat he used against them.

Lester nodded towards the treadmill. "Walk one mile and then stretch out your muscles. After that I want to get started on some basic self-defense moves." He replied, watching her.

She nodded and then walked her mile. She was winded as hell after just one mile. She did a few stretches and then followed Lester onto the mats. By that time the gym had cleared out. She stood in front of a shirtless Lester and began to drool. Damn, the man was hot!

"If someone comes at you, what do you do?" He asked seriously.

She gave a half shrug. "I just grabbed the nearest thing to me and throw it at him." She replied.

Lester shook his head. "Like a cookie jar." He teased with a half grin. Steph wanted to get lost in that grin, but she refrained. It wouldn't last long anyway.

She gave another shrug. "I guess so."

"When someone comes at you intending to do you harm, you stick out your hand like this…" He then grabbed her hand and showed her what to do. For the next two hours, she got to be up close and oh so personal with Lester. Skin to skin, breath to breath, knee to knee, sweat on sweat, he showed her just how to take an attacker down and how to disarm any attacker, big or small.

Throwing her a bottle of water and a towel, Lester praised her. "You did well today. You learn quickly and you're taking all this seriously and that makes me happy. A few more lessons and you'll be able to take me down." He gulped down his water, watching her.

Steph snorted. She shook her head and focused on her bottle of water. She would never be able to take down Lester. She honestly might be a little scared to.

"You don't think you could?" Lester questioned.

She shrugged. "I don't think I would try to be honest. You're not exactly…" Steph trailed off, turning her back on him.

Lester grabbed her arm and pulled her back to look at him. "I'm not what, Beautiful."

Steph's breath caught in her throat. He called her beautiful and he didn't say with sarcasm or hatred. He said with such sweetness that Steph wanted to cry.

Before she could respond, Lester's phone rang. To Steph's complete and utter shock, Lester kissed her forehead and turned her lose. He grabbed his phone and answered it.

"What?"

Lester rolled his eyes. "Give me five. I'm gonna take a shower."

He hung up and gave Steph his attention. "Hit the showers and relax until I'm ready. I gotta talk to Ranger's ass."

Steph nodded her agreement but Lester was already gone. She took a quick shower and headed upstairs. She passed by Ranger's office at the perfect time. She couldn't help but stop and listen. She knew it was wrong but she didn't care.

"Want to tell me why she's been avoiding me?" Ranger asked.

Lester laughed. "Because I told her to."

"Why the hell would you do that?" Ranger growled.

"To make him believe this shit, she can't be all over you and you two can't keep your fucking hands or eyes off each other when you're together."

"And you think there's someone here that's gonna report to him?"

"I can't take that chance, coz. I'm trying to protect her with everything that I have."

Steph smiled. He was starting to sound like her Lester. Maybe he was still in there.

"Do you really think it'll work?"

She heard Lester sigh. "I don't know. When I gave him the wild story, he didn't reply or tell me to get it done, he just hung up. But I know he's watching. I can feel it."

"How can he believe anything when he never sees you outside this building or your fortress?"

Another sigh. "Yes I know and I already have plans for tomorrow evening. I'm taking her out to dinner and dancing probably. I was going to do the original dinner and movie thing, but I won't be able to see any threats in a dark theater."

"Has he ever rescinded an order, Lester?" Ranger's voice went way too serious for Steph's liking.

"No."

Steph's heart sunk to her gut.

"Does Steph know anything that's going on?" Ranger asked.

"She knows about the bounty and you know she knows about most of the other, but I haven't confirmed anything."

"You need to tell her everything."

Lester laughed, but without any humor. "Are you fucking serious? You keep her in the dark about every fucking thing and you want me to tell her everything!?" He exclaimed loudly.

"Yes. She needs to know what she's dealing with and how serious this is, Lester."

She heard another sigh. "What the fuck am I going to do, Carlos? He gave me a week and he has yet to rescind his order and I'm nowhere near bringing this asshole down."

"Kill her."

Steph almost gasped out loud. WHAT?

"What?" Lester's own shock was clear.

"I didn't mean literally. Tell her what's going on. Give it to her straight. And then give proof to him that she's dead. Fake blood is easy to make, Lester."

"What if he wants physically proof. Usually just their bodies being found is enough, but this time…Ugh, that'll never work, coz."

"We'll think of something, Lester. We always do."

"Yeah."

He sounded so defeated.

"How are you holding up?" Ranger asked, clearly concerned.

What Lester said broke her heart.

"I'm dying inside, coz. I can feel this blackness inside me and its eating away at me. With each passing day and with every life I take, I want to end it. And we both know there's only one way out. And I don't know if I'm ready to die."