Freedom

Chapter 12

SPOV

Carlos told the core team we were offline for the rest of the weekend. It was nice to just enjoying each other's company, uninterrupted. We told each other stories of our past, we made love, we watched movies, we made love, we ate wonderful food from Ella, we made love. I am so sore, but it's a 'hurts so good' kind of sore.

Since it's Monday morning and we need to re-engage into the real world, we decided to start the new week by calling our families and friends to announce our engagement. I started with my dad while Carlos called his parents. Dad was genuinely happy and excited for us. He said he'd tell grandma and mom, but he doubted mom would take the news very well. He confided to me that he moved out of their bedroom and into my old room for the time being. He couldn't stand to be near someone capable of hurting their own child like that. She keeps telling him that poor Joseph just was desperate, being so deeply in love with me and all and he just wants to get on with our lives together. She kept telling dad that 'if they just had some time alone to reconnect.' The thought of time alone with Joe is enough to make my skin crawl.

Carlos said his parents were elated at our news, already asking when we'd give them more grandbabies. I couldn't help but smile at the thought, but knew I wasn't ready just yet.

I called MaryLou next. It was hard to tell how she felt, what with the screaming and high pitched squealing and all. She was of course thrilled and couldn't wait to spread it around the 'burg grapevine after I gave her my permission to do so. She made me promise to meet her for coffee but I gave her one condition… I told her it had to be here at Rangeman. My security detail alone would fill the coffee shop and we'd have no privacy.

I called Lula at the same time Carlos called Connie. We knew they'd be together at the bonds office and didn't think either one deserved to hear the news second hand from the other. We are so grateful for Connie bringing us together, and Carlos wanted to personally express his gratitude when he told her about our engagement. Lula went nuts when I told her. She made me promise to let her help with anything we needed. Carlos told me that Connie was so proud of herself for her matchmaking abilities.

Next up were the Merry Men. I couldn't wait to tell them the news. After eating a quick breakfast of oatmeal with fresh blueberries and coffee, we went downstairs to the morning employee meeting. Over the past few weeks with me working at Rangeman full time, I've come to really appreciate the morning meetings. It was a great chance to see the guys whom I really have embraced as my family, my chosen family.

Carlos started the meeting in his usual fashion, with a review of the previous day and an update from the night shift supervisor which last night was Cal. It sounds as if last night was quiet, no break-ins in any of the accounts and no suspicious activity on the monitors.

Tank was up next with the rotations for the week. The men cycled through a couple of partners so they knew each other very well, but they also cycle through what they were assigned to do each day. Surveillances get pretty boring and having to do them all the time makes each team less alert. It they get to mix surveillance up with FTA apprehensions, security detail, installations and of course responding to alarms, it keeps them interested and alert.

Hal took the floor next and informed us all that Vince was strongly encouraged to leave the state. Tank told him he was fired, and after being given his exit papers and belongings from his locker, he was pretty pissed. He would be monitored for a little while until he was deemed to not be a threat to the company what with his dramatic exit and all. Hal made eye contact with each employee in attendance and said that anyone who had a problem with another employee had better speak with one of the core team, and that talking trash behind the anyone's back would not be permitted. He looked at me when he was finished and gave the slightest of smiles and a wink.

We went around the table asking for input into the week, updates, etc. and suddenly, I was next.

"Steph, you have the floor."

"Well, I wanted you all to know that Stephanie Plum won't be working here anymore." I stood up, trying to look sad. "Carlos, I'm really sorry…" I paused for effect. "But you're going to have to change the name plate on my desk… to Stephanie Manoso." I looked at the guys and held up my left hand. The core team who were at the restaurant the night Carlos proposed already knew the news, but the rest of the guys were pleased for us. I was passed around to all the men, even the core team, and enjoyed their positive energy, soaking in the moment.

Lester piped up and asked if there was going to be an engagement party.

"Steph and I haven't talked about the details yet, but we'd like to have an engagement party here at Rangeman sometime in the near future. You can all bring a guest, but they'll have to pass a brief security check." A couple of guys grunted. He looked at them with disapproval. "Anyone who has problems with this policy need not attend." He continued by telling them that no contract workers would be brought in, just to be safe, so several of the guys would have to take turns with monitors and securing the outside of the building.

Carlos and I decided to have an engagement party right away so we could get married soon. We decided to have the party this weekend, Saturday to be precise. It didn't leave us with much time, but with enough money, I'm finding anything is possible. I still don't like using so much of Carlos' money, but he keeps assuring me it's the product of a lifetime of hard work and risking his life and it's about time to spend it on something and someone that brings joy. When he puts it like that, who am I to argue?

The week passed by at such a fast pace, I feel like my head is spinning. Without post-it notes all over the place and a good notebook planner, I don't think I'd know which way is up. It's already Friday and with our party being tomorrow night, Ella and I have been having fun and keeping busy with all the planning. The guest list was the easiest since we were only inviting the Merry Men, our closest friends and of course, family. I called my dad and told him mom wouldn't be invited but we wanted him and grandma to come. He said they wouldn't miss it and certainly wouldn't let mom stop them I feel bad that it might create further problems between the two of them, but in reality, the problems are all my mom's doing.

Wanting Ella to be a guest, we hired a caterer to provide the food. She and I thoroughly enjoyed trying all their samples when they came over Wednesday for a tasting appointment. Ella's like the mom I always hoped mine could be. She accepts and loves me unconditionally and our relationship comes so naturally.

The last detail to be dealt with was my dress. I had a dress picked out, but I've worn it before, and really want something new and special for the occasion. More importantly, I wanted to personally pick it out, not have Ella make the choice. Since we had a successful shopping trip last time, I asked Carlos if he could take me shopping again. He was more than happy to agree.

I'm getting ready to go, just buttoning up my blouse when Carlos calls. "Babe, I'm so sorry, but an emergency has come up. I can't take you shopping. We had a break in with one of our larger clients. Would you like to go out this evening or do you feel comfortable going shopping with Hal and Hector?"

I was disappointed, but understand that duty calls. "No, I can go with the guys. You'll be tired by the time you get home. Let them know I'll be down in ten minutes. Oh, and good luck with the client. I love you."

"Thanks, babe. Love you, too."

When I called down to tell Tank about the change in plans, he told me Hal and Hector were already waiting for me in the garage. I went directly to the garage and smiled when I saw them standing outside the Cayenne. Carlos must have asked them to take it knowing how much I love to ride in it. Like his turbo, it smells like him, so it's comforting. I sat in the back seat and enjoyed the ride as we wove through town, watching for any company behind us.

I was glad we hadn't been tailed and were good to go with my shopping trip. The mall wasn't very crowded, so I received a lot of attention by the store personnel in Macy's, our first stop. I wasn't going for anything too fancy, but wanted something that I could feel sexy and pretty in. Not finding a dress that spoke to me, we went to several stores and tried on too many dresses to count, but none of them felt like 'the one.' I picked one I called my number two dress, but still wanted to keep looking for just a bit longer.

We decided to take a break and have a late lunch in the food court. I was excited, I never get to eat fast food anymore unless one of the guys picked it up and brought it in, which wasn't often. I'm craving a good greasy cheese burger, fries and a soda. Hal and Hector ordered the same and we sat in the corner of the dining area, making up stories about the shoppers we saw. It was fun. Hal picked one couple who were fighting as they ate and he made up a dialogue they were saying. I didn't know how funny he was! He had me laughing so hard I nearly peed my pants. Bellies full and slightly rested from our shopping, we headed back out into the chaos a Friday afternoon at the mall can be. We planned on getting back to Rangeman by 4 o'clock so the Hal could finish his daily reports before going home for the evening and I wanted to make sure to keep that timeline for him.

I knew right when we entered this new boutique that they'd have what I was looking for. Everything I saw was unique and elegant. I picked out four dresses that I instantly loved and went back to the dressing room, Hal and Hector taking their usual stances right outside the entrance to the dressing room after first securing it. The first dress I tried on was nice, but it would need to be altered and I didn't have time. The second dress didn't look good with my pale skin, and the third dress… the third dress was the one. I felt like Cinderella. It's a deep, blood red with beading around the bodice. It was a halter style that showed just enough cleavage without revealing too much, but left my back completely exposed. The hem ended just below my knee and when I twirled, the skirt flared out. The dress is exquisite and I feel sexy in it. I just know Carlos is going to flip when he sees me in it, and I think the new red FMP's he got me a couple of weeks ago would go well with it.

I just finished putting my jeans and shoes back on when I heard loud thuds outside my room. I called out for Hal and didn't get a response. I called out for Hector and knew something was wrong when I didn't get a response from him, either. I looked under the dressing room divider to the left of me and saw both men, out cold on the floor. Oh, shit! Double shit! Now what do I do? Of all the times to leave my gun at home. Hector had been holding my purse for me and of course, I left my cell phone in it. My spidey sense is going off like a rocket and I don't have any way of defending myself. I sat on the bench in the corner and lifted my feet up, hugging my knees and I started praying. When the door slowly opened, I knew I was in big trouble. Vince.

"Hey there Steph, or can I call you babe?" He had an evil look in his eye and my mind started reeling with options on what his intentions might be. "Glad to see me?"

I remembered my panic button in my jeans pocket and pressed it through the denim material, several times in hopes of some back-up.

"What do you think? What do you want Vince? And what the hell did you do to Hal and Hector?"

"I was packing up my apartment the other day when I got a brilliant idea. It occurred to me that there's a certain detective in town that could use some inside Rangeman intel."

"You wouldn't!"

"Oh, I would, and I did. My only condition to helping him was a night with your fine self before I hand you over. You and I are going to have some fun tonight. It's about time I get to find out why you have all of Ranger's men, including the big man himself, falling at your feet."

I'm speechless. And scared shitless. Vince grabbed me by the arm and jerked me out of the room. Thank god I'm dressed. He was leading me out the back door of the store. I tried to dig my feet in the carpet, but he only pulled harder, jerking me off my feet in the process.

My defense techniques were kicking in as the shock subsided. I reared back and hit him square in the jaw causing blood to ooze out of the corner of his mouth. "Let me go! I need to check on…"

"No, you need to shut up and do what you're told if you know what's good for you. You're not so tough now that you don't have thirty men surrounding you, are you, you little tease?" He looked at me with cold, menacing eyes, pushed me against the brick wall just outside the back door, my head hitting the concrete hard enough to make my vision momentarily went fuzzy. I tried to shake it off as I heard him say, "you try and take me down again and I guarantee the man I have still inside that store will make sure Hal and Hector don't make it out alive." He leaned down and kissed me hard, forcing his tongue in my mouth, the taste of his blood making me want to puke.

I spit in his face and slapped him hard, cutting his lip in the process. He slapped me back. "You bitch! You're going to be a wild one in bed, I just know it. Good thing I'm just the man to tame you."

RPOV

When Steph's panic button went off, it immediately triggers her GPS location and emits the audio from her location like a one way transmitter. When I heard her talk to Vince and then heard him admit to working with Morelli, I knew this was going to go bad, quickly.

I paused the transmission and called the control room, ordering a full response to her location and an ambulance for Hal and Hector.

I could hear them walking and her grunting as he pulled her along. I was proud when I heard a punch connect with flesh, and his grunt of pain. When I heard him threaten Hal and Hector's lives if she didn't comply, I knew she would go along with whatever he wanted, just to protect her friends. I could hear him kiss her and she spat at him. The sound of flesh being slapped had my blood boiling. I was already driving fast but when he said he was just the man to tame her in bed, I floored it, praying to arrive in time before her GPS went out of range. God, if he gets her alone…

Following the GPS dot on the Bronco's navigational system, I saw they were on the move, but I was gaining on them. Vince spotted me and pulled into oncoming traffic. Not paying attention to the delivery truck heading right towards them at full speed, their truck was broadsided, causing the truck to roll and land on its side. Arriving at the same time, several Rangeman trucks screeched to a halt surrounding his truck and we all lept out to find Steph. There was no movement in the cab and for a moment I just stood there, praying I hadn't lost her. Tank came up behind me and pushed me on. "Come on man, she needs you, let's get our girl out of this mess."

The truck was laying on the passenger side, the side windows shattered with glass everywhere and the windshield still in tact. Seeing Steph unconscious, Lester used a special tool to break the windshield's glass without it collapsing in so we could peel it from the frame. Bobby crawled in and felt for a pulse, then reached his hand back giving me the thumbs up sign. He found a pulse, thank god!

Tank yelled in to him, "Bobby, I smell gas. Get a move on."

With one swift motion, Bobby cut the jammed seatbelt off her and quickly extracted her limp body towards us so we could get her to safety. Tank pulled Bobby out, Steph still in his arms, and just as they got to the other side of my Bronco, Vince's truck exploded. As he carried her across the road, a trail of blood followed. She had been impaled by a piece of debris from the truck. Vince, if not dead upon impact, was killed in the explosion.

I laid Steph in the very back of my Bronco so Bobby could work on her. Besides the metal in her side, she had glass fragments on her clothes and in her hair, small cuts on her arms and she was breathing in short, shallow breaths, her heart beat was weak.

"Babe… wake up babe." Why was she still out? Bobby put some smelling salts to her nose and she stirred. "Come on babe, open those gorgeous blue eyes for me… please?"

She still wasn't responding. Shit! "Bobby, call Dr. Albritt. Tell him we're coming in hot." Dr. Albritt was the company doctor from my time with the Rangers. He would handle our special ops cases that needed to be handled below the radar so to speak. He has his own private practice in Princeton now which is only a fifteen minute drive from our location. Between him and Bobby, they would be able to treat Steph.