My phone vibrated. Stephanie watched my face closely. I listened intently, grinned at her as she was obviously trying to mimic my one raised eyebrow. Tank gave me that perceptive, knowing look.
"Si, hermano. It is time." I disconnected and once again found myself the focus of attention, especially from one blue-eyed Babe with a slightly suspicious air of questioning scrutiny. Tank nodded his approval.
…..ooOoo…..
(not an epilogue) Yay! Double figures (the chapter). OMG! ;)
Not mine; not making any money; just enjoying playing with Janet's characters.
Apologies for the delay. RL kidnapped my Muse and she needed some recovery time to get back into her groove. Hope you are still with me. Happy New Year and sending you good wishes for wonderful things, good health and happiness and peace in 2015.
…..ooOoo…..
Chapter 10
…..ooOoo…..
"Hector?" She asked quizzically.
"Yeah, Babe. It's time for you to make an appearance. Time to reassure everyone that you are okay. And, that it's safe to be back in the 'Burg," I responded to clarify the cryptic yet simple message.
"Nuh-uh. What are you not telling me, Ranger? Let me guess. There are a few spicy stories about my demise and tarnished reputation with all these beautiful "sinister and evil" (gestured with virtual quotation marks) men in black?"
Sassy and smart. I like. She stood her ground eying me suspiciously, obviously trying to raise one eye brow, but of course, failed and raised both whilst folding her arms. Dios. My Abuela had that Don't Mess With Me posture as well. I chanced a glance at Lester who grinned and then laughed at me recognising my observation.
"Yeah. Abuela." He confirmed, nodding and grinning at Stephanie who eyed him in the same way but stood in his personal space. My turn to laugh.
"Okay, okay. Our Abuela used to do that. You know, that Don't Mess With Me look, but you Beautiful, are much cuter when you do it."
She swatted him on the arm and he feigned pain. That Lester charm disarmed her once again.
"Look. I know the Burg. I know how manic they are about juicy and titillating gossip mongering. Well, those Bitter Bitches from the Burg had better watch out." This had everyone smiling and wondering if we were in for another show.
After our healthy lunch and a quick tidy up, we left the house behind with the rest of the convoy leaving at different intervals. Stephanie looked over her shoulder for a rather wistful departing look as the gates closed behind the Porsche. She sighed and snuggled into her seat and I couldn't help but gun it to get the revs up. As expected, Stephanie moaned and wriggled in her seat. I smiled at her. She is so predictable and I gunned it again as I turned onto the main road leading towards the Turnpike.
"Ooh, hmmm…," she moaned languidly, "I love the feel of that, that vibrating, throbbing feeling. It makes me feel so, so sexy. Ranger? Did you know your car is so sexy?" She was all breathy. Was it just water she drank with lunch?
Holy shit! What this woman does to me! Dios! I pull over quickly and look at her in stunned disbelief. She's looking directly at me with those beautiful big blue eyes, pupils dilated … lust-filled eyes, leaning against the seat, squirming and snuggling and grinning at me. She had the whole sex kitten look going. It's as if she has become a cat, purring and … she's grinning!
"Babe?"
I slowly close the gap and take her lips in a gentle, drugging kiss but lose myself in her as she moans again, my hand smoothing up her long neck and into her curly hair, her hand on my chest and sliding down to my thigh. Dios. She has all the power. She had just turned the tables on me and I am stunned and pleasantly surprised. There's more to this blue-eyed beauty than I think anyone has given her credit for. She's such a distraction, a very sexy, beautiful, desirable distraction that I was finding myself overcome with need for her. I wanted to touch her, needed to touch her, feel her, needed to feel her and make her moan like that in my bed. This morning's events lingered with me longingly. My brain was assaulted by lustful visions of Stephanie in my bed, in my arms, naked and …
"Ranger? … I think I lost you there … something's burning…," she giggled at me with those bright blue eyes, the blue of which now a shade darker and sparkling with mischief and, yes, desire. Dios.
My phone rings. Hector. Saved.
"Hold that thought, Babe. What you do to me! Dios mio!"
"Si Hermano. Everything is fine. It was Stephanie's fault."
Stephanie bursts out laughing and calls me on it in mock shock and disbelief and feigned innocence. "Oh! Ranger!"
Smiling at me, knowing that Hector is laughing, she leans back with a satisfied, smug grin. Lights flash behind us as one of the Rangeman vehicles pulls up behind. She waves back at them and I take off. She moans again.
"Playing with fire, Babe."
"Yeah, well, perhaps I want to get burned." Holy shit! I growl and mutter in Spanish under my breath.
"Just, hold that thought, Babe." What she does to me. I still can't believe that she turned the tables on me, so simply. She's playing my game and she's good at it. Who would have thought that a little white girl from the 'Burg already seems to have my measure? I'm not concerned, not really. I like her spirit. She's different. She is her own person, resilient and determined … and playful.
The rest of the ride is quiet as I get in my zone made difficult by thoughts of her breathy moans and how I'd like to be responsible for making her moan like that with my ministrations. Stephanie too is quiet.
"Something's burning, Babe."
"Hmm?... Oh, I was just, just wondering, you know. That house, that beautiful house … Was that the Batcave?" She fidgeted and blushed while looking out of her window.
"Babe."
"Ranger."
"Babe?"
"Ranger?
"See. I can do the monosyllabic, no real answer thing too." She was grinning coyly with a bit of sass. She's flirting with me.
"It's a house, Babe."
"It's a nice house, Ranger, a very nice house."
"Good to know, Babe. Glad you liked it."
"Yes. I liked it. What was not to like?"
I laughed. She gave me a dose of my own tactics and I have to admit it was funny. That she can make me laugh so readily makes me feel good. No one's been able to reach those buttons let alone press them. Perhaps I've never allowed anyone that close before to be able to do this. She is so disarming and I feel comfortable with her, very at ease. This is a new sensation for me. The guys have already made a few not so subtle digs at me but they too are enchanted by her natural charisma and her acceptance of us.
"Ranger? Can we go past the Tasty Pastry, please? I really need some sugar. Yeah … some Boston Creams … and a couple of glazed donuts… Chocolate, with sprinkles … Mmmm ... I can feel all these jelly donut hormones squeezing out and I need some sugar to calm them down."
"Babe?"
"Oops. Out loud? Oh. My. God." She was banging her head against the window, blushing.
"It's okay, Babe. We'll talk about those jelly donut hormones, later. Tasty Pastry it is."
Parking the car was easy since another car just pulled away.
"Huh! You and your parking karma," she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.
Hector and Zip pulled into another spot just a few cars up. I stepped out and opened the door for Stephanie. She smiled that sweet smile and a look of relief came over her face as she eyed the window display.
She grabbed my hand firmly. "C'mon," she asserted, almost dragging me inside. Hector and Zip followed, standing back near the door. Who was I to complain? Then I noticed that glazed look over her face as she contemplated the display case, almost drooling. She even put her finger to the corner of her mouth, checking. Cute. I'd like to be responsible for putting that glazed look on her face myself, someday, soon.
"Stephanie! You're alright. Oh my, Lord. So you are their whore. Why me? Susie Lubinski doesn't get abducted by kidnappers and thugs and whore herself like a slut." This was uttered with such scornful contempt and disdain that I was quite shocked and felt protective of my Babe. Remarkably, Stephanie maintained a calm composure, unruffled by that venomous vitriol that spewed out of that vicious woman. There were mutterings from the other customers inside but one look from the three of us and they clammed up tight, looking wide-eyed, discreetly putting their phones away.
Stephanie rolled her eyes and sighed.
"I'm fine, Mom. Nice to see you, too. Of course I'm alright." This was said with smooth sarcasm, without even making eye contact. She leaned into me, her eyes still aglaze, checking those donuts.
"Susie Lubinski? I remember her." Here Babe stood up with a contemplative pose. "No, she didn't get abducted. You're right. She decided to leave her husband and their baby twins and run off with that young personal assistant to the Dick. She's her toy girl lesbian lover. They're very into that Dom/Sub stuff. But you knew that, of course. And just so you know, Mother, Ranger and his men have kept me safe. They protected me, Mother, so get your facts straight. There was no whoring about it. No whores, no sluts." And she was back to staring at the display cases of donuts and éclairs. With each mention of the word "Mother" her tone asserted more suspended rage yet she wasn't rising to the bait keeping her emotions tightly reined.
"Yeah," Grandma Mazur muttered as she shuffled her dentures around salaciously while ogling me and the guys who'd come in behind. "I'd be alright too with these Spunk Junkies. If only I was a few years younger." The guys, despite their badass blank visages, cringed. I could tell by their eyes.
"Look at you. Oh. No. Stephanie! You've got that Copenhagen Syndrome! They kidnapped you and now you think they are good men. Oh dear God. They've brainwashed you."
"Oh! For God's sake, Mother. Did you not hear me? They saved me. These are honourable men whom I am proud to call my friends, real friends who stand by me. They have served our country with honour and you should be begging their forgiveness for your contemptuous and disrespectful ingratitude. There was no kidnapping. There was no brainwashing either. And it's not Copenhagen; it's Stockholm, Stockholm Syndrome for your information. And before you ask, no, I do not have Stockholm Syndrome."
Her mother crossed herself twice and fluttered like she was about to faint.
"Aw, Helen! Can it! Shut up, already! I ought to slap your face. I might just catch a cab home. These are the men who rescued her. Your own nephew Carl told you so and you still don't want to believe. You're a real piece of work, you know? Listen to your own daughter for a change instead of these gossiping Bitches of the 'Burg!"
Suddenly the door burst open with a screech and I quickly grabbed Stephanie, pulling her behind my back with one arm, my other hand on my gun. Hector and Zip stood between us and the oncoming Italian shrieking Banshee, firmly blocking any advances. What the hell?
"Stephanie Plum! What have you done to my little Joey? It's all your fault! He was so upset and he's been demoted, all because of you, you little whore! I put my eye onto you. He's in hospital because of you. He's been shot and attacked by that monster. My Joey is dying and you did this to him! Puttana!" And she spat at the ground towards Stephanie.
Fu-uck! Her little Joey?
Stephanie groaned. "Oh, God. Nooo … Not now." She stepped in front of me, stood her ground with one hand on her hip, just like my Abuela would do when confronted or challenged, her head held down but not in submission, breathing through her nose. Her back straightened with resolve and before she could respond, the air in this little pastry shop changed dramatically.
"Bella Morelli, you stupido Italian witch." And a cream doughnut suddenly flew through the air and hit her directly in the eye, the cream squishing out, followed rapidly by another two, one of which hit the woman behind. I relaxed my gun grip and watched the slapstick scene unfold. The two elderly women were glaring at each other.
Bella Morelli? Aw, shit, Morelli's grandmother and that must be his mother behind her. That figures. Word gets around it seems.
"Leave my Baby granddaughter out of this, Bella. Your precious little Joey did himself in with his own stupidity and his own big mouth, ALL by himself! He was greedy and dirty! Real dirrty dirty, even after Stephanie cleared his name. He's a Morelli alright. Stephanie had nothing to do with his demotion. Everybody knows. I curse you and your family, Bella. You take your stupid evil eye outta here and tell your little Joey to look in the mirror and he'll see what a horse's patoot he is! Angie Morelli! Take your stupid mother outta here or I will give you one Helluva Hungarian curse too." Two more donuts sailed through the air and hit their targets with remarkable force and accuracy. Hector and Zip were grinning broadly watching the two old ladies in action, having already side-stepped out of the line of fire. Mrs Morelli quickly dragged her reluctant, glaring spluttering mother out of the door as Stephanie hugged her own grandmother. Mrs Plum stood there, momentarily stunned by her own mother's actions.
"Mother!" And yet another donut hit its new target right in the middle of her scornful face.
"I'll take another box, Alice, a dozen this time, of the same, double of each. I seem to have lost a few." And she cackled wickedly with a wink at her granddaughter. I'm beginning to like this woman. She has spirit. It seems that Stephanie is more like her grandmother thankfully than that scornful bitch of a mother.
"What? I paid for them donuts. I'm not having them disrespecting my Baby granddaughter. I didn't hear you defending your own girl. Shame on you, Helen. Now take me home. I want to talk to you, in the car, all the way home." And with that, a subdued Helen was quickly ushered outside. She really has some spunk. She winked at me as she beamed at us, nodding her approval. "I'll sort her out, Baby Girl."
Before she left, she stopped in the open door, glared at the other stunned customers as if daring them to challenge her. "There will be no more disrespecting of my Baby Girl. Kapeesh?" They nodded their heads vigorously and stepped back from her. "Be sure that everyone knows. I know where you live. You cannot hide from me." Her quiet, emphatic tone brooked no argument from anybody. We had just witnessed a memorable stand off and power play between two little old ladies, a matriarchal mafia. What had just unfolded before our eyes is indelibly imprinted on my brain. The authority of old world granny threats and curses was not lost to the people of the 'Burg it seems. Come to think of it, Babe's grandmother reminds me of my Abuela.
In the quiet aftermath, Stephanie calmly made her order, a large order, leaving a very happy Alice with the best takings of the week. It appears that everyone had an appetite for donuts.
"So, where to Batman?"
"You seem to be okay with all that which just transpired. Are you alright, Babe?"
"Yeah, I'm okay Ranger. I'm over all that 'Burg shit, you know, keeping up appearances. My Mother is the worst. "
"Yeah, we noticed," muttered Zip.
I took her hand and helped her into the Porsche, placing the donuts on her lap. Before I was in the driver's seat she had a Boston cream smooshed in her mouth, moaning a heavenly moan with a sigh of relief and sheer and reckless abandon. She licked her lips slowly, watching my eyes, my mouth. Dios! She's doing it again but I don't think she is doing it deliberately to mess with my head. She looks like she's in seventh heaven.
"Want one?" she asked expectantly. I stared at her mouth, her tongue and her lips and then her sparkling blue eyes.
"This one's mine and I'm not sharing." Then she promptly stuffed the rest of that sweet confection into her moaning mouth, leaning her head back against the seat. I slowly closed in on her, kissing her sweet lips, tasting her mouth with my searching tongue. "Hmmm … sweet."
I caught her by surprise but she grinned at me. "What? No "That stuff will kill you, Babe" from Batman?" This was said with a deeper voice to mimic mine.
"Hector, hermano. Take these and we'll meet you at the office in a few." I handed the boxes through the window to Hector and Zip, not before she quickly snatched a chocolate glazed and another Boston cream. She giggled. "I need these," she tried to justify in explanation, moaning contentedly. Oh, holy shit. She's driving me crazy. I make myself more comfortable, well, I try to as she continues her luscious moaning until she licks her fingers clean. I can't maintain my composure completely and grab her other hand and I assist with the clean-up process, slowly, watching her pupils dilate. I lick the corner of her mouth where a remnant of chocolate icing enticed me to further the process and then plunder her mouth with a deep and drugging kiss. We came up for air, both of us breathless, staring at each other. Slowly I grab her seatbelt and click her in and place my hand on her thigh as I slowly take off, heading for Rangeman.
"Office? You have an office?"