Unapologize

By: PricklySare

A/N: We are rapidly approaching the end of this journey, and I want to thank everyone who has been reading and reviewing. Your reviews are amazing, and your words are both encouraging and rewarding.

I'd like to thank M and Stayce for all that they've done to help make each chapter great. You guys are the best.

Sare

Chapter fifty-seven: Ranger's Ready to Move Forward

Ranger's POV

When Steph and Lester stepped out of the building and the door closed behind them, I focused my attention on the person whose job it was to get me back from missions in one piece. The fear that had flashed momentarily in her eyes was banked now, a calculating gleam filling them instead.

"Now that the worthless little tramp is gone, you can untie me, Nychta. We both know that you're not going to kill me."

I felt Tank and Bobby's presence even though they weren't visible. They'd have my back regardless of what happened. They knew the only way she would be leaving this building was dead. I raised an eyebrow at her, but remained silent.

"Come on, Baby. You know how good we are together. We could be unstoppable," she looked at me from beneath her lashes and said, "Untie me, and I'll make it worth your while. We can play kinky bondage games later."

"No," I said. I hadn't moved from where I'd been standing when Steph had walked away. I knew how to play this game. I was the best for a reason. Intimidation was nothing new to me, and results depended on the target. My handler's personality was going to make her easier to break. People who had inflated opinions of themselves were the quickest to shatter under pressure.

"No?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You can't say no to me. There's a reason you're the best, Nychta. The job is the most important thing to you. Are you going to let some skank lead you from your path?"

I took a step toward her, keeping my body relaxed, despite my tensing muscles. She was already dead; she just wasn't grasping that yet. The pulse in her throat jumped. She was scared. Good. "Did the Agency sanction your little endeavor in Mexico?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Playing stupid is beneath you, Tracto."

"It was a simple mission, Nychta," she said. She was lying.

I took another step closer, keeping my face expressionless. "A simple mission to neutralize me?"

"Of course not," she said. "Why would I want to kill you?"

"Because I wasn't fucking you anymore?" I said, keeping my voice low, menacing.

"You would have come back."

"No. You had been a temporary distraction."

Her face contorted with anger and she spat, "I decide when I'm done with someone, and I'm not done with you!"

"Too bad. Now, was my death sanctioned by the Agency?"

"It's my job to deal with my assets as I see fit," she gloated.

"I see," I said stepping closer to her. I made sure my eyes remained locked on hers. Fear was beginning to leak out around her bravado.

"I don't think you do," she said swallowing. "You became a liability when you got involved with that tramp. She's not strong enough for you. A slut like her will only bring you down. She's weak. You're constantly protecting her, saving her from her own stupidity. You're getting emotional, and emotions make you weak."

I let the darkness that was as much apart of me, if not more, than the daylight I lived in, come over me. I removed my Glock 22 from its holster and pointed it at her. I watched as her eyes grew wide.

"Her name is Stephanie," I growled.

"She is unimportant," Tracto said with a sneer, her voice raised. "I did what I thought was best for my asset. Just look what she's already done to you." I didn't respond just stood watching her, anger and hate vying for dominance inside me. "Better you die in service to your country, than to become some washed up has-been."

"Your stint at playing God is over," I said, my voice hard and tight.

Reality was dawning in her eyes. The angry color that had been mottling her skin was quickly fading, and her naturally brown skin was turning a sickly pale color, but she wasn't through spewing her venom. "You'll never forget me... the way I felt wrapped around your cock," she said. "You might marry that little bitch, but it's me you'll be thinking of every time you fuck her."

A harsh laugh erupted from my throat and echoed off the walls of the warehouse, "After today I won't think of you again. The blood that will spill on the floor and cover my clothes is the last thing from you that will ever touch me."

Real fear radiated from her. Her eyes contracted to pinpricks, her pulse started jumping in her neck, and sweat beaded on her forehead. I was close enough to smell the scent of fear that clung to her skin. When she spoke her voice shook. "Don't kill me," she said.

I pulled the trigger, and her body jerked from the impact of the frag round to her chest.

"No...I can't die," she rasped, her voice fading as the blood gurgled and poured from the wound, "not from you."

"No one messes with me or mine," I said, teeth clenched, pressing the gun to her forehead, I looked into her eyes, "Rot in Hell," I said pulling the trigger. My face, chest, and hands were sprayed with blood and brain matter, and I stepped away from the body of the person who'd earned every bit of my wrath.

"Consider this the termination of my contract," I said to the corpse. "Tank, let's get this mess cleaned up."

"Right on it, Boss," he said heading into a side room and carrying out a black tarp.

"Here," Bobby said, handing me several rags and a windbreaker.

"Thanks." I wiped my gun off, removing as much of the blow back as I could before holstering it. It was going to need to be cleaned later. There was a small bathroom, and I walked inside. Standing in front of the sink and mirror, I cleaned my hands and face, removing the evidence of my retribution. Blood covered my shirt, so I stripped if off and pulled on the windbreaker, zipping it closed. It would work until we returned to the penthouse, and I could shower.

Dropping the rags into a garbage bag, I brought them out and handed them to Bobby. "Make sure these get disposed of before you get to the Agency." He nodded. "Got everything you need?"

"We're good. Your message will be delivered."

"Thanks," I said.

"No worries, Man."

"Go to our girl," Tank said striding up to us. "And send Santos' punk ass in here while you're at it."

I nodded and said, "I'm offline until tomorrow."

"Got it," Tank said as I walked out the door.

When I found Steph, she was wrapped in Lester's arms, and I walked toward them. My cousin's feelings for Steph were as clear today as they had been for months, and I was thankful that she'd had his support while I was gone. Tomorrow was going to be hard on him, but I also knew that he would be there, supporting us no matter the cost.

I approached them and asked Steph if she was okay, and she stepped from Lester's arms into mine. When my arms went around her I felt my muscles begin to relax, the stress and anger that had been my companion while I was inside the warehouse finally dissipating. We got into the SUV we'd driven and headed back toward Trenton.

Much earlier than I would have ever expected, soft lips woke me up as they wrapped around my hard cock. My eyes flew open, and a moan broke free from deep inside me. "Christ, Babe. You're going to kill me."

She released me with a pop and said, "Are you complaining, Carlos?"

"Dios, no," I said.

"Then relax and let me enjoy myself," she said before taking me back into her warm mouth. She curled her tongue around the head, trailing the tip along the edges, causing my breath to catch. I pride myself on my Latin heritage that gave me the ability to withhold my own pleasure, but she'd caught me off guard, and I was having a hard time battling for control of my base instinct to cum.

Her tongue was flattened and pressing against the vein along my shaft, and I gripped my hands into her hair, willing myself to hold back. My balls were already tingling and tightening up, and I knew it wasn't going to be much longer before I came like a geyser. Even after spending the night wrapped between her smooth thighs the need to cum was overwhelming.

"Babe, I'm about to cum," I groaned. I gently tugged at her hair, trying to pull her away from the danger zone, but she only increased the pressure of her tongue, and the speed of her actions. Oh, fuck! Her hand wrapped around the base of my engorged cock and squeezed hard, pulling me back from the ledge. Holy shit!

She pulled away from me again, this time sitting back so I could watch as she slid her fingers deep inside her glistening folds. Her fingers moved in and out a few times, ripping a moan from her that caused my cock to twitch in anticipation.

When she removed her fingers they were dripping with her juices, and she smiled at me. She trailed one hand lightly down my thigh, making my flesh tingle. "Bend your knees and spread your legs, Carlos," she said. I did what she said without thought, and with the hand she'd pleasured herself with, she gently circled my puckered hole; slipping just the tip of her wet finger in before removing it.

Her head came back down and she took my cock deep inside her mouth again, while continuing to work her finger into my ass. She alternated her finger with her mouth, in and out, in and out, again and again until I was tearing at the sheets with my hands. Everything was building again, faster than I'd ever experienced before.

Cold air hit my throbbing shaft, and I opened my eyes to see Steph straddling my hips with her back to my body. Her hand was between my legs, her finger still buried inside me, thrusting in and out in a slow, steady rhythm. Without a word she impaled herself on me, and I was helpless to stop the orgasm that tore through me. My cum squirted deep inside her, and she moaned as she undulated against me.

It took everything in me not to black out from the sensations running through my body. She rode me hard for what could have been an eternity, slamming down hard against my pelvis, rocking forward before lifting herself again. Her rhythm was relentless and I wrapped my hands around her hips, and rocked with her.

I felt her muscles clench around me, and if I could have, I would have cum again. Her body was milking mine in gentle spasms, and I knew that Heaven wouldn't get any better than that.

Life and movement slowly returned as my heartbeat slowed down. I rolled my head to look at the clock and realized it was morning. "You're much nicer than an alarm clock," I said, a smile on my face.

"Couldn't sleep," she said snuggling her face against my knees.

"Why not?" I asked as I trailed my hand up and down her bare back.

"We're getting married today, Ranger."

My heart stuttered, and I took a breath, "Is there a problem?" I asked.

She giggled and my heart resumed its normal pattern. "Nope. Not even one."

"Good," I said. "The wedding license will be here by 0900, and we can get married anytime after that."

"Mmmmhmmm," was her mumbled reply.

"Come up here," I said, and smiled when she reluctantly sat up, letting me come out of her. I realized that we hadn't been using condoms at all since we'd started having sex, and that meant there was a good chance that she was already carrying my child. "I love you," I said smiling, when she snuggled up against me, her leg draped over mine.

"I love you too," she whispered kissing my shoulder.

As happy as I was at the thought of her growing big with my child, there were still things we needed to take care of first. "What should we do with Hades?" I asked.

She gasped and brought her head up sharply to look at me. "You're asking me?"

"We're partners," I said. "This involves both of us, and what you think matters."

A smile lit her face like a kid on Christmas. "Thanks," she said. She pushed her hair out of her face and turned serious. "I don't think we should kill him. The punishment should fit the crime, and there has been enough death already." I nodded and stroked my hand up and down her side. "He fucked up big time, and he definitely doesn't deserve a second chance with Rangeman, but I think it would be fitting to see just how much of a big bad Marine he really is."

I smiled at where she was going with this. "What did you have in mind?"

"Know of any good third world countries?"

I laughed out loud, "I think I could find one."

"Good," she said. "Make sure you only send him with a knife and the clothes on his back. Don't want to make it too easy for him to get back to the States."

"You amaze me."

"I'm glad. You're pretty amazing too."

"You're okay about yesterday?" I asked. We hadn't talked about it when we'd gotten home, and she seemed fine, but she was good at locking away things she didn't want to face.

"I'll be honest, I don't ever want to have to be part of something like that again," she said. "But, I'm okay, really." She buried her face in my shoulder and her muffled voice said, "It had to be done. I knew that going in. You did what had to be done, and I couldn't love you anymore for it."

Just then my cell rang, and I rolled over to answer it. "Manoso," I said.

"Deputy Lemprik's body was just discovered in his apartment," Cassidy told me.

"How bad?" I asked.

"Nail gun, and his tongue was removed."

"Any suspects?"

"None, as far as they're concerned, but I've got a few ideas."

"Yeah?"

"Will justice be served?" he asked.

"It's been taken care of," I said. "But not because of him."

"Understood."

"Thanks for the update." Cassidy had done a lot to help Steph and me in the last month, and it seemed fitting that he be invited to the wedding so I asked, "Got any plans this afternoon?"

He was quiet for a moment then said, "None I can't get out of, what's up?"

"Steph and I are getting married, and we'd like you to be there."

The smile was obvious in his voice, "Hot damn. I'll be there."

With a smile I hung up the phone and looked at Steph. "Cassidy's coming today."

"That's good. I wonder if he got the investigation going into Tracto yet, and how he's handling the fallout."

"He didn't say, though he did say that Deputy Lemprik's body was found."

"Oh, that's a...shame," she said. "Guess Karma caught up with him."

"Most likely in the form of a pissed off government handler," I replied.

"Least she did something useful."

I didn't say anything, just pulled her closer to me and snuggled in, enjoying the scent of her.

"Think he'll end up working here?" Steph asked.

"Cassidy?"

"Yeah."

"The offer is open to him," I said.

"Good, we could use him."

I rolled her under me and kissed down her neck. "Enough talk, I think I need a jump start. Want to join me in the shower?"

"It's always best to conserve water," she said with a smile.

Eight hours later I was standing inside the cell Hades was currently occupying, with Santos leaning lazily against a wall, his eyes alert. I'd been married less than an hour, and instead of being balls deep in my new wife, I was dealing with the man in front of me.

"Oh look, the Mighty Manoso has decided to talk to the little people," Hades said. He was on his back with his hand tucked under his head, not even bothering to look at us.

"I've got questions, and you're going to answer them," I said.

"Is that right? Going to have your little bitch come in here and stun me again if it gets too hard for you?"

Santos straightened from the wall and his intentions were clear. I locked eyes with him shaking my head almost imperceptibly. His fists clenched, but he leaned against the wall again. "Tempting," I said, "but no. That was for your benefit, not mine."

He snorted and rolled his eyes. "Mine? Fuck that."

"If we'd let you walk out of here, you'd be dead now."

"Bullshit."

Santos spoke for the first time, "Did you know your girlfriend is a murderer?"

"Yeah, right. That twat couldn't kill herself, much less anyone else."

"If you believe that you're dumber than you look."

"Fuck you."

"I'm good, but thanks for the offer," Santos said.

"She killed a cop she had working for her, another guy she was using to do her dirty work," I said. Hades' eyes grew big, but he still didn't move from the cot. "It wasn't a pretty death either. Did you know she liked to torture people?"

"You're full of shit. Both of you."

"Keep telling yourself that, Jules," Santos said, emphasizing the use of Hades' real name. "She was just using you. You didn't really think she'd actually be interested in you for your dick, did you?"

"She loved my cock, begged for it every time."

This time it was my turn to snort. "She played you. She needed a way to get to Steph, and you were her in."

"Why would she care about that stupid-" he cut off, and it looked like he was remembering. "Sonofabitch!" He jumped up from his cot and started pacing around the tiny cell. "I'm going to fucking kill her." That wasn't going to happen, but it wasn't a concern of mine.

"Besides the video, what other information did you give her?" I asked. I was still livid about the video, and I'd pay him back for that before I shipped his ass off to his new home, but right now I need information. He was silent, staring at me, trying to show me how tough he was. "Answer my questions and you'll leave here alive. Fuck with me, and your body will never be identified."

His pale skin turned sickly, and my lips spread into what I knew wasn't a friendly smile. He ran his hands through his short red hair and said, "I didn't share anymore information with her. She was interested in where I worked, and convinced me to introduce her to your skank. That's it. We weren't together that long."

I refrained from walking over and rearranging his face at his slur towards Steph, and I could tell it was hard for Santos to hold himself back as well. "Why have you been in contact with Joe Morelli?" Santos asked.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said belligerently.

Santos stepped forward, and in one smooth move had Hades pressed against the wall, his feet dangling uselessly. "Do. Not. Lie. To. Me," he gritted out. "We've followed your communications. Now, why have you been in contact with Morelli?" When Hades still remained silent Santos began applying more pressure to his neck. "Tell me, or I'll just kill you now. It's been a while since I've killed someone. I don't want to get rusty."

Hades started clawing at the arms that were slowly taking his life, but it did no good. When he tried to speak, Santos relaxed the pressure on his neck. "I had to," he croaked.

"Why?" I demanded.

"He caught me with an under-aged hooker."

"And what the fuck does that have to do with you calling him?" Santos asked.

"He told me he'd let me off, wouldn't take me in, if I kept him updated on that bitch who works here."

The arm against his neck applied pressure again and Santos said, "Watch your mouth or I swear to god you'll wish you were dead by the time I'm finished with you."

"What did he want to know?" I asked.

"When she worked, where she was, if anything major happened."

"Did you ever send him anything?" I asked.

"Surveillance photos of her from the building cameras."

"Why?"

"How the fuck should I know? He told me he wanted photos, and I got them for him."

"Why do you hate her so much?" Santos asked.

"Bitch turned me down, and then rearranged my nuts when I put the moves on her. She's nothing but a fucking cock-tease."

"Let him go, Santos," I said. It was time I taught Hades a lesson.

Santos backed away dropping Hades to the floor. Before he had a chance to steady himself I plowed my fist into his stomach. "Steph is not a cock-tease, a bitch, a slut, or anything else you might be inclined to call her. She is my wife, and you'll remember that or I will hunt you down and destroy you." He was doubled over, trying to catch his breath, and I grabbed his head with my hands and brought it down against my knee.

The sound of cartilage crunching indicated I'd broken his nose, and I dropped him to the floor. "I'm not killing you this time. Instead, since you're so fond of saying what a badass you are, now you're going to get a chance to prove it."

I turned and opened the door to the cell and said over my shoulder, "Put him in a box, Santos. There's a third world country with his name on it and he's got a one-way ticket." I smiled, "Oh, and make sure he only has a knife and the clothes on his back. Steph's wishes."

Santos smiled and nodded. "Consider it done. Want me to handle transport?"

"Yes," I said.

"I'll take care of it when I head out."

"Good luck," I said and walked out the door, closing it behind me. I removed my cell phone from my pocket and sent a text to Tank. Pick up Morelli. Put him in holding.

Less than a minute later I received a response. With pleasure.

Steph and I are offline until further notice. We'll deal with Morelli when we're back online.

Enjoy your wife, Boss.

I had every intention of enjoying my wife, every night for the rest of our lives.