These characters belong to Janet I am just borrowing them for my amusement. Although I would love to keep Ranger and the merry men for myself!
This story does contain violence, and touches on dark subject matters. This story is not friendly to Morelli or Helen Plum so for Cupcake fans you have been warned.
I want to thank everyone who writes a review for my story. I enjoy reading them and I love ideas they give me so keep them coming! You do my soul good!
I have a website that I have created to give you all something to explore to dig deeper into the story "What does it mean to trust". Please go and check out the playlist for the Party! The new Character that I am introducing (you will learn more about him next chapter), the swimsuit for Stephanie as well as a few fun trunks for the guys.
www(dot)fanfictionstoryinfo(dot)webnode(dot)com
Chapter 31: Family Celebrations
LPOV
I was starting to get a little concerned. I knew Beautiful would do an awesome job but I had expected to get some kind of a sign that she was out of the house. I had began to worry that maybe we over did it with the kidnapping thing but it was the only way I could come up with that would invoke her emotions. Just driving here and walking up to us she wouldn't have been scared. I wanted her to know that she could trust herself even when she was scared, afraid, even terrified, or disoriented that she had the skills to do what was necessary to save herself and someone else.
I decided Ranger would be the one for her to rescue because I knew that the stakes would never be higher for her. Ranger was her world she would live and die by and she would do anything to save him. I wanted it for both the good and bad reasons. When a person has that much on the line sometimes the urgency, worry, the panic make people choose the wrong way, make stupid mistakes because of their emotions which can be a killer in our business.
I wanted Beautiful to understand that she could control those feelings and think through what was going on to make the best decision. I knew she had the training and just the general knowledge she has possessed over the years to succeed provided she believed in herself and in her training. That was the part that worried me the most honestly was her believing in herself. Her whole life she had nothing but people beating her down telling her how she wasn't good enough, she wasn't enough, she was a disappointment, an embarrassment, and how she was always a failure.
Those words do something to a person. They tear away at confidence but they also tear away at self trust. My beautiful suffered from both. It has long time been a goal of Rangeman to support her but that has gone up considerably since Ranger decided he wanted her in his life. To the point of him demanding it and any of his men that don't support her well god help them on the mats not only would they have him kicking their asses but I am sure a few others would line up as well. Not that we all wouldn't support her we all loved her.
I couldn't help but smile at that but helping her heal and put those pieces of her shattered confidence back together wasn't easy for us. We weren't exactly the most sympathetic, understanding, or emotionally open people in Trenton. But we did have one thing in common. We all loved Stephanie. We all would do anything for her. So we all in our own way have become the emotional, sympathetic and understanding people we thought we would never be but only for her.
Well after walking my patrol over and over and seeing all the clear texts I began to worry that she was breaking down in the building and part of me wanted to huff it there and check on her. To make sure she was okay and to tell her this was a stupid idea and beg her to stay with me, with Ranger, with her other brothers.
I even sent a text asking if anyone had seen her if she had left the building but Zip held true to the exercise and didn't respond. Meaning he wasn't to look in to see if she had escaped unless she alerted him. Fucker would follow procedure today he better not break protocol or procedure during a stake out because I was going to have his ass. Didn't he fucking know I needed to know here?
I finally decided to trust in my best friend and calmed myself. I knew she had a panic button if something was wrong she would hit it. I still wasn't relaxed but I was dealing well managing it. I guess it was an hour or so later that I started getting dead pages one after the other. Zero, Hal, Junior, Ram what the fuck were they doing and how the fuck did all of them die in that short of time it wasn't ten minutes prior they had texted all clear.
They knew the fucking procedure was to play dead and when we didn't get an all clear we were all to send to a special word if we didn't get the word from one of them then we would know they had been taken out. Fuckers can't follow simple instructions for an exercise. So I texted them back 'WTF? Why are you texting if you're dead?' Then I got a text from Tank's phone dead. What the hell?
If these fuckers are fucking with me I am going to kick all of their asses on the mats so help me fucking Christ this isn't funny I had no idea where Beautiful was, what she was doing and I had been walking my patrol for the past several hours barely hanging on to my sanity trying to figure out with the fuck was happening. I will kick all of their fucking asses for fucking with me.
They knew the pressure I was under. She was my best friend I needed to make it challenging which I had even threw in a few surprises and tricks just so she would know I didn't go out of my way to skew it to her favor but on that same double edge sword if she failed well it would shatter what was left of her confidence and self trust, not to mention cause us to lose the one thing we would all live, breath, and die for with honor. If she failed I would be fucking dead. It wouldn't be just Ranger who would want my blood.
A text broke me out of my mental banter looking at it I read TK and Subject are safe in the safe house retrieve my "Dead" brothers and meet us here cause it is party time. Holy shit she had done it. I wanted to jump up and down and scream but that seemed to high school girl for a badass to do so I withheld and just took off running towards the safe house. I left the retrieval up to the others I needed to see my Beautiful and tell her how fucking blown away I am.
I made my way to the safe house as fast as I could go. I had worried I know badasses don't worry but I had a lot riding on this exercise. I wasn't prepared for what I would find at the house.
I hurriedly busted open the door and standing in front of me was my beautiful and if wet dreams could come to life and stand before you mine had just sprung to life. Holy shit my body reacted before I could even think let alone stop it I was rock hard standing in front of her and Ranger.
She was standing there in camo pants and top, she had on a camo hat, she had painted her face with face paint to blend in as well the skin on her arms. Around her neck was her hog's tooth necklace that Ranger had given her and his dog tags. She had on her utility belt with her weapons and things. Holy hot fucking dream was all I could think I couldn't even open my mouth to say anything to her as it was dry as the fucking desert exactly where Ranger was going to ship my ass for clearly displaying a hard on for his woman, men had died for less. Fuck.
RPOV
It was ten minutes after my Babe sent that text that Lester came busting through the door. The moment his eyes landed on my Babe he stumbled almost tripping. His mouth flew open his eyes got bigger. Watching him carefully the fucker had a hard on. I didn't even have to look down I could tell by the stupid look on his face and the way he was unable to speak.
He better wipe that look off his face before I wipe it off for him. Trust me I know what she looks like the moment I saw her I was rock hard but she was my woman it was okay for me to be hard. But it's not okay for him to be sporting a hard on for my woman.
I briefly wondered if my Babe realized the problem he was in if not I didn't want to draw attention to it and embarrass her but if she did I wanted Lester to know he better fix it now. Think of Grandma Mazur, or someone getting blown the fuck up but he better fix that problem in his pants before I fix it for him in a way that he wouldn't have to worry about it being a problem for a while.
I saw her look at him questioningly like expecting him to say something and wondering why he wasn't she was just smiling at him. I could see was proud of herself and was expecting him to say something and he was standing there like a school yard boy that had just creamed his pants. So help me if that fucker cam in his pants he wouldn't have a dick left after I was done with him. The only man that would be coming for my Babe or because of my Babe is me.
"Santos" I barked and he somewhat snapped out of his stupor. "I think you need to take a walk and meet up with the others." I told him he looked at me and I gave him my don't fuck with me and don't question me look. He was lucky I hadn't killed his ass already. "Now" I barked even louder which effectively snapped him into gear as he turned to go meet the others that I knew were heading toward the house. It would give him time to get his shit straight. Hopefully he would warn the other men to have their dicks under control before entering this house.
Stephanie had done amazing today she needed to be praised and celebrated for her efforts she didn't need a room full of fucking school boys who couldn't control their dicks. If they were unable to control it themselves I would take their asses to the mats until they figure out how to control it.
LPOV
Holy shit I am still living it's a fucking miracle. Ranger sent me to meet the others. I knew within the order I was tell the others what to expect so that when they step into the house they won't be sporting massive hard ons for his woman.
Tank joined me and we waited for the others. I might as well wait to tell them all I didn't want to have the conversation seven different times. Once they all joined us all of them were smiling they were proud of Stephanie. I just filled them in. "As you know Beautiful was successful she did an amazing job. I don't even know all the things she did because I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet." This should be fun explaining this next part.
Me admitting to almost cumming in my pants at the sight of her I am the ladies man here and I wasn't able to control my dick, nice. This would get me teased for life well maybe only until they saw her then they would probably understand. Oh well I could always kick their asses on the mats if it got too bad.
"Guys the reason I am here to meet you is to warn you." I thought I would start out like that. They went a little more rigid at my insinuating there may be a problem or a threat. It's their training you know when you train a guard dog you can't ever expect them not to be standing ready at the gate growling at the possibility of a threat it's what they do. Well us solider we stand at the gate ready, it is what we do.
"No threat" I tell them so they can once again relax. "I came to warn you that when you see Stephanie be prepared. She is looking damn fine. I can't even describe it. Just think of the hottest woman you have ever seen and multiply it by ten and that still doesn't do her justice right now."
Tank just laughed saying "Tell us the truth Santos you saw my little girl and went rock hard and Ranger caught you." Fuck. I looked at him and only could come up with one response.
"You know fuck you Tank. You go in there and look at her and then tell me if I hadn't come out and warned you what would have happened to your limp dick at the sight of her?" I tell him. He just laughed and shook his head while heading towards the house, fucker.
The rest of us turned towards the house following him.
RPOV
The door opened and in came Tank followed by the rest of the guys including Santos. He better had fucking warned them I didn't want them making her uncomfortable and that would have made her uncomfortable.
I had come close to losing her and nothing was going to cause a problem between us again especially my men. I understand the natural body response but what separates us from the animals is our ability to control our bodies and they better fucking control it especially after being forewarned.
Lester spoke up first "Beautiful sorry about earlier I wasn't able to think what I wanted to say I was so proud of you and was so impressed with how you didn't alert us, didn't even tip us that you were even out of the building. Actually I had started to worry that maybe us kidnapping you had caused a problem."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Lester we will talk later about the kidnapping, that scared the shit out of me. At first I wasn't sure if I had actually been kidnapped or if it was you all. But then I figured no one would be able to take me from the Rangeman garage so I figured it was you all and I was able to relax a little but I was still worried until I was able to get myself free and see my bag on the table." She told him. I would kick is ass for that fucking hair brained idea later.
I pulled her into my arms putting her back to my front wrapping my arms around her and placing my chin and cheek on the side of her head. Her hands joined mine as she leaned back into me letting me take a little bit of her weight. It felt good to feel her like this in my arm in front of my men.
One thing about bearing my soul to her in front of my men I never had to feel like I needed to hide or hold back from touching her, kissing her, holding her now in front of them. They knew my feelings for her and her for me and if they were uncomfortable with our displays of affection well they could get the fuck over it or move on.
"Babe now that we are all here why don't you go get cleaned up and then we can all head over to the pool and relax a little. You can tell us all what you did when we get there. I know I am looking forward to hearing all about it and I know the guys here want to hear about it too." I told her my men were nodding their head in agreement.
Ella stocked this house just as she did everything else. My babe could use the shower and get changed. She looked around "Did one of you happen to bring my bag?" she questioned. Zip stepped forward and handed it to her. "Thanks" she told him. She then turned to me "Ranger I don't have any of my things, I don't have shampoo, hair brush, I don't have anything I need."
"Babe the bathroom is stocked and I am sure you will find some things for you there and in the Bedroom on the right as you go up the stairs. I told her. Just be careful this is a safe house with camera feeds back to Rangeman so don't go in the halls outside of the bathroom or bedroom undressed or you will be seen on the monitors there. I don't know if they have the feed up or not." I told her. She made her way up to the bathroom.
As we made our way into the living room, I wanted to be up there with her so bad I couldn't think about anything else. But then I knew if I went up there I wouldn't be able to control myself and I wasn't about to do that with my men down here. They didn't need to be that informed about us.
I pull out my cell calling Ella. She answers on the second ring "Ranger tell me my daughter passed her test tell me she is staying with us."
"Ella she didn't just pass she was exceptional you will have to hear for yourself. Please grab Luis and head over to the compound we are going to be cooking out and relaxing in the pool. Stephanie has a bathing suit there right?"
"Yes, I have one for her in her locker just like all of the guys. I will take care of bringing the food and I assume since it is a party you want some beer?" She asked me.
"The fridge is usually stocked correct?" I asked her not questioning her work just trying to remember what we agreed on when it came to stocking the pool kitchen and bar area.
"Yes there is some but I have a feeling all of the guys are going to be there and it won't be enough. Ranger leave it to me I will take care of everything. Just when I get there send out some of those strong sons of mine to help me and Luis carry stuff in you know we aren't as young as we use to be." She tells me laughing.
"Ella I will send them out. Hey Ella get something special for Stephanie for dessert a cake or something you know how birthday cake is her favorite get something along those lines that says something like way to go or something like that." I tell her.
"Ranger really?" she asks me. I can tell that this isn't the really you want me to do this but more along the lines of really you have to be kidding me really. I don't talk much girl talk but through my Babe and my sister's I have learned a little and I know when I am being chastised for a dumb idea.
"Ella I don't know I just thought she would enjoy it. We are celebrating her after all." I tell her trying to get her to understand but she only responded.
"Ranger when are you going to understand I have this under control?" I only chuckled. When didn't she have something under control and when it came to my Babe she made sure everything was taken care of and under control.
"Ella I trust you completely, see you soon." I told her before hanging up the phone. I didn't want to dig the hole any deeper. She said she had it I believed her that she had it. I just hoped my Babe would enjoy it what the hell am I thinking she loves Ella and Ella loves her and Ella always seems to know what she needs and what she wants.
TPOV
I had to agree with Santos the moment I saw my little girl I had to remind myself she was my sister. She was hotter than hell. When we went into the living room and Ranger got on his phone I thought it was a good time to talk about it because he would be distracted and hopefully wouldn't follow this conversation.
"Santos I stand corrected." I told him. He just smiled a smug smile. I didn't want to say that I had to remind myself she was my sister to keep from having a hard on that could cut glass. So I just said that I stood corrected I knew he would understand what I meant.
I noticed the guys that were privy to our conversation all nodding in agreement. Hell I bet every one of us was fighting it from the first moment of laying eyes on her. Then the thought of her being upstairs in the shower popped into my head and I had to get the fuck out of there to regain control. This was my sister after all.
I stood up "Well I am going to head over to the pool and start getting things ready." Taking a step towards the door all of the men stood up there was a chorus of I'll go help from the guys as they fell in behind me. When I reached the door I turned back and looked at Ranger who was going to wait for Stephanie. "Tell her we will see her at the pool and man don't be all night we want to see her and talk to her and hear about her adventure and tell her how proud we are of her." I briefly wondered if leaving them together was smart but the more I thought about it the worse my problem was getting even with the reminders of her being my sister so I decided it was better to just leave before I embarrassed myself and pissed Rangerman off.
SPOV
I finished my shower and quickly got dressed. In the room I had found some shorts, underwear, t-shirt, and bra all in my sizes. I briefly wondered if this stuff was for me since it was my size. I pulled my hair back and secured it. I even found a basket with some of my makeup in it since we were heading to a pool I only put on a little bit of lip gloss.
Opening the door Ranger was waiting in the hall for me. He asked me "You find everything you needed?" I nodded my head.
"Yeah I found everything. I even found clothing in the bedroom that was my size." Carlos just smiled.
"I told Ella to pick a bedroom in every one of our safe houses and make it your room. I asked her to stock it with clothing and whatever you would need should we need to take you to a safe house." He had done what? I just looked at him.
"Carlos how many safe houses does Rangeman own?" I asked him. He smiled "Babe" trying to avoid answering me. "Carlos" "Babe we own a good number including this one I think it is close to a hundred. We need them to be easily accessible and if we need to change we need the flexibility." He told me. A hundred safe houses someday I was going to have learn more like where some of these houses were. All this time avoiding going to a safe house and I could have gone to somewhere exotic or a beach although I doubt he would have houses there they more than likely were out in east fucking Egypt or frozen ass Siberia, or Oklahoma or someplace like that. The only thing I knew about Siberia was it was cold enough to freeze the balls on a brass ass monkey, the only thing I knew about Oklahoma came from Sergeant Foley from Officer and a Gentleman only two things came out of Oklahoma steers and queers, and Egypt well I just knew that it was hell and gone from here not to mention it was a fucking desert. All places where the bad guys probably wouldn't bother to go to find you so that is why it was safe to have safe house there.
"Babe" Carlos snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked at him and smiled, he continued. "I would love nothing more than to drag you to that bed in your room and show you how much I love you how proud I am of you right now but the guys are only going to be but so patient they want to hear the details and so do I. You ready?"
After that image of him taking me to bed suddenly I wasn't so ready to join them but I nodded even though my girlie parts were screaming no Carlos take me to bed! "I am ready Carlos but I don't have a bathing suit so I won't be able to swim." I tell him he just shook his head at me.
"Babe" I took that to mean that he has everything covered. One can only hope because swimming with my brothers would be fun. We went downstairs and I looked around for the guys but they weren't there. "They headed on over to the pool." Reading my mind he answered my question. He pulled me in his arms and softly brushed his lips with mine. It had been too long since my lips had felt his even though it had only been a few minutes. They were hungry for more.
God what this man could do to me I loved the effect he has on my body. "Babe let's head out we will have all the time later for me to show you everything I need to." He told me I sighed thinking another one bites the dust knowing I just ruined these panties.
The guys had left us one of the cars so we hopped in and headed to the pool. Good thing we had the car because with all the walking I had done today I was going to cash in on my piggy back ride had Cal been down here oh well guess that will have to wait until another time. Although I am sure I would enjoy a Carlos piggy back ride even more.
RPOV
My Babe hasn't seen the pool area yet. She will be blown away by it and then probably be slightly pissed I had never shown her this before now. This was the area where you could relax have some fun or you could train. Some of the guys on my team that were Navy seals like to come here to keep their bodies conditioned and they felt at home in the water it wasn't an ocean but it was salt water. Most of the guys however came here for some fun to blow off some steam and to relax.
I don't know why I hadn't brought Stephanie here prior to her training tell you the truth other than when I am training someone, testing someone I rarely come here. I guess it just wasn't something that I thought about. I should have known she would have loved it though considering the love she had of the beach and water.
Walking in I almost can't wait for her reaction. This is the largest building in the compound and besides a locker room area and a small kitchen area which is just inside from the large patio that has grill, and outdoor kitchen the whole building is pool, sauna, hot tub, and play area.
Walking in I direct her to the locker room checking to make sure it was empty I pulled her in with me. I showed her where the showers, toilets, sink, and most important her locker was. Her mouth flew open that she had a locker and that it was stocked. She had bathing suits in it, beach towels, cover-ups , she had a basket that had her hair products and few makeup items and personal products. As she looked thru everything she mumbled something about Ella but that was all I could make out.
She was sort of stunned. "Babe I had Ella stock it for you so you can come here anytime you want and never have to think about packing a bag, everything you need is right here. If there is something you need just ask Ella next time she comes out here she will bring it. We will work out a system like we do at Rangeman to make sure the others know when you are in here but you are free to come here as much as you want."
She smiled reaching in grabbing her bathing suits she pulled out three bikinis a Blue one that matched her eyes that had a pattern on the fabric with holes but you couldn't see her skin thru the holes as it was blue behind them. The bottoms had ties on the sides but it didn't appear to tie anything together as it wasn't a string bikini bottom. But it was little and would leave little to the imagination.
The other two were even skimpier I am going to have to talk to Ella about that those are fine for me but with the rest of the guys oh I think a wet suit is more appropriate. I pointed to the blue one it would make her eyes pop and she nodded. I grabbed a pair of my black trunks and we wasted no time changing into our suits. I picked up one of my black shirts and pulled it down over her head.
Yeah she had suit cover-ups but something about seeing her in my t-shirt made me swell more with pride. Besides it was the easiest way to send a message to the rest of the guys not that they needed it but hey I am possessive what can I say?
Walking out into the pool area I heard her gasp as she took it all in. I just had to smile.
SPOV
We walked into the pool area I was expecting a large pool for lap swimming Olympic size even but I wasn't prepared for this. I wasn't prepared on so many levels. This place was beautiful. I briefly wondered who did all of this who maintained all of this and knew it had to Ella.
The pool had different sections all connected one was olympic size with ten swim lanes which was in the middle then on off centered on one side was a large pool area that I assumed was the deeper end as they had several diving boards including a high diving board. They even had a water slide that dumped you into the area. On the other side of the pool was another large area that I assume was used for just swimming and playing around in. Looking around the pool I saw that the Olympic area was seven foot deep, the area with the diving boards was twenty feet and the other area was five feet so I could stand up there.
Each side took up half of the middle area but it was on the opposite sides it was beautiful. There were chairs and chaise loungers sitting around the pool and few tables here and there. Looking around there was a bar with bar stools. To the one side there was a rock wall in a corner that went to the ceiling that had lines hanging down from it. It reminded me of those rock walls you climb only it didn't have the little nubs sticking out it was just rocks and different angles that you would have to hold on and climb. The rocks continued over to the shallower part of the pool where they formed a water fall running down and landing in the pool it was beautiful and I could just imagine being under there with Carlos.
There were different kinds of trees all around the area along with some other potted plants and flowers. The trees twinkled with lights and there were party lights lighting up the place not those stark fluorescent lighting. I turned to take in the other areas of the building they had an area that had sand in it with volleyball net. Holy hell what my imagination was working up there with images of the Top Gun volleyball scene flashing thru my mind who could forget that scene only the stars of my scene my brothers and Carlos. Just off from that was an open shower area I assumed it was there to wash the sand off before getting back in the pool. Just down from the deep end was the hot tub. I stepped closer to investigate it was a huge hot tub that looked extremely inviting. It had pillows all around it so there was no bad sitting in that tub but what else would I expect. This was Rangeman and they had the best of everything when was I going to learn that.
I also noticed a door with a timer a sauna. I will try that out later. Then down from there was typical game room stuff pool table, video games, darts, card tables, etc. On the wall behind that though was everything imaginable to have fun in a pool. Some floats, some small rafts, balls, a basketball hoop thing, a net to stretch across the pool, water noodles, if you can imagine it was there I would be willing to bet.
The best part of the building was the ceiling. It was clear I am sure it wasn't glass knowing these men unless it was bullet proof but you could see out I bet at night it would be awesome seeing the stars and the moon. One side of the building had glass on the side as well and you could see the outdoor grills and kitchen. I swear they did nothing cheap. Everything screamed high end and money.
"Carlos this place is amazing, who thought of all of this?" I asked him. He smiled
"Babe we all did well mostly Tank, Lester, Bobby and I but the other guys gave us some suggestions. You like it?" He asked me. Do I like it? Does Rangeman scare the shit out of Stark Street? He started laughing then added "Yeah Babe we scare the shit out of Stark Street." He said I just nodded, out loud I knew it.
"Well then I like it. It is beautiful yet it has everything anyone could imagine. I don't even smell chemicals how did you all manage that?" I asked him he smiled.
"The pool is salt water so it doesn't have chlorine in it." Of course its salt water only Rangeman would have a pool the size of a small state that has an salt water system. "Babe its good for your skin and it makes some of the Rangeman feel more at home as if they were swimming in the ocean." Of course excuse for everything that makes perfect sense.
Thinking about the guys swimming and Carlos swimming damn I briefly wondered if I would survive being around all the guys shirtless in nothing but their swim trunks. Be still my heart just thinking about it.
You know how when you think of the devil and imps appear well I no more though of the guys when they started coming thru the door all in their swim trunks carrying coolers, bags, and boxes. Sitting everything down in the kitchen area and the bar areas before coming over to join us.
Holy hot hell before me they all stood shirtless in nothing but their swim trunks. I swear I think my brain got stuck. You know the days of albums and how the needle would get stuck? I guess today it would be equal to when your computer freezes up and the only way to get it going is giving it the finger, and I mean finger on the button until you shut it down and restart it. Well that happened to my brain I had to restart it or in the case with the album bump the turntable. I was only praying my mouth wasn't hanging open because I had no control to close it at the moment. I was doing good that I was still standing up with my legs under me.
I saw the guys smirk they knew my problem but be damn if I could do anything about it. I was like going ep ep ep like the stuck needle on a record. I felt Carlos chest vibrating behind me he thought it was funny. It's so not funny they are my brothers and best friend but I swear Chippendales or any other male model magazine or calendar models didn't hold a candle to the guys standing before me. I could be rich if they would let me take their pictures and create a calendar hell people would line up to buy it.
"Babe you are rich enough, you don't need to make a calendar." Fuck I said that out loud as the guys started cracking up laughing at me.
Lester spoke up "Beautiful you can take all the pictures you want so long as you don't plan on sharing them I will even ... ow" Tank slapped him in the back of the head as Carlos barked "Santos" in warning. I just giggled. There that was better than nothing. I think that unstuck my brain sort of like bumping the turntable.
About that time the door opened and a voice I didn't know yelled "What the hell is going on in here? Partying when you should be working? Does the boss know?" The voice said with humor. I followed the voice and I think my heart stuttered again. This couldn't be good for my heart I mean a heart only has so many restarts right like after the what the thirtieth time or something like that it won't restart or at least that is what I fear because I am blowing through all of them. Some of the guys hooted in their excitement to see the man yelling hey man and look what the cat drug in.
He walked over joining the group smiling at me as Carlos' arms went around me pulling me to him. I was a little concerned was this guy not a friend? "Babe this is Slyder he is a friend." Carlos told me I guess he felt me tense up when he pulled me towards him so he wanted to let me know all is well before continuing "Slyder this is Stephanie." I smiled at him and offered him my hand to shake.
I briefly thought about my bruised face, body and arm. I hope he wouldn't ask me what happened I hoped he wouldn't like some guys stare at you with those eyes of I feel sorry for you. Or those look of pity that people give the poor helpless defenseless woman I hate those looks. I put a smile on my face to hide my level of uncertainty in him meeting me like I was.
"Hi Slyder nice to meet you." He took my hand and said in a sleek smooth voice "Nice to meet you ma'am" well maybe not that sleek after all calling me a ma'am. I mean what the fuck I wasn't that old. Fuck we were probably close to the same age. Fucker, I'll show him a ma'am.
I forced a smile thinking the whole time call me ma'am again fucker. "Please just call me Steph or Stephanie. My brothers here all call me different names and that is fine too but no ma'am or miss, ms, or mrs crap for me. I am too informal for that." I wanted to add you call me that and I will kick your ass or have Carlos kick it for me if I couldn't cause he sure as the fuck could. But I refrained and if there was any indication from my brothers I managed to keep that thought to myself.
I added "Do you want me to call you Slyder or do you go by another name to people you just meet?" I asked him. He shook his head smiling.
"Slyder is good Steph" he told me and I just smiled back. Quick study I liked it.
Lester spoke up then "Hey man go grab some swim trunks and join us you know where the locker room is and where the extra trunks are." He nodded, turned and headed towards the shower.
Lester then got my attention "Beautiful we all want to hear about today. We want to hear how you did it, what you did. We are so proud of you and impressed with you. You didn't just succeed you knocked it out of the fucking park Beautiful" He told me. I couldn't help but feel so proud of myself to see how proud they were of me with all of them nodding in agreement. I once again found myself feeling like Wonder Woman in their eyes.
"Guys I didn't do anything that impressive, not really." I was cut off by Tank which surprised me
"Little Girl I don't want to hear that. You did do something impressive you sure as hell impressed all of us and trust me that doesn't happen not without someone doing something impressive." I had to smile at him. Stepping away from Carlos I gave Tank a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks big guy" I tell him.
"Well I was scared at first with the kidnapping I wasn't sure…" Slyder was walking back to the group interrupted me "Kidnapping? Who was kidnapped?" He asked.
I smiled at him. "I was kidnapped along with Carlos right out of the Rangeman garage by these guy, my brothers. Come to think of it Carlos probably wasn't kidnapped he was probably in on it." I turned looking at him finding him smiling. "Babe" was all I got, yep he was in on it he would pay for that later.
Trying to fill Slyder in without giving him all the details of my life I told him. "I asked the guys to setup an exercise for me. I had some things I needed to prove to myself. So Lester came up with an exercise that started with me getting kidnapped and left tied in a building here in the compound. I had to get myself loose first then listen to a tape telling me what I had to do. I had to rescue Carlos from where he was being held and get to the safe house without being detected, with bringing any attention to me or to the fact that I escaped or that Carlos had been rescued. The catch was some of these guys were on the lookout for me. If they saw me they would either shoot me, capture me, but if they spotted me and were unable to do the prior things I mentioned then they would kill Carlos and I would effectively lose." I briefly told him.
I walked over to my bag and pulled my map out. Laying it on one of the larger tables I opened it to show them. I went thru how I got out of the room. How I got Zero and then took his cell phone and discovered with his cell phone I knew where they were, well their designated territory was. I walked them thru how I had taken out Zero, Hal, Junior, Ram and lastly Tank but that I had taken their cell phones and continued to text back to the group all clear messages. I told them all the things I had done to get to Carlos and then get back to the Safe house. Carlos filled them in with how I had found the wire on the steps, thanks to my spidey senses, and disabled it and how I would use the map and the GPS unit to stay on course. I could hear how proud he was of me in his voice and it made my self confidence soar I was proud of myself. Hearing him talk made me feel like a super hero I was Wonder Woman.
Ram spoke up "Bombshell you want to tell them what happened when you got me or do you want me to share?" He asked I just motioned to him to go ahead shaking my head and giggling. "Guys I found a spot higher on the hill that had a good view of one side of the house and the back of the house." He pointed on the map where he was. "Well I am laying there with my gun at the ready all of sudden something lands on my back. I jerk up turning but this thing hangs on and in the process drags the knife across my throat taking me out." He adds smiling like a fool.
I can't help but smile a little bit looking at me practically laughing at this point he goes on to tell them at my expense " Well when she killed me I fell back with her under me. She struggled and huffed and struggled some more but she finally was able to get her self out from under me. I wanted to laugh so bad the only regret was I was on my back so I couldn't see her I wanted to see her facial expressions in her attempts to get out from under me." He said laughing only Carlos growled a little.
Looking at Carlos he was smiling on the inside but wanted to scare Ram a little. Ram laughter dropped faster than someone dropping a hot potato guess he figured how that might have sounded to my future husband. I had to smile and laugh at that.
Slyder looking at me he said "You? as small as you are you really did all of that?"
I nodded "I have been training with my brothers they have taught me everything I now." I told him.
Lester then joined in talking Slyder "Brother do not put anything past the bombshell bounty hunter, she is sharp as a tack, she excels in all aspects of her training, and has a spidey sense that rivals Ranger's." He told him. I saw Slyder's eyes widen when he heard bombshell. He looked at me smiling.
"So you are her, you are Bomber, Bombshell, and Beautiful." He says. I nod. He continues "I guess I should have guessed it but when you were introduced as Stephanie and you said Steph I didn't question it or put the two together." He told me smiling.
"So my legend precedes me huh? Not that it is a legend to be as proud of as it is more to do with how things tend to blow up around me than anything else. But I want to say right now that most of the time none of them are my fault." I tell him. He just shakes his head smiling while my traitorous brothers start laughing I even feel my future husband standing behind me shaking. Fuckers!
"What?" I ask them "I haven't had anything blow up in awhile not since my last car what that was over a week ago that has to be some record right?" Slyder laughs even more and I glare at him. I may have just met him but I will see if my death glare has an effect on him. Guess not as he is still standing in front of me. I look at him and the pool. We are a few feet from it I bet if I run fast enough and push him hard enough I can surprise him by throwing him in the pool.
I tap Carlos' arms and he drops them from around my waist. I start running towards him hitting him and push him backwards towards the pool. Only he recovers and grabs on so when he goes in you got it I go in as well. I come up sputtering it wasn't my intention of getting in the pool yet and especially not with the t-shirt on. The guys are howling and Slyder is smiling so he won't try to kill me for that. That's a good thing.
I don't know what it is about him but I instantly trusted him and liked him. He fit with my brothers I saw they trusted him so there is no doubt that I can trust him. He swims over to me "If you wanted me all wet why didn't you just ask?" he tells me oh my another Lester has joined the group Rangeman won't be the same.
"Well it wasn't seeing you all wet I wanted as much as it was just to push you in for laughing at me." I told him. "I don't know you well enough for you to laugh at me, and when my death glare didn't work it was the only other option I had." I told him knowing he would catch onto my kidding.
He looked at me "Death Glare?" and I smiled as Lester jumped in at that moment as the music started Guns N Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" now this was my kind of music. Lester joined us hearing him question my death glare.
Lester said "Slayer man we have our own little Wonder Woman right here only lucky for you her death glare goes on the frits from time to time or you would be toast right now." See Lester got it, that's why he is my best friend. Lester grabbed me pulled me to him using the words of the song he said "Welcome to the Jungle we got fun and games we got everything you want" before picking me and throwing me across the pool I screamed but I was secretively loving it. It didn't take long for my other brothers and Carlos to join us. I swam up to Cal I was a little worried about him in the water.
"Cal should you be in the water with your stitches?" I asked him. He smiled and answered me "Angel I have a patch over it but really it is just a little flesh wound so the water will do it good it only stings a little from the salt but it will go away in a little bit.
"okay" I tell him as I jump on his back wrapping my legs around him I tried to dunk him but I wasn't successful Instead Cal just stood there .
Looking around at me he said "Angel I just want to let you know how proud I am of you, you did amazing I am so proud of you. You used all of your training, all of your knowledge and you more than exceeded." I was blinking back tears as I wrapped my arms around his neck giving me a hug.
Cal then laughed telling me to hold on he took off with me on his back. Damn Cal could swim as he gave me a ride all around the pool. I briefly wondered if this is what would feel like to hold onto a dolphin. He didn't even act as if my additional weight fazed him.
We made it back to the group with me laughing that was fun. The song changed to Foreigner's "hot blooded" and I swear the temp went up ten degrees. I felt strong arms wrap around me I knew those arms as I leaned back into him. When he whispered into my ear that he was hot blooded and that he was hot for me tonight mimicking the words of the song I think the temp went up even more.
To take my mind off of the spike of my temperature I splashed Lester which I should have known would be a mistake because he proceeded to drown me. I made it to the edge of the pool chocking I quickly pulled the wet t-shirt off and threw it up on the floor beside the pool. I turned and made my way back to Carlos.
I was almost to Carlos when someone grabbed my ankle and pulled me back and under I barely had enough time to catch my breath before I went under. I kicked trying to break lose but they were pulling me along for the ride. I looked back and it was Hal. I wanted to smile ever since the whole "incident" he hasn't been as forward with me. Guess he felt safe being in the pool and all that I wouldn't have a stun gun on me. He took me to one side of the pool finally allowing me to come up for air.
Then he announced to the whole group "Bombshell is the shark" Shark what the fuck is he talking about? I briefly wondered. As the other hooted and hollered at the announcement.
I got his attention "uh Hal, Shark?" He nodded smiling answering me "Shark it's a game you are the shark we are the guppies you have to catch us. If you catch us and touch us then we become a shark." He goes on to tell me "You start on this side and we start on that side. Whoever makes it to the side is safe and we go again. When someone becomes a shark then they will help you catch more." He exclaimed as he made his way back to the other side.
The music changed to Guns N Roses "Bad Apples" seemed appropriate as I was about to turn a bunch of guppies into sharks couldn't get any badder than a shark in a guppy's world. So I thought I would give them a little show after all a distraction seemed appropriate after all the devil didn't get followers by looking all mean and nasty now did he?
So I pushed on the side raising my body out of the water just as they had done. Only I no longer had on my cover up only my blue bikini. I made sure to press my ass up in the air as swung my leg up on the side. I heard a few gasps hot damns, and drawn out fucks oh and Carlos' bark of warning. I just had to smile as the devil appeared on my shoulder. Standing up I adjusted my bathing suit before turning around. The working out had done good things for my body even in the short time frame. There were a few more gasps as I walked back and forth along the side stalking my prey, looking for the one I wanted.
"Blow the whistle boys let's get this show on the road." I knew who I was singling out I already had him caught my eyes locked on him I saw the ghost of smile that I love so much cross his lips he knew I had him he knew I was singling him out. He knew I would catch him. Hell I knew I would catch him.
One of the guys whistled I don't know which one because my eyes were locked on my target. Soon as the whistle registered, what I was a little preoccupied with dark pools of chocolate poured over caramel mocha goodness only thing missing was the whipped cream, I dove into the pool swimming as hard as I could to my target. Somehow I think my target was swimming just as hard towards me because in no time we were touching.
By touching I mean he had me in this arms pulling me into his chest when we came up to the surface his lips crashed down on mine as the song changed to Def Leppard's "Pour some Sugar on me" when our lips parted Carlos whispered in my ear "Pour some sugar on me ohhhh in the name of love pour some sugar on me…..Pour your sugar on me can't get enough I am hot sticky sweet from my head to my feet." Can you ruin panties in a pool? Because I just think I did.
I looked at him smiling "I think this means you are a now a shark" I told him. Lester from the other side of the pool started yelling
"Come on guys that's not how you supposed to play the game." I had to laugh I would show him how I play this game because Carlos had just given me a great idea. We made our way to the opposite side of the pool from my brothers. I once again gave a show getting out of the pool. Carlos just shook his head as I winked at him. He knew I had something up my sleeve but he had no idea what.
I looked over to my brothers "Okay so the first one to touch me gets a kiss." I yelled to them and then screamed go and dove in the pool. I didn't have to swim towards them. They were fighting their way to me. Dunking each other, pulling each other back, trying to swim covertly around each other I had to laugh.
Lester, Slyder, and Cal were in the lead I was just laughing and Carlos was shaking his head at his men all trying to reach me. However Hector surprised them all when he tapped me on my back. He had swum around all of us and came up behind me. So Hector got the kiss. I took his face in my hands smiling at him running my finger across his tear drops I then gave him a peck on the lips. I swear if x gang bangers bad asses blushed he blushed. I smiled at him "Hector you are now a shark" I told him. He just smiled and whispered to me so no one could hear him talking in English "I will always be on your team, your side shark or guppy." I had to smile at him and I hugged him to me.
We continued to play shark but it wasn't as hard as one would have thought. My little tricks seem to suck them right in and then when I had a few of the good swimmers it was game on. Lester got his kiss as well as Slyder and Cal. Just little pecks on the lips but they seemed happy with that and more than willing to become Sharks for it see how the devil works, see how easy it is for one bad apple to turn the whole bushel?
When I had all of my brothers as sharks the game ended. I swam over to Carlos where I put my legs around him and my arms around his neck. He just held me to him supporting me with his hands on my ass. He kissed me as Styx "Babe" started playing. I locked eyes with him when I heard the lyrics it was such a perfect song for us. I rested my head on his shoulder and just listened to the lyrics. He would repeat some of the words in my ear how it was me that gave him the strength and courage he needed and that he loved me. Tears wanted to spring from eyes hearing those words the song and thinking how close I had come to losing all of this.
He told me it was me that it was me that kept him going when he felt weary and felt like giving up. He changed the words to Babe I am never leaving but he did say he would need my love to see him through and that my heart was always in my hands. Hearing him whispering that to me made my heart just burst for him "Carlos I love you more than life and you have my heart in your hands you are my strength and my courage and you are the only one that keeps me going when life gets too difficult" I tell him as I bring my lips to his. Our kiss stays light and easy but filled with love and promises for the future.
The guys must have decided to give us some privacy because they had all migrated over to the deep end jumping off the diving boards and going down the huge slide. We made our way over to them after all we needed to have the cannonball contest. See who could make the biggest splash my money was on Tank and I wanted to try out the slide.
I got out of the pool heading towards the slide Aerosmith's "Crazy" was playing when Lester ran up behind me grabbed me scooping me up in his arms before running up on the diving board and jumping in with me in his arms. I was screaming and he was laughing as we hit the water. When he jumped he made sure that we would hit with his body first than mine. See how they will always protect me even when goofing around. We came up laughing swimming to the edge. We made our way to the slide. Walking up the ladder of course he let me go first saying something about ladies first yeah ladies first alright my ass the only reason it was ladies first was so he would get a nice look at my ass.
I sat down on the slide and Lester pushed me and I flew down the slide it was awesome I was laughing as it dumped me out into the deep end. Lester came out a few minutes later on his stomach head first oh I was going to have to try it that way.
I jumped on Lester's back for a ride to the side and while I the leverage I gave him a dunk. Manny was jumping off the diving board and I couldn't help but be impressed with how he dove in without making hardly any splash. I let go of Lester to swim over to Manny when I reached him.
"Manny that was beautiful. How did you learn to dive like that?" I asked him. He smiled "Wifey I have loved swimming since I was a kid I use to be on a swim team when I was little and just never forgot how they taught me to dive. It was the one good time in my life" He told me I smiled at him I knew his life hadn't always been the best or the happiest. Cool Manny use to be on a swim team I think that is the first personal thing I knew about Manny. I smiled at him giving him a hug for sharing it with me then I did what any woman would do in a pool I dunked him and then went swimming to edge as fast as I could before he could retaliate.
It didn't take him long to catch me pulling me under. We climbed out laughing going to the diving board I yelled whoever makes the biggest splash wins. As I ran out on the board and did my best example of a cannon ball that I could pull off as the song from Georgia Satellites' "Keep your hands to yourself" started blaring.
When I got out of the pool heading back to the board Cal walked up to me putting his arm around me singing "Cruel baby baby baby why you want to treat me this way you know I'm still your lover boy I still feel the same way that's when she told me a story 'bout free milk and a cow and she said no huggin no kissin until I get a wedding vow my honey my baby don't put my love upon no shelf she said"
Smiling I joined in for my line while dancing out from under his arms "don't hand me no lines and keep your hands to yourself" shaking my finger at him. He was pretending to reach for me as I was avoiding him while he continued singing the song with me singing the part about keeping his hands to himself. By the time we made back to the diving board we were both laughing.
I met Carlos' eyes and I could see he was happy he was watching me with my brothers and he was smiling I smiled at him blew him a kiss about the time that Cal and Hal picked me up running down the diving board and launched me in the air.
Coming up sputtering I grabbed a hold of Hal and let him give me a ride back to the edge of the pool. I wasn't sure but that had to be a hell a splash me Hal and Cal all going into the water at the same time. Tank was standing at the end of the board when we got to the edge I turned to watch him cannonball and that definitely had to be the winner as the water splashed so big that it just about drowned me in the wake.
Lester reached down grabbed my arms and lifted me out of the pool just as the song changed to Poison's "Nothin' but a good time" started playing. Lester and I shared a lot of things we were best friends, we shared drinks, we shared food, we loved the same movies and some of the same TV shows but we also shared a love for the same music. This song fit him perfectly, because he was all about the good time at least when he wasn't a soldier on a mission or protecting me. So we immediately started jumping up and down dancing to the music singing to the top of our lungs.
Lester playing an air guitar guess he thought he was CC me on the other hand I took Brett Michaels. Shaking my hips bobbing my head flinging my hair around like the bands of the eighty's we were screaming the words. Slyder joined us raising a beer when the part came up about raising a toast to all of us. I had to smile as the three us finished the song dancing and screaming our asses off. When the song finished we were just laughing.
Carlos joined us "Babe" looking at him I saw the humor, laughter, and love in his eyes and I just jumped in his arms. He handed me his beer and I took a swig from it I needed something cold after all that screaming.
Kiss' "Forever" came on what did they hand select these songs? Looking into Carlos' eyes I knew it was forever so I whispered in his ear the words "It's forever, this time I know and there's no doubt in my mind, forever, until my life is thru, boy I'll be lovin' you forever" I know I change the words of the song from girl to boy but it worked. He pulled me closer to him holding me tight. I felt his lips on my neck giving me peck after delicious peck. I must have moaned because I heard Slyder and Lester laugh behind me.
I just raised my hand giving them finger while my lips met Carlos' they howled even louder along with a few of my other brothers who were watching. Slyder was fitting in becoming more and more my brother with every passing minute after singing a Poison song with us I wondered if he too shared our love of the same music. Carlos and I held each other until the song ended.
Rolling Stones' "Start Me UP" started to play and after letting go of Carlos I made my way to the edge of the pool. I had spotted my brothers over by the rock wall and well I wanted to give that wall a try. I wanted to see if I could make it to the top. Lester, Slyder, and Ram followed me out of the pool and when I stepped out of the pool all of them together started singing "You make a grown man cry, You make a grown man cry, You make a grown man cry" as they fell back into the pool going under. I just had to laugh. Shaking my head I made it over to Junior, Cal, and Manny who were at the wall.
"Hey guys can I try the wall?" I asked them. They all smiled and nodded. Junior handed me a harness and told me how to step into it. They hooked it on me and the rope. I had never climbed a rock wall but I loved to climb so I was hoping I could make it to the top. Junior harnessed himself in. He was going up beside me. I smiled at him he knew I would trust him to walk me through climbing up the wall. Manny grabbed my rope while Cal grabbed Junior's they were our anchors.
He walked me thru what to look for far as where to put my hands and feet and to use my legs as much as possible. I was slow and Junior was patient with me as we went up the wall but I made it getting to the top I rang the bell yelling for all my brother's to look at me Kiss' "Shout it out loud" was playing so I yelled out to my brothers "Every body's got to Rock n Roll, Shout it Shout It Shout it loud" and they all yelled back. Junior instructed me how to repel down. Pushing myself away from the wall while giving my rope slack it took me a couple of times but I knew Manny wouldn't let me fall.
When I got to the ground more of my brother's had gathered around so there were high fives all round. As I made my way over to Carlos Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" came on and that devilish side of me came out in me. I pushed him back to the pool. Jumping in I jumped in his arms and bringing my lips to his ear I whispered " in the might night hour I cried more, more, more with a rebel yell I cried more, more, more" in as sexy of voice as I could muster. He growled before pulling me over under the waterfall letting the water pour down on our heads as our lips met.
Normally I wasn't into this much public display of affection but with almost having lost him, and our declaration of love to each other in front of my brothers it just seemed natural it seemed right and I didn't care they saw us in love. I can only hope that Carlos' feels the same.
"Babe I don't care what those fuckers think, I can always kick their asses on the mats if they have something to say about it. I just spent almost twenty four hours thinking I could possibly lose you so get use to it, I may never be able to let go of you." He told me how did he always know what I was thinking? How did he always know how to answer me? I am almost certain I did not say that out loud.
We made our way out from under the waterfall and joined my brother's at the other end who were throwing balls back and forth and looked like they were coming up with a game. The game was Water Ball sort of like football only played in the water.
Starting in the middle of the Olympic pool two teams goals on each end where the lap lane guides ended once the ball made it in that area it was points for the other team. You could do anything to get the ball but dunking someone was effectively considered a tackle. The guys had already divided up so when Carlos' and I joined them I was put on Team Lester as he designated it while Carlos went to team Slyder.
Judias Priests' "Johnny B Goode" started playing as the whistle was blown. This game was hard as shit as the guys fought for the ball. Hell I just tried to stay out of the way and above water. On Lester's team was Lester, Cal, Vince, Manny, Tank, Junior, Zero and me. On Slyder's team was Slyder, Carlos, Hal, Ram, Woody, Binkie, Zip, and Bobby. I noticed Hector sitting in one the chase lounges watching us so I made my way out of the pool and went over to him.
HectorsPOV (assume this is in Spanish...except where he is speaking to Stephanie)
I watched Angelita and she was having fun. She was laughing smiling singing to some of the songs and I could tell how much she loved Ranger and how much he loved her every time they looked at each other. I was happy for her but I still had a tough time shaking the fact that I almost lost my sister. I don't let people into my life not the way she had forced her way in and the thought of having to let go of her was more than I wanted to think about. Even now after seeing her perform so well on the test that she made me so proud of her, so proud of her abilities I still couldn't shake the feeling of how much I feared the possibility of losing her.
Maybe in some ways I was feeling it more than before as the realization was settling in of what could have been what could have happened. Sitting here watching her seeing her light feeling it lighten my blood stain soul was something that I couldn't describe and thinking that she almost left all of us, left me was something I was having a difficult time coming to grips with.
Change wasn't something I dealt with and the past twenty four hours had my heart and mind spiraling from all of the possibilities of what could have been.
She got out of the water heading my way. I smiled when I saw her making her way to me. I moved my feet so she could sit down. She sat down and leaned back against me. Aerosmith's "Angel" started playing and I wouldn't have known that if Aerosmith wasn't one of her favorite bands. Her back to my front, she looked up at me "Hector what's wrong? What's the matter? You can tell me." She said softly. I just smiled there is no one in this world who would ask me about my feelings and expect me to answer them but my Angelita and my Angelita was the only one I could talk to about my feelings.
Speaking softly in her ear so no one could hear me I told her "Angelita I am just trying to come to terms with the idea that you are staying with us that you aren't leaving. I don't want to be without my Angelita. Angelita you save my soul." I told her. I didn't want to upset her and I didn't want her to worry about me but I also had to be honest. She looked up to me.
"Hector I am staying. Tell you the truth I had decided to stay before Lester mentioned the test only he didn't give me a chance to say it. Don't be mad when he mentioned the test I knew it was a good way to prove one way or the other to myself that I wouldn't endanger your lives and then I would never doubt myself or my abilities at least not where they are right now." She told me smiling slightly always the modest one never wanting to be the one being praised.
So she was going to stay with us and Lester interrupted her. I wondered if Ranger knew about that but before I finished the thought she continued "Hector no one knows that but you. I thought I would tell you because you seemed so upset. I wanted you to know that I couldn't even walk away when I thought it was for everyone's betterment. I knew it was selfish but I still couldn't do it because truth is you all save me too and not just physically. Trust me when I say that I am here for good." She told me and my heart swelled with her confession.
"Angelita I love you too. You are my sister and I will always protect you. I will always be here for you. I want to tell you how proud you made me with the test. You remembered your training, you kept your cool, you did good." I tell her it wasn't exactly what I wanted to say but it was close. She turned and hugged me kissed me on the cheek and ran her fingers across the tears, then stood up pulling me towards the pool.
Exclaiming that we were missing out on all the fun, I joined the team Angelita joined which was Lester's team where she was and we played waterball with the rest of the guys. Every now and then a team would make a goal but for the most part it was trash talk among brothers and a sister. I had to smile because Stephanie could hold her own when it came to trash talk. Even resulting a few times to giving the other team the finger which just made all of us laugh even more.
We had just finished playing I am not sure which team won I think at one point we lost track of how many points each team had. It didn't really matter as the fun was playing the game not who won when Ella walked in with a tray of hamburgers, chicken, and steak off of the grill. We all jumped out going to help her and Luis bring in dinner.
GaspickPOV
After Rangeman left Officer Thompson and I loaded the still unconscious Morelli into the police car. We didn't bother getting statements from the other club goers because I didn't want anyone collaborating the story from Rangeman it was already bad enough so many of them were there.
Our chief trusted Rangeman and Ranger and he would trust that they were telling the truth. He had used them several times to help with cleaning the streets of Trenton up, and catching criminals that seemed to slip between our fingers.
We all knew they operated outside of the laws that bound us but still legal, tell you the truth some of the guys on the force actually liked it when Rangeman was involved. I personally had nothing against them other than the fact they think they are so untouchable. They think they believe they are above the law and that rubs me the wrong way.
Morelli however well he never had a problem with them until Stephanie entered the picture and then when she decided to dump Morelli and go for Ranger well he sort of lost it. I understood what he was feeling. I personally couldn't see what she saw in Ranger or the men of Rangeman. I really didn't care one way or the other though she was just a bitch and in my book bitches are dime a dozen personally I think Morelli should count his lucky stars she is out of his hair and move on besides she wouldn't be blowing up his vehicle, garage, or potentially his house. He would no more have to clean up the disasters of Stephanie Plum.
I drove Morelli to his home using his key we helped him in and got him settled on the couch. We then left. I had to go to the station and fix this crap before any charges were filed. I needed to get my report in.
My report was going to be that Morelli had shown up at the bar where Stephanie was and that there was a misunderstanding about the restraining order. There was a confrontation and in that confrontation Morelli passed out due to unknown origins. I could only hope that Stephanie wouldn't file charges.
I wanted this to fly under the eyes of the chief. If the chief got wind of this I knew Morelli would be in trouble not to mention I would be in trouble for falsifying the report. By not having gotten statements at the bar it was a he said she said situation even with all the guys of Rangeman because everyone knew that they would take her side and say what got her what she wanted. It was the only way I could think to cover Morelli's ass. I only hoped it worked after all he had done me a few favors so it was the least I could do to pay him back.
MPPOV
I can't believe that ungrateful disappointing dysfunctional daughter of mine. I had heard from a few neighbors of the burg okay I think all neighbors of the burg how Stephanie had a confrontation with my son last night.
I don't understand her not just going with him. I don't understand her getting a restraining order preventing my son Joseph to get near her. I mean I know he slapped her and I heard he did it again last night but from my opinion the slaps were well deserved. I mean what man would allow his future wife to act like that, say those things, do those things and not slap her? She deserved it, she asked for it.
Reaching for the phone I thought I would call my son to see how he was feeling this morning and if he needed me to take care of him. Picking up the phone I dialed his number. Answering on the second ring he said "Hello, momma"
I just smiled. "Hi my son, how are you today? I heard what happened I just wanted to call you and see if there was anything I could do to make you feel better." Hoping he would take the hint. I had to smile when he did.
"Momma yes, I could use a little help you want to meet our same place?" he asked me. I could feel my excitement ratchet up a notch at just the thought. I really hoped this didn't change even after we got Stephanie and him together. Maybe by them being married we would have even more reason to be together without having to go to the hotel.
"Why yes, I can do that. I will talk to you soon." I told him ending the call before anyone overheard me. I hung up the phone excited that I would be able to spend a little quality time with my son this afternoon. I am glad that his little run in with my ungrateful daughter didn't make him so that he didn't want me to meet him.
I am looking forward to kissing his boo boos away and hopefully we will be able to discuss what we are going to do to make Stephanie see reason, be reasonable, and do what we want. After all we only want to know that she is happy, we only want to know that she is fulfilling her destiny of being a burg girl. You weren't raised in the burg to be running around with thugs, associating with murderers, living in sin, not getting married or not having babies it just wasn't heard of. If a Morelli boy had you in their sights well you were just supposed to do what they wanted after all Morelli men were all good looking men, all had fine bodies and you gladly gave them whatever they wanted. I know they were also known for the tempers but so long as their wives did what they were told, and gave them what they wanted it wasn't so bad.
There had been a whole line of Morelli woman that dealt with them and Stephanie could deal with Joe after all he was her first and she needs to right that wrong of being the town whore and giving herself to him. She had effectively made her bed when she spread her legs for him behind that counter oh she could say now that she didn't want it because of that thug putting ideas into her head but we all know she wanted it, what girl wouldn't have wanted it? He was a Morelli. Hell he is young enough to be my son and I want him, why wouldn't my daughter.
DougPOV
Mike and I were stuck here at Rangeman with a few other unlucky workers while the majority of the guys including Stephanie and Ranger were at the compound. I saw them go down the elevator but someone had turned the cameras off in the garage so I never saw them exit only saw the missing cars when the cameras came back on.
I knew they were at the compound because I had seen their cars go in the compound but the cameras were out in certain areas so I wasn't really able to see what they were doing. I know I saw Ella and Luis carrying bags and coolers out of here so they bound to be having a good time and here we were stuck on the desk.
I mean they treated us like dirt but still I wanted to be a full time Rangeman and I needed to get that split tail out of my way and out of my hair. After she insulted me last night I would find a way to pay her back. I had the pills. I only need to come with a way to get her to myself to teach her a little lesson. She needed to understand that men needed to be listened to and that what we said needed to be done.
She had denied my dance and not only privately she had done it publicly in front of my coworkers if they don't and haven't teased me enough she gave them more ammunition. She would rub her ass all over them but not me. She would be taught a lesson and looking at these monitors and thinking about the cameras I think I know just how to single her out and get her alone even while she is surrounded by her brothers as she calls them. The more I think about it the better I like this idea because hopefully it will be enough to make her never want to step back in this building again or look at another Rangeman.
I can help myself and Morelli at the same time. Not that I really care about helping him but we have a mutual desire of getting Stephanie away from Rangeman. Working in the lab with the video equipment is just where I needed to be to pull this off.
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