Chapter 10

RPOV

Stephanie is different from any person I've ever met in my life. After tonight there is no doubt in my mind that our attraction is mutual. I've got a few calls to make before morning, one to our attorney at Rangeman, Tim Parker. He is ruthless in the courtroom, if one person can make sure that she is not taken advantage of again during the divorce it's Tom. Next, I've got to get the guys to do some surveillance on Morelli and see what they can dig up. I doubt he's quit seeing other women since he's been served with paperwork. With the right leverage we can get this divorce over with as soon as possible.

After hearing Stephanie talk about her exes tonight I realize that she has never had someone treat her properly. Her faith in the opposite sex is starting to waiver. I just hope that after everything that has happened to her that one day she might be able to open her heart up again, hopefully I can convince her to open her heart to me. I just can't understand how someone can treat Stephanie that way. She is such a great person, caring, kind, and beautiful inside and out. I know that she is still another mans wife and I shouldn't be thinking about her like that but it's hard not to. I've never let a woman get under my skin and Stephanie seems to have done it without even trying. I look forward to seeing her each morning and just hope that she will agree to spend more time with me each night.

Dios! I need to get my mind off Stephanie and try to get some sleep.

JPOV

It's been close to a week since Cupcake left. Terri has been staying at my house for the past 4 nights. I enjoy the company and the "added benefits" of having her under my roof but she is not my Cupcake. I could never imagine myself married to Terri or any other woman for that matter. Why did Cupcake have to be so difficult? Why couldn't see be more like her sister and just get married to me, stay at home, and have kids? After five years we should at least have two kids together if not three. My life is not complete without Stephanie, I need her here in my bed. In my house, as my wife!

I take another shot of whiskey and start thinking about everything that has happened. After ten minutes I cannot take it anymore and head out to the SUV and turn towards Haywood Street. Within a few minutes my vehicle is parked on the curb outside Rangeman. I get out of the SUV and head for the lobby and hit the buzzer. I tell the thug that comes over the intercom that I need to see my wife, Stephanie Morelli. He tells me to stay put and someone will be down in a few minutes. The elevator doors open and Stephanie steps off with Manoso. Why the hell is he down here? I don't remember asking for him.

"Manoso, I don't remember asking you to come down. I'm here to see my wife."

"Morelli, this is my building and my business. Anything you need to say to Stephanie can be said in front of me. If you don't feel that you can do that then I will see you back out to your vehicle." Ranger says.

"Joe, what do you want? I've got to get some sleep I have to work in the morning and last time I look at a clock it was close to 3am." Stephanie says with a yawn.

"I came to get you to come home. I know that we can work this out. You are my wife and you need to come home and tend to my needs." I say as I reach out to grab her arm.

"I'm not going anywhere with you. We are divorcing! Meaning I will not be your wife anymore. I have an apartment, a job, and a life outside of this marriage and I intend for it to stay that way. I enjoy being here, and it's nice to be appreciated since I wasn't at home." Stephanie says as she moves further away from me.

"Appreciated? What do Manoso and his thugs give you a round of applause every time you fuck them?" I sneer.

I see the anger flicker in Ranger's eyes and before I can form a response he punches my in the nose. I hear the bone crack and feel blood pouring out of my nose.

"Stephanie will not be treated like that as long as I'm around. You need to get your ass out of my sight before I call the cops for harassment. Next time you won't be so lucky, no one will ever find your remains if you speak to her in that manner again." Ranger grabs Stephanie's hand and leads her back to the elevator.

RPOV

The son of a bitch is lucky that I didn't kill him. I could smell the whisky on his breath as soon as we got close to him. I knew the outcome of this was going to be bad. Babe is leaning against me with her head on my chest crying in the elevator. I press 7 on the elevator and take her up to my apartment. I lead her inside and have her sit next to me on the couch.

"Babe after that I am not leaving you alone for the night. You're staying with me, you can take my bed and I will sleep on the couch so I will be close by if you need anything."

"I cannot take your bed Ranger. I will sleep on the couch." Babe says with tears in her eyes.

"How about this, it's a big bed both of us will sleep in it. As long as you don't attack me during the night like you did earlier we should be fine." I say with a smile.

"I will try not to attack you, even though it's tempting" Babe says with a weak smile.

We make our way to the bed and within a few minutes she is sound asleep. After a few minutes she start stirring in her sleep and scoots closer to me, I pull her towards me and put my arm around her. She lays her head on my chest and sighs. I can feel the tension start to leave her body. I lean my head down and kiss the top of her head and fall asleep holding her.