Groggily I roused from my sleep and gasped when I glanced at my phone noticing it was well after 1:00 PM. Even worst yet, I had half a dozen missed calls from the boss at my day job. He had also left a text message telling me not to bother coming in today and that he was just going dock my paycheck. Wonderful, that is just what I need I said to myself with an eye roll. I got dressed and headed to the bathroom. When I saw my reflection let out a whimper. My eyes were puffy and swollen with dark circle under them. Tear stains marked my cheeks. After splashing cold water on my face I went to the kitchen in search of something to eat. Empty again. After I'd surveyed my collection of takeout menus, I picked up the phone and placed an order.

While I waited for the delivery to arrive I picked up my laptop and surfed the net looking for a reason why Ranger could possibly be in Atlanta. He lived in Miami and had family in Trenton. I knew he had sold the Atlanta division of Rangeman years ago to his business partner. My research was interrupted by the doorbell. When I opened the door, the delivery man gave my body a slow scan then look at me with a smirk.

"Sup sexy," he crooned?

"You just lost your tip playa," I snapped. Then I snatched the bag from his hands right before I tossed him the cash for my order. The door just missed hitting him by a millimeter as I slammed it closed. Even though It was only two in the afternoon, I needed a glass of wine. I uncorked a new bottle and poured a generous serving before sitting down to eat. After I'd finished my food I debated having another glass of wine to help cope with the crummy mood I was in today. No, that would leave me foggy. I had to work at the club tonight. I did not need to be hungover or late when I showed up. After what happened in the parking lot last night, I wanted to keep my head clear and level. I needed to stop thinking about Ranger. Hopefully, he had finished up whatever had brought him to Atlanta and was on his way back to Miami.

~XO~XO~XO~

"Yo, Bossman wanna talk to you!" the bouncer called to me as I walked into the club.

Instantly irritation surged through my body. What did this man want?

As I entered the office the manager gave me a stern look then he gestured towards the chair for me to take a seat. I had to fight to stay out of rhino mode. Did this man think I was a child? He had summoned me and now he was telling me to sit.

"I'll stand. Can you make it quick?" I huffed while folding my arms defensively in front of my body.

"Nope," he replied flatly.

"I cut you a lot of slack that the other dancers don't get away with. You don't do lap dances, at times you can be a tad hostile to the customers. I have yet to see you get all the way naked and you are constantly breaking the rules. Then there was that gun incident. Now, I like you so I don't hassle you but... "

"You don't hassle me because you know that I bring in the customers. I make you a ton of money and you want to keep it that way,"I interrupted.

"True" he agreed. Since you make me so much money I'm gonna need you to pay your fine for leaving the club without an escort. That's going to be one hundred dollars before you hit the stage. You can give to me in singles if you want. But if you don't pay, you don't dance tonight," he explained.

"You done," I growled?

"yelp."

I angrily stormed out of the office and plowed right into one of the bouncers. His name was Marcus and I knew he had to be the one who tattled on me.

"Thanks for narcing on me !"

"You have done that too many times. We have had conversations about it," Marcus said cooly.

Something about his laid back overly relaxed demeanor, sometimes rubbed me the wrong way. I couldn't figure out why.

"You just cost me one hundred dollars," I said glaring at him.

"No, you cost you one hundred dollars" Marcus corrected.

"You can be a real jerk, Marcus!"

And you and be a pain in the ...

"Can it tattle tail! "I shouted.

"You keep yelling at me like that and the boss is going to come out here and fine you again, baby girl."

That was enough to shut me up. I looked at Marcus and gave him my best Burg glare before rolling my eye so hard I could see the top of my head. The large man let out a rare bark of laughter.

"That's cute," he teased before walking away.

A spark of annoyance shot though me when I Marcus made the remark. Without even trying the man had way of getting under my skin.

With steam wafting off my head, I stomped to my lock and counted out the cash. Then I marched back into the office and slammed the money down on the desk.

"Thanks, sweetheart. Love you too," the manger said with a wink.

"Guess you won't be doing that again," Marcus smirked as I passed him on my way back to the dressing room.

Tonight the customers had been generous and the money was flowing so my shift at the club had been extended. By the end of the night, I was exhausted. I sat in a chair resting before getting dressed to leave the club. Marcus popped his head in along with another bouncer.

"Hey, ladies in twenty minutes I'll be making a run out to the parking lot if anyone needs an escort," he announced.

"Not me , I'll wait for Jamal," I replied.

"No can do doll. I'm on my way out right now," Jamal told me.

"Wait, give me a minute. I'll be right there !"

"You're not even dressed," he complained.

Quickly I jumped up and ran to my locker. "Please, Jamal, I'll make it fast," I whined.

I threw on my windbreaker over the lingerie I was wearing and pulled the jacket closed before grabbing my bag.

"See it only took a minute," I said as I stood by his side.

"Alrighty then," he sang awkwardly as looked back and forth from me to Marcus.

"Me and her been beefin today," Marcus told to Jamal.

The two men laughed and we left the club.

"So, what's up with you and him,"Jamal questioned once we were outside?

"Nothing, he can get on nerves at times," I grumbled.

"Then I guess the two of you have something in common," Jamal teased. Cut him some slack. Marcus is a good guy.

I nodded and then got into my car. Once I hit the highway something felt off. I sped up and a car that was behind me sped up too. A few minutes after I changed lanes a car behind me changed lane too. My heart began to pound. Keep it together Steph I told myself. If this was a customer who had followed me from the club I was supposed to go back there. Then someone would call the police. Something told me this was not a customer. The tail was too good. This person knew how to keep a proper distance. They were following with at least a couple of cars in between. Yes, this driver was skilled. Then the realization came to me. Ranger was following me. I hit the gas and zoomed into the fast lane weaving in and out of traffic. Then I slowed down and took the next exit off the freeway. I check my rear view and he was sticking with me. Ranger was making it hard to shake him as he continued to follow. As I drove down a rural road the man of mystery hung back almost out of sight. When I saw the abandoned industrial park I quickly turned in and parked between buildings. As Ranger turned in the lot, I floored it speeding around the perimeter. Then I pulled a U-turn and parked in front of the gate. There was only one way in or out of the lot and I had it blocked. Ranger had no choice but to stop. I threw opened my car door and angrily stalked over to his vehicle. Then I waited for Ranger to step out and explain what he thought he was doing.