I watched the wide-eyed teenager bounce around the hotel suite inspecting the posh space. Pixie was not used to being surround by the luxury a five-star Hotel room contained. Neither was I, but enjoying the room was not easy for me. Radolpho was working hard to apologize for Tabby's mistreatment. As much as I wanted to kick back and have a good time, it was not going to be easy. I was still working a case.
"You ready to go check out Central Park," Radolpho asked as he walked through the door that separated the two suites?
I didn't answer him right away. My eyes took a slow trip down Escobar's body. Slowly I surveyed the flawlessly groomed man with lean chiseled body impeccably dressed. Radolpho flashed me a disarming smile.
"You like what you see, Baby?"
"How could I not,"I replied with a wink?
Escobar quickly strolled over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. As he pulled me close, Radolpho planted a kiss on my lips that made me forget my own name. I'd spent that last two years building walls around myself. No man had been allowed to get close to me. Even the simplest compliment was met with an icy rebuff. Now here I was in the arms of a man that was more than easy on the eyes. A man who was as charming as he was dangerous. Just below Radolpho's smooth demeanor lye a dangerous temper and a perfidious nature.
"Hello," Escobar laughed as he waved his hand in front of my face.
"Oh sorry, I just... ah... forgot myself for a minute."
"No problem. I have that effect on women," Radolpho boasted.
"Are we leaving or what," Pixie protested?
"The kid is getting restless," he laughed.
I frowned at the mention of kids.
"Hey, don't give me that look. What's wrong," Escobar cooed?
"Emily, the baby. Is she going to be alright?"
"She's going to be just fine. I can't promise you the same thing about Tabby."
I shot him a questioning glance. Radolpho slouched down in a chair taking me with him.
"The baby is going to be fine. She is on her way home with an expensive nanny" Escobar assured me.
"Emily is Tabby's baby," I asked?
"yes "
"And who is her father?"
"Why do ask? Don't worry you don't the guy. There is no need to be jealous.I bet you and me could make beautiful babies."
"Maybe one day," I laughed as I stood up.
Escobar was on my heels as I walked to the door. In one swift movement, he circled and an arm around my waist, spun me around to face him as he reeled me back firmly against his chest.
"What's so funny" he asked? While his face wore a smile Escobar's eyes burned with a fierce intensity.
"Well," he demanded when I did not answer!
"I thought you were kidding," I whispered.
"That is not something I would joke about," he said seriously.
"I'm flattered," I stuttered, playing it both modest and dumb at the same time. "You are surrounded by women who look like supermodels."
The corners of Radolpho's mouth tipped into a warm smile before he kissed me again. Then he took me by the hand and walked me to the door.
"About time," Pixie shrieked.
Escobar held my hand possessively as we strolled several blocks to Central Park while Pixie trailed behind. Marcus was already there waiting for us. He had left an hour before and rented roller blades.
"What's all this,"I asked looking at the blades, helmet, and wrist guards, elbow pads?
"I thought this might be fun," Radolpho said. "You think you can keep up with me?"
"Once I get my skates on you are going to be the one chasing me. "
"Sounds like fun," Escobar laughed.
Before either of us had time to get our skates on Pixie was fully suited up and sailing down the path.
"Yo, go after her," Escobar barked to Marcus!
Marcus's eyes locked on me briefly then he skated after Pixie.
"I don't like the way he was looking at you," Radolpho sighed.
"Yeah, me and him haven't been the best of friends in the past. I think he waiting for me to cause problems for him," I explained.
"Yeah alright," Escobar grumbled and he helped me into my roller blades.
After spending the morning skating in the park we all took the ferry to Ellis Island. Marcus was the first to board the boat. He took a seat in an empty row. I joined him and then Pixie sat next to me. Radopho looked at the seating arrangement and shook his head. Then he took my arm and lifted me from where I was sitting. Escobar sat down sat between Pixie and Marcus then pulled me into his lap.
"Man, get a room," Marcus complained.
"Right, facts," Pixie giggled.
Radolpho's behavior vacillated between romantic closeness to creepy clingy possessiveness. By the end of the ferry trip and tour of the Statue of Liberty, I was ready for some space. When we stopped for lunch at a restaurant I made a break for the bathroom. I found a plush chair where women normally sit fix their makeup or adjust their clothes. After applying a fresh coat of mascara I leaned back and Exhaled. Time seemed to stand still while I relaxed.
"Hey, are you alright? The food is getting cold, Pixie said as she entered the ladies room.
"Huh, what?"
"You have been in here for like a half hour. Marcus said you probably went out the window."
I just needed some ... quiet time.
"You mean you needed some air that Radolpho wasn't breathing," Pixie consoled.
"That too."
"Did you get lost?" Escobar asked as I sat down next to Pixie at the table?
"The Ladies room was overflowing. All those models in there checking their makeup," Pixie announced.
"Who ordered for me," I asked a little annoyed?
"Told that would be a mistake," Marcus said.
"I know what she likes," Radolpho bragged confidently.
I looked down at my plate and frowned. As much as I wanted to complain I could not. Next, to a huge pile of perfect shoestring truffle fries set meatball sub made on a fresh crispy french baguette. The savory marinara sauce with fresh herbs smelled incredible.
Escobar smiled at me from across the table."So what do say we check out the nightlife? We can hit the clubs and go dancing. Marcus can take Pixie to a movie or something."
"Yeah um no, I'm not a babysitter. And there is no way Imma go out looking like I date jailbait."
"Yeah, that would look kind of suspicious," I agreed with Marcus. Besides, I would rather go see a Base ball game. I bet we could probably score tickets to a Brooklyn Cyclone game."
"And she like sports, told you man, this one is a keeper," Radolpho said to Marcus while scrolling through his phone before making a phone call.
An hour later I was back at the hotel getting ready for a Yankees games. Tonight they were playing the Braves. Apparently, Escobar knew a member of the Atlanta baseball team and had managed to get four tickets to the game.
"Did you call and check on Emily," I asked as I angled into the car.
"Who, oh yeah Tabby's baby, The nanny said she is fine."
"These seats are amazing! We are right next to the first base line. Are those some of the player's wives" I asked?
"Yeah, we could have sat in the Braves skybox but I thought you would like this better."
The game had just gone into the seventh inning when Pixie tapped me on the shoulder.
"I have to use the lady's room will you go with me?"
"Yeah, just give me a second.," I said shifting my cheese nachos and beer toward Radopho.
"It's alright. You stay here," she said and jumped up and ran towards the restroom.
"Pixie, wait," I called while still trying to give Escobar the Nachos.
"Relax, Marcus go find her. Then wait and bring her back,"Radolpho said.
"Hey, I'm going to get another beer. You want anything," Escobar asked a few minutes after Marcus and Pixie had left?
"See you soon," he said after I shook my head no.
I watched as the batter hit the ball and it went sailing in my direction. I looked at my nacho and then the ball. There was only a split second to make the choice between the delicious concession and catching a fly ball. A few minutes later I was sitting in my seat eyeing the ball and wearing my nachos. Even Ella would not be able to get the nacho stain out my shirt. But hey, who cared I had caught a major league baseball.
"Hey, pretty lady, I'll give you a Benjamin for that ball," a man said as he slouched into Radolpho's seat. He was good looking and appeared to have more money than he knew how to spend.
"No thanks."
"Okay, how about two," he offered.
"Like I said, no thanks."
The man sat there for several minutes trying to haggle with me.I ignored him while I continued looking at the game.
"How about I throw in my phone number," he cooed as he rested his hand on my leg. That's when I heard a string of expletives in English and Spanish. Then the man flew out of his seat hitting the pavement hard. Escobar launched a series of vicious punches and kicks to the man's body.
"Radolpho stop it! Stop this! You are going to kill that man!" I screamed!
Marcus raced in and restrained Escobar. "We have to get out of here before we get arrested."
"Not going to happen," Escobar told him.
"Let's go," Marcus insisted as he pushed Radolpho toward the exit!
The car ride back to the hotel was silent. Pixie and I went back to the room to and watched a movie without saying a word to Radolpho.
Early the next morning we packed our things to go home. An awkward silence hung between everyone as we took the elevator down to the lobby.
"Look I'm sorry. Don't end this trip like this. We all had a great time," Radolpho said to me. I checked on that guy. He is going be alright. I paid his hospital bill. Blanca I was looking out for you."
"It's okay," I said as I folded myself into Radolpho's arms. The mood at breakfast was much lighter. Even Marcus joined in the lively conversation. Everyone seemed to have fun, but underneath the laughs, flirting and banter, I was still working a case.
~XOXO~XOXO~XOXO~XOXO~XOXO~XOXO~XOXO~
I was so glad to be back home. The plan was to go home, but once I was on the road I found myself driving to Rangeman. I went straight up to five where I found Hector in the control room.
"Hey chica, what can I do for you?"
"Nothing, I just missed you guys," I said giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Better not let the boss see that," Lester teased before giving me a hug."Where have been hiding? I haven't heard from you in a couple of weeks."
"Business trip. Speaking of your boss, where is he? I wanted to say hi."
Lester gave Hector a look then both of them stared at me. "I don't think we heard her right" Lester said.
"Yeah, it sounded like she said she wanted to say hi to Ranger."
I gave them a eye roll "So is he in his office" I asked?
Lester nodded and pointed me in the right direction.
I knocked on the door and Ranger barked for me to enter.
As I walked through the door I noticed Ranger's attention was enthralled in a phone call and something on his computer screen as he shuffled through a stack of papers.
"Is this a bad time, I asked "when he didn't look up to greet me?
"Steph" he said looking started as he ended his call without saying goodbye. Then Ranger quickly dropped the papers he had been looking at in a drawer. For the first time since I had entered the room Rangers eyes met mine. That's when I noticed the neat row of stitches above one of his eyes. The other was badly swollen. There was also a huge bruise on the side of his face.
"What happened," I asked rushing over to Ranger's desk!"Are you alright?"
Ranger quickly turned off his computer monitor. If I did not know better I would have thought he was rattled.
"It's not a bad time, Babe. Wasn't expect to see you here to today. Not in my office. "
"Oh, what I don't have access anymore, " I joked.
"You are welcome anytime.," Ranger said in a friendly tone.
"So how are things going with Rangeman Atlanta?"
"Things are moving along well. We will be up to par Trenton, Boston and Miami with Standards soon."
"I know you can't wait. Then you can be on your way back to Miami."
"No, not really. I was thinking about staying for while."
"Why?"
"Nice change of pace," Ranger replied , his eyes laser focused on me.
"How is Julie," I asked?
"She great. I think she misses you."
"I would love to hear from her."
"So I heard you cook now, or is that some crazy rumor."
"No, it's true."
"When do I get lunch"Ranger asked?
Before I could answer my phone buzzed with a text message from Blaze. He was not happy that I was back in town and had not checked in with him.
"I have to go," I sighed.
Ranger gave me a nod before I left.
I was greeted by Blaze who was sitting at the receptionist desk when I entered the office. The building was unusually quiet.
"Where is everyone," I asked?
"It is after 8:00. They all went home. Where have you been? What happened to reporting as soon as you get back."Blaze scolded?
"What happened to your face," I asked noticing the tape covering the bridge of his nose?
"Yeah, don't try to change the subject. This is about you."
"I'm sorry. I just needed some quiet time. You did not have to wait for here. I would have given you the report at your place."
"So report."
"You can call him. Notify her father and tell him I found his daughter"
"Where?"
"The club in New York. She had never been with them before. But that night she was there and I 'm sure it was her."
"We need to move on this the next chance we get because it may not happen again. I'm pretty sure I can get Escobar to let me see her then we can..."
Slow down Steph, this is a minor. We have to have everything in place, paperwork, her father, and the police. There is no telling what Escobar will do if he finds out you are there to take that girl.
"Well can we at least call her dad and let him know?"
"Yeah, I'm sure this call is going to ease his mind."