Chapter 14

I woke laid out on the couch with a pillow under my head and a blanket covering me. The early morning and the stress of that meeting with Joe probably the reason for me falling asleep. Opening my eyes and looking around the drapes were drawn dimming the light around me. A quick look at the time from the entertainment unit told me that it was just after lunchtime, meaning that I hadn't slept for too long. As I lay there, I contemplated what I needed to do next. A visit to my parent's house had to happen and then I could return to my apartment to plan out what my next move would be. I wanted to go back to the places that I frequented and see people who were my friends without any worry. Would Joe let me do that? I had no idea what Ranger expected of me now, but I wouldn't push him for more. I had to get my shit together on my own without depending on him because I knew from experience that if I pushed for him to help me it would only have him pushing back harder and I needed to maintain that equilibrium of friendship that we had.

As I sat up and swung my legs down to the floor, I was aware of Ranger suddenly appearing from his office, surprised because I'd expected him to have been working downstairs. He came over to me, crouching down in front of me and looking at me as though trying to read me.

"How are you feeling?"

I considered what he'd asked me as he watched me, the whole drama from the morning was weighing as heavily on me as it had been then.

"I don't know"

"Babe, when you want to talk about it then I want to hear"

That wasn't what I expected him to say. I suppose that Hector had told him and the other men what he knew about my stay at Joe's. Though to be honest even I wasn't clear in my own mind about that. Did I want to talk about it? Not really. Maybe I just wanted to forget about it.

"Ella brought up some lunch"

Okay, the idea of food was welcome as I realized how hungry I was. After a visit to the bathroom, I went and sat down next to Ranger at the breakfast bar and watched as he uncovered the dish sat in front of me.

"Spaghetti and meatballs. How does Ella always know what will make me happy?"

Maybe I said that out loud because Ranger just shook his head as though he had no control over what Ella would provide for me. I wished that Ella would adopt me because she was so in tune with me, far more than my mother had ever been. That had a sigh come from me as I realized that a talk with her was overdue.

"What are you thinking Babe?"

"I need to visit my parents and confront my mother, something that I'm not looking forward to doing"

The problem was deciding when the best time was for doing that. I wanted my father to be there so that he would understand why I was so upset. My father had never really been the father who took much notice of what was going on in my life, but I felt that he needed to be aware of what had happened.

"Then we'll go this afternoon"

Okay that had me stopping the movement of my fork toward the last remnant of spaghetti. I hadn't really thought of doing it that quickly, but I suppose Ranger was right, the sooner I spoke with her the sooner I would know what part she had played.

"You don't need to come"

Not wanting to further involve Ranger in the crisis that was my life, though at the same time feeling that his company would help to keep me focused.

"I want to, and I know it will be hard for you to do"

Thirty minutes later I was sat in Ranger's Cayenne looking out of the window at my parent's house. I didn't want to move because I was dreading this visit. What I didn't know wouldn't hurt me and the idea that my mother had known that she and Joe were in cahoots was sitting heavily in my stomach, though maybe from how she had spoken to me I shouldn't have been surprised. As my door opened, I looked up to see Ranger stood there, holding his hand out for me to take. He'd changed for the visit and was wearing jeans and a beige sweater with a leather jacket over the top. He looked gorgeous and relaxed, none of the stress from when I saw him in Miami apparent.

I was surprised that we managed to reach the front door without anyone appearing to greet us. Was that family internal radar on the blink? Knocking I opened the door and walked into the house, acknowledging the sounds and smells that I associated with my family home. I quickly scanned the front room for my father, seeing as he spent most of his time sat in there watching TV, finding it empty. I found both of my parents in the kitchen, my mother at the sink and my father sat with a coffee reading the newspaper, so assumed that maybe they'd just finished their lunch. As soon as I entered the room my mother turned and looked at me before wiping her hands on the apron that was hung around her waist.

"Stephanie Michelle Plum. How dare you just turn up here after what you did"

I sat down opposite my father with Ranger stood behind me before I even dared to respond to her.

"What am I supposed to have done?"

Maybe not the best way to reply to her but I needed to know what she was talking about. If looks could kill, I would have been flat on my back with the look that my mother gave me. Seems she was annoyed at me which angered me because it was me who should have been annoyed.

"You left Joseph. Just up and disappeared when he'd been looking after you. How could you do that to him after everything that he'd done for you and offered you. You were supposed to be settling down, giving up that job and marrying him. Do you know what that made me look like?"

That answer established that she was privy to his plans and only seemed upset with what the neighbors had been saying. Why did she always have to criticize and undermine everything that I did?

"According to who Mum? Joseph? Did you ever have a conversation with me about that?"

I heard as she tut tutted and remained stood where she was by the kitchen sink so knew now was the time to ask the hard questions.

"No. You never spoke to me. You just assumed things Mum, why would you do that?"

I saw the frown go across her face as though it was me who was being stupid.

"You were ill, and Joseph was taking such good care of you. He said that you were much better in the mornings and that you'd agreed that you needed the stability that he could offer as a husband"

That she had believed Joe was infuriating. What mother just accepts the word of a man like Joe?

"I told you that Joe and I were over, but no, you just had to try and control my life as usual. I would never have agreed to go to Joe's house"

My mother really didn't like that I was making accusations against her but in my mind, I was seeing that what I'd said was true. She'd taken the opportunity of me being badly injured and allowed Joe to manipulate the whole situation. I watched as her knuckles turned white as she gripped the back of a chair, as she stared at me and was already prepared for the excuses she was bound to come up with.

"That man only has your best interests at heart. He wants to ensure that you are safe and well cared for. You ruined everything, why is it that I have a daughter who just can't do anything right, who has her head in the clouds"

That comment hurt. I was quick to stand up because I now knew that the woman stood in front of me would never love me as a mother should. I wasn't good enough for her because I would never do what she wanted. I couldn't understand how she had never seen who I was and that I would never conform to her expectations. Then again maybe that was it, I was a disappointment to her.

"I'd hoped that there was a small piece of you that actually loved me for who I was, but I know now that will never happen. As far as I am concerned, I won't be coming here again so you won't have to be embarrassed about me ever again"

A quick look at my father and I knew that he wouldn't be saying anything. He'd been silent throughout the whole conversation that had just taken place and like the whole of my life he'd never once shown me that he believed me. It seemed that his silence was his way of siding with my mother. I knew that Ranger was right behind me as I started to walk through the door though I was aware of hearing my mother's last words.

"Good riddance"

I was so caught up with turning over the events from my parent's kitchen over in my head that I never realized where we were until the car came to stop in the garage at Rangeman. Even then I never made a move. I think that I knew what would happen at my parents so why did it hurt so much now?

"Babe?"

I looked over to Ranger realizing that I hadn't moved and that he was probably waiting on me.

"Sorry. I was trying to figure out what went down with my parents. I suppose my mum wasn't a surprise, but I'd hoped that my father might have said something in my defense"

In some ways I was free of my mother and her constant criticism but would probably have the lies that she would spread around the Burg about me to contend with. They were something that I could put up with. Gossip had a way of running itself out when a new topic came around. Looking forward out of the window I wasn't too sure why Ranger had brought me back here.

"I thought that you'd take me back to my apartment?"

Unsure of why he'd brought me to Rangeman. I wasn't even sure if there was any danger from those bank robbers and Joe would leave me alone now, wouldn't he?

"Is that what you want? Morelli didn't sound as though he was going to leave you alone and those robbers are still on the loose and might be looking for you. I'd feel happier if you stayed here where I know you'll be safe"

I looked over to him so unsure of what to say. My heart was saying that I'd like to stay here at Rangeman, but my head was telling me that it might not be such a good idea. I knew that I was totally in love with the man so staying would only make it so much more real and whilst I was very sure that staying here would be amazing, I'd have to leave eventually. I wasn't too sure how my heart would cope with leaving.

I needed to maintain the status quo of the friendship that we had. Could I do that if I stayed here? Then again was he right that I was in danger? Shit. I'd never really thought much about that and knowing how Ranger had reacted to the idea that he'd lost me then I wasn't sure me being in my apartment alone would be good for his mental health. I slowly nodded my head though was too emotional to say anything.

"How about we have dinner here and then go to your apartment and collect some of your things?"

I nodded my head again at his suggestion knowing that I was only prolonging the inevitable for when I would be on my own.

It felt so calming and natural stepping into Ranger's apartment as though it was a time capsule where everything stayed the same and kept the worries of the world at bay.

"Ella has left the ingredients for chicken stir fry"

He commented as he looked inside the fridge. I wasn't sure what that meant so after taking my jacket off I walked over to the counter and looked at the things that he was bringing out of the fridge.

"So, we have to cook it?"

Maybe I was amusing Ranger with that comment, but come on, there was no way that I'd even know where to start. A kiss to my nose was what I got before being asked for my help.

"Would you lay the table and then you can see how easy it is to do"

I was okay with doing that but then ended up stood next to him while he prepared the meat, vegetables and noodles before adding them to a wok.

"That's all you have to do to produce this, just throw everything into a wok?"

I asked as I finished the last of my meal from the bowl. I couldn't believe how easy Ranger had made it look to cook the meal.

"Yes, in the right order so that the meat is thoroughly cooked and then you can add whatever sauce you want to"

Hmm, maybe I could try that, I mean it didn't look that difficult. I never had enjoyed cooking because anything that my mother expected me to do seemed so complicated and definitely time sensitive in order to have everything ready for the same time. It usually ended up with me overcooking something and burning it. Once the dishes were washed and put away Ranger picked up my jacket and bag indicating that it was time for us to go.

Ranger parked in a space at the back of my building and then watched as a second Rangeman car pulled in behind us. I was looking at Ranger as he helped me from the car hoping that he'd offer some explanation. Did Ranger feel that he needed a shadow or was this because of me? Of course he'd want to make sure that I was safe, so I kept my silence because Ranger would have his reasons.

I led the way through the front door and then took the stairs up to my floor thinking that if that was what I had to do every time I came home then I really needed to go back to my exercising. Of course, entering the apartment had me seeing it as it was and for the first time ever, I felt embarrassed about it. I watched as Ranger lifted the lid of my cookie jar and looked inside, probably looking for my gun. As he turned to me, I knew that I had a smile on my face because he'd be pleased that I'd started to make sure it was with me.

"I started to take it with me and keep it in my bedroom at night. It's under my pillow because I couldn't take it with me to the bank"

Yeah, I saw how his lips quirked up into an almost smile before I turned to go find a bag and pack up some clothes. Opening the closet, I pulled things from the shelves and started to fold them before placing them inside a bag. I was about to go into the bathroom when I heard Ranger behind me.

"Babe, are you sure that your gun is here?"

Turning I saw the stun gun in his hands so was surprised that he'd missed finding my gun. I knew that I put them there before going to the bank so immediately joined him going to the place where I knew it should be. I ended up just about stripping the bed and looking underneath. I was beginning to think that maybe it was me and that I'd put it somewhere else and forgotten about it. I mean, where the hell could it be?

"Babe, is there anything else missing?"

That had me looking at him because the idea that someone could have broken in and stolen it had never crossed my mind.

"Was the box of bullets in the cookie jar?"

As he shook his head, I had that awful feeling come over me. Someone had broken in and taken my gun and bullets. A quick look around didn't show anything disturbed or missing but I definitely didn't want to stay here on my own anymore.

"We'll report it stolen in the morning Babe"

That didn't sit well with me, but I knew that it had to happen. I just couldn't work out why someone would break in and just steal my gun and bullets. There were very few people who even knew that I owned a gun. There was nothing that I could do about it so with my bag in hand and another bag with toiletries and shoes made for the door. Of course, Ranger carried my bags for me out to the car.

After putting my bags into Ranger's bedroom, I ended up on the couch flicking through the channels on the TV. I wasn't interested in watching anything, too content just to be here with Ranger. I was aware that the TV was switched off and was then curious as I watched Ranger check the door before he came back to the couch.

"You're tired. You've had a hell of day"

He was right. To think that this morning I'd been in Miami seemed like a lifetime ago. Then the meeting with Morelli and the visit to my parents, yeah, I was ready for this day to end but I was also so anxious in case the dreams visited me.

"You get ready for bed while I shower"

Had me staying on the couch staring after Ranger as he disappeared. When Ranger came out of the bathroom wearing a towel slung low on his hips, I scurried past him hoping he hadn't noticed how my eyes had travelled over his chest. It was as I entered the bathroom and looked around that I was suddenly aware of the subtle changes. It was the smell that hit me first as it drifted on the remaining steam that swirled around the room. Bulgari, the smell so unique to Ranger.

Then there was my electric toothbrush sat on the shelf above the sink and the open bag containing my make up. Ranger must have brought them in when he came into the bathroom. I sighed because I knew that I'd left everything in the two bags, not quite prepared to unpack them. Taking things out of the bags and putting them away had a feeling of permanency to it. I wasn't sure I would cope when I came to have to repack them. I washed and changed into the pajamas that I'd brought in with me before going into the bedroom wondering what I'd come across. Was I surprised to see Ranger already in bed? No. I suppose it was how we behaved whenever I'd stayed here, weird really how easily we both fell into the routine.

As I climbed into bed I was pulled over until my head was on his chest and his arm was wrapped around me. Even being this close to Ranger I felt no warm tingly sensations, which to be honest worried me. Normally any close contact with Ranger would have my hormones jumping up and down for attention but it just wasn't happening. It didn't make me feel any less content as I laid there so I was surprised when my eyes became heavy, and I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke, I expected to be alone in fact seeing as I was in exactly the same position, I wondered how long I'd been asleep for. Opening my eyes, I decided from how light the room was that it must have been morning. What surprised me was that Ranger was still laying in the bed with me draped across him. As I made to move his arm tightened around me keeping me in place.

"Morning Babe, you slept well"

I lifted my head to look up at Ranger and realized that he was right. I had no memory of any dreams at all.

"What are your plans for today?"

I brought my head back down so that my cheek was resting on his chest as I considered what he'd asked. I suppose that I needed to make the effort of getting some control back in my life so that would mean going to the office. Then I wondered what Vinnie would be thinking and whether or not I still had a job.

"I need to call in at the office and see if I still have a job and if I have, then I'll be looking for skips"

Ranger didn't say anything as he ran his hand down my arm, so I assumed that the answer that I gave him was what he expected.

"Tank was saying that Vinnie is reducing the number of low-level bonds, something about the profit margin not covering costs"

I wasn't aware of that happening, but it made sense when I thought of the last skips that he'd told me to bring in. In other words, Vinnie wasn't making enough money from them, and everyone knew what a skinflint and miser he was. Would that mean if I had a job then he would expect me to collect medium to high bond skips? I wasn't sure if I would be comfortable doing that. Okay, the three that I'd captured had brought in a hefty amount of money, but they hadn't been without injury or loss.

"I wouldn't be happy with you going after higher bonds on your own, plus Vinnie is a cheapskate because he pays you a lower percentage. If you're going to be going after higher bonds then you need a partner, which Vinnie won't provide"

I was following what Ranger was saying because I was aware of what Vinnie was doing firsthand but couldn't see a way out for me. If I had a partner, then I was sure that we'd have to split the pay which could end up with me financially worse off. As for a partner, okay, Lula could be a help with some of the lower bonds, but I couldn't see her coping with the type of bonds that might be given to us.

"I'd like to give you an option to think about. Santos has been working through a business plan to separate the fugitive apprehension part of the business and make it viable. Rangeman will continue to take on the medium and high bonds at our rate of payment, but he wants you to be one of our apprehension agents. You'd get a regular wage, training, a partner and support the team with finding and securing skips"

As I considered what Ranger was saying I knew that he would never do anything that didn't make good business sense and Les's idea did seem like a good one, but what I couldn't work out was why he was asking me to consider working for Rangeman. The men that Ranger had working for him were far more competent than I would ever be. It seemed that Ranger was once again trying to bail me out and I wasn't sure that I could take a job because he was feeling sorry for me, in other words a pity job.

"Before you make up your mind, I had nothing to do with this. Santos worked on this while I was away and had a team do a viability study and they decided that someone like you would be an asset. You have a way of finding people that they would never consider and a different way of approaching a problem"

I was frowning now as Ranger added that last sentence because I couldn't understand why Les would say that about me. Rangeman always found their skips so how would I be adding anything more?

"I don't know. I mean your men do a good job now"

"They don't have the capture rate that you do. Plus, there'll be other high income captures through some of the alphabet agencies that we sometimes work with, and they often need a different approach to find and capture them quickly"

I decided not to respond to that, probably because I didn't know how to.

"Have a talk with Santos"

"Okay, I will. I want to catch up with Lula and Connie and speak to Mary Lou so maybe tomorrow"

It wouldn't harm to talk to Les and then I could find out just how serious Ranger was, but I also needed to talk to the girls and try to smooth over some of the gossip that must have been circling the Burg about me.

"I'm tied up with client meetings, courtesy of Tank, but I want someone with you to make sure that you're safe. How about dinner at Pinos"

I should have realized that having a shadow was likely to happen. For some reason Ranger was more worried than I was. Don't get me wrong, the idea of coming across Joe scared the shit out of me but I'd managed to avoid him while Ranger was away. As for the bank robbers, I assumed that they were long gone by now and would know that I wasn't a threat to them.

"Sounds good to me"

I immediately replied seeing as it had been an age since I'd been to Pinos. It had become a place that I'd avoided for fear of bumping into Joe so having Ranger there would ensure that nothing would happen. As for the shadow, well I'd oblige for now and see how it worked out.

After dressing, we both went down to the garage where Ranger handed me a new phone and a set of keys for one of the company SUVs. Ranger was meeting up with one of the men who was picking him up. As I looked at the keys in my hand and then back to Ranger, he just raised an eyebrow. Okay, I'd use the car until I'd bought a new one. I had money in my account so could afford one.