Stephanie
Isabelle and I spent a lot of time talking about the baby. She was excited about the pending arrival of her younger brother or sister. "Brother," Isabelle said. "I have three sisters." I smiled, realizing she had included Julie as her sister.
"Does anyone suspect I'm pregnant?" I asked. I went to the kitchen to check on the casserole Ella put in our oven.
"Pretty much everyone," Isabelle replied. I was afraid my Merry Men would solve the mystery. "I heard Uncle Cal and Hal talking about your breasts getting larger. They know women don't suddenly increase in cup size without a pregnancy involved."
"Speaking of bras… did Ella buy any new ones for you?" I wondered. Isabelle's face flushed pink. She nodded and cut the fresh bread to occupy her time. I noticed the subtle changes in Isabelle. It wouldn't be long before she started her cycle. "Sweetie, it won't be long before you have your first period."
"I know. I'm hoping it doesn't start for a while," Isabelle said.
Carlos entered the apartment. He heard our conversation, then left. I smiled at his thoughtfulness. "It happens when your body is ready. Ella stocked the bathrooms with the necessary supplies. I can show you how to use them if you want," I offered. Isabelle seemed grateful. "It's best to be prepared. I want you to start carrying a few items in your purse."
"Mom," she whined. I gave her a stern look until she agreed. "Everyone will know."
"No, they won't. Give me a few minutes." I disappeared into my bedroom closet to grab the bag for Isabelle. It was big enough to carry the necessary menstrual supplies but small enough to fit inside her backpack and purse. I returned to the kitchen. Isabelle had the sliced bread on a baking sheet. She had added the garlic spread and grated cheese. "I asked Ella to buy this for you," I said, handing the item to Isabelle.
"What is it?"
"A bag to hold your emergency supplies," I explained. I unzipped the bag for Isabelle to look inside. "I added a small package of feminine wipes. They're flushable." Isabelle wiped her hands on the apron, then hugged me.
"Thanks, mom. You thought of everything."
"I would like to take the credit, but your father, Carlos, recommended it."
Isabelle giggled. "I should be embarrassed, but it's very sweet." Carlos entered the apartment when he heard Isabelle laughing.
"Is everything good?" he asked. Isabelle launched herself into his arms.
"Perfect. Thanks, daddy." Isabelle kissed his cheek, then left to put the bag in her bedroom.
"You gave it to her," Carlos said, wrapping his arms around my waist. He pulled my back to rest against his chest. His hands protectively cradled our baby.
I turned in his arms to see his face. "When do you leave?"
"At 0100. I'm taking Ram and Hal," he replied. I knew Carlos still had time on his government contract. "The mission should only last a few weeks." Carlos tenderly kissed me. We didn't get carried away since Isabelle was in the dining room, setting the table.
Isabelle set enough dishes for six. She looked at the ceiling, then grabbed four more place settings. "I hope we have enough food," I mumbled.
The men arrived with extra food. I laughed when they had extra casserole. Our meal was noisy. Vince told us about Steve Sutton hanging around. "Does he know about the inheritance?" I asked.
"It seems that way. Though I'm not sure how he found out," Vince replied.
"Does he have blond hair and grey eyes? The same height as dad?" Isabelle asked, pointing at Carlos when she mentioned her dad. Vince nodded. "He overheard my conversation with Aunt Val at the funeral. Keep him away from my aunt. He'll steal every cent she has."
"Who is Sutton dating?" I wondered.
Hector grabbed the laptop from the coffee table to check the database. I saw him typing on the keyboard. A name popped into my head, but it didn't match the face I could see. I reached over Hector to type the name of the woman I could see. Maureen Thompson. She was in Valerie's classes in high school. Maureen's family had money. Hector raised an eyebrow then he researched more about Thompson. Maureen got married after graduating high school. Her husband got deployed on his third tour but never returned.
"Carlos, do you have a minute?" He leaned over the back of the couch to read the details. "Is there a chance he's alive?"
"No. Why did you ask about Reardon?"
"Steve Sutton is dating his widow," I replied. "He's already siphoned some of the life insurance money." I watched my husband's lips thin. He motioned for Ram to contact his late friend's widow. Ram nodded to make the call.
Carlos called Paul and Marco. He explained the situation and how he planned to return the money stolen from Maureen's account. Ram returned to inform everyone that Maureen went online to change her password at the bank, then changed her passwords on her computer and mobile device. "She cancelled all automatic transfers to other banks," Ram added. "Maureen never noticed because the insurance money is in an account she only accesses once each month."
I pointed to something on the screen. Hector grinned and changed the location. Isabelle sat beside Hector and said they should send an anonymous tip to the FBI.
"My, my, my. What do we have here?" I asked.
"Babe?" Carlos asked.
"Don't sign the security contract with Petiak, Smullen, Gorvich and Orr. It appears Orr is smuggling money from his partners, and they are laundering money. They want to set up Rangeman to take the fall," I replied. "Carlos, Rangeman just received a request from the FBI to investigate Gorvich." Ranger nodded and asked Jeanelle to meet in a few minutes. He needed someone to place trackers on Gorvich.
Carlos leaned over to read the screen. "It appears Orr wasn't the only partner siphoning funds. Gorvich stole from his clients," Carlos added. "Forty million dollars. Things could get messy."
Jeanne Ellen arrived within thirty minutes. She used her fob to access the seventh floor. I answered the door when she knocked. Jeanelle hugged me and whispered, "Congratulations. You're glowing."
Great. Does everyone know about my pregnancy? "We suspected, but we know now," Vince announced. "Sorry, Steph, but you asked the question."
"I'm sorry, Carlos. I didn't mean to tell everyone," I said. Carlos pulled me into his arms and passionately kissed me.
"We can trust everyone inside this room. I was planning to tell Tank and Vince tonight," Carlos confessed. Everyone reassured me that my secret was safe. It wouldn't take long for the other men to notice.
Carlos took Jeanelle into the kitchen and explained what he wanted her to accomplish. "Who is monitoring the bugs?" I heard Jeanne Ellen ask.
"Lester. He'll send everything to our contact with the FBI," Carlos replied. "Watch out for Petiak. He plays with flamethrowers."
Jeanelle shivered. She accepted the bugs from Carlos. Her first stop was to visit Petiak, Smullen, Gorvich and Orr to plant bugs in Dickie Orr's office. Of the four men, Orr would be easiest for Jeanelle to access.
Lester hugged his sister while whispering in her ear. She nodded, then kissed his cheek. Jeanelle waved to the rest of us before leaving the apartment. "I made her promise to call if she needs help," Lester explained.
"Mom, I'm going to Tia Ella's apartment. I'll see you in the morning." Isabelle kissed her Uncle Hal and Uncle Ram's cheeks before hugging her dad. "Stay safe, okay?"
"I will, hija," Carlos replied. Isabelle disappeared into her bedroom before leaving with her backpack. The remaining men left within an hour, giving Carlos and me time alone.
When it was time for Carlos to leave, he tenderly kissed me. "Don't get shot," I whispered.
"Don't go crazy," he replied. I pulled one of his shirts over my head and grabbed my yoga pants. Carlos and I held hands as we walked up the stairs to the roof. The Rangeman helicopter had parked on the landing pad.
Carlos stroked my cheek before climbing into the helicopter. Ram and Hal hugged me, then followed Carlos into the cabin. I felt arms wrap around me from behind. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Vince smiling at me.
Vince held my hand as we returned to my apartment. He planned to sleep on the couch. "How's Lotte and Ryan?" I asked. Vince grinned. "That good?"
"You better believe it," he replied.
Joseph
I was relieved when the other men stopped using me for sex. Bubba didn't share. The doctor visited the prison to screen everyone for STDs. Luckily, my cell block returned clean results. Bubba grinned when my results arrived. "Are you ready to play, Cupcake?" Bubba asked. I shook my head.
Bubba approached me. He pulled my shirt over my head to trap my arms. I felt Bubba remove my pants. He stroked me. I retreated into my mind as Bubba poked and prodded me. "No," I cried when Bubba touched my ass with his hands.
"It's not going to be today, Cupcake. Soon," he whispered. I whimpered. Bubba kept me on my toes. I never knew when he would pull me from my bunk.
After three days of near sleepless nights, Bubba asked, "Why did the viper want the money?"
"I don't know any viper," I replied.
"Sure you do, Cupcake. Your dead mother-in-law." I refused to talk. Bubba laughed. "You'll talk soon enough."
During lunch the following day, Bubba took part of my sandwich. I didn't bother trying to get it back. He shoved it into his mouth. Bubba's tray was empty. The guards watched my reaction, prepared to stop a fight that had never happened.
Every meal, Bubba would remove something from my tray. The guards watched in amusement. I had begged them to help, but the men had no respect for corrupt cops. Bubba was wearing me down.
I had no concept of time. The days and nights blended together. Bubba stole my rations of food and drink. At night, he would constantly interrupt my sleep. I required at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep to function. Bubba claimed he could survive on less. He wasn't lying. I walked around like a zombie while Bubba was his typical self.
My sleep got abruptly interrupted. Bubba tugged me from the bunk, then restrained my arms. It felt like I would rip in two. He promised to stop if I confessed. I broke and spilled everything to the man assaulting me. Bubba knew absolutely every secret I had kept for my father. I prayed Bubba would stop, but he continued until he found a release. My semen sprayed the bottom bunk. Bubba laughed. He pulled my shirt down, shoved me into the mess and sat in the corner.
"Did you get it?" Bubba asked someone.
The guard from the visitation room replied, "I most certainly have."
I sat on my bunk crying. The pain was unbearable. My sheets needed changing, but I couldn't muster the energy to remove them. "Awe, Cupcake. Did I hurt you?" Bubba asked. "Would you like me to make it better?" I shook my head. Bubba approached, making me flinch away.
"Go away," I cried.
"What's wrong, Cupcake? You didn't like it rough?" Bubba teased.
I don't remember the last time I cried. It must have been when I was a child. When my father died, I never shed a tear. "That was beyond rough," I cried. I had to warn my family.
"Poor Cupcake needs his mommy," Bubba taunted. Bubba stroked my back. I shoved his hand away. "Don't worry, Cupcake. I got exactly what I wanted."
"A confession?" I asked, wiping the tears off my cheeks.
"I needed to know your family's secret. It's no wonder you never made it to the SEALs. You spill when someone tortures you. I doubt my cousin, Tank, would ever talk," Bubba replied. Bubba laughed. "I know Manoso never did. He got stabbed and still fought back."
"How do you know?" I asked. Bubba laughed and shook his head.
"You'll never get me to talk." I waited for Bubba to speak, but he retreated to the corner and leaned against the wall.
Meanwhile, in the warden's office, the guard sat in the chair, waiting for the warden to contact Rangeman Securities in Trenton, New Jersey. "Are you going to share the intel?" James Cunningham asked.
"No, sir. It doesn't impact the prison of the convicts we house. Only the woman and her child are in danger. I will only release the intel to my brother, Manny Ramos, at Rangeman," Javier replied.
"As you wish," James said. He called the number provided by Javier.
"You have reached Rangeman. How may I direct your call?" Manny asked.
"Manny Ramos, please," James replied.
"This is he," Manny said. "How can I help you today?" Manny listened as James Cunningham explained his request. "I will arrive in a few hours."