Stephanie
Tank called Hector, Bobby, Lester, Manny and me for a meeting after Isabelle left for school. He wanted to keep the conversation as private as possible. "Have you heard from Carlos?" I asked.
"He's making his check-ins. I believe the team is awaiting extraction," Tank replied. I was relieved. Carlos should come home within a few weeks. Tank smiled when I rubbed my baby bump. The guys on the fifth floor noticed the addition to my figure. The slight protrusion had appeared overnight. Each man grinned and congratulated me. They got warned to maintain silence outside of Rangeman.
"When can I get out of here?" I asked.
Lester sat on the sofa, then pulled me onto his lap. His hands rested on my baby bump. "After we listen to Tank and determine how his intel would keep you and my nephew safe," Lester replied.
Hector brought his intel to the meeting. At Tank's request, Hector dug into the validity of Morelli's claims. Of course, everything was false. He couldn't wait to share his news.
"Okay, Tank. Is everyone here?" I asked. "I don't see Vince. He should be here."
Tank nodded, then called Vince to the meeting. Vince was on monitors and had to get Cal to cover his shift. When Vince arrived, Tank got right to business. "Stephanie, Anthony Morelli Sr, paid Gino Grizoli to kill you should you get pregnant by anyone other than Joseph Morelli," Tank said.
"What? Are you fucking kidding?" I screamed. I tried to move off Lester's lap, but he held me tightly. "Lester, let me go. I'm going to grab the photographs." Lester reluctantly let me go. I returned with the two pictures.
"May I see?" Tank asked. I gave them to Tank. He passed them to Hector. Each person viewed the photographs before returning them to me. "When did you get the picture of Helen, Anthony Sr, Joe and you, Steph?"
"I found it during high school," I replied. "It fell out of Terry Gilman's binder. I stashed it with my treasures when I got home. The one with Anthony, Joe and the Necromancer I took. Why?"
Tank opened the laptop to retrieve the audio track. He played the part pertaining to the photograph.
"My dad took me to see a family member," Joe said.
"Name?" Bubba demanded.
Joe whimpered before saying, "Alberto Mancuso. He was known as the Necromancer. My dad paid him to force compliance from Helen Plum."
"What did your father want?"
"To reclaim the Vineyard in Italy, which rightfully belongs to the Morelli family. My grandma Bella heard it from her father-in-law," Joe replied. "I've been working with Helen Plum and my grandmother to get our family legacy returned."
I gasped. Could it be true? Hector caught my eye and shook his head.
"How do you know it belongs to your family?" Bubba asked. Joe didn't reply.
Bubba made Joe scream. "My great-grandfather missed a few property tax payments. The Testas took over the farm. Their fortune belongs to my family," Joe cried.
"What about Belle?" Bubba asked, proving he knew more than Joe realized.
"A means to an end. Grandma Bella and Helen Plum said it was the best way to ensure we get what we rightfully own," Joe cried. "Belle would inherit the Testa fortune after Stephanie died. I could resume ownership of the vineyard and other properties. Once they got sold, I would return the money to my family. None of us would have to work again. Helen would get a cut for helping us gain the inheritance."
"What if Belle's biological mother had another daughter?" Bubba wondered.
"Both mother and child would die by Giacomo Pacini's hands after I finished torturing the mother. She deserves to suffer for not cooperating with her mother."
"Is that all?" Bubba asked.
"No. Terry promised to kill Stephanie if she conceived by another man besides me."
"Thank you, Cupcake. Here's your reward," Bubba said.
Tank turned off the recording. "You don't want to hear the rest," he said.
"You're right. I think we all know what Bubba did to Joe," I replied. "Was that the only time Bubba went that far?"
"Yes. Bubba has no intention of continuing the actions. He only did what he felt was necessary to get the complete story," Tank replied. I felt sorry for a few moments. It was a horrible way to get him to spill his secrets. "Little Girl, what Bubba did to Morelli was a small fraction of what Morelli planned to do to you. The men in the prison yard couldn't beat it out of Morelli. It was the only way to make him talk." He was still Isabelle, Angie and Mary Alice's biological father.
Tank continued to explain. "We listened to the audio last night when Manny brought it back to Rangeman. Manny and Hector dug up every piece of information they could find."
Hector turned on the large screen television to display his search results. Speaking Spanish, he showed various land registries in Italy. The plot of land had been purchased by Adriana Testa. Her father, Alessandro Testa, added his name to the deed to protect his daughter. Alessandro and his daughter planted the starter vines in the fields in neat rows to grow wine grapes. He taught Adriana everything he had learned tending to his uncle's vineyard.
Alessandro built a shed to use as a nursery. He explained that they needed to plant healthy rootstock the following year to ensure a healthy yield. Each year, they expanded the vineyard by planting new rootstocks and replacing the old. Alessandro had his cousins produce the wine until they could afford to build the winery.
I was impressed with the impeccable records. How did they keep everything from burning? Hector explained that Alessandro got the blacksmith to forge a metal box. Alessandro sealed it using wax after placing the prized documents inside.
Adriana Testa married Aldo Corelli. He helped Adriana grow their vineyard and produce the wine. It took a few years for Aldo and Adriana to earn enough money to hire workers. Adriana and Aldo had two boys who helped in the fields. Aldo knew his wife had purchased and owned the land. He ensured the taxes owed to the city got paid on time.
When Adriana grew older, she befriended Maria Morelli. Maria's son, Anthony, and daughter-in-law, Carina, needed a job to support their family. Carina was pregnant.
Aldo, with help from his sons and friends, had built a cottage at the back of the property. Anthony and Carina would live in the modest house to raise their child. Carina named her son after her husband. Anthony Jr grew up in the vineyard. He met a neighbour woman named Elena. They lived on the property with their family. When Carina and Anthony Sr passed away a few years later, Anthony and his wife, Elena, took over the chores on the farm. They had six boys. Anthony became arrogant.
The Morelli boys worked in the vineyard, checking the grapes for ripeness. Anthony, the second Morelli boy, met a neighbour girl named Bella Curione. Her family moved to the property when Elena's family passed away. Elena had no brothers, so the property got auctioned. The Curiones purchased the property when Bella was ten. When Bella got pregnant at sixteen by Anthony Morelli Jr, they married in a civil ceremony.
Adriana's oldest son, Carlo, and his wife, Anna, only had one child. Anna listened to Anthony's claims and ensured her husband knew the lies the man spread. She would inherit the property when her mother passed away. They closely watched the younger Anthony to prevent him from stealing the vineyard. Anna and Carlo had a daughter they named Isabelle. She had curly hair and resembled her grandmother, Adriana.
After meeting with the local barrister and solicitor, Adriana left her inheritance to her granddaughter, Isabelle. The barrister got Aldo to sign the document to make it legally binding. Adriana only requested to pass the inheritance to the next woman in the Testa family line. Anna promised to carry on the tradition when Adriana explained her reason. The property would continue to get passed from one generation to the next, whenever a female born to the Testa line continued. "Bella and Anthony Morelli moved to the states after Maria Ferrari died during childbirth. Her daughter was stillborn," Hector said. "Maria Ferrari was Isabelle's cousin."
"The Morellis never owned the vineyard?" Lester asked.
"No," Hector replied. "Their names never appear on the property titles. Every woman who inherited the vineyard and businesses used Testa as their surname. The property is currently registered to Stephanie Testa." I smiled at Hector. "Over the years, the Testa women purchased more properties and started other businesses. Stephanie is a wealthy woman." Hector showed various images of the property deed and transfer of ownerships. The copies were in excellent shape.
Tank added, "The property titles and copies of the wills came from Frank Plum. He had them covered in a protective non acidic plastic shroud. Anthony Giuseppe Morelli never owned the property."
"I bet a Morelli man lied to save face with his children. My money is on Anthony Morelli, Bella's husband or the father-in-law. It wouldn't surprise me if Maria Ferrari had carried his child," I added. Hector nodded, confirming my suspicion. Maria had claimed Anthony Paulo Morelli as the baby's father. He had already married Bella a few years earlier.
"Why move to the states?" Lester asked.
"Your family forced him to move, Angel," Hector replied. "The Morellis got banned from returning. Your great-grandmother gave them a stipend to remain in the states."
"Another reason for Bella Morelli to hate me. Great," I grumbled. The family would hate me more when I terminate all funding. They neither deserved nor earned the money "How do we handle the threat to my baby and me?"
"Anything else, Hector?" Tank asked.
"Yes. Giacomo Pacini was Vito Grizoli's enforcer. With Pacini dead, I suspect Terry would train his replacement," Hector replied. I wondered why he thought Terry would get involved. Then it made sense.
"She owned the photograph and likely knows its significance," I said. "The FBI is having problems making the charges against Terry stick. We have to catch her off guard. How are we going to manage that feat?"
"We're bringing Luigi Perrelli to Trenton. He'll work an undercover role and get cozy with Terry Gilman," Tank replied. I searched my brain for the name. Luigi worked in the Rangeman Miami office. He had asked to transfer to Trenton a few times, but there wasn't a role for him to fill. With our increased client base, I wondered if it could be arranged.
Luigi
Tank called to have me arrive in Trenton, New Jersey. I couldn't wait to return to the town to visit with my uncle. Hopefully, I could see my cousins while I was there. It had been too long since I spent time with my family. I doubt they would remember me. Everything changed when my father died during a deployment. My mom moved to Florida to escape the vipers in the Burg. They judged her for not remarrying a year after my father's death.
My friend drove me to the airport to board a commercial flight to Philly. Tank didn't want me arriving in Trenton before properly briefing me. He had a time-sensitive job for me to do. It involved protecting the Ranger's wife, who he called Little Girl. I knew her name was Stephanie, but I had never seen her photograph.
It was a shame my mother never kept in contact with the family. She received shares in a vineyard located in Italy. I know she made enough money to live comfortably. My mom was supposed to inherit the money from my grandmother, but she never had daughters. The only person to have daughters was my uncle, who was a year younger than my mother. I heard my grandmother changed her will to leave the bulk of the money to her granddaughter. My mom and aunt received a percentage of the yearly profits. It didn't matter to me. I had enough money.
Would I meet Stephanie during my trip? What does Tank expect me to do? I only knew he had an undercover operative for me and it was a personal matter for the boss and his wife. My Rangeman uniforms had to stay in Miami. I was excited and anxious. The energy buzzed in the air. Something big was on the horizon.
I landed in Philly. Hector and Tank waited outside the terminal for me. They remained silent until we got away from the airport. "Thank you for coming," Tank said.
"It was a command arrival," I replied. Tank shook his head. "I had the right of refusal, but I knew I had to help. What am I supposed to do?"
"Get cozy with Terry Gilman. We need to learn what threat Gilman poses to Stephanie," Tank replied. Hector passed me a folder. The woman inside was attractive. Her bottle blonde hair was straight. I could tell she had Italian heritage.
"She has mob ties," I said. "Should I be worried about her father ending my life if I hurt his daughter?"
"No. Her father died years ago. Vito, her uncle, would not tolerate harming an innocent woman or child," Tank replied. "Before Joseph Morelli got incarcerated, Terry promised to continue her father's work."
"And that is?" I asked.
"To kill Stephanie if she conceived by any man other than Joseph Morelli."
"That's fucked up," I replied. "You want to know if Terry would carry through her end of the deal if Stephanie got pregnant." Tank nodded. "How far should I go?"
"I don't recommend seducing her. You have permission to mention Stephanie's pregnancy if it produces the desired result," Tank replied.
"I'm not putting a pregnant woman in danger," I snapped.
"Stephanie is well protected. I have a woman willing to assist. She would pretend to be Stephanie in public," Tank said. I was relieved.
Tank drove to Trenton, New Jersey. He passed me the keys to a safe house. It was above a business that Rangeman secured. I noticed the fob for a Ford Explorer. "Thanks, Tank. I wondered how I would get around Trenton."
"I couldn't leave you without wheels. Record every conversation," Tank said. He passed me a plastic case containing a wire and a recording device. I exited the car and grabbed my duffle. "Grab the other bag." I knew it would supply my weapons.
It didn't take long to unpack my duffle. I was too anxious to sit in the apartment all evening. There was a nightclub up the road. I grabbed my identification and cash. After shoving them into the front right pocket of my jeans, I shoved the mic into the left. Thankfully, my jeans were a relaxed fit. The recording device was small enough to conceal my keys. It resembled a novelty tag.
Inside the club, a pretty blonde caught my attention. It was difficult to take in her features at a distance. She moved closer, and I realized the woman was my mark.
Terry and I danced and drank. "One drink won't kill you, handsome," she crooned when I ordered another beverage free of alcohol. I could feel the heat of her pussy as she pressed it against my thigh. It would typically turn me on, but I found it gross.
"I have to work in a few hours. It wouldn't look right if I arrived on my first day reeking of alcohol," I replied. Terry pouted, but didn't coerce me into drinking.
"When did you blow into town?" she asked.
"A few hours ago," I replied, checking my watch. Terry had a few more drinks, which loosened her tongue. "Do you have a boyfriend?"
"I used to fuck Morelli on the side. He married a woman from the Burg. She was the older sister of the woman he wanted," she replied. Terry didn't answer my question.
"Boyfriend?"
"No. Fuck buddies. I don't do stupid things like marriage or children," she replied. It eerily sounded like Ranger's mantra before he settled down with Stephanie. Terry waved over a man from down the bar. "Gaspick, has anyone entered evidence against me?" Her voice sounded breathless like she was intentionally trying to seduce the man.
"A few things, but I don't want to join Morelli in prison. You'll have to get your lawyer to check," Gaspick replied, then left the club. Terry shrugged.
"My fuck buddy, who also tampered with evidence, is spending the remaining years of his pathetic life in prison. The fool couldn't get his hands on the fucking money. How are we supposed to run away?"
"It sounds like you have a few unresolved issues," I replied.
"I suppose it does," she replied.
"Would you like to talk about it?" Terry ordered another drink from the bartender, then drained her glass. She pulled me to a private room along the back wall. Terry pressed her body against mine. The rigidity of her boobs felt like implants. Her perfume aggravated my nose. Its scent was a combination of Chanel, booze and desperation.
"I'm trying to learn if Stephanie was pregnant, but I'm having trouble pinning down her location. She's probably hidden inside Rangeman. How am I supposed to finish my father's job?" Terry whined.
"What if she were pregnant? Do you have a plan?" I asked. Terry shook her head. She confessed to never getting past the first phase to determine if Stephanie was pregnant. I hoped the men were listening to the audio. Terry and I continued to dance and talk. She got chatty while drinking.
A gorgeous woman with dark curly hair entered the club. She touched her neck, then smiled. The woman was an absolute vision. Her baggy blue top was open to her breasts. The shirt below reflected the lights from the silvery fabric. Her dark jeans fit tightly to her figure, showing the leanness of her long legs. As she walked toward the bar, I noticed her eyes were an enticing shade of blue. My skin tingled in anticipation.
She touched my arm while leaning over the bar to grab the bartender's attention. The man looked at her and checked out the curves. "Sorry," she said, giggling. "I didn't mean to invade your space."
"What will you have, miss?" the bartender asked.
"Please, call me Stephanie or Steph. None of that miss stuff," she giggled. "A coke."
"Do you want anything added?" he asked.
"No thanks," she replied, rubbing her abdomen. I noticed a tiny bump between her hips. "I think drinking alcohol during a pregnancy is forbidden." She noticed the woman on my other side glaring at her. "Terry? Is that really you? I haven't seen you in years. How is your family?"
Terry ignored Stephanie. She left the bar in a huff. Stephanie leaned over to whisper, "My name is Jeanne Ellen. I'm wearing a shirt made of Kevlar. Hector is listening. Remember to call me Stephanie." I nodded, too dumbfounded to speak. "It's show time."
I followed Jeanne Ellen from the bar. While stepping through the exit, gunfire erupted. I tossed Jeanne to the ground. Red spread across her chest. "Stephanie, are you okay?"
She moaned, then winked. "Can't breathe," she stuttered. I looked over my shoulder as two cops wrestled Terry to the ground. Terry screamed about how Stephanie had ruined her life. It was all Stephanie's fault for not following the rules.
"What the fuck?" I mumbled. The electricity flowed through my skin. I opened her blouse and found a red pack attached to the Kevlar beneath the silvery cover. She sat up.
"Help me get this off. My chest hurts," Jeanne Ellen replied. I removed her shirt then the Kevlar, which got soaked in fake blood. She wore a thin camisole beneath the silvery vest. "Shit. That's going to leave a bruise."
"Do you need to visit the hospital?" I asked.
"It doesn't hurt enough to be broken ribs. I'll be fine. Can you drive me to Rangeman?"
"Sure. You'll have to direct me. I don't know the way from here," I replied. Jeanne Ellen waved off the paramedics. We walked toward my temporary apartment to collect the car. I wasn't sure how to get inside the parking garage at Rangeman.
Jeanne Ellen told me when to turn. I arrived at the visitor's entrance to the garage. She pressed a button on her key fob to make the gate swing open. Bobby, Tank and Lester waited outside the elevator.
I growled when Lester pulled her into his arms. Why does Santos always get the girl? Jeanne Ellen hugged Bobby, then Tank. She extended her hand to me. I held it as we stepped into the elevator. It stopped on the second floor.
Bobby guided us to the infirmary, where he assessed Jeanne Ellen's injury. "It's going to leave a bruise," Bobby said.
"I know. Lester, you better not tell mama," she warned. Mama? Are they married? I was confused. "Hey, what's your name?"
"Luigi. Everyone calls me Gee," I replied.
"Your middle name?"
"Angelo," I replied. She grinned before laughing.
"Ouch," she groaned and clutched her chest.
"What's funny, Jeanelle?" a female voice asked from the doorway. Jeanne Ellen removed her wig. The second woman held up a mirror for her to remove the contacts. Jeanne Ellen's green eyes shone in amusement.
"I combined Luigi's first and middle names," she replied, grinning.
Stephanie laughed. "Let me guess," she said, tapping her lip. "You thought of jello." Jeanne Ellen tapped her nose. Stephanie turned around to face me. "Hi, I'm Stephanie Manoso. Please call me Steph."
The woman was gorgeous but looked oddly familiar. She resembled Anie Lewis in fashion magazines. It took a few minutes to realize why. "You look like grandma Plum," I whispered. Stephanie walked toward me, then gently touched my cheek.
"Welcome home, cousin," she whispered.