Chapter 6
Ella was confused by her orders. Ranger had asked her to make tacos for him and a guest. Then, he further requested shampoo, conditioner, and other toiletries for a female companion. Ella didn't know of Ranger dating anyone, and he had a strict rule that ladies were not to be brought into the building under any circumstances. She knew he was called out for an urgent meeting but wasn't sure with whom.
Ella was shocked when she opened Ranger's door to see the President's daughter in his living room. She saw her on television many times and found her engaging and energetic. However, she wasn't sure in what capacity she was here.
"Steph, this is Ella. Ella, this is Stephanie Plum. The President requested Rangeman's bodyguarding services for his daughter. I will be traveling with her for the foreseeable future."
Ella understood what Ranger was saying. This was strictly a business meeting, not personal, but Ella couldn't help but notice how Ranger pulled the chair out for her and how he gently pushed the chair in. While he was always the gentleman, the gesture was beyond professional.
"Good evening, dear. I hope everything is to your liking. I had to get this together quickly, and I hope I have the toppings you prefer. Ranger asked me to bring you some toiletries, and I have some body wash and hair supplies here, but I will send Luis out to get a different shampoo, as what I have won't work on your curly hair."
"Thank you, Ella, but you needn't bother. I don't want to inconvenience you any further."
"Nonsense. I heard what happened in your apartment. I understand how important it is to look your best. It's not a big deal. Anyway, he needs to pick up a prescription for me anyway."
Stephanie couldn't believe how genuinely lovely everyone at Rangeman was to her. No one treated her special or tried to kiss up to her like so many do when they know she's the President's daughter. Here, she is just a "normal" person.
"Thank you, as long as it's not an imposition."
Ella quickly placed the makings of tacos on the table. She had seared beef, chicken, ground beef, and fish. She also had lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, and a variety of hot sauces with both soft and hard shells.
"I hope you enjoy the tacos. I also have a piece of tres leches cake for dessert. Please let me know if you need anything else. Ranger, you know what to do if you need me to wash any clothes."
"Yes, Ella, I do. Thank you. I appreciate it."
"Ella, sincerely thank you. Everything looks and smells delicious," said Stephanie.
"You're welcome. Enjoy." Ella said as she wheeled her cart out of the apartment. If she were a betting woman, she would bet that by the end of this assignment, Ranger and Stephanie would be official. There was something about her that was made for Ranger. She would send up a silent prayer tonight to give Ranger what he needs, the perfect woman.
"What would you like to drink? I have water, unsweetened iced tea, beer, or wine."
"Water is fine," said Stephanie. Ranger went a retrieved two bottles of water and glasses. Once he sat, they both started to load up their dishes.
Stephanie was famished. She had lunch at noon, yogurt with granola while traveling between meetings. She took some beef, added lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese, and sour cream to two hard shells, and took a bite. The flavors assaulted her palate, and she could help but moan with pleasure at the taco taste.
Ranger was about to take a bite of his fish taco when Stephanie let out the sexiest moan he ever heard while eating. It sounded like she was on the precipice of an orgasm, and part of him hoped he could be the cause of that sound coming out of her mouth. He put the taco down and looked at Stephanie, whose eyes were closed as she savored the bite. When she opened her eyes, she blushed again.
"I'm sorry, I tend to be a vocal eater, especially when it tastes as good as these tacos. I'll try to hold back the moans."
"No, it's okay. I wasn't expecting that reaction. I guess this means that these tacos are better than Taco Bell?"
"Oh my, yes, by far. I don't know if I can ever eat Taco Bell again."
Ranger smirked. Score one for healthy and fresh. "I told you eating healthy isn't that bad."
"When the food tastes like this, you'd never know it was healthy."
They continued to eat in silence, with the occasional moan from Stephanie, usually when she tried something different. By the end of the meal, Ranger wasn't sure he wanted to eat with this woman again because he was convinced that eating with Stephanie would eventually test his self-control. He was going to need a cold shower.
Ranger gave Steph her piece of tres leches cake, which she ate and enjoyed. "Wow, I'm stuffed. Ella is a fabulous cook. She can cook for me anytime."
"I'm glad you enjoyed everything. I hope you don't mind taking the Rangeman jet instead of flying commercially."
"No, I don't mind. Under normal circumstances, I would object, but after what happened tonight, I'm okay with flying privately."
"Good. Babe, why were you so opposed to having security?"
Stephanie sighed. How does she get Ranger to understand? "My father wasn't home much when I was growing up. Until I turned fifteen, he used to go in the wind, as my sister Valerie and I would call it. He would be gone for weeks to months, always unable to contact us. It would take him a few weeks to act normal again when he returned. It was only after I was in college that I learned that my dad ran black ops missions. Mom raised Valerie and me as a single mom because Dad was often gone. You heard the phrase, 'It takes a village,' right? Well, Chambersburg is that village. Since the neighbors knew that mom was alone, they always looked out for Valerie and me while reporting anything we did, good or bad, back to my mom.
"My sister was a saint. She never stepped out of line. But me, I was a renegade. I preferred to play with boys, get dirty, and test limits. It got so bad that Mom asked everyone to always keep an eye on me. I could so much as stick out my tongue without my mom knowing. When I was thirteen, I tried a cigarette. I took one puff and was coughing and hacking for five minutes. I hated it. I never touched a cigarette again, but when I got home, my mom knew I tried one. I was punished for two weeks for that experimentation. In my mind, the women of the Burg were reporters, and I was the story. I began to call them the BNN, Burg News Network. Even today, as an adult, anything I do is reported back to Mom.
"When I was a teenager, it led to me being punished. I did everything in my power to try and hide in plain sight. I started to get pretty good at it. But things got better when Dad finally gave up his military career and decided to run for Mayor. He got wind of the BNN and Mom's reactions and spoke to her. He made her stop punishing me and stand up for me. Mom still listens and sometimes reacts, but it's nothing like it used to be. We have a decent relationship, but she doesn't understand me. I'm more like my father; if I were a boy, I'd probably have joined the Army."
Listening to Stephanie's story, Ranger started to understand why she wanted her independence and didn't want a team of people following her. He understood that living in a fishbowl was no way to survive or thrive. In his mind, he was already thinking of things he would need to do to ensure that she never felt as if she were being reported on. Ranger knew that from then on, she would need to be involved in all briefings. He couldn't keep things from her and knew that if he wanted to ensure her safety, she needed to know everything he did when he did.
"I'm sorry you had to live like that. Considering your history, I'm sure having Morelli on First Family detail didn't help."
"We he first started working with Dad, it was fine. I hated him then; we had a history, but slowly, the wall I built against him started crumbling. He soon weaseled back into my heart, but I didn't trust him. I know I don't love him, but I have few options."
There was a story there that Ranger wanted to know. Something about Morelli's reactions to Stephanie didn't sit right with him. He wanted to ask more but wasn't sure if Steph would tell him.
"Babe, if you don't want to tell me, it's fine, but what is your history with Morelli? I need to understand to protect you best."
Stephanie sighed. She told this virtual stranger more about her life than anyone outside Marylou, her best friend, knew. "Joe's grandmother is my father's Godmother. Our families were close growing up until his father's abuse got in the way. Mr. Morelli was an alcoholic. When sober, he was a decent family man, coaching baseball and hosting barbeques, but when he drank, he became a sadistic asshole. He would beat his wife, Joe's mom. Joe said he raped his mother too, but I don't know if that's true. He, like his brothers and father before him, was a womanizer. Everyone knew he used prostitutes and had mistresses, but in the Burg, everyone looks away." Stephanie rolled her eyes, disgusted with her community. "When Joe was sixteen, his father was found dead in an alley. No one knows who killed him. Some say it was a Mob hit; other's say it was a gang. But either way, he was gone.
"That's when the extent of the abuse became public knowledge. My dad became a surrogate father to Joe and his brother, Anthony, and sister, Cathy, who were both younger. Two years later, Joe and I started to date. I had a crush on Joe for most of my teenage years and was thrilled when he asked me out to his Junior prom. He had a reputation as a player, but my Dad told him I would not be touched that way. I certainly wasn't ready at sixteen. He was a gentleman to me, and after he graduated high school, he joined the Navy. We were still dating, and I dreamed of being whisked away from the Burg when I graduated. We discussed marriage, and I could picture living on Navy bases near the beach. But then, when he returned from basic training, he broke up with me, saying that he couldn't stay celibate, that it wasn't fair to me, and that he needed to satisfy his manly desires. I was heartbroken. However, that was the turning point in my life. That is when I decided I wouldn't be a Burg girl and get married right out of high school and instead make something of myself. I had my father's support, which was all I needed."
Ranger understood why Morelli felt he had some say over Frank and his daughter. He also knew that Morelli should never have been placed on First Family duty. He was surprised that a woman like Stephanie would take back Morelli, especially after he broke up with her like that.
"Why did you start dating again?"
"Believe it or not, Joe has been my only boyfriend. I was focused on my college courses and didn't want to date. I didn't need the distraction. Then, after starting my career, I worked sixty to seventy hours a week and had no time. When I decided to quit and work for my Dad's campaign, Joe came back into my life. I guess, in some ways, I wasn't over him yet. His breakup came out of left field, and I never dealt with it. But, as time passed, I realized that Joe was controlling and wanted a housewife. I'm not that woman anymore. When I was sixteen, I was content, or so I thought, to fit that mold. But now, no way. I want to return to my career or maybe continue working with politicians. I love what I do. However, I do want a family someday. I guess Joe is comfortable. We've been intimate, but not recently. I know he's a cheat, and I can't allow him to touch me that way. I want to sever ties, but as long as he's around, I keep getting sucked into his force field."
Well, Stephanie, Ranger thought, you don't have to worry about Morelli being around because I won't let him within 100 yards of you. "I think it's wise you chose not to have an SS detail. I can keep Morelli away if you want. Your father requests that Rangeman handle the investigation into your threats. The SS, FBI, and various police departments were ordered to work with us. We have a good working relationship with the FBI; they are our main contact. We will find out who's threatening you and will make sure they are punished, but we can choose to keep the information Code Red and eyes only. That will allow only our FBI contact, your father, and Rangeman, to know what we gather."
Stephanie liked the idea that few people would know what was going on. She felt less like an object and more like a person. "Carlos, I appreciate everything you are doing. However, I have a request."
"What's that?"
"I want to be a part of all briefings. I want to know what is going on. If you keep me informed, I'll follow your orders. I won't fight you or push back against you."
"I was already planning on including you. It's not a problem."
Stephanie gave Ranger a smile which caused a reaction below the belt. Fuck, Ranger thought, this woman will be the death of me. "We will have our first briefing at oh seven hundred before we leave. I can brief you on the plane if you need time to get ready."
"Oh seven hundred?" Stephanie asked.
"Seven o'clock, Babe. Get used to military time."
Stephanie sighed. She knew what he meant but enjoyed playing with him a little. She glanced at her watch, seeing it was already past eleven. "Um, Carlos, I need to shower, but I have nothing to wear to bed."
Shit, he didn't think of that. "I can give you one of my T-shirts. It should be long enough to work as a nightshirt."
Stephanie nodded. She was glad she carried an extra pair of panties in her purse for the first time, as she never knew when she would need them, or so her mother taught her. "Where do I put my clothes for Ella?"
"There's a laundry bag in the bathroom. Just put them in there, and I'll place them outside before we go to bed. She'll come and get it and have them ready for you in the morning."
"Thanks," Stephanie said. She started heading for the bathroom when she heard a knock on the door, which opened.
"Stephanie, I got you some hair products. Let me know if you want something different, and I'll have them shipped to your hotel. Is there anything else you need?"
"Only my clothes washed for tomorrow. I can stop at a store in Chicago and buy a few new outfits."
"No problem, dear. What would you like for breakfast? I'm sure you want more than a bagel and fruit."
"That's fine, Ella. I have a lunch and dinner meeting tomorrow, and a light breakfast will be best."
"Okay. Good night, Stephanie. Good night, Ranger."
"Thank you, Ella, for everything."
Ella finished gathering the dishes Ranger had piled on the tray and food placed in containers and removed them from the apartment. Ranger followed Stephanie into his room to give her a black Rangeman t-shirt. "I don't think my clothes will fit you, or I'd offer you sweats or shorts."
"It's okay. I typically sleep in nightgowns or nightshirts anyway."
Stephanie took his shirt and entered the bathroom with her new products. She set everything up, found the laundry bag, and entered the shower. The shower was heavenly, with a strong jet that helped to wash away some of the tension she felt. She was tempted to use the shower head to relieve her other stress but decided against it. She wasn't quiet and didn't think she could stop Ranger from hearing her.
When she finished, she got out and dried off, putting on his shirt, which covered her ass. She placed the products in her hair and then braided it. Not seeing a blow dryer, she'd need to keep her hair contained so it would be good for the morning. When finished, she returned to the living room to find Ranger watching the BBC news.
Ranger saw Stephanie standing in his t-shirt and felt instantly attracted to her. Her legs looked impossibly long, and he imagined pushing the shirt up and seeing what was underneath. However, he controlled his reactions, knowing that she was off limits.
"Babe, sleep in my bed. I can't let you sleep on the couch. It's against my upbringing. My mother and Abuela would never forgive me if you slept on the couch."
"Are you sure? I feel bad kicking you out of your bed in your apartment."
"Yes, it's fine. I've slept in trees, on the hard ground, and in worse places than this. The couch is perfectly fine."
"Okay, thank you. Good night, Carlos."
"Night, Babe."
