Chapter 32 - The Next Chapter

/Stephanie's Point of View/

Before long, we'd been back in Trenton for six weeks. As much as I missed Zulu's team, I realized that both Ranger and I seemed more at home surrounded by his core team.

Late Monday morning, I was summoned to the core team meeting but Ranger was missing.

I started to panic. "Calm down, Bomber," Bobby started. "Ranger's fine and just took an out of office meeting, but we wanted to talk to you anyway."

I've got to figure out my blank face, but then again, I'm good at what I do because I'm open and expressive. Who knows? I realized I'd gone down a rabbit hole, when I felt Lester guide me to a seat.

"Before you ask, Ranger knows we are talking to you, but we've asked to have this conversation without him. We want you to know that what we are going to discuss has nothing to do with your personal relationship with Ranger. This conversation has everything to do with an employee that has blown us away with her tenacity, ability to build and solidify a team, her ability to charm and satisfy clients and authorities, and her dedication to the Rangeman ideal," Tank began.

I looked at each of the men looking back at me. They all were serious and in business mode.

Lester picked up, "Bombshell, we first sent you off knowing you could do the job we were asking, but you've blown us away with your success and out of the box thinking that has gotten a Rangeman a seat at the local table so quickly. You've done what none of us could."

I started to protest, "you have and have proven that in Miami and Trenton."

"It took significantly longer than what you've been able to accomplish. Your soft skills far exceed any of the core team, Ranger included."

Tank let me digest that information and then continued. "As you know, Rangeman is run by the four of us that consist of the core team. We each have a financial stake in the company. Below us is the senior leadership at each branch. Trenton has been an anomaly in how it is run because the core team has been stationed here for a while. The leadership of each office share a five percent stake in that office to incentivize their commitment, but we retain the remaining ninety-five percent with the right to buy the senior leader out."

"Over the last few years, we've discussed if the core team should expand, but we had not encountered the right fit that would complement the skills we have. However, you have a skill with people that would benefit Rangeman and our expansion plans greatly."

Bobby spoke up, not wanting to be left out. "The three of us have presented an expansion plan to Ranger. As CEO, and majority owner, he has approved the plan whole heartedly."

They couldn't be suggesting I would be part of the core team. "I'm confused. You can't be suggesting I would be part of the core team? I'm not ex-military. I'm not one of you."

"Beautiful, you are one of us. You are exactly what this team needs, and you've demonstrated time and time again your commitment to the team and that you can be trusted."

Tank picked up again. "Our mission may have been born out of our military service but it is not a requirement. Each of us would trust you to have our back in any situation. Honestly, we were disappointed you turned down the second in command position, but it may work out better for us in the long run."

Tank looked serious. Lester looked serious. Bobby looked serious. My eyes bounced between them until Tank went on. "We would like you to join the core team with a focus on expansion and personnel."

He let that sink in. "What would that entail?" I asked.

"Rangeman has had a goal of expansion across mid-sized cities throughout the US and provide more opportunities for our veterans. We have some cities in mind, but we'd like you to take the lead on identifying opportunities to gain buy-in from authorities and then help build the teams."

"So, you're asking me to hopscotch across the country doing what I've done recently?"

"Basically, yes. But you'd also be in on helping select the senior leadership for the office and determining if the city is a good fit," Tank responded.

"But, but…," I paused. "What does Ranger think about this? I'm not sure he wants to be moving like that. I can't…"

Tank interrupted, "let us lay out the whole plan. You'd actually be doing this with the core team."

"You'd all be there?"

"Our intent was always to stand up the Trenton branch similar to the others with its own senior leadership. We'd be implementing that. The core team would travel between offices to provide support as needed, but would also spend our time building the new offices. We'd likely be spending a year or two in each location. A new office isn't typically a quick process, except you seem to have been able to help expedite that," Tank finished with a smile.

"So, I'd be moving city to city with the core team as we built new branches?"

Lester looked like a kid in a toy store. "Yeah!"

"Les, you're going to scare her off," Tank said, cutting him off with a glare.

"And Ranger is okay with this?" I had to ask.

"Yes, he was more than happy with the plan, but he didn't want you to feel pressured though."

"He was worried I wouldn't want to do this?" I had to ask.

"I honestly don't know. In general, we weren't sure what you would think or where you wanted to live," Bobby offered in response.

"Guys, this seems like an amazing offer, but I need to sleep on this and actually talk to Ranger. I won't make a decision without discussing this with him," I stated knowing I couldn't digest this all here and now.

Ranger came by my desk a few hours later. Since returning to Trenton, I'd been refocused on searches and monitor duty. He greeted me with a kiss. "Dinner on seven at 1900?" He asked.

I smiled. "Dinner on seven at seven, you mean?"

"Babe."

"Of course, Ranger. We have some things to talk about."

"Babe." I took that as affirmation.

That evening, we settled down to an amazing Ella meal with a bottle of wine.

We talked through the basics of the offer. I'd been mulling it over most of the day, and honestly, it solved my greatest concerns. I could be with Ranger full time and Ranger would be with the men he was closer to than his own brothers. Keeping him from Tank, as well as Lester and Bobby, had been my greatest fear.

As Ranger brought me my dessert plate, I asked, "Is there something more you're not telling me? Why didn't you want to be in the meeting this morning? And don't lie to me, you didn't have a client meeting when I glanced at your calendar this morning."

"Babe," was his terse response, but I waited him out. "The only thing we haven't discussed is that the core team, by definition has a stake, in Rangeman. I would be giving you a five percent stake in the company."

"You can't do that," I protested. "You and the guys built this company. I'm not taking anything from them."

"They told you we had always planned to expand the core team if the right fit came."

"Yeah, but it still doesn't really feel right, Ric."

"Babe, in this case, I'd be handing over a share equal to each of the other core team members from my personal share. They each have five percent of the total company. I hold eighty percent. With the remaining five percent shared between the senior leadership of each branch. I'd give you five percent, and would still retain seventy five percent."

"Carlos, you can't gift that to me. You built this company on your own." He shut me up with a kiss. We weren't through with this discussion, but we put it aside for later and adjourned to the bedroom.

Later that evening, as we lay satiated in bed, I brought the topic back up. "Carlos, I don't feel comfortable taking a share of your company."

"Steph, we talked about this. The only thing I know about my future is that I intend to keep you by my side. I want you a part of this. I want you with me." I sighed, and he continued, "sleep on it."

The next morning, I awoke to a naked Ranger bringing me a breakfast tray in bed. I could smell Ella's chocolate chip pancakes. I smiled what could have only been a goofy grin.

I discovered the tray had the pancakes as well as berries and a yogurt parfait for Ranger. Ranger climbed into bed beside me, and ate his parfait as I devoured the pancakes.

As I finished my pancakes, Ranger asked, "are you going to accept my offer?" I looked at him and smiled. He was persistent and sexy as hell. I'd gone to sleep ready to take the leap and woke up with a peace concerning that decision. Be true to you, I thought, quoting my mantra.

"Yes, Carlos. I will."

He smiled his two hundred watt smile and produced a ring from someplace. I have no idea where he was hiding that. "Good. That makes this next one easier. Marry me?"

"You going to let me sleep on that one?" I teased.

"No, but I'll let you think about it while I do this," he stated as his lips trailed down my naked body.

We arose much later, and I felt ready to take on the world. I felt invincible with my fiancé by my side.