Chapter Four

Ranger POV (during Chapters 22-25)

At some point around my daughter's birth, I decided to limit the number of personal relationships in my life. This was not just limited to romantic entanglements. During that time, I was out of the country more often than not, running missions for the government that were usually predicted to have a high mortality rate. I don't generally attend the birthday parties of my employees; our business relies on me being the leader with a clear chain of command. Socializing too often with the men makes them think I'm just one of the guys rather than their commanding officer. The relationships are much less formal with my core and leadership teams, but those are the men I had known the longest before there was a Rangeman.

When Jeanne Ellen sent out the text inviting those essential teams to Tank's and her house to celebrate Steph's birthday, there wasn't a moment in which I considered not attending.

It was a nice evening, but unfortunately, I didn't get much time to talk with Steph. She was friendly with everyone, even those she didn't know well. She's one of those types of people who can get along with anyone, and I could tell all of my men were captivated by her, which made me feel a bit sick with jealousy when she didn't seem to pay as much attention to me. I kept my feelings hidden by my blank face, though, so I'm sure no one picked up on it.

I was speechless when Steph told me the next day that my dad didn't think her ex-husband was a practicing lawyer. She has been through so much in the past couple of weeks, and I can't believe how much he's lied to her. I'm surprised she can get out of bed now; she's obviously much stronger than her frail frame suggests.

When she told me her ex was angry when he was served with the divorce papers, I felt a little worried for her, which was a new feeling for me. I won't delve too deeply into wondering why that is, however. I offered to teach her self-defence, which I believe is essential knowledge for everyone. Her sister and brother-in-law could teach her, but I hoped she'd allow me to do it. It'd be even better if she carried a gun, but I understood when she said she couldn't do that because of her daughter.

In my office, after our conversation, I tuned my monitoring station to the control room. Her cubicle was in one corner, and I could see her at the bottom of the screen. I didn't stare at her, but keeping her in my peripheral vision was comforting. She had a calming effect on me. After a while, I saw her getting more agitated, but I don't know what caused that. Even if I wasn't watching her, I could hear her even from behind the closed door of my office. I hurried into the control room and found her in her cubicle, sobbing. The few men working were alarmed but trying to focus on the monitors, though I could see them looking back, wondering what to do.

I scooped her up and took her to the third floor, where our medic Bobby's office and exam room were. He stood as we entered, taking in the scene wordlessly. He gestured to the exam bed, and I laid her down. She clung to it, still crying, and I sat beside her, rubbing small circles on her back. Bobby whispered, "did something happen?"

I shrugged my shoulders, unsure what to tell him. I couldn't tell him I was watching her on my monitors, and she seemed fine right before she collapsed in obvious pain.

Bobby calmed her down with a mild sedative while I stepped out of the room to call Tank. I told him what had happened, and he said he'd be here as soon as his relief showed up. He also said he'd call Jeanne Ellen, who was at home with Steph's daughter.

I went up to the fifth floor, and the low hum of excited whispering was immediately silenced. I addressed the room. "If I hear one word of this incident spoken aloud by anyone at Rangeman, I will see you on the mats, and you will learn to keep your mouth shut." My tone brooked no dissent, and they all silently turned back to the monitors.

When I returned to Bobby's medical suite, Steph was much calmer. She smiled tremulously at me and said in a near-whisper, "thank you."

"Nothing you need to thank me for, Babe. Are you feeling better?"

"A little, though I am extremely embarrassed. I don't know what made me lose it like that."

"I could hazard a guess," I offered wryly. "I think anyone in your position would have had to release the pressure by now."

"Your poor men who saw me…" she began.

"Don't worry about them," I interrupted. "They will not breathe a word of this to anyone, nor will they ever talk about it again."

She didn't look like she believed me, but I wasn't about to explain why I was so confident. She didn't need to know I'd kick their asses and break a few bones if they gossiped about her.

"Take tomorrow off," I suggested. "Relax, spend time with your daughter. You can get a fresh start again on Monday. I understand you found a daycare, right?"

She nodded. "I'd still like to learn those self-defence moves tomorrow, though. I don't get to go as often lately, but going to the gym is usually centering for me. I think learning that might be helpful."

"Sure, I can still teach you some moves. How about tomorrow at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon?" I offered.

She nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Ranger."

"De nada, Babe. No price."

Steph didn't come in on Friday. Not that I expected her to since I had given her time off, but I missed her presence in my building. I'd decided that if she wanted it, we'd offer her the full-time research position. She had a knack for putting together pieces of a puzzle, and I liked having her around. Tank said she and Jeanne Ellen were going to New York today to file a complaint against her husband for bigamy and surveillance videos. I was pleased to hear it; he deserved to be in jail for his actions. Once he's in prison, I have a few contacts that can make his stay there unpleasant.

Steph made it back to Rangeman for our four o'clock session in the gym, where I was waiting for her. I showed her several holds and how to break them, and I didn't mind holding her close while explaining her next steps. She smelled great and felt even better in my arms, and my little soldier was having difficulty not saluting her.

When we were done, I complimented her on how quickly she picked up the lessons I was teaching her. She had some flexibility, and I wondered if that was natural or something she learned, perhaps in yoga classes.

I couldn't say I liked the idea of not seeing her all weekend, so I invited her and Zoë to join me at the zoo. Join me? Like I was going to the zoo anyway and just wanted some company. Right. I'm such a goner.

However, I had been rethinking my plan to spend the day alone with her and Zoë. Tank told me my dad recommended she avoid romantic situations until her divorce was finalized, and I knew he wouldn't do so without purpose. So when Steph texted me and asked if I minded Tank and Jeanne Ellen tagging along to the zoo, I was relieved. But I needed to relieve some of the sexual frustration I was feeling, so I went to the gym for a ten-mile run on the treadmill. It didn't work, and I fell asleep thinking of Steph.