Stephanie and Zip ran a couple of mock rescues. She was happy when Carlos and his team, Bobby, Tank, Lester and Ram, arrived for the second rescue attempt. They would have a week before Stephanie dropped them in Colombia.
A few weeks after relocating to Miami, Stephanie moved into Abuela Rosa's house. She didn't like living on the base after living away from the other men and women in the Air Force. Carlos was pleased Stephanie contacted his Abuela. He knew Abuela Rosa would take care of Stephanie as she would take care of Abuela Rosa.
Stephanie and Carlos spent their free time in a hotel room. She was too embarrassed to have sex in Carlos' grandma's house. Carlos had to leave on a two-month mission in Colombia. Stephanie knew the deployment location because she was recruited for the drop.
On the morning of the deployment, Carlos and Stephanie ate breakfast with Abuela Rosa, who prayed for their safety and the team. Zip met Carlos, who started going by the name Ranger.
Carlos finished Rangers training at the top, which didn't surprise Stephanie. He beat every record set before him. Lester and Tank tied for second, with Bobby and Ram as the third and fourth. Stephanie learned Ram's name was Michael Ramsey. He preferred to get called Ram. "What's your code name?" Ram asked Stephanie.
"Smoke," she replied. Ram's eyes opened wide from shock. He assumed Smoke was a man. Smoke was a fantastic pilot. "What about you guys?" Stephanie was curious about what code names they gave Lester and Bobby.
"Medic," Bobby replied. It wasn't a unique name, just indicating his role in the group.
"And you, Lester?" Stephanie asked.
"Jag," he replied. Stephanie assumed it was because Lester was from the Air Force. She was pleased he would be watching Carlos' six on the mission. Lester wouldn't let anything happen to his cousin.
The team had things they excelled at. Carlos was the leader and excellent at reading the situation. Tank was the tactician and second in command. Lester was the explosives specialist. Bobby was the medic. Ram was the sniper.
"Babe, are you okay?" Carlos asked after breakfast.
"I'm good," she replied. "Are you ready for this mission?" Stephanie didn't know too many details. There was some unrest after Carlos and his men rescued those girls. The Colombian president didn't appreciate getting mixed up in the criminal activities of an American. Stephanie heard a few American soldiers went missing. She suspected they were part of the Rangers team her father mentioned had disappeared. It wasn't a safe mission for Carlos if that was why he got deployed to Colombia. Stephanie's spidey sense indicated it was why Carlos got offered the mission.
"We are ready. Our brief will happen on the plane. You and Zip are sworn to secrecy," Carlos said.
"I understand," Stephanie replied. "You know I would rather die than betray you or the team."
"Zip, I'm expecting you to watch over my wife. Hector is relocating to Miami. He's driving with Silvio and Rodriguez."
"Who are Silvio and Rodriguez?" Bobby asked. He didn't recall meeting the men.
"Hector's most trusted friends. I met them in Ewing. Silvio is an ex-FBI computer technician, and Rodriguez is an ex-military computer specialist and engineer. They were looking for something different to do. I hired them to help Hector create the programs and schematics for the security business," Stephanie explained. "We should be able to open the one in Miami soon if that's where we plan to start."
"Yes. Miami is the headquarters. We need a name," Carlos replied.
"Because most of us are Rangers, why don't we call it Rangeman?" Tank suggested.
Stephanie grinned and agreed. "Rangeman sounds perfect. I'll let Theo know we have a name. He'll get the lawyer to send the paperwork. Oh. That was quick. Wait a minute," Stephanie said. She ran up the stairs to print the agreement.
"Her phone chimed, and she took off a second later. Is she okay?" Bobby asked.
"Estephania has been busy between training and sleeping. She wants to start the security business immediately," Abuela Rosa answered. "Her father has trusted friends searching Miami for a building. Estephania doesn't trust the real estate agents."
"Have you heard from Javi?" Carlos asked.
"No. You know Javier and I don't get along," Rosa replied. "He won't find Estephania here, Carlito."
"I know, Abuela. Hector and the others will be here tomorrow. Can they stay here?" Carlos asked.
"Of course. I know how much you want to keep your wife safe," Rosa replied. Carlos pushed away from the table. He approached his grandmother to kiss her cheek.
Stephanie thundered down the stairs, carrying papers. "Thank goodness the printer had enough ink. Carlos, I need you to sign the paperwork. I can scan the pages and email them to Theo. He'll ensure the lawyer gets them filed with the city."
"Babe, you never disappoint," Carlos said. He tugged Stephanie against him and sat on the chair. She got the others to sign. "Your turn," Carlos instructed, pushing the documents toward Stephanie to add her signature.
"I already own a company," Stephanie said. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yes," Carlos, Tank, Bobby and Lester replied, making Rosa giggle. Stephanie shrugged as she added her signature to the paperwork for Rangeman's ownership: five people, Carlos, Stephanie, Tank, Lester and Bobby, own Rangeman Securities LLC.
They talked for several minutes to assign job titles. Stephanie got outvoted for co-CEO of Rangeman. They wanted her to run the company during their absence. "What about when I'm deployed?" Stephanie asked.
"Are you only doing drop-offs and pick-ups?" Carlos asked.
"Yes, but what if we have to land and come in heavy?" Stephanie wondered. There was a slight chance it could happen. Stephanie had to take her gear during practice runs. She needed a way to protect herself if they crashed or got forced to land.
"Hector can step in until you get home. Or we can ask Kyle Burrows. He's retiring soon," Carlos said. It was news to Stephanie. She wasn't aware Kyle wanted to leave the special ops. Stephanie had just discovered he was in the Rangers during a mock rescue.
"How much time is on his contract?" Stephanie asked.
"He's on the final mission," Carlos replied. Something seemed off in the way Carlos mentioned Kyle's retirement. Stephanie knew Carlos and his team were preparing to rescue a missing Rangers team. Kyle made his check-ins. Was he one of the missing soldiers?
Stephanie was so lost in her thoughts about Kyle and Jeanne Ellen that she jumped when her phone chimed. The other phones followed in quick succession.
"Grab your bags!" Carlos ordered. Carlos, Stephanie and Lester kissed Abuela Rosa before running from the house. Stephanie and Zip had their bags in the SUV. They were prepared to leave at a moment's notice. It was several hours before their scheduled time to go. Something must have happened to push the mission forward.
Everyone arrived at the base for instructions. They had to get briefed before leaving. Stephanie had to know if she needed to drop or land. General Phillips awaited their arrival. He got everyone to climb into the Jeep. Their first stop was the infirmary, where Bones waited to collect samples.
"What are you doing here?" Stephanie asked when he took her blood.
"The higher power wanted someone they could trust to keep this quiet," Bones replied.
"Oh? How so?"
"Jeremy Smith got transferred to Texas. He was caught accessing medical files for soldiers who aren't under his care," Bones explained. Stephanie shook her head and turned away for Bones to prick her arm. "I'll be here when you return."
Stephanie left the infirmary to meet with General Phillips. He waited in the room across the hall while everyone got blood drawn. Once Zip entered the room, he closed the door.
"Manoso, your mission parameters changed from assisting for two months to search and rescue. Kyle's team is missing. Three of his men are confirmed dead. You're looking for Kyle Burrows and Evan Rogers. We received word they got captured. Plum, you and Williams are on standby with a chopper. You drop the men from a plane and return to base to pick up a chopper," Phillips explained.
Carlos gently squeezed Stephanie's knee, distracting her thoughts. Stephanie gently tapped his hand, letting him know she was okay. "What happens if Zip and I get forced to land?" Stephanie wanted to know her orders.
"Land and follow instructions from your commanding officer. Manoso, you're running point on this mission. I'm only using your code names in the paperwork," Phillips said. He looked at Stephanie for a brief second before adding, "Do not attempt to contact base. Someone gave away the Rangers' location. You have to fly below the radar." What Phillips didn't say was more telling. The team was essentially on their own.
Stephanie guided the men to the jet she would fly to drop them into Colombia. She wouldn't need a long runway to land the plane. It was specifically selected for that purpose. Stephanie signed the order to fly the jet. She took a few deep breaths and opened the cockpit door to sit in the pilot's seat. Zip opened the sliding door at the side for the others to board the plane.
After climbing aboard, Zip removed the ropes he and Stephanie prepared the previous day. Stephanie went through the preflight checks as Zip connected the carabiner hooks to the bar along the side of the sliding door of the plane.
The men buckled themselves into the seats opposite the door. They wore their parachutes, prepared to jump when ordered. Zip quickly attached the clips to their harnesses before sitting in the copilot's chair.
"We're taking off in five," Stephanie said. She flicked the switches for the jet to start. Carlos maintained his blank face as his wife taxied down the runway. He was incredibly proud of her. Stephanie lifted off within a few minutes. She got to altitude and levelled the plane. "Zip, get Carlos. I have a bad feeling," she said, disconnecting communications to the base.
Stephanie felt the electrical charge as Carlos moved closer. He took the seat Zip vacated. "Babe, is everything okay?" Carlos asked, leaning to stroke her cheek.
"We need to land in Colombia," Stephanie replied. She explained her gut feeling to Carlos. He remained quiet as she described what she thought was wrong.
Carlos returned to the cabin and sat among the men. "We have a problem," Carlos announced. He went through the revised plan. Zip promised to watch Stephanie's back as the others rescued Kyle and Evan. "Smoke and Zip will watch from a safe distance. They will only enter the area if they sense one of us are in danger. We trained to see everything. Smoke thinks someone will be hidden in the shadows, awaiting our arrival. Lock and load before exiting the plane. They were going in hot.
"HUA, Ranger," the men replied.
Zip returned to the copilot's seat. He shared the new orders with Stephanie. She rolled her eyes at getting asked to stay behind with Zip. Stephanie agreed with using their code names during all discussions. "Jag doesn't know how to fly this craft," Zip explained. Stephanie knew that already. She and Zip were the only men on the mission licensed to fly the plane. "We need you to get us to safety. I have to pull the guys in as you prepare for take-off."
"I know, Zip. Ranger probably wants us to watch their backs."
"ETA?" Ranger asked, peeking behind the curtain separating the cockpit from the others.
"We have to go the long way in," Smoke replied. "Another four hours, sir." Ranger's lip twitched in amusement. He enjoyed Smoke calling him sir.
Ranger left without saying another word. He returned to his seat and poured over the maps Tank removed from his pack. "Smoke said we're taking the long way in," Ranger told Tank. They knew where Smoke planned to land and hide the plane. Lester and Bobby went to the cabinet where the tarps were stored. They removed the packaging from six tarps before dropping them beside the door.
"There's a trash bin below the cabinet where you found the tarps," Smoke yelled from the front. Ranger smiled as Ram collected the garbage.
Smoke landed the plane four hours and fifteen minutes later. She found a space to hide the aircraft as a precaution. Everyone worked together to turn and push the plane into the opening. The men covered the craft with the tarps and secured them with ropes and bungee cords. Ranger raised a brow as Smoke attached the S clip to the twine. She pointed to Zip, silently communicating that he taught her the knot. Ranger nodded and got into position.
Leading the group, Ranger exited the area. He waved his hand, motioning for Smoke and Zip to stay behind. Smoke and Zip watched through binoculars to keep the men safe. As Ranger approached the shack alone, Smoke saw a man sneaking up behind him. She didn't want to yell in case it brought more people from the bushes. Not sensing anyone else in the area, Smoke and Zip left the safety the trees provided.
Smoke knew the orders. Maim, not kill. Ranger wanted to bring home a prisoner to question. After quietly removing her weapon, Smoke raised it. She pulled the safety and fired. The man screamed as the bullet ripped through his shoulder, forcing him to drop his gun. Ranger didn't look behind him. He continued the mission's directive of rescuing Kyle and Evan, or Tuck and Jack, as they were known in the Rangers.
"We'll return for him," Ranger told Lester and Bobby. "Smoke and Zip, prepare to get us out of here." Ranger didn't have time to handle the asshole someone shot. He didn't know which of his men discharged their weapon. Ranger had to get Tuck and Jack to safety.
Smoke retreated to the plane. She helped Zip cut the twine, holding the tarps in place. They never noticed the man Smoke shot had jumped to his feet and ran. Smoke and Zip quickly went through the checks before firing the engines. Zip waited to open the side door for the men when Smoke gave the order.
"Shit," Smoke snapped. "The asshole I shot is gone." She opened the communication channel. "Double time back," she ordered.
"HUA," Ranger replied. He watched the cabin door as Lester and Bobby tossed Tuck and Jack over their shoulders. Both injured men groaned from pain. Ranger motioned for Lester and Bobby to follow him. Tank immediately took his position at the back to protect his team. They ran toward the plane. Smoke heard Ranger's breaths as he quickly moved. She thought of a jaguar as Ranger silently ran across the dirt and gravel. The other men weren't as silent.
Smoke listened for signs of trouble. "Open the door," Smoke ordered. Zip did as asked. He pulled it open as Ranger and the others arrived. Ranger stood to the side, waiting for his team to climb inside before jumping in behind them. Tank closed the door as Zip assisted Bobby and Lester with tending to Jack's and Tuck's injuries.
"Thanks," Tuck said. "Get us out of here." Tank and Zip pushed Jack to the floor, bracing themselves and securing Jack as Stephanie lifted off.
"I'm done," Jack said. "You've got it right, Tuck. This shit is not worth it." Jack groaned as Bobby removed the bullet from his abdomen. "How does it look?" Jack asked.
"Not good," Bobby replied. "We need to get you to the hospital ASAP."
"I'm working on it," Smoke yelled from the cockpit. "ETA is four hours. I have to fly to the military hospital. Hopefully, they have a place for me to land."
Zip left Lester and Bobby to tend to the men's injuries. He had to contact the military hospital to find a landing zone. "We don't have room," the lieutenant replied. "You've got to land on base. I'll get a chopper ready for the patient. How many are we transporting?"
"One," Zip replied. He disconnected the call and slipped from the seat to notify Ranger. "Tuck is fine," Zip said before leaving.
"Why did you retire?" Lester asked Kyle.
"I barely survived a few months ago. When that chopper crashed, I thought my life was over. I was fortunate only to get bumped and bruised. The others broke bones, but thankfully, nobody died. It made me re-evaluate my life choices. I want to be home with my family," Kyle confessed.
"You're going to give it all up?" Lester asked, shocked his cousin-in-law was calling it quits.
"Not all. This was my last Rangers mission. I'm working as a mercenary. I can select whichever deployment I want; nothing high-risk like this one," Kyle explained.
In Colombia, the man shot by a female soldier collapsed outside the compound. Jose, one of the guards, recognized the injured man and pulled him inside. "Who is it?" another guard demanded. Jose removed the latex mask from the man's face. "Hurry. Get the doctor." They couldn't afford to lose their inside man. He was pivotal in their drug and human trafficking ring.