Disclaimer: I don't own them and I'm not making any money.

Chapter 15

Despite the early start, my day was looking up. Ranger made it back from turning in Wright

to help me in the shower. His help was more in the areas of thorough use of the loofa and relaxation than efficiency. So, by the time we were done I was rushing to be ready for our meeting at nine.

I'd sent Ranger downstairs ahead of me. I could tell he wanted to check in with the guys and prepare for the meeting. I was also hoping to avoid any ribbing we'd get from showing up together since I was glowing like a Christmas tree.

While I was successful at circumventing teasing from the guys, I forgot to factor in Joe. He had more than a passing familiarity with my post-sex glow and it was obvious that I was very well pleased.

I knew my apprehension was justified as soon as I stepped into the conference room.

"Looks like it didn't take you long to move on," he growled.

I didn't really care if Joe knew I'd slept with Ranger. I'd just rather he not air my business in front of the federal agents who would be arriving shortly. I wanted them to take my report seriously. Not humor me because I'm the chick Ranger's banging and they need his help. But, judging by the red hue taking over Joe's face and the vein now pulsing in his forehead, he was nearing eruption. It wouldn't register that there was an audience. I'd experienced enough of him like this at the scenes of my disasters to know the drill.

"I'm not doing this here, Joe," I said, turning my back on him. I knew that would piss him off further, but my options were limited.

"Cupcake," he said, grabbing my arm and making me flinch.

I was about to tell him to stop calling me that when I heard Tank's deep rumble instead. "Problem detective?"

"This is none of your business," Joe bit out. I could practically see his clenched jaw despite the fact my back was still to him.

"Steph's wellbeing is one of my top job responsibilities, so I think it is my business as long as you have your hand on her."

"Fuck," Joe muttered, seeming to only then realizing he still had a hold on my arm and how tightly he was gripping me.

His hand sprung loose like he was burned. As I turned to face him again, I saw him run it through his hair in what I knew was a sign of extreme agitation. He blew out an angry breath but must have decided against whatever he was thinking of saying before stomping off.

I shut my eyes and took my own deep breath. I didn't like whatever this was with Joe. It felt more bitter than our normal fights. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about it without Joe's cooperation to move on to a peaceful coexistence. For now, I shoved the 'Joe issue' to the back corner of my brain reserved for unpleasant truths - like spiders in peanut butter and the amount of pee in the ocean.

"One of your top job responsibilities?" I said to Tank instead. It seemed like a valid distraction since I was also a bit conflicted about being a job responsibility.

"One of those unspoken things," he said, keeping his face neutral but letting me see the humor in his eyes. "I keep you safe and Ranger lets me stay in one piece."

That was one of my favorite things about Tank. Once you got past his physical appearance, he had a surprisingly dry sense of humor. One that he only let people close to him see. It made me feel warm and fuzzy to be part of that group.

"Thanks, big guy," was all I said though.

He gave me a nod of acknowledgement and then walked away - which surprised me a bit after the whole comment about my wellbeing being his top priority. Joe had only stomped off to the other side of the room where he was openly glaring at me.

Tank's retreat made more sense a moment later when I felt the air change along with the tingle on my neck announcing Ranger had arrived.

"Babe," he said, coming up behind me. Not touching but much closer than a professional distance would allow. I interpreted that 'Babe' to mean what's with the glaring cop.

"Just Joe being Joe. I think it's finally sinking in that it's over this time. Plus, he can tell I got lucky and he's pretty sure he knows the culprit."

"Culprit?" Ranger said with a low growl, leaning in so his breath was brushing my ear. It sent a shiver down my spine, and I was seriously regretting the fact that we were in a room rapidly filling up with our colleagues. "I would take 'accomplice', but after the stunt you pulled with the Bulgari bubbles this morning, I'm probably a victim of your seduction."

"You were definitely an accomplice. And if you consider that thing you did with your fingers, I could be the seduction victim."

Ranger was kept from replying by the arrival of Agent Carson signaling the meeting was about to start.

"We'll discuss your guilt in more detail later," Ranger whispered before placing a hand on my lower back to lead me to a chair beside his.

Oh boy!

I was lost in my own anticipation and didn't notice the meeting being called to order. But snapped back into focus when I realized Agent Johnson was talking about the results of the ATF interrogation of Benny Wright.

"He flipped fairly easily. This isn't his first rodeo and he's been released before for cutting a deal. He told us that he was hired by Cormac Miller, and he'd been making a variety of false certificates, licenses, and shipping paperwork for nearly six months. As an added bonus, he's working on a deal with the DA, but there's a good chance he'll turn over copies he retained of all of the documents he provided Miller."

"That may be the biggest break we've had so far," Carson said with approval.

"We found something as well," Ranger said. "Actually, Steph figured it out."

Carson nodded to go on and Ranger indicated that I should share my findings.

"I think Dalton Harcourt, the CEO of Varanus Solutions is behind everything."

I didn't get to go on before Joe scoffed. "Behind everything? His name hasn't even come up in a months-long investigation and you think he's behind it? This is just one of your crazy ideas and Manoso has ulterior motives in encouraging you. Let's stick to what we know so I can get back to the station. There were two gang killings last night that I also need to deal with."

"You done detective?" Tank asked in a flat tone before turning to the feds. "Stephanie is one of the lead investigators at Rangeman and when she says she has something, we listen."

"Go on, Ms. Plum," Agent Carson encouraged.

Over the next ten minutes, I laid out my findings and my reasoning behind my guesses. When I got to the financial information Hector accessed, I let Ranger take over. I wasn't clear on his relationship with these law enforcement agencies and where they stood on the legally gray territory. I didn't want to reveal something he'd prefer to keep quiet.

"That's a hell of a bombshell, Ms. Plum," Agent Carson said, drawing laughs from the Rangemen in the room.

I rolled my eyes but let them explain the moniker.

"You're the Bombshell Bounty Hunter?" Johnson asked, eyes open wide in shock. "You're something of a legend at the ATF."

"Not sure if that's a positive or not," I said, uncomfortable as I heard muttering from Joe at the other end of the table. He'd never been fond of the whole Bombshell Bounty Hunter thing.

Fortunately, Tank did what Tank does well and got us back on track. "So, with that intel, what are our top priorities?"

"With Wright in custody and cooperating, it sounds like our next focus should be on finding Cormac Miller. If Ms. Plum's information is accurate," Carson said with a nod in my direction, "he's going to be our direct link between Harcourt and trickle-down crime we're seeing on the streets. Manoso, I'd like your team focused on bringing in Miller. And if Ms. Plum can continue her research that would be appreciated."

Ranger quickly agreed and most of the Rangemen in the room stood up to get to work.

"Detective Morelli, you mentioned some gang killings you need to investigate. Do that and see if you can find any links between the escalation of gang violence and the Boitatas involvement in the drug and explosive movements."

Morelli nodded, shooting one last glare at Ranger and I before walking out. I let out a relieved breath and felt Ranger reach over and gently rub my thigh under the table. I wished we were in private so I could tell him how much I appreciated his confidence to love me while understanding I was grieving how things had ended with Joe.

"Johnson, I'd like your team with the ATF to continue focusing on processing the scene from the cargo ship explosion last night," Carson continued. "Focus on anything that may be able to link us back to Varanus or Harcourt. At this point, we know Varanus is up to something, but we're just assuming it's linked to our crime surge. DEA is going to pivot and start focusing on legally obtaining the financial information linking Harcourt to Miller. Manoso, if your team manages to obtain any other intel that would tie the pieces of the investigation together, please pass it along."

With that, we were all dismissed. I planned to head for my cube to get back to researching but didn't make it before Ranger pulled me into his office and shut the door.

"Have I mentioned how sexy it is when you show off your own badass skills?" he asked.

I smiled at the memory of his appreciation the night before. "I think the topic came up a time or two."

He made a sound of agreement before pulling me in for a kiss. It was just getting interesting, and I was curious how far he would let this go in his office when his phone rang.

I let out a resigned laugh and rested my head on his chest while he reached to answer it. I had a feeling our little interlude was coming to an end.

"Be there in five," Ranger said, confirming my suspicions before ending the call and turning his focus back to me. "Hector got a line on Miller already. We're going to try to grab him before he disappears."

"Okay. Go save the day, Batman," I said, leaning up and pressing one last hard kiss to his lips. "Don't get shot."

"Don't go crazy."