Chapter 14: Stephanie (Mon., Sept. 26th)
After leaving Carlos behind, I go to the penthouse to change clothes before going to Lester's to meet up with him and Julie. I don't feel comfortable walking around the building alone, especially since I know what Marco is planning. It makes me feel icky, but I know we have to go along so we can nail his ass. While I'm usually not for killing anyone, I wouldn't have a problem if Ranger, Lester, or Hector were to kill Marco. He is scum, lower than scum. I don't have the words to describe how I feel about Marco. I can't believe I felt sorry for him when his house was broken into. Huh.
Anyway, I feel better knowing that there are only three men I need to watch my back around, aside from Marco. Hector's bugs are the top of the line, and no one has detected them yet. We even got Maggie to plant them in Marco's apartment. There is nowhere that he can talk in Rangeman, his Rangeman vehicle, or his house. Marco stays in the building Monday through Friday. He goes home on the weekends. His wife is a nurse at the local VA hospital, working three 12-hour overnight shifts a week. Alicia and I went out for lunch several times, and I've been to Marco's house. I was able to plant the bugs when Alicia invited me there on a playdate with her boys and Tommy. They were home for a weekend to celebrate her birthday. Their kids are in boarding school, which sucks. But it's the life they want.
Our investigation determined that Marco and Rita have been seeing each other for years. It explains why Rita was able to scam the school. However, since Victor got on the case, Rita can't even say Julie's name. No judge in the state of Florida will overturn Carlos' custody of Julie. Victor, Carlos, Javier, and I went before a judge yesterday to petition for me to adopt Julie before Carlos and I marry. We gave evidence about the nature of Carlos's work and how Julie would be an orphan if something happened to him. We explained how we were engaged, tentatively setting our wedding for the summer. We told the judge we wanted to marry in Point Pleasant, where our families and friends could join us. Once he understood that the only reason why we were staying in Miami was to adopt Tommy, he agreed that I could adopt Julie before our marriage. Therefore, on October fifteenth, Julie will be my daughter.
However, things aren't going so well on the Tommy front. Victor has connections and is pushing, but it doesn't seem we can adopt him until January. That is only if we are lucky. If not, it could take as long as a year. We might even have to wait until after we are married. If push came to shove, we would begrudgingly get married sooner. We are set on getting married on the beach in Jersey, where we both belong. In the worst-case scenario, we will get married in Miami on the beach, but we don't want to fly everyone down. We want to get married on the sly. Getting married in New Jersey will give us that opportunity. Needing to invite sixty people to Miami will only let the cat out of the bag before we want people to know.
I make it back to Lester's office without any problems. Yes, Lester's office. I now have an office adjacent to Ranger's and Lester's offices. Having my own office is helping to show the men here that I am part of the Core Team and their boss. Carlos and Lester encouraged me to take on that role because they know I'm the best at Fugitive Apprehension. Once I'm fully trained, they want me to lead that division. Bobby and Tank are also behind my appointment. I was shocked at first, but I did accept the offer.
Marco didn't take that announcement well. He was livid. I'm not sure it's wise to keep baiting him, but Ranger assures me it's the right move. Whenever I think of my fiancé as the planner, the mercenary, he's Ranger. When we are together, and he's tender and loving, he's Carlos. Even though both personas belong to one man, I see a clear distinction between them. Plus, at work, I make sure to call him Ranger. It helps him to keep his men in line. As much as I challenge him behind closed doors and in our home, I will not challenge him in front of his men. He is my boss as well, and he deserves my respect.
"Jules, are you ready to do some shopping?"
"Yes, Steph, I'm all set. I could use some new clothes. Besides, I need a dress for the party on Saturday."
"Me too, Julie. Lester, you're on Bomber and mini-Bomber duty, along with Rocco. BT will stay here with Tommy."
"Okay, Beautiful sounds good to me. Let's go. Are we taking my car?"
Lester has a sweet ride, a Bentley, but I'd rather ride my convertible. I don't have as many opportunities to ride around in it as I first thought.
"No, Les, I'm taking the Ferrari, and before you ask, I'm driving."
"Damn. Mini, I call shotgun, both ways."
"Uncle Lester, that's not fair."
"It may not be fair, but it's safer, and you're shorter. I don't fit in the back with my long legs."
"Lester has a point, Jules."
"I know it just sucks."
We all head out of the office to the stairs. We quasi-run down the stairs to the garage. I unlock the car as I approach. Once we get there, I turn on the car and put the roof down."
"You know riding with the top down is unsafe, Steph."
"Les, I have a convertible. I'm in Miami. I'm riding with the top down. On the way back here, I'll leave the top-up. If Carlos didn't want me riding with the top down, he wouldn't have purchased a convertible for me."
I watch as Lester shakes his head. He reluctantly gets into the passenger side after Julie sits in the back. I pull out of my spot with gusto, gunning the car to the exit. Once we hit the streets, I find my zone. Since being in Miami for the last six weeks, I've started to learn my way around. Granted, I'm usually accompanied by and driven by a man in black, but I've been paying attention. I always relied on landmarks more than on maps or GPS. We arrive at the mall in a little under twenty minutes. The only positive about driving with a Merry Man is that I inherited their parking karma. I could pull into the first spot by Macy's, opposite the handicapped parking.
I put my roof back up, securing it before we all exited. Together, we enter the store. Rocco was waiting for us by the entrance. Julie and I head straight towards the dresses for me. I found four that I liked and brought them to the dressing room. My favorite one is a teal-colored halter dress. I decided to try that one on first. Once I put it on, I realized that it was too big. Too big? That can't be. I double-check the size, seeing that it is indeed a size eight.
I removed the garment and tried on a second dress, this one black. It is also too big for me. I gave the three I'm not wearing to Julie. "Julie, can you please go get me these dresses in size six."
"What about the one you are wearing?"
"I don't like it."
"Okay. Rocco, let's go." Julie says. I'm glad to see that they get along. As Julie told Rocco to follow her, he saluted her. I stand by the dressing room, waiting for Julie.
"What's wrong? You didn't like them?" Lester asks.
"No, they don't fit. I think I'm a size six. I haven't been a size six since college. I'm still a little surprised."
"I'm not Beautiful. You've been running almost daily, working in the gym, and learning martial arts. You've been doing a lot of exercise."
"But I only lost eight pounds."
"You may have only lost eight pounds but are far more toned than before. Especially your abs. Besides, how you eat healthier changes where fat deposits itself on your body; I wouldn't be surprised if you manage to go down another dress size, though I think you are the perfect size for your height right now."
I remember my habits this past month and know that Lester is correct. I guess I didn't expect to see such a difference. Not that I'm complaining. This means I can eat more ice cream and a few more donuts.
"Steph, I wouldn't overeat, but you can indulge more often."
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
"You got a crazy look in your eye, one you only get when you think about dessert."
I'm ready with a snappy retort, but Julie is in hearing distance. I give Lester my patented Burg glare, but it does not affect him. Julie handed me the three dresses in smaller sizes. I reenter the dressing room and put the first dress back on. I don't need to try on the other three as this dress is the dress. It manages to accentuate my assets fabulously. I tried the other two for good measure but stuck with my first choice. I take my dress as Julie and head for the Juniors department. She quickly finds a sweet sundress decorated with large flowers in varying shades of purple. She looks beautiful, elegant, and fourteen in it. With the dresses found, we quickly select shoes. I purchased a matching pair of open-toed FMPs, and Julie picked a pair of pink shoes with an age-appropriate two-inch chunky heel. We take our selections to the register, buying our fabulous clothes.
Once done with Macy's, we head over to Victoria's Secret. Bath and Body Works is next to Victoria's Secret, so Rocco goes in there with Julie while she buys some body wash and spray. Lester accompanies me inside my favorite store, offering suggestions for lingerie he thinks Carlos would like, especially in the teddy department. I end up buying over $1,000 worth of stuff. I don't think I ever spent that much in one shot before. Then again, I never had that much money to spend on clothes. Having a salary from Rangeman does make it easier for me to indulge.
We stopped in a few more stores in the mall, getting some clothes for Tommy. I went into a jewelry store and saw a handsome onyx cufflink set with a matching tie clip set in platinum. I thought that it was a perfect gift for Carlos. I could see him wearing it to meetings. I know he owns shirts requiring cufflinks, as I've seen him wear them. Not to mention, onyx is black. I purchased them on the spot, along with a platinum money clip engraved with the Batman symbol. I'd have to pick it up in two days, though Lester told me he'd return and get it for me if I wanted him to.
I'm excited about our engagement party this weekend. I will finally meet Carlos's entire family, which terrifies me. However, I'm less terrified since I have met Javier, Mariela, and Abuela Rosa. I know they like me, so I have three people I can talk to besides Lester and Carlos.
Next weekend, we are going to Atlanta, mixing business with pleasure. Carlos will be meeting with the Police Commissioner about his former partner. Tank and Aaron, the head of the Boston Branch, will meet us in Atlanta. They have formulated a plan to buy out Zieglman to take over RM Securities. With Hector's help, Ranger has proven that Nick has been filing tax returns using his information, a federal offense. Aaron has agreed to lead Atlanta until they find an appropriate person to head that branch. I am overwhelmed at the amount of money available in the Rangeman coiffers. They have also spoken with the lawyers about preventing something like this from happening again if they ever decide to sell the branch. Ranger will spend Saturday working on business, while I will take the kids to the Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Park, and the World of Coca-Cola. I can't wait to go. We'll all go to the Atlanta Zoo on Sunday and spend Monday morning and early afternoon in the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Part of me would like to meet Joe, but I know it is too soon to interact with him.
As we return to our cars, I feel we are being watched. I know I have a fake stalker, but this seems legit. I managed to inform Lester I felt uneasy without alerting Julie. We both start to glance around and notice Wrench standing inside one of the stores, pretending to look at some shirts. I glance across the way and see Max as well. Shit. Lester lets Rocco know, and they are both ready for anything that may happen. At that moment, I glimpsed Carter, and we locked eyes. I stare him down how Lester and Hector have been trying to train me. I'm shocked to see that he looks away first.
"Beautiful, we need to stall for five. Hector is on his way with Slick. Doug and Paul will check the car." The apprehensions have gone flawlessly since the Consuelo takedown and subsequent firing of Wrench and Carter. The remaining FA team was open to hearing our plan and asking the proper questions where necessary. Based on their knowledge of Miami and respectful disagreements, we have been able to work together to revise plans when required. I no longer worry about not having my team's respect. So far, they are some of the few men I implicitly trust, aside from Rocco and BT.
A few minutes passed before I saw Hector approaching from the entrance closest to my car. He's carrying a Dick's Sporting Goods bag to help him blend in with the rest of the patrons. He approaches us, kissing me on the cheek.
"You're car is fine. I'll walk with you there." Hector pretends to look in my bags and Julie's, which the rest of the patrons take as another person joining our group. Now, we are walking five across, with myself between Lester and Hector, with Julie standing between Hector and Rocco. By now, Julie has figured something is up but is calm, relaxed, and collected, just like her father would be. I, on the other hand, am on the verge of a full-blown panic attack. Thankfully, though, once the former Rangeman sees Hector approach, they start to walk away towards the opposite end of the mall, not wanting to get Hector pissed off at them. I don't begin to relax until we get outside.
"Lester, llevar a las niñas de vuelta en el SUV. Tomaré el coche de Estefania."
Lester escorts Julie to an SUV, where Paul is sitting inside. He puts Julie in the back seat while Rocco takes me to the passenger side, having me sit in the front seat. Doug takes the bags from us, placing them in the back of the SUV. Once all the doors are closed, we drive off as Hector follows us in my Ferrari. The trip back to Rangeman is uneventful, and I finally breathe freely once the gates close behind us. When the car is parked, I open my door to find Carlos waiting for me and Julie.
"Are you okay?"
"Now, I am. We're fine. The jerks were just watching us. I'm not sure how they knew we were there, though. Do you think Marco told them?"
"We know he didn't, but that means there's someone else watching the monitors or your trackers."
"Jefe, déme veinte minutos, treinta minutos como máximo y averiguaré quién nos está traicionando." (Boss, give me twenty minutes, thirty minutes top and I'll find out who is double-crossing us.)
"Vete a ello." (Get to it.)