Chapter 22: Lester's POV (Tuesday, October 11th)
Here we are. It's finally showtime—the moment to get rid of Marco once and for all. I am still surprised at how much Marco has changed. He is no longer that man we met back when we were starting. I never would have guessed, of the men we knew, that Marco would be the predator that he is. The only regret is that Stephanie is the target.
I know I have a reputation as a "manwhore," but it is not valid. Yes, I am single—yes, I occasionally hook up with women. But no, I do not sleep with every human that has tits and a vagina. I've had some girlfriends, most of which don't last more than a month or two. Many women can't handle my job and the hours. It's cool. I know that things will be great when the right woman comes along. However, since I know most of these relationships are short-term, I don't bring these women around. Yes, I'm flirtatious. I love having a good time and making people feel good. Flirting with a woman makes her feel beautiful, desired, and sexy, and I love watching the smile on their face. Just because I flirt doesn't mean I want in her pants. But anyway, I digress.
Before Marco got married, he and I were the two who caught the ladies' attention. Yes, Ranger is good-looking but has always been quiet and brooding. He was never one to talk, at least with his voice. Therefore, Marco and I would keep the conversation going, and eventually, we'd all have someone to dance with, maybe make out a little, or, on rare occasions, take to a hotel. After Rachel, we all took more precautions, not wanting to have a child or be trapped with a woman. When we did bed a woman, it was always with consent and knowledge that there were no strings attached. We never took advantage of anyone. We'd help them get home if they were very drunk but would never seal the deal. I don't know when Marco changed. Maybe he didn't; perhaps he was always this way.
I'm with Ranger, waiting to enter the common area on the ninth floor. I can see the tension he is carrying. It is hard for Ranger to know Stephanie is in the apartment with Marco and his cronies. I know doubt is seeping in that if Marco can get to Stephanie in his building, how can he keep her safe? Right now, my job is to keep Ranger from killing anyone. Once these pieces of shit are taken care of, my job will be to keep Ranger from pushing Stephanie away. It may not be an issue now that she is wearing his ring.
With Hector's help, we have taken extreme measures to ensure Stephanie's safety if we can't breach the apartment. Firstly, we could change out the syringe for one filled with a saline solution. Then, Hector entered Marco's apartment yesterday and this morning to search for it. He found some bondage equipment and damaged it enough that it wouldn't hold. Stephanie will be able to easily break free if they do manage to bind her. He added additional eyes and ears to the rooms. When we press chargers, there will be no doubt about their intent.
Finally, we received word that it was time to enter the apartment. We quickly opened the door and entered, finding that Beautiful managed to get one guy on the ground, but the others were beginning to close it. I went to the man closest to me, subduing him and bringing him to the floor before securing his arms and legs with zip ties. When I looked up, I was pleased that we all managed to get the men down and out of commission. Marco and his men had a few bruises forming but no bloodshed. I observed Ranger walk over to Stephanie. I am so proud of her for managing to take down Max. He had about five inches and thirty pounds on her, but she was able to get him to the ground. I know that will build her confidence in her hand-to-hand skills. Once Ranger checked on Steph, I walked over and hugged her.
"You did great, Beautiful. I knew you could do it."
"It was the adrenaline. I don't think I would have been able to flip Max otherwise."
"Yes, you would have. The flip doesn't depend on your strength but on yours and your attacker's. You use their momentum to take them down."
I can tell that she wants to argue, but she doesn't. She simply replies, "Thank you for being the best teacher."
I nod, feeling a little choked up. As Ranger questions Marco about his motives, I can't help but feel a little sick. Nowhere is Marco, who was my best friend. He is gone, and this person sitting before us is an imposter. There is no other way. I want to believe this is a dream, but I know it isn't. Being betrayed by a friend or a brother is worse than a betrayal by an unknown person or an enemy.
Once Ranger is done, it's time to bring the garbage to the holding cells. I supervise the transportation of the scum to the cells and wait in the lobby for MDPD. I know that the rest of the Miami workforce knows something happened today. I'm sure there are many questions. Ranger or I need to address the speculation sooner rather than later. As much as I don't want to interrupt Ranger or Stephanie, I text him.
Me - Sit rep to staff?
R – Fuck. Y. In 20.
Me – Con Rm 1?
R – Y
Me- Hector eyes?
R – Y. Monitor & rec
Me – 10-4
I quickly texted Hector that he would take over the monitors during our meeting with the employees. He sends me back his acknowledgment and says that his eyes and ears are already set up. Nothing gets away from that man.
A moment later, several cop cars arrive with a prisoner transportation van.
"Santos, long time no see!" Detective Christian Narvaez said as he shook my hand. Christian went to school with Ranger and I. He was a year younger, but we played on the same soccer team.
"I see you have a shield. Congrats. How's the family?"
"Ah, they're good. What's going on? ¿Qué pasa?"
"Several men here tried to attack one of our Core Team and Manoso's fiancé."
"No way, C is engaged?"
"Yes, he is."
"Damn. Is C's fiancé okay?"
"Yes, she is. They didn't attack her. We stopped them, but we have it on record what they attempted to do today and them conspiring over the last month or so."
"You know audio and videographic evidence is inadmissible if taken without consent."
"Yes, we do. But, part of our employee's contract is that any location in the building could be under surveillance at any time, including private residences. It's in the fine print, and only under suspicion of criminal activity could we put any listening devices or cameras in private apartments. Offices and other public aspects of the building are always under surveillance."
"I would need copies of the contracts to ensure everything is up and up. Where is the victim?"
"With C in his apartment."
"I need to meet with her."
"We will make that happen, but I request it wait about an hour. We need to address the employees here, and once that is done, I'll have Ranger bring Steph to you unless you want to wait here."
"I'll wait. Can you show my men where the assailants are?"
"Certainly." I nod to Robbie, who walks over to Detective Narvaez.
"Follow me, Detective. I'm Robbie. I'll bring you to the assailants."
I watched my old friend and my cousin-in-law as they walked away—it was time to deal with the employees. Today's meeting will be to explain why Marco and others were arrested. We'll hold a meeting to explain the change in leadership in another day or two. I know some men will walk, but hopefully, those who choose to stay will be on board with us and willing to adjust to the Rangeman way of doing things over Marco's way.
A/N: Shout out to Sue Charlton Johnson, who caught a boo-boo I made. It is now fixed. Thanks, Babe.