Ranger's POV

Stephanie and I cooked dinner. She passed me the spices as I asked for them. "When did we get these spices?" Stephanie asked, watching me season the beef for the ropa vieja I planned for our dinner with her father. We had two hours before he was supposed to come over. Frank and I had a few things to discuss.

"I asked Hector to grab them for me yesterday. He put everything in the cupboard with the other spices," I replied. Stephanie looked at me as though I had two heads. "Hector said they were already in your cupboard before Morelli swept the contents onto your floor. He organized them."

"Mom must have bought them. I don't know why she bothered since I can't cook," Stephanie said, shrugging. I assumed her mother wanted Stephanie to learn to cook for her future husband. It wasn't a game-changer for me. I knew how to cook a few meals and wanted Stephanie to assist me. Working together was always preferable. We could accomplish more by sharing the work.

The first person I wanted to hire for Rangeman Trenton was a housekeeper who would prepare healthy meals for the men and keep the building clean. Then, we needed to hire someone to handle building maintenance and assist the housekeeper with cleaning chores. I had a couple in mind, but getting them to move from their jobs with the cleaning company would take convincing. Their wages are below minimum wage, which I thought was despicable. Hopefully, Ella and Luis Guzman would be willing to relocate from Newark.

"I'm sure we could find manageable recipes we could try," I suggested. Stephanie wrinkled her nose. Raising my brow, I gestured for Stephanie to explain why she didn't want to cook.

"I don't want to be a housewife. I'll help clean, but I really don't know how to cook. Mom tried to teach me. I didn't want to stay home to raise children, clean daily, and have dinner on the table by six," Stephanie explained.

Helen Plum deserved punishment for mistreating Stephanie. In my opinion, Frank divorcing her wasn't good enough. It made me wonder how Stephanie turned out the way she had. Other women in Trenton, especially from Chambersburg, acted entitled. They were snobs unless they were actively trying to get into your pants or their greedy hands on your bank account. When I arrived in Trenton, I met a few vipers, like Joyce Barnhardt, Terry Gilman and Connie Rosolli. Joyce was a gold-digger and used her fake body to entice men. Terry and Connie were family, as in part of organized mobs. Those women expected everything handed to them on a silver platter. I flirted with Connie enough for her to introduce me to Chief Juniak and Vinnie. She asked me for coffee, which I politely declined. It was probably when she spread those rumours about Jeanne Ellen and me.

"Stephanie," I said, catching her attention by using her name, "I don't want a housewife."

"What do you want?" she quietly asked, dropping her head to her chin.

Using my index finger and thumb, I gently lifted her head, forcing her to look into my eyes. "I want you just the way you are. Most importantly, you are my partner and the other half of my soul. We can cook together, or I can hire someone to prepare our meals," I replied.

"Hire a chef?" Stephanie asked while rolling her eyes. "Carlos, I don't want to waste money."

"Rangeman Miami and Atlanta have a housekeeper who also cooks for the men, leaving breakfast, lunch and dinner in the break room for the men working in the control room. I have breakfast and dinner delivered to my apartment whenever I'm at one of the branches," I explained.

Stephanie furrowed her brows. "You have an apartment inside the Rangeman building?" she asked, trying to understand.

"Yes. The housekeepers also clean my apartment and do the laundry for everyone living onsite," I replied.

"Would you have an apartment at the one here?"

Smiling, I answered, "Yes. It's easier to be onsite when an emergency happens or if we need a secure place to stay. When I'm out of town, I want you to stay at Rangeman in our apartment."

"But we have cameras here for that very reason. To keep us safe while we're home," Stephanie argued.

"While we're living here, I have the men in Miami monitoring the cameras. Nothing inside this apartment gets recorded or viewed unless the alarm is triggered. There's a camera outside the bedroom window to catch anyone on the fire escape. We also have one outside the door to catch anyone trying to access our apartment. However, until the branch here is fully functional, we will be at a disadvantage regarding response times. Hector lives close to us, but if he wasn't home, he couldn't get here to neutralize the threat," I explained. "I sleep with my gun in the nightstand drawer, where I can reach it." Stephanie gave it some thought and nodded. I had expected more of an argument from her.

"How long will it take to open the doors of Haywood?" she asked.

"It all depends on what I learn tomorrow during the meeting. Have you read the applications?"

"I sent them to the printer. It should be done printing by now unless it ran out of paper again," Stephanie replied, turning her head to listen to the printer. I heard it spitting out papers in the living room.

"How many have you printed?" I asked.

"Enough to use as wallpaper for the living room," she answered cheekily. "I noticed some of the applicants are active or inactive military men. There are a few I can tell right away that won't be a good fit in Trenton." I quirked a brow. Stephanie shrugged, unable to define why those men wouldn't work as Rangeman Trenton employees. Do they want to work in a warmer climate? Tank and I put out the word that we were hiring in Trenton so the applicants would know where they would have to live. She grinned and started laughing.

"What's so funny?" I asked as the oven reached the desired temperature. It was an older stove and I had to rely on the indicator light turning off. I wanted a newer stove for my apartment at Rangeman.

Stephanie pressed her lips to mine. I took advantage of the kiss, leaving her breathless when we separated. "Those men want colder temperatures. They're better off in a city with colder winters than Trenton. I'm sure they would be fine here, but a place like Boston would be better. Your website doesn't list having a Rangeman branch there," Stephanie replied.

"The printer stopped," I said, stepping away and turning her to face the foyer. "I have to start the beef." I watched the sway of Stephanie's ass as she left the kitchen. She glanced over her shoulder and winked before disappearing. The vixen knew I was staring at her ass.

I washed my hands before returning to the roasting pan on the counter. The spices I had set aside to my left were already used. I added a sprinkle of pepper and cumin before covering the pan with the lid. Once I placed the roasting pan in the oven on the bottom rack, I set the dial for the oven alarm for ninety minutes. After washing my hands, I joined Stephanie in the living room to help her sort through the applications.

Stephanie smiled when I sat beside her. She passed me some applications marked in green highlighter, which I assumed were ideal candidates. "What are the yellow highlights?" I asked, pointing to the coffee table.

"You need more information. Do you have a way of searching into their military service?" Stephanie asked, looking at me expectantly.

"I do," I replied. We spent the following hour and a half reviewing the applications. I noticed Stephanie was staring at one, unable to mark it with a colour. "Babe?"

"This man would be a perfect fit," Stephanie said, passing me the paper. "He's a great guy."

I thought I was a master of keeping secrets. When I reviewed the application for Vince Palumbo, I was somewhat surprised upon flipping the page. Stephanie provided information I never knew about the man I served with on many missions. He retired from the Army Rangers after serving five years. His military career was almost as long as mine.

"Do you know Vince?" I asked, wondering why she never added notes or highlighted anything on the application. Stephanie patiently waited until I searched for items to dig deeper into his past. I reviewed the document. Vince was working as a casino security guard in Las Vegas. He applied for the job in Trenton since he was tired of the retired women asking for his phone number.

Smiling, Stephanie nodded. "He's my cousin. Our real last name is Palumbo. Grandpa changed his when moving here from Italy. Vince's dad changed it back to the origin when he joined the Army," Stephanie explained. "Technically, he's your cousin-in-law. Maybe you shouldn't hire him."

"Babe, you're right. Vince would be ideal in client services. I'll add his name to the interview list," I said. "Tank and Lester conduct the first interview. Once the applicant agrees to let us complete the background check and pass, I move them to the final interview phase with me."

"When I checked the Rangeman website, it gives names but no pictures. I know you're the CEO, and Tank is the CFO. Tank mentioned hiring me for distractions. How does that work?" Stephanie asked.

"With a backup team on standby for your safety, you walk into a bar or other establishment where our FTA hides with his friends. We use a distraction to move the FTA away from his friends and other civilians. It reduces the risk of casualties, and I won't let anything happen to you," I explained.

"So when I flipped Melendez and cuffed him, that's what I'm supposed to do?" Stephanie asked, wondering how that would work if other people were with Melendez.

"You were lucky Melendez was alone that night. He usually enters the bar with a wingman. Ideally, you would promise the FTA anything they want without the intention of delivering. We prey on their desire for a quick fuck to safely remove them from the bar, where my men would await your arrival outside the front or back door," I explained.

"Would I be armed?" Stephanie asked. "It didn't go well with Lonnie Dodd when I pulled my weapon."

"Lester and Bobby train the recruits," I explained. "Bobby will manage your diet and exercise. Lester will train you to fight with weapons like guns and knives. However, Hector is your man if you want to throw the knives."

"What are you good at?" Stephanie asked. "Besides looking hot," she added beneath her breath.

"Tactical planning and calming the irate client," I replied. Stephanie looked at me for several minutes before nodding.

"I can see that, but I'm willing to bet you'll simmer below the surface and have to pummel a punching bag once you return to Rangeman," Stephanie said, proving she could read me better than anyone else despite only having met a few days ago. Quietly, Stephanie added, "When I go silent, run. You don't want to see my rhino mode."

"I had a glimpse of it when you tackled Melendez," I teased.

"That was the tip of the iceberg," Stephanie laughed.

We arranged the applications. Stephanie thought Junior, Binkie, Woody, Hal, Cal, Manny, Zip and Zero would fit in at the Trenton office. She thought Silvio, Gomez, Slick and Slim were also viable candidates, but something in their application set off her spidey sense. Stephanie highlighted a few items for further investigation. "Why did you tag these men?" I asked, referring to the men's names she highlighted in yellow.

"It might be nothing, but if you review their CV and resume, they never stuck with a job for longer than six months. I think it's worth investigating why," she replied.

"Do you think it was their fault for the termination?" I wondered.

Shrugging, Stephanie said, "It could be who they worked for or something they uncovered at a job. For me, whenever someone learned I worked at E. E. Martin, I was immediately terminated. Nobody wants to hire me because they think I was involved with money laundering or inappropriate operations involving the mob. My job was to haggle over grannie panties for the lowest price for affordability. I wasn't part of the management team, yet potential employers placed me into that category."

"Is that why you took the job with Vinnie?" I asked.

"I was desperate. Nobody else would hire me. Mom wanted me to marry a wealthy man and stay home," she explained. "Huh. I guess I unknowingly married a wealthy man, but I refuse to be an ornament or trophy. It's important to contribute to the household."

"What's your dream job?" I asked, checking my watch. We had fifteen minutes before the oven timer sounded. It was time to prepare the sauce for the ropa vieja and cook the rice. I moved the papers from Stephanie's lap and placed them in the appropriate pile on the coffee table. Stephanie smiled when I tugged her to her feet. "We need to finish cooking dinner."

I opened the cupboard beneath the counter and removed the rice cooker. "When did we get that?" Stephanie asked. I rinsed the rice I needed to use and dumped it into the cooker. She watched me measure the water and add a sprinkle of salt before plugging it in.

"Hector picked it up with the other small appliances. You had rice in the cupboard. I assumed your mother purchased the groceries," I replied honestly, pointing to the fancy coffee maker on the counter where Rex used to sit. Stephanie looked around the kitchen for her hamster, smiling, and found him on a small round table we didn't use. We often ate in the dining room at the square table with three chairs or on the couch.

"I thought we were having a roast," Stephanie said, peeking into the oven where I had the seasoned beef cooking for the past hour and a half.

"Ropa vieja. It's my favourite Cuban meal," I offered, telling her more about myself.

"I don't have a favourite entree, but my favourite dessert is pineapple upside-down cake," Stephanie said. I didn't eat sweets, and consuming those empty calories made me sluggish and upset my digestive system. "Do you have a favourite dessert?"

Smiling, I replied, "Mi Abuela Rosa's flan. She makes it whenever I visit."

"How often is that?" Stephanie asked, curious to know about my family.

"Twice a year. I visit Abuela Rosa during Easter and Thanksgiving," I answered. She never asked if I would bring her to meet my family. "We can go together this year."

"I would love that," she said, radiantly smiling. Dios! I loved this woman more than anything. Stephanie rose to her toes and kissed me. "I love you, too."

"Did I speak out loud?" I wondered.

Shaking her head, Stephanie said, "No, but I could read your thoughts." I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her flat against me and poured my emotions into the kiss. It left Stephanie weak-kneed, and I had to deposit her on the stool in the kitchen.

I used to think my life never lent itself to relationships, but my opinion quickly changed once I met Babe. She could care for herself, except when she had to draw a weapon while defending herself. It was something I hoped to rectify once the others arrived. Lester was the best man to train her. She seemed agreeable to having Lester manage her training. I want her to work at Rangeman, but I want her to apply like everyone else.

Stephanie knew most of the crucial parts of my life. She was only unaware of my time in the Army Rangers. Keeping that from her would protect her from my enemies. Anyone who tried to unlock my phone would inadvertently delete the device if they entered my password incorrectly three times. My phone contained a program which would automatically erase if they attempted to plug it into a machine to extract the code.

"Is Hector coming for dinner?" Stephanie asked when I told her to set the table for three. She disappeared with the utensils and plates.

I removed the vegetables from the refrigerator, smiling when I found fresh garlic instead of the powdered crap in the spice jars. "Your father," I replied upon her return to the kitchen. "He tried to call your cellphone but received a message the number was disconnected."

Stephanie watched me slice the onions into thin strips. "When did Dad call?" Stephanie questioned, tilting head to the side as I added the onions to the pan. I assumed she knew her phone wasn't working. "Let me help you."

"While I searched for hair products," I answered. "Your phone should work now. I've added your number to the Rangeman plan. I need these cut." I placed the peppers and garlic bulb on the counter.

Understanding what I needed her to do, Stephanie lifted the knife from the cutting board to start cutting the vegetables. She twisted the knife in her hands, realizing it wasn't one she recognized. Stephanie shrugged and started cutting the garlic. "How many?"

"Four cloves or five," I replied. Stephanie separated four cloves from the bulb and diced them. After a second thought, Stephanie diced a fifth.

"How did you change my phone plan?" she asked while cutting the peppers.

Smiling, I replied, "Babe, I had your number, and our service plans were with the same company. It was easy to cover the arrears and merge your number to Rangeman's account." I didn't mention that Tank had to pull a few strings to get the provider to move everything to our plan. "We should receive your new device in a few days."

"Carlos," Stephanie whined, "I was planning to pay the mobile company to reconnect my phone. You don't need to spend your money on me. I have money."

I opened a can of tomato paste and a carton of vegetable broth. Stephanie watched as I added them to the pan and mixed them thoroughly. I stirred the mixture on the stove when the oven timer chimed. "The oven mitts are in the drawer beneath the utensils," Stephanie said.

"It's our money," I said, but she wasn't budging. "Babe, please." She mumbled about using the magic word.

Stephanie glared at me. I smiled and upended the cutting board containing thinly sliced peppers and minced garlic into the pan. She cut the peppers the way I cut the onions, in thin slices, julienne style instead of diced. "Fine! You can pay for my phone," Stephanie grumbled.

She sniffed the beef when I removed the lid from the roasting pan. I shredded the meat using two forks, offering her a bite before mixing the rest into the sauce on the stove. I turned the burner down to simmer the sauce mixture for twenty minutes. "Did I cut the peppers the right way?" She chewed her bottom lip, wondering if I should complain about the cut.

"You cut them perfectly," I assured her, earning a brilliant smile. I covered the pan with the lid and set the timer on the stove.

"Thank goodness. Mom always claimed I was a disaster in the kitchen. Whatever I did was never good enough," Stephanie shared.

"Babe, in our kitchen and bedroom, there is nothing you can do wrong," I said. Her face flushed beet red. "It's a good thing we're already married because you have ruined me for all other women."

"And you, Mr. Wizard extraordinaire, have ruined me for all men," she teased.

"Only you, Babe," I said

"Yes, Carlos. Only you," she reciprocated.