Round Robin

Chapter 25 (SiennaS)

STEPHANIE POV

It really is amazing how much worse a burn can feel in relation to the actual injury. I sat on the gurney leaning forward and hugging the blanket to my front while the EMT's treated my burns. According to them I'd been lucky as the scalding water only hit a couple of spots along the top of my ass and lower back, giving me a few first degree burns and one second degree burn. I'd be hurting for a couple of weeks, but it could have been so much worse.

When they moved to check the cuts along my front I protested. It was bad enough that creep Bolan and the guys on Ranger's strike team had seen me naked. There wasn't any need to up that count. None of the cuts had been bad enough to need stitches otherwise they'd still be bleeding.

"Babe," Ranger said as he stood in the space of the open ambulance door. "You need to let them treat you."

I shook my head as once again the need to go home welled inside me. It seemed like it had been hours since the guys found me and the police arrived, escorting a furious Mickey Bolan to the back of a police cruiser.

The EMT seated next to me sighed in what I could only assume was frustration. Well, he wouldn't be frustrated if he'd just let me leave.

Ranger motioned to the EMT to step out, then he climbed in, sat down next to me and took my hand in his. "Will you at least let Bobby look at you with the help of this nice female EMT?"

Bobby was here? "W-when did Bobby get here?"

"Once we confirmed our target was here, Tank's strike team drove from the second site," he replied.

There was a second site? My eyed widened as I looked at him. "What second site?"

For a moment I didn't think he was going to answer me. "Carlos?"

"In addition to the house, Bolan had a hunting cabin not far from here. According to Tank, it appears that's where he killed Joe and Amanda."

I closed my eyes and fought down a fresh wave of nausea. There must have been evidence in the cabin which brought Tank to that conclusion. Blood, fibers, torture devises. I could only imagine how Amanda felt knowing she'd been a kidnapping mistake and Bolan would never let her go alive.

"Babe…Babe! Bobby!" Ranger's panicked voice pulled me back to my current reality and I opened my eyes to see the look of concern on his face.

Bobby popped into the back of the ambulance. "Boss?"

"She turned white as a ghost and spaced out on me, like she might faint."

Bobby looked from me to Ranger and back and nodded.

Ranger leaned forward to press a kiss to my temple then stepped out of the ambulance to make room for Bobby to work. Bobby motioned for the male EMT to close the doors. Then he turned back to me.

"Hey, Steph," he said as he put his bag down and smiled at me. "I hear you've had a bit of a rough night."

"You could say that," I murmured.

"How about you lay back and let me take a quick look."

Closing my eyes, did as he asked and leaned back.

"I'm going to pull the blanket away, now. I promise to be gentle as possible."

I gave him a nod but didn't open my eyes. Right now, all I wanted was to think about Carlos and going home.

"Damn, honey," he murmured as he began assessing each and every cut and bruise. "He got you good. I'm surprised Ranger didn't kill him."

Actually, so was I.

Fifteen minutes later, Bobby declared that while I was cut up, battered, bruised and burned, nothing was life threatening or needed stitches, just as I'd said. My right foot took some major damage when I ran into the woods. The cuts and puncture wounds would make it hard to walk for a bit, but with a crutch or maybe a cane as assistance, I'd be able to get by until it healed.

After giving my statement to the police for what felt like the hundredth time, we were finally released from the scene. Still wearing Carlos' shirt and wrapped in the blanket from earlier, I eased into the SUV's passenger seat and tried not to hiss at the pain as he secured the seatbelt. Bobby gave me an antibiotic shot in addition to something for the pain, but damn I still hurt.

It was nearly four in the morning and exhaustion had settled into my bones. I'm not sure we were even off the dirt road when the need to sleep dragged me under.

The next time I opened my eyes I was in bed on seven and once again my ass was on fire. I rolled and sat up, letting out a whimper as I moved. Burns suck, no matter how small. Carlos appeared in the doorway, his face a mask of concern. "Are you in pain again?"

I nodded. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and hit a button. "Steph's awake and in pain. Get up here." Then he ended the call and repocketed his phone.

"We really have to work on your phone manners," I said through clenched teeth.

"Babe." Was his only reply as he walked to the bed and crouched in front of me, taking my hands in his.

Staring into his beautiful chocolate eyes, I could almost feel him willing me the strength I needed to battle against my injuries. While the burns hurt, so did every cut, bite and bruise I'd suffered last night.

"I know you're probably not going to want to, but I really think it would be in your best interest to talk with someone."

I blinked. "What? Do you mean like a therapist or something?"

He gave a nod. "You've been through a horrible trauma and while you were lucky in that he didn't rape you or cause any permanent physical damage, the psychological damage could linger."

The last thing I wanted to do was spill my guts to a stranger. "Can we wait and see how I do before we make that decision? I mean, you said yourself that I'm incredibly resilient."

Before he could answer, Bobby appeared in the doorway holding his medical bag. "Steph, Ranger said you're in pain."

I nodded, never taking my eyes off Carlos.

"Well, let's see what we can do to help take the edge off," he said as he set the bag down on the bed and began rummaging through it.

One shot and two pills later and I was starting to feel a little better. Bobby turned to Carlos. "She needs food, so the meds I gave her don't end up causing an upset stomach."

Carlos glanced between the two of us, then disappeared into the other room. Bobby turned back to face me. "Today is going to be rough. Tomorrow will probably be worse, but then you should start feeling better."

"Kinda the same idea as being in a car accident or really any injury, right?"

"Right, he replied his gaze assessing. "What are you doing?"

I needed to go to the bathroom and was attempting to stand, by the knee I banged the night before was swollen and the same foot hurt like hell from the gouges and cuts courtesy of the forest floor.

"Ice," Bobby said. "You need ice and elevation."

"What I need is the bathroom," I replied.

He grinned. "I'll help you get there and back. Then we'll get you some ice."

I spent the next two days in bed, being waited on hand and foot by Carlos, Bobby and Ella. Despite being furious at Bolan for putting me in a position where I needed assistance, it was nice to have it all the same.

When I awoke with nightmares the next two nights, both times Carlos wrapped his arms around me, and murmured to me in Spanish until I was able to settle. Then each morning over breakfast he'd revisit the topic of me seeing a therapist. While I still didn't like the idea, I was beginning to consider it.

On day three, I managed to get out of bed on my own and walk to the living room with only a cane for help. Bobby said I'd only need it for as long as it took my foot to heal. Overall, I was still sore, but so much better.

We'd just finished breakfast when Carlos' phone rang. "Yo," he answered.

I took another bite of my cheesy omelet as I watched him from under my lashes.

"Bring him up and tell Tank and Bobby to join us."

That was enough information to get me to set my fork aside. "What's going on?"

Carlos shook his head. "Don't know yet. Gazzara is here. He said there has been some developments he needed to share. Lester is bringing him up."

A few minutes later we were all seated in the living room looking at Eddie.

"So, Bolan's arrangement was this morning," Eddie began. "The judge held him without bail while Mercer and Burlington county's DA's battled over who would actually get to take him to trial."

"All of that was expected," Ranger said.

"Yes, but what none of us expected was for him to try and overpower the bailiff taking him back to his cell."

I stiffened at hearing this new information. Did he somehow escape and was looking for me again? I could feel the panic building and was helpless to stop it. Maybe Carlos was right. Maybe it was time for me to see a therapist.

Apparently sensing my fear, Carlos placed his hand over mine. "What happened?" he asked Gazzara.

"He knocked the bailiff out and took the court reporter hostage," Eddied replied.

"Hard to believe he had the ability after Steph scalded him and Ranger dislocated his shoulder," Les said.

Eddie shrugged. "Crazy people have been known to have superhuman abilities. Some have ridiculous strength. Others have a super high pain tolerance. It's possible Bolan had both."

"So, what happened?" Bobby asked.

Eddie glanced between us as he spoke. "The local swat team was called in to handle the situation. After about an hour standoff, their sharpshooter was able to get a clean shot. Bolan is dead."

Two weeks later, I walked out of the bedroom and placed the last bag near the front door. Nearly all my wounds had healed completely, and I'd returned to work part time. Next week, I planned to go back full time.

I turned to look back at the apartment. I'd spent a good portion of the last four months living between here and the unit on four. I had to admit, this building had become like a home to me. Leaving was going to be incredibly hard, but it had to be done. As much as I'd come to love Carlos and wanted to remain his girlfriend, he hadn't asked me to move in with him and I didn't want to overstay my welcome.

Reality was, when it came to Carlos, I was so far out of my league it was mind boggling. The man was sex walking and could have any woman he wanted. Why he would want me was beyond comprehension. I was just a frumpy hair stylist who had no business being with a man like him.

When Carlos got called to Boston yesterday, I took it as a sign. I was being given the opportunity to leave without any messy goodbyes or emotions to get in the way. At the very least, he wouldn't be around to see me cry.

Doing as Carlos has showed me, I called down to the control room and talked to Lester about helping me move my things back to my place. Silence met my request.

"Lester, are you still there?"

"Yeah, beautiful. I'm still here, but why would you want to leave?"

"The threat is over, and I need to get back to my life and let Ranger reclaim his," I said as emotions began to well. "I don't want to be a burden on him any longer."

"Steph," Lester began. "I know I can speak for my cousin when I say that you've never once been a burden."

Why was he making this so hard? "Still, I don't want you guys to continue to bleed money. The sooner I get back to work, the sooner I can take over paying my own rent and buying my own food."

"Have you talked to Ranger about this?" Lester asked.

"He's in Boston," I replied trying to evade the question.

"So, that's a no," Lester said. "Don't you think you should at least wait until he comes back and talk to him first?"

Despite knowing he couldn't see me I shook my head. "I can't. It will be easier this way. Please, Lester."

His heavy sigh carried through the receiver. "This is against my better judgement, but I wouldn't want to be accused of holding you against your will. "I'll send a couple of guys up to help you."

"Thank you, Lester."

"Steph, I still think you need to talk to Ranger about this."

"I will," I replied, knowing at some point the conversation would need to happen. Once I was settled back into my own life and put some space between us, then maybe I could think logically and have a non-emotional discussion with him.

I spent the balance of the day reacclimating myself to my old surroundings. All my canning supplies were back in their proper cabinets, my clothes were back hanging in my closet and folded in my drawers, and I'd cried more than I would ever admit.

Manny arrived two hours after I'd moved back in, carrying two grocery bags filled with food Ella insisted I needed. Considering my fridge was empty and my cabinets were mostly bare, I accepted the food without argument. Though, if I were being honest, I didn't have much of an appetite.

I'd expected Lester to call Carlos and tell him about my move and in return I'd expected Carlos to call me. Six hours after moving out of his building, my phone remained silent, and my heart hurt so much I wasn't sure I'd be able to stand it.

After taking a shower, with my pitiful water pressure, I found some pajamas, pulled a pint of Ben and Jerrys out of the freezer, then curled up on the couch to watch Ghostbusters. Tonight, I would wallow in my sorrow and get it all out of my system because tomorrow, I would need to go back to my real life. The simple, yet boring life I'd made for myself before I met Carlos Manoso and before Mickey Bolan attempted to changed it forever.

I'd just reached the point in the movie where the eggs were popping out of the carton and cooking on the counter when a loud knock on my door had me jerking in shock. I set what was left of my ice cream on the scarred coffee table, pushed up from my lumpy couch and on shaky legs, walked toward the door.

Before I could get there, I heard the locks tumble and the door swung open, revealing the man I hadn't been able to stop thinking about. I'd expected him to be angry and to be wearing his patented blank face. Instead, the emotion poured from him as he stared at me with hurt, confusion and fear clearly written across his face.

"C-Carlos," I managed to squeak out.

"Babe." His voice sounded haunted as my nickname tumbled from his lips.

"I-I thought you were in Boston."

He pushed the door closed behind him. "I was. Lester called to tell me you moved out."

I knew Lester wouldn't keep his mouth shut, but I thought better of saying it.

"Why, Stephanie?"

"It was time," I replied as I turned and headed back into my tiny living room. "Bolan's dead. The threat is gone, and you have a company to run. I'd just be in your way. Besides, I'm going back to work full-time tomorrow. So, I figured it was time I cut you free of your obligations."

"Obligations?" Carlos repeated, but the way he said it made the word sound bitter on his tongue. "You are not a fucking obligation."

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them and turned to face him. "You've been bleeding money on me for months."

"I told you no price, and I meant it," he said, his voice now laced with frustration.

"I know what you said, and I know you mean it," I replied, but I've spent my life fending for myself and it's hard for me to know you've spent more money on me in the last four months than I'll make this entire year. Whether you like it or not I feel indebted to you."

"Indebted to me?" he repeated. "Is that why you slept with me? Because you felt indebted?"

His insinuation was a slap in the face, and I jerked in response as my eyes widened in shock. He'd taken what I meant all wrong. "No! God no."

In a move of obvious frustration, he raked a hand through his long hair. "Then what was it, Stephanie, because I thought you cared about me the way I cared about you?"

"I do," I said, taking a step toward him. "I-I love you," I said my voice dropping to a whisper.

"Then why did you leave?" he asked. The tone in his voice was lethal, but the look in his eyes betrayed the hurt I'd caused.

"I-" The lump in my throat grew. Come on, Steph, woman up and tell him. "Our living arrangement was only temporary. You gave me the apartment on four as a way to protect me during the Bolan threat. It's now passed and I'm sure you could use that apartment for one of your men."

His eyes never left mine as he spoke. "You haven't been living in the apartment on four for weeks. You moved out of our apartment, on seven, Steph. Why?"

Damn him for being so fucking perceptive and what in the hell did he mean by our apartment? "When did it become our apartment?" I asked, as my temper began to show itself. "Was there some conversation about living together that I wasn't privy to? Because the last time I checked, it was your apartment and you never asked me to move in or even stay."

Now he looked like the one who had been slapped. After a moment, his expression softened. "Yes, we never talked about it, but knowing how I feel about you, I just assumed you'd stay."

My heart did a little flop and my temper settled. "News flash, Batman. Some things should never be assumed and considering how important this topic obviously is, it was definitely worthy of an actual conversation."

His lips tipped into a small smile. "So, it would seem."

Feeling a bit more amicable and just a little hopeful, I motioned to the couch. "There's still time to have that conversation. That is if you want to."

The small grin he wore turned into one of his brilliant 200-megawatt smiles as he dropped onto the couch and held out a hand to me. "Babe."