69Thank you for all the kind reviews! I hope all you Babe's love what Joe has coming in this chapter. I'm trying to keep everyone in character but I apologize if anyone starts to take on my own perception or how I would want them to be. :)
RPOV
The guys had been giving me shit all day. When Stephanie had fallen asleep I quietly left my office and threatened each and every one of them with 24 hour surveillance shifts, mat time, or sending them far away, if they said anything to embarrass Steph. I should have known my cousin would be the one to ignore my threats. There was no way I could send him to a third world country as my Abuela would kick my ass, but she would never know if I decided to castrate him, which is exactly what I threatened to do after the elevator incident.
It was 7pm and the meeting with my client had gone longer than planned, 2 hours longer. What was supposed to be a quick 30 minute review of their needs turned into a multiple security contract with some hotels located in Point Pleasant.
Ella had asked me if I wanted dinner but I thought Stephanie and I should sit down and finish our discussion, so I politely declined and pulled up the GPS on my Porsche to make sure she was at home. It surprised me to see she was at Morelli's and, for a minute, I felt a pain in my chest. Had she decided to not break things off with him? I could tell things had changed for her this morning and she seemed confident in her decision to end their relationship. Hitting speed dial 1 I waiting for her to answer, no need in showing up if her and Morelli were in the middle of making up. Not that I wouldn't mind having an excuse to shoot him, which I would, but I didn't want to see him touching her.
She didn't answer so I left her a message to call me. I rummaged through the fridge but since I don't keep much but water in there I didn't find anything to eat. Opening up my cabinets I found some white bread and peanut butter from the slayer incident and smiled at Stephanie's choice of food. The temple could take a break tonight, I thought, and pulled out two pieces of bread and spread on some peanut butter. Before slapping the pieces together I opened another cupboard and found a jar of olives. "What the hell," I muttered, deciding to throw them on as well.
I stared at the sandwich for a minute trying to decide if I was really going to eat it. Shrugging my shoulders I took a bite. Not bad, but definitely not as good as Ella's cooking. I quickly finished off the sandwich and glanced at the computer again, still at Morelli's.
My phone rang and I hoped it was my babe, Tanks number appeared "Yo," I answered.
" Joe's out of town right?" I shook my head and scolded myself for being so distracted by wanting to see Stephanie that I forgot Joe was working 'undercover'. Or at least that what he told her when he wanted a weekend with Terry Gilman. Everyone at Rangeman knew he was cheating on her, and all of my men were pissed I didn't use that to my advantage to make my move.
"Last I heard. Why?"
"Lula asked me to meet her there… I just wanted to make sure the cop wasn't going to be around." I smiled, thinking about how weird but perfect Tank and Lula were for each other.
"As far as I know he's with Terry at the shore this weekend. Looks like Steph is there though. If I can catch a ride with you I'll get her out of the house for you."
"Lula said Steph left a couple hours ago." Tank replied, sounding confused. Walking back over to my computer I hit refresh, checking her location again.
"GPS says my Porsche has been sitting at Morelli's for 3 hours now." I closed my eyes as the familiar anxiety washed over me. Something wasn't right. Tank felt it too as he cursed and agreed to meet me in the garage.
On the way to Morelli's I called the control room to have them pull up the location of the bugs I always placed in her purse. "Looks like she's at Morelli's boss," Ramos replied. Hanging up I relayed the information to Tank.
"Call Lula and make sure Stephanie really isn't there." Flipping my phone open I called her phone once more, getting voicemail again. "Fuck!"
"Lula said she left a few hours ago after packing up her stuff. Stephanie told her she was going back to her apartment."
"Alright, get a team over to her apartment and another two to drive around Trenton. Maybe she decided to go for a walk or something." Right. Stephanie wouldn't voluntarily walk anywhere if she didn't have to.
We were just turning onto Joe's road when Tank finished giving out the order. Pulling up behind the Porsche I immediately looked for a sign of struggle or something to indicate where she had gone. There was no damage to the Porsche on the outside so I opened the door to see if there were any clues inside. Her purse was on the passenger seat, "Shit." No way would she have left her purse. Popping the trunk, I prayed I wouldn't find her body, and was relieved to find a laundry basket of clothes and various cosmetics. Guilt washed over me for questioning her sincerity of leaving Joe but I quickly swallowed it down to focus on the task at hand.
Lula stood in the doorway and called out "What's going on Tankie. Something wrong with Stephanie?"
Tank blushed at her using his nickname and walked towards her to fill her in. I need to question her myself, maybe I'm missing something.
I followed Tank over and nodded to her, "Tell me what happened."
"White girl called me and asked me to come watch Bob until Joe came back. Apparently she found another womans panties in one of her drawers and called to confront him. Stupid cops been sleeping around on her. I swear, I'm going to shoot him when he comes home. Ain't no man sleeping around on my best friend." I had to count to 10 to keep from strangling her. Tank recognized my agitation and encouraged her to get to the part where she left. "Oh sorry. Well she just grabbed her stuff and said I could order as much pay-per-view that I wanted and then walked out the door." Tank and I smiled at the pay-per-view comment, good job Babe. I noticed Bob behind Lula furiously trying to get past her so he could rub up against Tank and I. Lula moved out of the way and Bob flew into the yard stopping to pee every few feet. Then he ran towards the Porsche and I followed, curious as to where he was going. Maybe he wasn't as dumb as he looked and could follow her scent or something. Nope, he was just pooping in the neighbor's yard. God what they feed that dog?
A man opened the front door and started shaking his fist and yelling at me "Get that goddamn dog outta my yard! That girlfriend of the cops is always bringing him over her to do his business and she never picks it up!" Despite the circumstances I could help but chuckle and picture Stephanie training the dog to poop anywhere but in Morelli's yard. "And move that damn car! I'm tired of people always parking in front of my house!"
"Did you see someone parked here" he motioned towards the explorer "earlier?"
"What? Do you think I got nothing better to do with my day then to sit and watch who parks where?" I mentally rolled my eyes thinking Stephanie would be proud if she could see. Of course this man had nothing to do but watch the road. If he did, he wouldn't be complaining about it right now. The man waved a hand in the air and continued, "There was a man just sitting there for 20 minutes a couple hours ago. When that girl came out of the house he got out to talk to her."
"What kind of car?" I demanded.
"I don't know. Some SUV of sorts, blue. Anything else?" The man was impatiently trying to return to his house. Shaking my head I ran back to Tank. "And clean up this damn dog shit!" the man yell behind him.
"Call the control room. Have them pull up any FTA's and distractions that Stephanie has worked that owns a blue SUV. It's not much to go on but it's all we have for now."
SPOV
My head was pounding and for an instant I thought I was back in the hospital with a concussion. Sadness pierced me thinking Ranger and I hadn't shared those intimate moments together. Slowly I opened my eyes. This was definitely not the hospital. Sighing, I remembered putting my clothes in Ranger's car and then being tased. Well, at least the sex hadn't been a dream.
I was proud of myself for not panicking. I guess that's what happens when you regularly get kidnapped. I really do need a new job. Looking around the room I noticed a small window in the corner and stairs that lead up to a door. I must be in a basement. Whoever had captured me hadn't bothered to tie me up so I was free to roam around. I headed to the window first, trying to figure out where I was. There were other houses around but I couldn't tell what street we were on. Hopefully I was still in Trenton.
Reaching the latch at the top of the window I tried to push it up but it wouldn't budge. Figures.
The locks on the door tumbled and I turn to see who my captor was. "You!" I screamed looking up at Luis Marino. "You blew up my car you jerk!" Luis laughed and continued down the stairs. "What do you want Marino?" I thought if I jumped right the point this whole holding me captive thing would be over quicker.
"I want your boyfriend actually." Ranger?
"What do you want with Ranger?" I asked, confusion clear in my voice. He paused and tilted his head to the side, kinda like a puppy that is trying to figure out what you're saying.
"The bounty hunter?" I nodded, thinking I had missed something but couldn't figure out what it was. "No. The cop."
Oh. Yeah. I guess 'burg' gossip hadn't had a chance to spread around Joe and I splitting. "I guess this is my lucky day then cause Joe and I aren't together anymore."
"Nice try sweetheart." He pulled out a phone, dialed a number, and handed it to me.
Well this was new. Most kidnappers disapprove of calling for help. But hey, who am I to complaint?
"Morelli." I froze. "Hello?"
"Uh… Joe. It's Steph." I was praying he wouldn't hang up on me and I'd have a chance to ask him for help.
"Where are you? Ranger said you've been taken again." He sounded annoyed more than concerned and it pissed me off.
"Oh you know, I'm just locked in some basement, on some street, in God knows what town. But I'm okay, thanks for asking."
Luis was cocking his head again, this time smiling in amusement. Good to know someone was having fun.
"Christ Stephanie! Now's not the time for games…." I heard commotion on his side of the phone and then sighed in relief when Rangers unmistakable voice came over the line.
"Babe, where are you?" I could hear the concern and tenderness in his voice and breathed a sigh of relief.
"He wants to know where I'm at," I directed towards Luis.
"Who are you talking to?" Ranger asked. Luis tried to grab the phone from me, clearly frustrated that things weren't going the way he wanted.
Turning I yelled before the phone was ripped away from me "Luis Marino has me!"
"Is this Detective Morelli?" Marino growled into the phone. I saw him straighten his spine and could only imagine the threats Ranger was making. Luis continued, voice an octave higher than before "I didn't want the girl anyway. I was waiting for the cop and she just happened to be there." He was sweating and his breathing had increased, "Please sir, I haven't hurt her at all. I'd be more than happy to bring her back and trade for the cop." How the hell did Ranger scare the shit out of people over the phone? Luis's hand shot down between his legs and protectively cupped himself. Whatever Ranger's threat was, Luis was taking it very seriously.
Out of the small window I could see a black SUV coming down the road. Luis was still distracted by the phone so I turned and ran up the stairs, out the front door, and into the street. The SUV came to stop just before me and Lester, Hal, Cal, and Tank exited the vehicle and stormed into the house.
Ranger's Porsche was close behind and he was just closing his phone as he wrapped his arms around me. "You okay?" I nodded as he brushed a kiss accross my lips.
"Nice to see you've jumped from my bed to his Cupcake." Morelli snarled, stepping out of the Porsche. "Oh wait, you were in his bed before you even left mine so, never mind."
"You have no right!" I spun on him, pointing my finger in his face. "You've been sleeping with Terry Gilman for God knows how long!" Screw trying to be civil about this. "Or maybe you've never stopped sleeping with her. How long Joe?"
His eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I should ask you the same thing," he nodded in Rangers direction.
"Are you kidding me?" I screeched. "How dare you accuse me of cheating on you!" My hands were fisted at my side and I could feel my arms shaking. Ranger rested his hand on my neck in an attempt to calm me but I was beyond comfort at this point. "For your information Ranger and I have only been together once" until today, I added in my head, "four years ago, and it was while we were on a break!"
Joe laughed and shook his head. "Whatever you say Cupcake" he made the word sound derogatory.
He turned around to leave "Don't you dare walk away from me Joe Morelli!" I reached out and grabbed his arm, jerking him back. "If you thought I was sleeping with Ranger then why did you ask me to marry you?"
Wrenching his arm from my grasp he glared down at me. "Do you really want to know?" His voice was menacing and if I hadn't known him my whole life I might have been scared. Instead I squared my shoulders, crossed my arms, and nodded for him to continue. Before he went on he glanced around noting the crowd that had gathered. A few neighbors were standing in their doorways, phones in hand, my mother was probably having a heart attack; the merry men had already put Luis in the car and were gathered behind me, hands resting on their guns. Ranger of course was right at my back, doing his best to ground me.
It made me smile to think all these men would gladly risk their careers to shoot a cop if he tried to hurt me. "Go on Joe. This needs to be the last conversation we have and I'd like to at least understand what happened and why." I was no longer yelling but my tone was firm, letting him know I wasn't going to back down.
His eyes met mine again and I saw what looked to be pity as he said "Terry's pregnant. If I'm not already married by the time she tells her family I'll have to marry her." There was a string of curses behind me from Rangers men.
Everything happened so fast after that it was if I was on autopilot. Reaching behind me I grabbed Rangers gun and shot Joe in leg. "You bastard!" I aimed at his other leg but the shot missed as Ranger pushed my arm up. He ripped the gun from my hands and grabbed me around the waist, pulling me towards his car. "You fucking bastard! How dare you!" I continued to scream at Joe.
I was thrown into the passenger seat of the car and looked to see Tank helping Joe off the pavement, a pool of blood growing beneath him. Tears were streaming down my face and I angrily wiped at them. I heard sirens in the distance and saw Ranger, not so kindly, assist Joe into the Explorer.
Carl and Eddie, two of my friends from the police station approached Ranger and Joe. I reached for the handle, wanting to defend myself but the door wouldn't open. Screaming in frustration, a fresh set of tears began, and I punched the dash. White hot pain radiated up my arm indicating I had probably just broke something.
There was a tap on the window and Carl motioned for me to step out of the car. "It won't open," I mumbled, cradling my wrist. He reached out and pulled the handle, the door opening effortlessly. Of course Stephanie, you would be the only one to not know how to open a door, I thought to myself.
Scowling, and still holding my wrist, I stepped out of the car. Ranger joined us and raised an eyebrow at my wrist. "If you're going to arrest me can you please not use handcuffs? I'm pretty sure I just broke my wrist."
Carl smiled at me, "Now why in world would we be arresting you Steph?"
I opened my mouth to try to explain but nothing came out. Glancing at Ranger I saw a smile playing at his lips. "Babe, the police don't usually arrest someone when a gun misfires."
"Is that what happened Steph?" Carl asked. I only nodded still not sure I could find my voice. "Alright then. Do you want to ride along to the hospital with us?" He nodded towards his police car where Eddie and Joe were already waiting. I shook my head and watched him walk away.
RPOV
My heart broke as I took-in Stephanie, watching the police drive away. Her eyes were red rimmed and there were tear stains down her cheeks. She was cradling her left wrist, which looked to be broken, and her shoulders were hunched over as if she was in physical pain. My fingers twitched, wanting to reach out to her, and I pulled her into my arms. It always felt right when I held her, lik the missing piece of the puzzle had been found. Rubbing her back I whispered soothing words as she continued to cry.
I'll have to admit, she surprised the hell out of me when she grabbed my gun and shot Joe. I know my guys were itching for him to give them a reason to shoot, but never in a million years did I expect her to do what she did. He deserved it though. No, he deserved a lot worse. If there weren't so many people watching I might have let her shoot him again. Bastard was right. I've watched him tear her down time and time again, try to convince her to be someone she is not, only to knock her down one last time once she was ready to move on.
What was he thinking? I knew something was up when he asked her to marry him like he did. It all made sense now. Joes life was about to be turned upside down when Terry's family finds out she's pregnant. Now way will they allow him to walk away from her. What an idiot. And to try to trick Stephanie into fixing it for him. Maybe I'll let her shoot him in the other leg once he gets out of the hospital.
Stephanie's cries quieted down and her blue eyes were piercing as she gazed up at me. I felt my heart clench and wanted nothing more than the take this woman home and make love to her all night long. Shit. If I'm being honest, I want to make love to her for the rest of my life. I gently touched my lips to hers, trying to reflect my feelings in the kiss. I pulled back and looked into her eyes again. How could Morelli have hurt her like that? This beautiful woman with so much energy and life, how could anyone ever hurt her?
I closed my eyes as I acknowledged the guilt that I suddenly felt. Morelli wasn't the only one who had been hurting her; the emotional pain I caused was just as bad as what he just did. I lightly brushed my lips across her temple, "How's your wrist?"
"Hurts," my heart tightened again at the hoarseness of her voice.
"Do you want to go to the hospital or have Bobby check it out?" She was quiet while contemplating her options.
"Bobby" she finally decided. I wrapped my arm around her waist and helped her back into the car. While I felt bad for her emotional and physical pain, I found joy in the idea of helping her shower for the next couple of weeks.