Chapter 18

We were back at the dorm in about 15 minutes. Lester was standing by the front door to the building. The suv had barely rolled to a stop before I had the door opened and was running to meet Lester. Ranger, naturally, managed to get there first.

If it isn't Wonder Woman and Batman, he said, with his characteristic grin.

Save it Chuckles, I said.

Lester raised an eyebrow. Yep, if you can call me Wonder Woman, I can certainly call you Chuckles.

Lester managed to keep from bursting out laughing, but I could see the smile playing about his mouth. Fair enough. What's up? The question was directed at Ranger.

I think we found the shooter,Ranger answered. Tank inside? He was still wearing his blank face. I didn't think that was a good sign for Tank or Terry.

Lester nodded. We all trooped down the hall to the same room we'd met in earlier. Tank and Terry were sitting in the desk chairs. I decided to stand behind Ranger. I figured he was a quicker draw if a gunfight erupted.

came from Tank. He shot a glance at Terry, then directed his full attention to Ranger.

Ranger held the gun we had found out and placed it on the desk.

he said.

Tank's face darkened. I couldn't let him get away with it, Boss. I asked. These guys really needed to work on their explanations. Get away with what?

Terry piped in with her own explanation at this point.

He was trying to protect me. Velasquez threatened to come after me again. Guess mob hit women were as good as big ex-Army guys at explaining. Lester decided to add in his two cents at this point.

I think I can explain.

Ranger raised an eyebrow at him.

Tank and Terry have been dating for a couple years now. I blanked out for a few minutes at that announcement. I guess Joe hadn't been up to anything with her after all. Interesting. I still didn't like her, but I did have to admit that I felt a little more respect for her than I had before.

Lester continued, I'm not sure, but I think Velasquez raped Terry. That's probably why he went FTA. Wouldn't have been healthy for him to face a judge after hurting a mob boss's niece.

That made sense as far as it went. It could also explain Tank's involvement in the shooting. Still, I wasn't clear on why he didn't just bring Velasquez in. Surely that would have had the same effect, without putting either Tank or Terry in jail.

Ranger looked at Terry. Is this true?

Terry nodded.

So, Vito didn't really send you to reclaim the money from Velasquez. Did you ever intend to let him live?

Terry just looked at her feet. I didn't envy her her position. I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be caught lying to Ranger.

Terry, I won't be able to work with you again. Let Vito know.Got it, she said solemnly.

Ranger took the gun out of the bag and held it out to Tank. You should clean this up, and get rid of it. Don't know what you were thinking leaving it in a tree, man.

I looked up at Ranger. He gave me a slight smile and gathered me against his side. He kissed my hair, and whispered,I would have done the same for you.

I knew it was true. He basically had done the same for me. After Abruzzi kidnapped me, I was positive Ranger had killed him. I didn't need to ask him to know he had arranged it to look like suicide. The main difference here was that Terry had helped Tank by taking the blame. The only thing that confused me was why Terry had been holding a gun on Velasquez.

Why were you holding a gun on Velasquez?I asked Terry.

She directed her attention to me. I couldn't let Tank go to jail.

It was that simple. She really loved him. She loved him enough that she would have been willing to take the risk of spending her life in jail for him. It dawned on me that in her position I would have done the exact same thing for Ranger. In that moment I realized that Terry and I weren't so different after all. I smiled at her.

I looked up and saw Ranger looking down at me. I nodded at him.

Mystery solved. Let's try not to make a habit of this, I said, giving Tank my best don't mess with me look. I'd seen my mom use it enough to know how it was done.

Tank stood and gave Ranger a hug. He looked at me a moment, then I was enveloped in his arms.Thanks, Steph,he whispered.

I mumbled against his chest. Just don't kill anyone else if you can help it. We shook on it. Lester was watching with the amusement back in his eyes.

Never would have guessed you would go along with this. he said, shaking his head.

I shrugged. It wouldn't have been my first choice. I certainly wasn't excited about the outcome, but I could understand the sentiment. I also couldn't see how sending Tank to jail for murdering a rapist was going to help out the world.

I looked directly into Ranger's eyes. He did what was necessary,he said.

Legally gray, but morally right, I murmured. Ranger raised an eyebrow. I think I'm beginning to understand. I still prefer the legally right,I added. Didn't want the guys getting the idea I actually thought shooting people was a good solution.

Ranger pushed a strand of hair back behind my ear. We'll stick with legally right as much as possible, Babe. With that he reached both hands behind my neck and drew me to him. His lips brushed across mine, sending a jolt of electricity through me. The room around me disappeared while he kissed me.

He pulled back, and when I looked at him he was grinning the full 200 watt grin.

Steph and I are going to stay in Colorado a few more days. I trust the three of you can find your way back to Trenton.

Tank and Terry nodded. Lester was the only one with something to say.

About time you two figured out you're in love.

Ranger threw back his head and laughed. Only one of us needed to figure it out, Lester,he said, shooting me a meaningful glance.

What? He thought I had to figure it out? Yeesh! Men!