Chapter One
Steph's POV
Ever since I was little, I wanted to fly. My mother never understood why her daughter had to have such an unnatural fascination. My older sister, Valerie, didn't want to fly. She was perfectly content to remain on solid ground and throw tea parties for her Barbie dolls. I had accidentally set my Easy Bake Oven on fire. So when I stripped my Wonder Woman sheets off of my bed and tried to fly off the garage roof, my mother went crazy. Evie Krutz's daughter never tried to fly off of the roof. Why did Ellen Plum's daughter have to?
Some things never change.
My name is Stephanie Plum and I still want to fly. And even though I no longer live under my mother's roof, she still feels the need to try to ground me.
At the moment, I was heading to work to turn in a body receipt. I am a Bond Enforcement Agent for my cousin Vinnie's bail bonds office. I find those who skip out on their court dates and bring them back into the system. It sounds exciting, but I usually end up rolling in garbage. Today was no different. I had set out this morning pumped up and ready to hunt down my skip, Ralph Stanley, who had been picked up for public intoxication and indecent exposure. In other words, he drank a bottle of Jim Beam and decided to go out to the store for more. He just forgot to put his clothes on. I suppose it could happen to anyone. And since he wasn't a murderer or a rapist, I went to his apartment expecting a simple apprehension. Obviously, simple isn't in my vocabulary.
Ralph Stanley met me at the door, high as a kite and naked as a jaybird. I guess the Jim Beam wasn't strong enough for him today. I had barely gotten out the words, "I represent Vincent Plum Bail Bonds" when Stanley went into a panic and started launching things at me. Before I could move, I was covered with Chinese takeout and the contents of his kitchen wastebasket. When he tripped over his feet and landed in the garbage, I reached out and pressed the stun gun to his arm. He gave a squeak and went limp.
I got Stanley to the Trenton Police Station where half a dozen of Trenton's finest stood outside to watch the Stephanie Plum Show.
"You never disappoint, Steph," Eddie Gazarra chuckled, watching me try to pull Ralph Stanley out of my Mini.
"Glad to be of service," I muttered, giving him my death glare. He just grinned even wider and I threw my hands up. "Do you think one of you could stop gawking and get this man out of my car?" I shouted.
Costanza and Big Dog finally stepped forward and dragged Stanley out of my Mini and into the building. I got my body receipt and was about to leave when I felt a hand on my arm. I looked up into Joe Morelli's dark eyes.
"Garbage again, Cupcake," he smirked at the lo mein noodles hanging from my hair.
"Stating the obvious, Morelli?" I snapped, pulling my arm back. Morelli was my on again off again boyfriend. This week was an off again week.
"I can't believe you'd rather keep your job and roll around in garbage than marry me," Morelli shook his head, his eyes narrowing. "One of these days, you're going to realize that you want me and I won't be waiting."
That was it. My anger overflowed and I stabbed my finger into Morelli's chest.
" I would rather Dumpster Dive than marry you, you self centered son of a bitch!" I hissed. "And right now, you're the last person on Earth that I want to deal with."
Before he could respond, I spun on my heel and stormed out the door.
My cell phone rang just as I pulled up in front of the office. When I heard the Exorcist ring tone, I groaned.
"Stephanie, what's this I hear about you fighting with Joe at the police station?"
Damn that Burg grapevine. I put my finger to my eye to stop the twitching.
"Mom, I'm kinda busy right now."
"How do you plan to get married if you keep fighting with Joe?" my mother demanded, her voice getting shrill. "He's your last chance at a marriage and children-"
I groaned and hung up the phone, resigning myself to the fact that I would never taste pineapple upside down cake again.
Twenty minutes later, I trudged out of the elevator and into my apartment. All I wanted was a hot shower and a nap. I dropped a few raisins into Rex's cage and checked my messages.
"Stephanie, this is your mother-"
I quickly reached over and hit delete. I couldn't take another lecture right now.
"Babe."
My heart fluttered at the message. Funny how one word could instill so much emotion. I started to reach for the phone but quickly changed my mind. First and foremost, I had to get the egg foo yong out of my hair.
I peeled off my clothes and stepped into the shower, lathering up with the Bulgari shower gel I had "borrowed" from Ranger's apartment. I washed my hair twice and scrubbed my skin until it was red and tingly. Finally, satisfied that I was clean, I wrapped myself in a towel and stepped out of the shower. I walked out of the bathroom and gave a little shriek when I found Ranger lying on my bed.
He was wearing his usual painted on tee shirt and black cargo pants and I lost all interest in the nap. He grinned and stood up, coming closer.
"The shower gel suits you, Babe," he leaned in and inhaled the scent. I swear, my heart stopped.
"Is there a reason you broke into my apartment?" I asked, taking a step back. Ranger's eyes darkened and he gave me his half grin.
"I didn't break in. Your door was unlocked." He reached out and lightly traced the bare skin above my towel. "You're lucky it was only me who came in,:"
I swept past him and grabbed a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. "What do you want, Ranger?"
Ranger leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed in front of him. "I have a distraction job for you this weekend if you're interested."
I pulled on my clothes, removing my towel only once I was fully dressed. I was rewarded with a wolf grin.
"What'd he do?" I asked, pulling my wet hair back into a half assed ponytail.
"Possession," Ranger replied, watching me intently.
"Must be a biggie if you're bringing him in."
"He is. Luis Miranda."
"Luis Miranda?" I looked up in surprise. "I heard he left the country."
"Sort of," Ranger grinned down at me. "He's in Puerto Rico."
"You want me to do a distraction in Puerto Rico?"
"Why not?" Ranger shrugged. " It won't be any different than doing it here."
Not any different my ass! Just the thought of going to a tropical island with Ranger was enough to curl my toes.
Ranger laughed at my expression. "Can't control yourself around me, Babe?"
I blushed hotly. Damn ESP.
"We're leaving tomorrow afternoon. Pack enough for at least four days." Ranger stepped forward until we were toe to toe. He reached out and touched my cheek, staring into my eyes. My stomach clenched in desire. "I'll pick you up at two thirty."
I nodded, unable to speak. And then he was gone.
Chapter TwoRanger pulled up in the lot at exactly two thirty. I was waiting for him at the curb. He got out and grabbed my duffel bag, tossing it in the back of the Explorer. I climbed in the passenger seat and buckled up.
He looked over at me and handed me a stack of files. "This is everything we have on Miranda. He was spotted in Isabela yesterday morning. His brother's estate isn't very far from there."
I looked through the files as Ranger took off. Luis Miranda was forty-six years old but didn't look a day over thirty in his picture. He was handsome, with skin about a shade lighter than Ranger's, with jet-black hair and brown eyes.
"Who else is going?" I asked, setting the files on the floor between the seats.
"Tank, Lester, and Bobby. They'll meet us at the airport."
That was the extent of our small talk. I settled back in the seat while Ranger went into his zone. In the quiet of the car, my mind wandered to the night before. After Ranger had left my apartment, I had to swallow my pride and call my mother back. If I was going to be gone for a few days, I had to find a place to keep Rex. She would only agree to take in Rex if I came to dinner. Agreeing to my mother's request should make me Hamster Mommy of the Year.
When she found out where I was going, she started in on me.
"Why me, Stephanie, why me? You start a fight with Joseph and the next minute, you're telling me you're running off for a week with that bounty hunter!"
"It's for work, Mom. I'm not running off with Ranger."
"I'd run off with him," Grandma Mazur piped up, draining her wine glass. "That man wouldn't know what hit him."
My father looked up from his pot roast and glared at her. "He'd probably die of fright," he muttered, returning to his plate.
"How can you cheat on Joseph, Stephanie? Don't you remember how you felt when you caught Dickie-"
"Joe and I are over, Mom. I don't see us getting back together anyway." My eye went back to twitching. "And I already told you, it's for work. I'm not sleeping with Ranger. End of conversation."
My mother sucked in her breath and I had to look away from her glare. She refilled her wineglass and downed the whole thing in one big swallow.
I hope Rex appreciates all I do for him.
"Earth to Babe."
I looked over to find Ranger staring at me, his lips tipped up slightly at the corners. I looked out the window and saw that we were at the airport.
"Sorry," I murmured, unhooking my seatbelt. "My mind was someplace else."
"Any problems I should know about?" he asked.
"None at all," I smiled at him and climbed out of the Explorer.
I have decided that there is nothing more luxurious in the world than flying first class. When I followed Ranger and the Merry Men onto the plane, I expected them to continue on to Coach. Imagine my surprise when Ranger pointed out my seat. A glorious recliner sized seat in the front of the plane. I had my own little TV screen on the seat in front of mine and the flight attendant kept offering me champagne.
My own little slice of Heaven.
Ranger sat beside me, typing away on his laptop. I had my glass of bubbly in my hand and a headset on, watching Ghostbusters on my little TV. The alcohol helped my nerves a lot. I'm not a frequent flyer and planes usually scare me.
When the end credits rolled, I took off my headset and glanced over at Ranger. He seemed to be engrossed in his work, but he looked up at me a moment later.
"Enjoy the movie, Babe?" he asked. I could detect a hint of amusement in his rich voice.
"Always," I replied as the flight attendant returned for my empty glass. I wasn't drunk, but I was feeling warm and fuzzy.
Ranger chuckled and shook his head. "I should take you first class more often."
I leaned my head back against the seat and gave him my best Miss America smile. "I might just let you."
His eyes darkened and I felt my pulse rate shoot up. Damn he was sexy when he looked at me like that.
"So what's the plan when we get there?" I asked, clearing my throat.
Ranger studied me for a second before talking. "The safe house is in Isabela, about fifteen minutes from the airport. We'll go there and set up for the night. I have a few men there already, keeping an eye on Miranda."
"Will there be time to go to the beach?" I asked.
"The safe house is on the beach, Babe."
Hell yeah! I thought. Ranger threw his head back and laughed. I blushed.
"Yeah, you said that out loud." He chuckled, reaching out to pat my hand. I really had to work on that problem.
"So when are we going to get him?"
"From what I've heard, Miranda spends almost every night at a little club down the beach from the house. If that's the case, you'll go in like usual and bring him out."
"Piece of cake," I said. "So if it's going to be that easy, why is the plan to stay an extra day?"
"Just thought you might want to play tourist for a day," Ranger replied, grinning. "Neither one of us have had a vacation in ages and you've never been to Puerto Rico. I thought I'd get to play tour guide."
"How do you know I've never been to Puerto Rico?" I wondered aloud.
"Babe."
"Right. Dumb question." I leaned against his shoulder, suddenly sleepy. "You know everything."
"Not everything," I heard him say quietly, just before I drifted off.
For the first time in my life, I rode in silence. The trip to the house from the airport only took about fifteen minutes, but my face was pressed to my window the entire time. We drove past little clubs and stores and tiny shacks advertising empanadas and everything fried. My stomach growled loudly then, and Ranger and the Merry Men laughed.
I could see cliffs off ahead and caught glimpses of the ocean beyond. I started to get excited then and almost bounced off my seat. Lester reached out and grabbed me.
"Careful Bombshell," he teased, putting his arm around my shoulders. "Wouldn't want you to fall and hurt yourself."
A few minutes later, Ranger pulled the SUV up to a large wrought iron white gate. He put his thumb up to a little screen and the gate slowly opened. He continued driving and I leaned forward in anticipation. A beautiful two-story house loomed up ahead. It reminded me of an old plantation, all in yellow stucco and white wrought iron railings. It had a wraparound porch and balcony and was surrounded by palm trees. Beyond the fence in the back was the beach and the endless blue ocean.
"This is a safe house?" I squeaked, almost leaning out of my seat. Ranger looked over at me and smiled.
"I was getting worried there for a while," he teased, reaching out to tug on one of my curls. "I've never heard you so quiet before."
I stuck my tongue out at him and climbed over Bobby to get out of the SUV first.
"We'll unload first and then I'll give you the tour," Ranger said, coming up beside me. I nodded, prepared to grab my bag, but he already had it. I followed the guys up the porch stairs and through the huge arched front door. Yet again, I found myself speechless. I was in what I assumed to be the great room. The walls were painted white, with a few bright cranberry-colored accent walls and the floors were a sparkling cream-colored tile. Off to the right was a living area, with light blue upholstered wicker furniture. To the left was a massive mahogany dining table with bench seats. Farther back, I could see the huge kitchen. Stainless steel and white marble. God, I wanted to live here. I was a little surprised at the décor. This didn't look at all like Ranger's style.
I didn't realize that my mouth was hanging open until Ranger came up to me and pushed up on my chin. "I felt that way the first time I was here, too."
I blushed hotly and Ranger shook his head in amusement. "Come on, I'll show you where your room is."
I followed him up the wide, open stairway to the second floor. The color scheme was the same and he led me down a wide hallway.
"My room is next door," he told me, opening the next to last door on the right. I followed him in and clenched my jaw to keep from gaping. The bedroom was huge, like the rest of the house. The floors were the same cream tile but the walls were ocean blue and sand colored. There was a king sized bed with a light blue comforter and a huge matching wardrobe. A little sitting area of wicker furniture was assembled in front of the sliding glass door, which led out onto the balcony. The balcony overlooked the ocean.
"I want to live here," I declared, walking around the room. It was the same size as my whole apartment back in Trenton.
"Glad you like it," Ranger came up and wrapped his arms around me. I leaned back into him and sighed in contentment. I felt his hand push my hair back and warmth spread throughout my body when he touched his lips to the spot just below my ear. I shivered and turned to face him. He looked at me intensely, his eyes darkening to almost black as his hands moved down my arms to wrap around my waist.
"Babe," he murmured, seconds before his lips came down on mine.