Category: CITW: Main Story

Chapter 133: I Resign

Mark’s POV— 12/18, 1600

I stand before the Leadership Core and the CO with a clear mind and heart. I’ve done the right thing. My colleagues no longer hate me. I’ve proven myself to my boss. I’ve worked with her, not against her, even though my office failed the ‘management’ portion of the review. My men are confident in my leadership again and I leave having done the right thing.

I feel clear in the decision I made four months ago. It had been accepted. It worked out for both of us. Continue reading →

Chapter 131: Let Me Do What You Do

A/N: Unbeta’d

Tank’s POV

The morning of day three finds all of us in the field with the NYC men. We’re assessing until noon, when we’ll stop, collate the report, discuss it, and discuss our findings with the NYC men.

I’m not sure how I keep getting the bad assignments instead of Bobby, but this is the absolute last time we flip for a duty. This is the fourth client call today. Jorge’s a smart man, tough in a negotiation and firm on the details. He negotiates better than Ric, which is saying something.

NYC is making an impression on Wall Street. Ric wanted to make an issue out of the fact that NYC management wears suits and ties all day, but we watched. We got it fast. Clients walked in and out of RM-NYC all morning, starting at 0700. The men dress for the clients and Jorge gets Les’s decorating scheme. Putting our men in suits and ties, with obvious gun holsters to remind everyone that we’re still a security outfit first, means the clients walk in and are smacked with multiple reminders that this is a business and we’re business people.

We aren’t hoods with guns. We have skills and we’re willing to protect you, for a price. Continue reading →

Chapter 130: New York, NY Part II

A/N: So many of you reminded me to take it easy that I’m doing just that. I’m sorry for not keeping to my publishing schedule this week, but I agreed that rest seemed to be the winner.
So, this is an extra chapter that’s not on my upcoming chapters page. I’ll move everything around later today.
Finally, unless otherwise stated, Hector’s always speaking Spanish.
Unbeta’d

Bobby’s POV

Day one of the review. I’m excited to do this.

Les gave us a reprieve last night and agreed to allow us to sleep in peace, so we kept tradition. We camped out in his living room, played PlayStation, and ate Chinese. We got caught up on each other’s lives.

Les finally told Ric he’s over ‘the incident’. He understands. He accepts it. He wants his friend back and he’s trying to think of something for him and Steph to do while she’s here.

Ric looks relieved, although he’s hiding it. Hec looks thrilled. Continue reading →

Chapter 129: Another Complication

Les’s POV

“I need the background on your time under Magic.”

I reach forward and adjust the heat. Mack has it at sauna levels in this SUV. I peel out of my heavy coat as his jaw tightens and he glances at me. It’s noon and Queens is quiet. No real traffic from LaGuardia back to the office, so I need Mack to talk fast. I boot up my computer while waiting for Mack to reply.

“Everything OK?”

“Yeah.” No. His face clearly says something is wrong (shoulders hunched, jaw tight, eyes squinched), but he’s not ready to talk yet. Fine. I’ll get it out of him before this is over. “I started at eight. Lookout. Moved up the ranks and by sixteen, I had five blocks.”

Impressive. “Fast.”

“Yeah. Sixth sense. I listened to it.” Continue reading →

Chapter 128: Meet Miriam

Steph’s POV

The city of Miami, or Coral Gables, has not gotten the newsflash that it’s winter. It’s 85 degrees and the heat and humidity is forcing people to stay in their bikinis and shorts much longer than they planned. The sun is beating down on the city relentlessly and the UV index means that fair skinned people (like me) are being forced to stay indoors.

That’s a problem right now.

Inside our home, Ranger and I are conducting a miniature Cold War. The temp inside our house might say 75 degrees, but Ranger’s cold mood brings the wind chill down to about 50. My hot-tempered annoyance is keeping us level at about 65.

After I flat out refused to apologize, we managed to avoid each other with a skill and patience the USA and USSR never had. If Ranger is in the bathroom, I stay in my closet. If I’m in the kitchen, he stays in the office. When we meet, it’s the Cuban Missile Crisis; we wait to see who blinks first. Continue reading →

Chapter 127: And Now you tell me

Steph’s POV

Ranger’s staring out of the window, looking at the inlet that runs along the deck outside the house. He’s looked calm all morning, a welcome change.

Sex really is a mood lifter.

“Ranger?”

He turns and finishes cleaning the kitchen. I’m putting food away. Breakfast was silent.

He finally heads to the office, me trailing behind, and opens the French doors in the room. The morning breeze wafts into the room, the smell of jasmine carried on the breeze. Ranger’s home is beautiful and I love being here. We spent yesterday unpacking and talking. I pointed out some things I want to change and, although nervous, he seems to be OK with them.

I had to promise to buy a shoe rack. Continue reading →

Chapter 126: How Do I Love Thee?

A/N: Based on a true story (mine!)

Steph’s POV

“Babe.”

“Yes?”

He closes his eyes, a half smile on his face. “Torture.”

“Worse than dinner at my parents’?”

We’re both smiling. “Much worse.”

The masseur smiles. “This conversation is deja vu. You two have been here before, haven’t you?” he asks me.

Ranger’s fingers lace with mine. “Yeah. We have.”

—oOo—

When we left Atlanta last night, Ranger was in a much better mood. I think we both were.

I had half a pineapple upside down cake.

Was it better than my mother’s? Nope.

Did I make it all by myself? Yeah, with some help from Hec, who refused to be cut out of the fun and stuck with the cleaning.

Was it ooey, gooey, buttery, and sweet? Oh yeah! Continue reading →

Chapter 125: The Brotherhood Strikes Again!

Hector’s POV

There’s an email from Bobby.

Listen to the recording first then read the attachment. I didn’t understand until I was asked to delete the recording. Advise.

I’m intrigued. Les I’d wonder about. Bobby less so.

I put on my headphones, find the correct server and recording and listen.

Lots of quiet. I hear mariachi music and breathing. Stakeout?

“So what’s up with you and the CTO?”

“What do you mean?” Manolo. I smile.

A loud sigh. “Oh come on. Everyone knows you’re banging the CTO.”

A long silence. The truck starts and I hear the music get closer. The truck is turned off.

“Who I’m banging is no one’s business. I think Lt. Brown made that very clear.” Manolo is pissed. I hear it in his voice. I’m wondering who this other person is.“Also, as I’ve said before, I met the CTO in Miami shortly before training started—”

“Yeah, but you gay people all know each other.” Continue reading →

Chapter 124: Highs and Lows

Steph’s POV

Ranger’s been quiet the entire drive.

No digging through RangeWorld.

No questions for me.

Just a blank look on his face as I drive to Atlanta.

“Hey.” I can see him looking at me from the corner of my eye. “Everything OK?”

He nods, his lips thinning.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

I’m starting to read Ranger’s moods. Quiet and thin lipped? Angry or thinking.

Hec’s right. Eyes and lips. If Ranger’s going to give anything about his mood away, it’ll be there. Continue reading →

Chapter 123: Judgment Day

Mando’s POV

0700.

I’m back in my office.

Ranger is back in my office.

We’re staring at each other, squinting slightly because of the early morning sun filtering through my blinds. I get up and adjust the blinds, staring at the park outside. The entire office is quiet. Ranger pulled the fabric mask off once we hit the building. The men have been silent.

It’s ‘official’: the CCO is really here, even though he’s not if you like living. Continue reading →