A/N: On legal advice, I’m taking liberties with the admissibility of their evidence in court. The fines and jail time for this sort of activity have been increased, but proving it . . . well, proving it is still difficult.

 Hehe…..Release. . . . the Kraken!

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Bobby’s POV

We drew straws to see who would get to go to NYC for this ‘branch visit’. I was determined to go; liaisons fall under me, and I was determined to administer Liam’s outgoing ass whooping. Les was equally determined to go; the branch falls under his review, and if it’s been failing because Liam couldn’t keep his mouth closed—well, Les really wanted to draw blades.

Tank resolved it by reminding Les that I was in charge of ‘exit interviews’.

I won. Lester will travel to the branch shortly after Bomber arrives to back her up in person. If NYC responds to her like Atlanta did, I doubt there will be many problems, but considering we’re getting rid of 2/3 of management, he wants to ensure that the men understand she’s in charge.

No biggie. I have the traitor to execute.

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A/N: Everyone send a kind PM to Mantlady and Lyllyn for their assistance with the medical information in this chapter!

Also, if you were angry with Ranger in the last chapter, please raise your hands (counts hands…..one hand please….LOL…..). GOOD!

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Steph’s POV

I spent the entire trip back to Trenton watching over Hector. He thought it was funny.

“Angelita, I am fine. Do you intend to mother me all the way home?”

“Yes. You’re moving stiffly and holding that arm funny. I had to help you dress this morning.”

I sat back. I think men have a blind spot for pain and injuries. Hector was moving like an 80-year-old man with a walker: slowly, carefully and painfully whenever his arm hit something. He was also breathing funny. He swore he was fine, but even if I had to knock him out (somehow) he was going straight to the hospital when we hit Trenton. I wanted to check him into a hospital in Miami, but he was determined to get out of Florida and Ranger agreed.

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Steph’s POV

I’m furious and frantic to get back to Miami and find Hector. Ranger is looking at me, concerned, and he keeps stroking my hands, but I won’t be OK until I see Hector.

He cannot die. Hector is a legend. He will not die on me. I can’t call Nikki and tell her this. I can’t tell Hector Manuel that his Tío is dead.

The drive that seemed so leisurely four days ago is now torture. No one has called us since the first call.

“That’s a good thing, Babe,” Ranger says.

I stare at him.

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A/N: FYI I’m officially in hiding. You’ll find out why soon enough.

Conversations in Italics in Spanish

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Ranger’s POV

Julie’s middle school graduation was cute. I watched, proud, as my baby went across the stage, collected her ‘diploma’ and waved to the crowd. I took multiple pictures while Steph cheered. I could see Rachel and Ron across the auditorium. I told Rachel in advance that I wouldn’t sit with them, nor would I hug Julie in public, because of the op. Good thing I warned them. I noticed a few fed-types scanning the crowd, but I’d made myself up to look more like Lester, including green contacts. Unless you got right up on me, you’d think Lester had bulked up a bit and gotten a tan, completely believable since he was supposed to be in Texas. Lester and Steph in the crowd at this event wouldn’t set off alarm bells.

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A/N: Conversation in Italics in Spanish.

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Steph’s POV

After three long months, I finally get some time with Ranger. I wake to the smell of pancakes and . . . citrus?

I open my eyes and find Ranger sitting on the side of the bed, holding a plate of pancakes. His hand is in front of my face.

“Hermes D’Orange Verte.”

I sniff. I don’t remember ever smelling this on Ranger but if I did, it was subtle. Just like Ranger. It doesn’t clash with the Bvlgari; it just floats on top of it.

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A/N: Conversations in Italics understood to be in Spanish. Also, if you have dub-con triggers, be prepared.

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Armando’s POV

The call comes at noon, just as I’m leading my family from the church. I pull my girls back from the street and make them take their abuela’s hands.

“Yo!”

“Armando!”

It’s Thomas and he’s in a panic. I wonder what could have happened.

“What?”

“What the fuck man! The CO is here! Why didn’t you say anything?”

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Lester’s POV

Tank and I simply look at each other. Tonight’s call was almost as bad as the original NYC call.

 Bobby has gone back to the gym and he will need to have Tank check his knuckles later. I call down to the gym and tell Chester Deuce not to allow anyone near the company liaison right now. Not till he calms down. Otherwise, he’s liable to kill someone. Ches is stunned by the level of force in my voice. No need, he replies. Bobby looked murderous, and that scared Ches shitless. He’s never seen that look on Bobby’s face, and Ches’s first response was to close the gym to everyone. He’s keeping an eye on Bobby from the doorway, where it’s safe.

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Steph’s POV (The next evening)

Manny has returned from NYC for a half week in Trenton. Although he’s barely showing it, Hal is beyond happy. I can tell he’s desperate to put me on monitor duty again for sending Manny away. With Manny’s return, the entire Trenton Core Team is in house for the first time in a month, and Hal’s the happiest he’s been in at least three weeks. A Boston Cream was left for me along with my yellow roses. No need to ask; I grinned and enjoyed my doughnut.

Last night, after Manny arrived, he told me he needed to speak to me about the NYC situation, so I told him to meet me after lunch. If it’s bad, I need time to think of how I’m going to break it to Les.

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Manny’s POV

I’m beginning to think Wifey and Leadership Core think I’m smarter than I actually am. I’m grateful they have so much belief in me, but I’m not quite sure where to start here.

RangeMan NYC is a mess.

I’ve been here for three weeks, and I’ve been able to determine that Javier has some deficiencies. Not the kind that gets you fired but definitely the kind that make life difficult for him. Because of this, I’m not quite sure how I want to define him as a leader. At first, I wanted to term him ’timid’ but that wasn’t right. I’m thinking ‘cautious’. He sticks to his guns once he makes a decision, but he definitely moves slowly making up his mind.

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Hector’s POV

We are all gathered here today to join these men and this woman together…

Dios, where is my brain today?

We are gathered together in the garage, me, Hal, Woody, Zip, Zero, and Junior, to accompany Angelita to dinner at her Mama’s house. We are cautiously optimistic. They waited until Ranger was gone to tell the story of what is now being termed the ‘Announcement Dinner’ and, under normal circumstances, I would’ve made them pay for gossiping about Ranger in a way that made him look bad. However, I too was astonished by the story.

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