Category: CITW: Main Story

Chapter 73: Fully Fledged RangeWoman

Hal’s POV—Saturday

I’m nervous.

I really want to add a few trackers to her body, but I don’t want her to run screaming from the building.

Hector’s a man possessed. Everyone in Trenton knows not to go anywhere near him right now. His eyes are glued to the iPad and the blades are on display.

Sis is thrilled to have passed standards, and she and Lula are going to celebrate. I heard rumors of ice cream and Tastykakes and I winced. I hope she doesn’t fail the next monthly health check. I’ll have to ensure her results don’t get out if she only squeaks by. I don’t want anyone to say anything about her.

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Chapter 72: Standards, Part II

Mack’s POV—Sunday afternoon

Tank is clear.

“Body slam her at least once.”

I swallow hard. Body slam the Boss Lady? Tank is stone cold sober. “I’m supposed to be defending against her hand to hand, sir.”

Tank nods. “The CO ends up in more combat situations than most of the men in this company combined. She needs to be able to prevent a body slam and she would expect it in a self-defense assessment. I want you to do it during her hand to hand. Throw her off. I trust you with this, Mack.”

Still, that’s the Boss, yo. You want me to slam a woman. Not just any woman, but one I respect deeply.

Man, I always get trusted with the shitty stuff.

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Chapter 71: Standards

Tank’s POV—Thursday Morning

Bobby and I are met at the airport by Hal.

“Status?”

“Normal, sir. Accounts are growing, men are happy, everything is calm.”

“CO?”

“Ready to be released. She’s been working to polish her knowledge of every skill this week.”

“Company?”

“As far as I can tell, going well. Miami is in an uproar. Diego’s fired five so far. Authority has been tightened. Boston is working to recapture their lost prestige.” Hal looks over at me. I’m driving. “My rearview is a very crowded place, sir.”

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Chapter 70: The Crown has Passed!

Ram’s POV—Monday Morning

I hit the floor at 0700. Junior is grinning. Does this man ever go home?

“Check your email?”

“Nah. Why?”

Junior is choking back laughs. “I want a Candy look-a-like. Make that happen.”

I lift an eyebrow but head to my office. Ten minutes later, I’m grinning.

FROM THE DESK OF THE CO OF RANGEMAN LLC.

RE: The Crown has PASSED!

It is my great pleasure and delight to announce that the Trenton Branch of RangeMan, LLC has taken the number one position as ‘Most Profitable Branch’ in the company. Please extend your congratulations to Hal Linden and his men for their work over the past five months. Congratulations, Trenton!

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Chapter 69: Mercy Granted

Danny’s POV—Thursday Morning

We gather outside after breakfast. It’s a repeat of Saturday.

Javier blows out a breath. “Straw poll. In favor of keeping him?” Not a single hand. We look toward Hal. He has his eyes closed and appears to be in prayer. Finally, he lifts his head and looks at each of us. He shakes his head. No. Done deal. Mark failed.

Mark steps outside and nods at us before heading off to the beach. We watch him silently. Moments later, Stephanie walks out and takes the head seat.

“Have you guys made a decision?” Hal nods but Steph raises a hand to stop him. “Before you tell me, I need to tell you two things. One, Mark submitted a resignation letter yesterday and I’ve accepted it.”

We all sit back, stunned. Steph allows us some time to consider that before speaking.

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Chapter 68: Relief at Last

Steph’s POV—Tuesday Morning

The difficult discussions are finished. Now for the fun ones. Danny and I decide to hold his discussion outside on the porch.

“Trying to avoid the bugs?” I tease.

Danny laughs. “Nah. Unnecessary now. Hal called the office and reinstated the audio and video monitoring.”

I shake my head. “Why am I not surprised? Ok, Danny, hit me. What do you need?”

“A way to convince the CO to stop poaching my men!” We laugh and I write that down and underline it, which makes Danny grin. “No, seriously, we’re d oing great in Atlanta. My concerns all centered on Charlotte, but since you intend to move Armando there for six weeks, I can discuss those concerns with him. Make sure he’s fully aware of what needs to happen at that location.”

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Chapter 67: Trojan Horse Redux

Steph’s POV—Monday Evening

I hate to do this again, but it has to be done. I back the XOs, but I need to see if Armando is worth backing. So far, I’m not sure how to classify him as a manager but, if I’m totally honest and fair, the word ‘shit’ is coming to mind. There has to be a reason the guys put him in charge of Miami, but I don’t see it right now and I need to in order to recommend he stay in his position.

Thomas said that, before he hired his cousin, Armando was a ‘beast‘, which I think means he was really good. The talk with Lucia helped me understand how he got where he is now, and I think this plan will work. If it doesn’t, he’ll have to be demoted. There’s no way around it.

Amazing. I think the senior XOs are going to end up on a 90-day probation.

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Chapter 66: I Want Some Brotherhood

Armando’s POV—Monday Morning

Finally! My turn and I’m eager to talk to Stephanie. I’ve outlined what I want to cover and I’m ready.

“Stephanie.”

She’s all smiles. “Good morning, Armando.” I get a hug, which is nice and surprising. “Do you think we need to check for bugs?”

I walk to the window and look out. The guys are on the patio and they wave, smiling. Mark’s disappeared again. Probably at the beach, wondering how to save his ass.

I shake my head and turn around. “I think we’d waste valuable time trying.”

Laughter. “OK. Anything you need to tell me that’s confidential?”

“Nah. What I’m going to cover they already know about.”

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Chapter 65: HR Talks

Candy’s POV

“So that was the infamous Mark?”

Hal nods. His entire body is tense and I stop, turn toward him and place my head on his chest. I know my darling boyfriend. He stops and holds me, expecting me to cry , but I’m holding him, waiting for him to release some tension. Eventually I feel him relax.

I look over and Danny is smiling and whistling into the clouds . He looks over and winks at me. I smile and look up at Hal’s face. He’s smiling at me.

“Making me look soft,” he whispers.

“The evidence says otherwise,” I tease back. Continue reading →

Chapter 64: The Chair is Kicked Away

(AKA . . . to any God who can find it)

Hal’s POV

We—me, Javier, Danny, and Armando—are all sitting in the garden, stunned. We’re leaning over my cell phone to ensure that it’s not too loud. We checked. You have to get within two feet of us before you hear anything. Steph is laying into Mark and it’s bad.

“Do you realize that your leadership, your attitude, is toxic? There are places I would like to place your men, opportunities within the company I would like to extend to them, but I can’t because each XO’s first thought is, ‘Am I taking a spy into my branch?’ ‘Is this person going to be loyal to me and my branch or will I have to worry about leaks to Boston?'”

There’s silence before Steph picks up again. “Your attitude has ruined opportunities for your men and I don’t think they’d appreciate that.” Silence. “Your attitude has made it difficult for your colleagues to trust you.” Silence. “Your attitude has made it difficult for me to trust you, and I shouldn’t have to deal with that. I have other worries on my mind.” Continue reading →