This will be the ONLY time I write from either of these POVs. Now, excuse me. I need to go disinfect.

---

Antonio’s POV—Monday morning

I can’t believe Ranger put a bitch in charge of a black ops company but hey, that just means my next step, to XO, should be much easier. Women are much easier to manipulate than men and, if it’s true she has all this power, I can follow her orders long enough to capture the prize. Fuck Diggy. I intend to take over as XO of Miami, and I’m sure everyone has told her everything they believe to be true about me. Time for her to learn the truth.

The fact that her ass was kidnapped from right under Diggy’s nose means he’s dead in the water. Fucked up his shot to be an XO in 24 hours. I can’t wait to laugh at him. A muscle in my jaw twitches and I try not to wince in pain. Fuckin’ Mack. That asshole has been a pain in my ass since he arrived, dissin’ me ever since he said hello. I’m going to get his ass back for the concussion.

I’m next to the CO’s office, waiting for her to come back. I can’t believe I’m about to do this shit, but hey. Whatever. Her little quote on Friday was cute. The Miami men don’t have a problem with their masculinity. We simply know what a woman’s place is and we have no problems reminding them. That feminism shit’s gone too far and we know why Ranger put her in charge.

Lack of a gag reflex.

She’s not qualified and she doesn’t know shit. I’ve been in management in more places than this and I’ve grown my division and department each time. I’m not impressed. The company would have grown like this if all she’d done is sit on her ass and file paperwork in Trenton. What? Does she want a lollipop for that?

And her fucking grandma’s gotta go. She had the fucking nerve to call my dick disappointing! My dick’s been called a lot of things, but disappointing has never been said. I’ve never been so damned embarrassed in my life, and Jozen told that shit everywhere. The guys were laughing at me, calling my rep a fucking lie. We hit the club that night and I picked up two bitches just to prove them wrong.

We were certain that there’s no way that Ranger puts up with that bullshit, except that Trenton sent Miami a video. ‘The Best of the Boss and Edna’, they call it, and in it you can see that Edna Mazur exasperates the boss but he actually does like her. At least, he doesn’t appear to want to choke her all the time. We couldn’t fucking believe it, but Hal (that bastard) said that Edna Mazur is used as the last test of fortitude in Trenton. If you can survive her, you can survive anything. Mack laughed and said he had more balls than Trenton because they set Granny Mazur on him and he enjoyed that shit.

Hal reminded him that, since he did enjoy it, Trenton was going to find another way to get him over that swag shit. Mack’s just waiting.

She finally shows up with Diego (I wish he’d die. I don’t give a fuck how, just painfully and soon.) following her, laughing over some shit. At the sight of me, his nostrils flare. I’m amused. He thinks he can channel Ranger. Ranger is fucking legend and this silly fucker is no Ranger. You let the bitch get kidnapped, dumbass. You didn’t want to let me, the expert, be in charge of her security and now you’ve lost San Antonio.

I hope you enjoy working under me. I can’t wait to make you scrub toilets.

“Move along, Tony.”

I incline my head to him, mockingly. “I’m here to speak to the CO. Privately.”

He’s pissed but the CO looks amused. Don’t know why. What’s so funny, bitch?

He glares at me before walking off. Meanwhile, the CO steps forward but I stop her. “Allow me.” I open the door for her. She steps in and I shut the door behind us then hustle to pull her chair out for her. She looks confused but shakes her head and waves for me to sit in front of Ranger’s desk. She takes the power position behind it. Fuck. I’m in the subordinate position, like every time I walk in to Mando’s office.

“OK. You wanted to speak to me.” She opens her folio, flips to a new page, and looks at me. “What’s up?” She shifts in the seat, getting comfortable. Ranger’s office has an aura and we’re rarely in here, so I take a moment to look around. Ranger’s definitely into light, glass, and a modern aesthetic. Everything in here is blue glass, chrome, black leather, and metal. It’s classy but cold. The windows behind the CO are tinted and look out to the sea. It’s a great view. I’m sure if I had a pair of binoculars, I could spend the day watching ass on Miami Beach.

I wonder if Ranger ever does. The CO is OK looking, but there are much hotter women in Miami and they know their place. I heard this bitch can’t cook. Had everybody at the Jersey shore cooking for her ass.

Her throat clears. I look around and give her a charming smile. “Sorry. We rarely, if ever, get to walk in here. I think this might be my third time in here. Couldn’t help but look around.”

She laughs. “Oh. Yeah, all Ranger’s offices look alike. I guess I’ve just gotten used to it.”

I nod. Good to know. “Anyway, I wanted to talk about myself, the Miami office, and what I think needs to happen here.”

She looks at me in confusion for a moment before slipping what I assume is her ‘blank face’ in place. She’s modeled Hector’s, a scary ass smile, and for a moment I lose my nerve. I hate that bastard. My family has never looked at me the same since he embarrassed me. Now they think I’m only good enough for Mando’s handouts. Well, fuck him! I’m about to take his fucking job and he won’t even know.

“OK.” She closes the folio and sits back. “I’m listening.”

I nod, get comfortable and think about how best to sink Mando and Diego. “Well, first I’d like to say I’m sorry for the way I greeted you when you arrived. You caught us all off guard and we were surprised.” I smile. “Gossip in the company might be at an all-time low, but we did know that you usually gave notice in advance of your arrival.

We were stunned and disappointed not to get the same consideration and respect from you. We wanted an opportunity to show ourselves in the best light and we felt you robbed us of that. Everyone else knew you were coming and had time to plan special, fun things for you. We didn’t. If you informed the Miami leadership, then they didn’t inform us and that shouldn’t be held against us.”

You should’ve given notice, bitch. You pulled some new shit on us and that wasn’t fair to Miami. You started off disrespecting us because you don’t know your fucking place. Now you want us to jump to your command. I wait for her to apologize, but her facial expression doesn’t change. If anything, she looks more amused.

“Go on.”

Did she just fucking dismiss me? What the hell?

“Nothing to say to that?”

“Are you looking for an apology?”

Yes, I expect your ass to apologize! You need to apologize to every man in this branch. Preferably on your knees. “Not necessarily but an explanation would be nice.”

She smiles. “I gave you one. I run my reviews as I see fit. I have no intentions of issuing apologies and, if I was going to apologize to anyone, it would not be you.” We sit in silence for a minute. I can’t believe the nerve of this bitch. Finally, she says, “You had something you wanted to talk to me about?”

The fact that I have to kiss your ass to get this position is pissing me off, but I’ll make it work. After all, I’ll report to Ranger when you leave. “You asked me to give you an answer on Miami and what’s going on in my department.” I sit back and get comfortable. I remind myself to rein in my temper. She’s already proven she’ll push you just to see what you’re made of. No need to lose the prize because I couldn’t be charming. She’s a woman. She’s not that fucking bright.

“At the moment we’re seeing irregular patterns in the renewals and in the lost contracts. 50% of the lost contracts go to SecureMan, 25% go to Bodyguards, Inc., and the rest to smaller outfits or private contractors. If they were all going to one group, then it would be easier to track down, but they’re not. I’m fairly certain I don’t have a traitor in my group. I would’ve found them by now.”

She nods. “OK. Any reason you didn’t just put this in an email?”

“Yes. I wanted a chance to really talk about my group.”

“Our chat at the mall wasn’t enough?”

“Our chat at the mall was disrespectful on both sides. You showed absolutely no respect for me or my position and I wasn’t in a mood to humor you. Since then I’ve calmed down and I’m ready to really talk about RMMiami now.”

She stares at me then snorts. “OK. Tell me what you think I need to know.”

Good. She recognizes she was wrong. I’m not going to get apologies out of her, that’s clear, because she thinks she’s above that. Fine. I don’t give a fuck. Reward merit, bitch.

“Well, I’m head of the bodyguard department here. Since I took over, I’ve managed to grow the department 15% each year. We’re still the most profitable bodyguard department in the company and I’m proud of that.”

She’s back to that scary ass smile on her face. I look toward the wall, for the recording indicator. Nothing blinking, so we’re clear. I look back over at her. This was a bad room to choose. She’s sitting behind Ranger’s desk, in a power position, and I’m sitting on the other side, a fucking supplicant.

“I’m interested in moving up in the company. I understand that you’re pushing that and I definitely want you to know I’m interested in any open positions. I love Miami and the scene here and I definitely have ideas I’d like to implement. I’d like credit for the ideas I’ve given that have been implemented.”

“Such as?” She opens the folio. Good. Take notes. I’m sure Diego’s taken credit for most of my best ideas.

“Well, idea of using boats to navigate Miami was one I gave Mando, offhand, before I even started here. Mando was gone for years. I went to FIT. I know what the Miami streets and the Miami culture is like and I just gave him that one offhand. When I joined the company and learned he took credit for it, I was kinda pissed but hey.” I shrug. “That was before I was a RangeMan.”

“Anything else?” She’s making notes.

“Yeah.” I start listing some of my best ideas, shit Diego’s implemented and taken credit for, and I toss her a few ideas I’ve had before, like airport to airport bodyguard service that I just thought up last week. Armed and unarmed guards for spring training camps here in Florida, major hip-hop award shows and concerts, and model shoots. She laughs when I suggest the model shoots but I’m really pushing that one.

I only fuck models and it would be nice if I could combine business with pleasure on that one .

“Good ideas,” she says, writing them down. I keep going for at least thirty minutes, giving her ideas, smiling charmingly, blowing smoke up her ass. If kissing her ass is the way to my position, fine. I’ll do what I have to. She won’t be here for long.

“I have a lot more,” I reply. “I mean, Mando’s a good guy, but he’s not really an XO. He spends more time rubbing his temples than handling business.” I get a few giggles for that and I smile. “Yeah. So, Miami needs a strong XO willing to set standards and put rules in place. Diego’s more interested in stealing your ideas and beating your ass for complaining about it. I mean, I’m not a whiner but hell, give me credit for my ideas. I run my department with an iron fist and we’re stronger for it. There aren’t any disciplinary problems in my group and we’re profitable. I’m creative, I know Miami, and I’m ready for other duties, as you may assign.”

“Anything else?”

“Nope. I’ve covered everything I think is important.” I smile charmingly and she smiles back at me. Yeah, this is in the bag.

“Great. Thank you for this information, Tony.”

“No problem.” I grin. “So, enjoyed the Miami clubs?”

“Yes!” She laughs. “Except for that whole ‘getting kidnapped’ thing, I had a great time. Maria’s one hell of a dancer and you guys are good too.” She smiles. “So many people knew your names I started thinking you live in the clubs.”

I do. I pick up the hot and stupid, fuck ’em, and leave ’em. My mother worries about me getting married but I’m not interested in settling down. No need. There’s enough hot women in Miami for me to get laid every night of the week, which is why I don’t understand why any man would want to be a rapist around here . If she won’t fuck, move over to her friend. One of ’em will suck your dick. No need for prostitutes or rapists in this city. Only moment that’s awkward is when I run into something I’ve fucked before but that usually ends up in a round two. Hell, I’m good in bed and I’m not looking for a commitment.

And Maria needs to keep her old ass at home and get back on that stove. A fifty year old widow out partying like she’s twenty? Maria’s lost her fucking mind. If my mother ever got that stupid I’d pitch a fit. I guess that’s the problem. Maria doesn’t have any kids. If she did, they’d put her ass back in line. It’s the only thing I’ve admired Mando for lately. His mother now fears him and it’s about fucking time. Of course, it means I won’t be able to use tía Connie to drive his ass insane, but that’s not my only method. It was just always the easiest.

And I still can’t believe I gave even $1 for Maria’s fucking iPad. She has a fucking iPad and I don’t. If Rafe wants her, he needs to put her ass in check. Instead he’s out partying with her. I can’t believe that shit. I told him that if he wanted to make a wifey out of Maria, he needed to try reminding her that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

Rafe just stared at me and said, “You wonder why women dump you.”

I snorted. “I don’t wonder why they dump me because they don’t dump me. I don’t need ’em. Fuck and leave, that’s my motto. There’s another one of you bitches where you came from.”

Rafe laughed. “Which explains why your only real relationship is with your mamí .” He walked away, muttering, “Piece of shit.” I’ll fire his ass the moment I take over as XO.

I hear a throat cleared and I look over to the CO. She’s smiling. “You looked lost in thought.”

I laugh. “I was. Thinking about Maria. She’s a force.” That will get knocked down soon enough. We have the plan ready to execute the moment your ass leaves. I’m spending money on meals because Bobby’s ordered her to make macrobiotic meals for us. Bullshit. Maria might have to make it but I don’t have to eat it. My mother is making my meals .

She nods. “OK.” She smiles. “Honestly, I couldn’t wait to talk to you.”

“Everyone’s said something about me, huh?” I chuckle.

“Yeah. None of it good.” I snort. “And I agree with their opinions.”

My smile drops and I can feel myself getting red. “Excuse me?”

She closes the folio and stares at me. “At the center of RangeMan brotherhood is the idea of loyalty. In the past hour, you’ve proven you have none.”

I’m staring at her. Is she fucking kidding me?

“You’ve thrown your XO, your own cousin, under the bus. You threw your direct supervisor, Diego, under the bus. You’ve ratted out everyone in this branch, given me information I had no interest in and have no use for, and proven that, at the end of the day, you only care about you.”

I slip my blank face into place. She’s sitting back, fingers pitched. Is there something about Ranger’s seats that people just channel him when sitting in them?

“Diego and Mando have given you credit for your ideas. Other people in this branch have given you credit for your ideas. They’re clear about the fact that you’re creative and intelligent. Their problem is that you have no loyalty and no respect for anyone else. You’re always in it for you.

Right now, in Boston, the XO is in trouble with me, but the Boston men were clear: We love our XO. We want to save him, whatever it takes. Those men I’d put in leadership positions because they retain their loyalty even while telling me the absolute truth. Your XO is in trouble with me and you were the only member of management here to throw him under the bus. This really troubles me because he’s your cousin. He’s family and he put his position on the line to retain you. I guess you think I don’t know there’s a standing order for you to be fired?”

I’m sure I’m red. That’s none of your fucking business.

She sighs. “My sister and I don’t always get along, but she’s saved me from murderers. I matched her with her husband. I’d never betray her and she’d never betray me. You just sold Mando out.”

She sits back and looks at me in wonder. It’s taking all I have not to curse her.

“You want to know why you won’t rise any higher? Because I take my recommendations for which men to promote from the men who have to work them all the time: the XOs, the strategists and the liaisons. I don’t know you. You could be blowing smoke up my ass right now. So I would take recommendations from Diego, Thomas, and Armando about you and, so far, none of your supervisors or colleagues would promote you up. I think that’s a pretty clear sign that you aren’t trustworthy. Even worse, you’re known across the company and you’re not known for anything positive.”

That infuriates me. None of them have ever worked with me! Her smile grows cold.

“Even if they gave you a glowing recommendation, I still wouldn’t promote you. Ranger left a standing order for you to be fired but you think I’m stupid enough to promote you up? Thanks for the insult. And Hector wouldn’t hire you into his tech department, despite your degrees and experience. And I guess that, even though that’s my partner, I’m not supposed to know that you went over Mando’s head, against his advice, to challenge my partner for his job? Are you kidding me? And I’m sure Hector has the tapes of his interviews with your former employers somewhere. You were fired four times. That’s enough for me to know not to move you until you learn how to accept a position gracefully and work hard where you are.

And right now, I’m not convinced. There’s a leak in your department. You’re holding steady while everything around you is growing and you aren’t working with your boss to fix the problem. Instead you’re in here trying to kiss my ass to take his job. I’ve seen Diego’s work. That’s why he’s the interim XO. I know he’s good at what he does. So until the problems in your department are fixed, you aren’t going anywhere.”

“You’ve said enough.” Fuck you. This bitch is going down. I’ll run her ass down like I did Maria. She’ll learn her place before she leaves Miami.

She laughs quietly. “You confuse our positions. You’re not the boss here. I am. Right now, I’m demoting you. Between last week and today I’ve learned all I need to know about you from you. You still tried to hand me a bullshit explanation for the loss of contracts here. You didn’t tell me what you were doing to try to resolve it. You just told me what I already know. And even if I were tempted to promote you, you’ve proven you can’t do your current job. Want to explain to me how my grandmother, my 80-year-old grandma, managed to get away from you?”

I’m standing now, halfway to the door when she speaks.

“By the way, don’t worry about this conversation being recorded.” She pulls her new iPhone out. It’s blinking. “I’ve heard enough about you to ensure that this conversation was recorded.”

I leave, slamming the door behind me.

That’s the problem with women in power. They get a little authority and start thinking they can do shit they aren’t qualified for. Her ass will learn. She’ll be humbled before she leaves Miami.

---

Conversation in Spanish

I walk out and look for Pedro. I nod for him to follow me and we leave RangeMan. Within minutes, Nacho, Julio, and Patrice join us at a local deli. We order and grab a table outside to eat in the sun.

“Well?”

“Bitch told me I had no loyalty.” I still can’t believe it. I was oh so tempted to smash her face in.

All three snort. “Is she fucking kidding me?” Patrice says, a disgusted look on his face. “What the fuck does she know about black ops?”

Nacho shrugs and writes Ranger’s put his piece of ass in charge. I told you months ago this was going to be a problem.

Pedro is drumming his fingers, looking worried. “See, that’s the part that worries me.” We look at him. “Ranger’s no idiot. The man is legendary. So why do this?”

“Cuz she broke her fucking leg. This was supposed be something to keep her ass busy, I’m sure,” I reply, taking a bite of my sandwich. Nasty. Maria needs to start cooking again. I’m sick of eating out. “I’m sure she fucked him into it. Ranger’s legendary but he’s still a man. Throw some pussy at him and he crumbles like any man.”

Pedro snorts. “Yeah, but why her? Rachel’s hot. Amanda was hot. We’ve seen the women that throw themselves on him at the club. They’re all hot. Stephanie Plum? Some frizzy haired white woman with no tits? Her best assets are her legs and ass. He could have his pick of the hottest women in Miami, true beauties, model types. Amanda was a fucking swimsuit model! Why this one?”

“Maybe she’s a better lay,” Patrice says. He laughs. “No gag reflex? Likes anal? Into toys?”

We all laugh at that. Well, all except Pedro.

“No, this still doesn’t make sense. OK, say she fucked Ranger into it. He’s one of four and he doesn’t share ass. So how did he talk the others into it?”

We’re quiet. No answer for that.

“Then there’s the bigger issue of Hector.” We all shudder, involuntarily. I can’t stand that fucker. I’d love to see him die. I’d love to watch him die. “That’s her partner. He doesn’t tolerate disrespect of her, so I’ve heard. And I’m still not breathing right after Mack’s elbow to my back.” Pedro shifts and winces. “I’m not in favor of having some bitch in charge of the company either, but while Ranger’s running around the country on his op, she’s in charge and the Leadership isn’t playing about that.”

So what do we do? Nacho writes. They all look at me.

I shrug. “We have no idea how much longer Ranger’s gonna be on this mission. I do know this: Clearly the fucker is pussy whipped because that Lamborghini keeps moving. He’s popped up to see her ass at least twice that we know of. So we have her ass for at least five more months. Maybe more depending on how long it takes for him to finish his op. So she’s gotta go. How do we do it?”

We all sit back and think. None of us is stupid. We ran that branch for three years. Everyone jumped to our orders.

Pedro exhales. “There’s no way to do it. Leadership Core believes in her. Hector’s her partner, Mack’s at her back and Hal is her bodyguard. She’s got protection around her that doesn’t play.” He looks at Julio and Nacho. “Nacho and Julio are fucked, you’re on the chopping block, and me and Patrice are putting our asses on the line even being associated with you.”

I stare at him in shock.

“What are you saying?” Julio says quietly, leaning forward.

Pedro stands and balls up his trash. “I’m saying that if we’re going to take the cunt down it’s time to separate. We can’t act as a fist. We have to be fingers. Tony is poison. You and Nacho have been fired and are only back because she wanted you here, which makes no fucking sense. Patrice and I are hanging on and most of the branch is gunning for us. If we’re going to survive, we have to cut you three loose.” He looks at Patrice. “You have to make your own choice but as of right now, I’m out.”

He stands and tosses his trash before heading back to RangeMan. We look at Patrice, who is looking at Pedro angrily. He bites his lip, balls up his trash, and stands. “Pedro?” Pedro stops and turns. “Wait up.” He looks at us. “He’s right. If he and I have any hope of surviving, we have to cut you three loose.” He looks at me. “Good luck. I’m out.”

I stare at the two of them as they head back.

The CO thinks I have no loyalty? She needs to spend time around those assholes.

---

James White’s POV

RINGGGG.

“Hello?”

“You were right,” Knox says. I lean back in the chair, waiting. “He’s stateside.”

I sit up abruptly. “You’re sure?”

“Yeah. His men talked in public. They know he’s here. When the Lamborghini moves, he’s meeting with her.”

I smile. “Told you. Had to be Mañoso. No one else is qualified.”

“Quit grinning,” Knox says. “That’s a huge fucking problem. If he’s running this op, it’s airtight. Everything’s been airtight.”

“Except that he’s made mistakes. Biggest one being meeting with her during the op. If he hadn’t done that, he would be in the clear. So she’s the important piece of the puzzle—”

“Gutierrez is her partner.”

I’m ready to dance and party! “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“No. I couldn’t believe it! They’ve put another man on her as her partner until he gets here and assigned her a personal bodyguard. She’s doesn’t go anywhere without at least three guards. It’ll be impossible to get to her.”

“Leave it to me.” Click.

I can’t fucking believe it. The confirmation just fell into my fucking lap. Mañoso is behind this op. I knew it. I fucking knew it! That means that Gutierrez is behind the massacre of my men in Atlanta. Time to probe his alibi. There’s going to be a hole in it somewhere.

The Miami RangeMen. I knew it would be those fuckers in particular, which is why I’ve had Knox following them as much as possible. They talk too much, they have no loyalty to their boss, any of them, and they’re sexist as hell. Having a woman in charge would really piss them off. Just a matter of time before they got together and started bitching and moaning.

Now that I know it’s him, the woman is more important. She has to be taken. He’ll do anything, including put his own cover at risk, for her. I’m astonished and amused.

At the end of the day, Mañoso will be brought down by his dick. I assumed as much.

This is why no man, especially a man with power, should ever get close to a woman. Every powerful man who’s ever been brought down has been toppled because of a woman. They let the little head do the thinking. Juana Baez nearly toppled my ass and I wish I could find her and correct that mistake personally.

I know the RangeMen have her. I just can’t get a bead on which branch they’re hiding her at.

Lawson was right. They don’t communicate using telephone lines, their network is locked down and encrypted well, and any attempts to try to hack it lead to your computer being disabled and infected with viruses. Lawson is in love with the fuckers. He can’t get around their protections under any circumstances.

I head back to headquarters and start probing for more information on Stephanie Plum. The last attempt failed because she’s clearly had some training, which was contrary to all information out there about her. She knew how to get free from Knox and his men, which we weren’t expecting, so Mañoso’s men have trained her.

Army Basic PT at 80%? They trained her well. I did the research this time. There were no gaps, no mistakes. I spent some time in Trenton, asking questions, and learned quite a bit before the word got out and people stopped talking. I got information about her that Knox could only dream of.

This time, there won’t be any getting away. She’ll be shot and her body dumped in front of RangeMan first. I don’t give a damn how we break him, but he has to go down. He has to be out of the way. Even better, Gutierrez is her partner. It’ll break him too. Both bumblebees out of the way.

I slide into my car and drive to Silver Springs, MD. I pull into a local McDonalds and wait. Within 20 minutes, Damián arrives. “We were right. He’s here.”

Damián laughs. “Thought your buddy said otherwise.”

“I’m smarter. I made him follow his men.”

“So how do you want to play this?”

“The woman first. That will force him and the Asesino to expose themselves. I need you to put effort into that. All my info on her says she’s stupid. Doesn’t listen to advice, gets in over her head, too loyal. It should be easy to manipulate her into exposing herself. Meanwhile, hold off on trying to take Martinez down. You have enough men?”

“Coming from all over. This is a group effort.”

“Good. She’s first and I would prefer that she was held indefinitely. Preferably where she can’t be tracked or found. Make her drink the milk otherwise. Last thing.”

“Yeah.”

“Michael Giordano. I’ve confirmed his real name is Joseph Morelli. Vice cop from Trenton. In some sort of three way relationship with El Tigre and the woman.”

Damián laughs his ass off. I don’t blame him. I laughed my ass off too when I found out. “The legendary el Tigre shares ass?”

“Apparently so. We need to figure out what alias he’s using on this op.”

“Hold?”

“If necessary. He disappears, the woman will never forgive el Tigre. It’ll break them apart. She’ll open herself up to being taken and held.” I smile . “Rendition is a beautiful thing.”

“Family?”

“Under guard by the local RangeMan office. More effort than necessary. Her or the cop. He’s running around on this op so if he dies, it’s in the line of duty. Nothing suspicious. Her? She’s stupid and it wouldn’t be the first time she nearly died from her own stupidity. So if she dies, it won’t be suspicious. Maybe she had a stalker. Maybe she was overpowered by a criminal. Who knows, but no one would investigate too hard. So he’d put his neck on the line for them.”

“Done.” I leave and return to the Baltimore field office.

---

I sit back and smile. This is the longest, most well-plotted sting ever. I’ve been waiting years to get all the pieces into place.

Deputy Director James White.

I’ve already ordered the name plate.

I’ve been planning this one for nearly five years, ever since I learned about Mañoso. An Army Ranger, legendary, and a Reyes? Interesting. I got out of the service, trained at Quantico, and volunteered to infiltrate his Trenton branch. The local cops were certain that Gutierrez was behind the murder of 26 Reyes in Central Jersey but they couldn’t prove it. They needed someone to get inside and learn more.

I applied and was accepted for an interview. I was nearly in when LaPierre walked in. I’d heard about him. A Crip. He looked at me and said nothing.

I was declined.

The sting ended right there. It became known that trying to break into Mañoso’s organization was impossible. We’ve never been able to put the case to bed. The DNA evidence was ruined by Guerra before he died, so we were screwed and, unfortunately, Mañoso’s lawyers are good. Harvard and Yale educated. He only hires the best so Gutierrez has plenty of protection.

I don’t give a fuck who he thinks he is. The Trenton Massacre remains the only case I’ve ever been attached to that I have not solved. So I stepped back and learned more. I did the research. Edward Scrog was a fucking gift. Because of him, lots of Mañoso’s secrets came out. He had a daughter. He was in love with some silly bounty hunter. He had multiple branches and millions in the bank.

I could care less about that. Fuck the money. I want his ass behind bars. Him and Gutierrez. They can do that mercenary shit overseas all they like but when they do it on American soil, it’s murder, plain and simple. They don’t get to walk from that. They don’t get to ignore the lives taken and ruined because of their actions. I don’t care that the unofficial verdict was ‘self-defense’. That’s not an official verdict and Gutierrez’s actions in Atlanta had nothing to do with self-defense.

Gutierrez is even easier. His touch points are simple: his son, his cousin, his partner, and the men in charge of RangeMan. I was stunned to find that he’s largely cut contact with his own mother and sisters. They have protection but not like the son and cousin.

Bringing down him, Mañoso and Martinez would put me in the Deputy Director’s position at the FBI. Even better, I plan to screw Damián too. I don’t need MS-13 in my patch constantly but, unlike Mañoso, I’m active because I intend to bring them down. I’m not Mañoso, pretending to be inactive but involved in their politics. People know I was once a Sureño, but, within the Bureau, they also know I’m not loyal anymore. I don’t care about Sureño politics. I simply need them to believe I’m in it to help them.

Bringing down the leadership of two rival gangs, a serial killer free for years, and a consultant playing both sides? I’d make the FBI Hall of Fame for this and the shit is so simple: set them against each other and light a match. If I manage this, they’ll stop saying I was pulled from active cases because I’m a gangbanger. I’m not and I don’t give a damn about maras anymore. I’m not a fucking classroom teacher. I’m a cop and I’m a good one. This case will prove it.

Stephanie Plum is making it even easier for me. She’s turned Mañoso’s men against him by simply existing. I sit back and consider how to get Gutierrez and Mañoso to give themselves up.

---

Ranger’s POV

I’m listening to the tracker on James White and William Knox and I’m pissed.

My own men have given me away. I email Hector that his alibi is about to be probed.

Good luck. Johannes did excellent work on it. I’m safe unless my DNA is at the scene and Adam says APD is stunned that there was nothing there. No hint of who did this. They’re thinking it’s the work of an entire gang.

I know Hec. He’s smug about that.

Prob #2. I need U 2 let B know no offline. + she has 2 stay under guard all the time. They know she’s had training. They’re going 2 come after her 2x hard now.

Why?

Miami RM talked in public.

Dead.

Painfully. And soon.

I call Steph. “Babe?”

“Two minutes.” I hear her running somewhere and she comes back to the line, breathless. “Are you OK?”

“I’m fine. You’re not. I’m about to send you a file. I need you to listen to it and keep it in mind. I’ll call you back in 30 minutes.” Click. I zip the file of the conversations between my soon-to-be-dead employees and White’s conversations with Damián and Knox to her.

I text Morelli. Call me ASAP. He calls 20 minutes later.

“What’s up?”

“You need to go to ground for a while.”

“Why?”

“They know we’re connected. There’s an order to kill you on sight.”

I hear Morelli swallow hard. “OK, where do I go?”

I’m looking at the maps. “Boston. Your new assignment will be helping me sift through the info.” Which pisses me off because I’m about to have to take up his slack. Damn. Morelli is, was, my best field agent. “I’ll send you the arrangements tonight. Go ahead and head to RangeMan Boston. You’ll stay in an onsite apartment until I have your living conditions ready.”

“Are we absolutely certain I need to go into hiding?”

I stare at my phone. Is this an Italian thing? Always questioning orders? “I was under the impression you liked life.”

“I do, but I’m close to bringing this one down. I need maybe one more week.”

Morelli has Thompson and he’s a major link in the scheme. If he really can bring Thompson down, Knox will have lost his best man. “Can you do it without losing your head?”

A snort. “No amateur here, Mañoso.”

Decision time, Mañoso. You know they’re hunting for his ass and he’s in Charlotte. He’s the only agent running around without a partner right now but he said he didn’t need one. This is dangerous. On the other hand, you can’t pull undercovers at the first sign of danger. That’s why it’s called undercover. They know they’re in danger. You have to allow them to manage risk. “Fine. One week.”

“Thanks.” Click.

I call Steph back. “Babe?” It’s silent on the other end of the phone. “Steph?”

“Oh my god,” she says softly.

“Babe, listen to me. I sent you that file because you need to know, you need to understand the threat against you.”

“I know. ‘Drink the milk’? What does that mean, Ranger?”

“Dead.” She gasps. “It’s not a game, Babe. They won’t care. You are the one person tying everyone together. Les and I think the real threat is against Hector so you both need to stay under protection. Stay with your guards, Babe. Don’t run around alone.”

“Right.”

“Don’t fall for attempts to draw you out. I know you’ll be tempted. You’ll want to follow your instincts. Don’t. Just don’t. Call Hector, call Tank, call anyone but stay back. They want you. I’m trying to close this down as quickly as I can.”

“OK.”

“Now, my men—”

“Let me handle that, Ranger.” She sounds fierce and pissed. I look down and smile. I like this woman. No, I love this woman.

“Plans?”

“There’s a bigger issue within RangeMan. They’re the biggest examples but I plan to make an example out of all of Miami. I just demoted Antonio. Can you hold off until Friday? They’ll be fired by then.”

“Will do, Babe.” I have no idea what her plan is but I’m more than willing to let her work it. “Te amo, Steph. Stay safe.”

“Please be careful, Ranger.”

“I will.” Click.

---

A/N: I’ve recently worked with an individual with Narcissistic Personality Disorder. If you, or someone you know, suffers from this mental disorder, as Tony does, please see a therapist soon.