Chapter 93.5: Girls Night Out, Part III

Connie’s POV

“What in the hell is a shiksa?” I’m contemplating a pedicure. I need to go get one, the sooner the better.

Marvin sighs. “It means non-Jew.”

I’m eyeing him, annoyed. “And your mother chose to call me one, because?”

Marvin rolls on top of me and smiles. “Because you’re not a Jew. It’s not an insult. It’s an endearment, really.” He kisses the side of my neck but I can tell he really wants to try for round three. “All the years you’ve lived in Jersey and you’ve never heard the word shiksa?”

“Italian. I heard every insult for Italians ever invented. I have every insult for mobster memorized. Unless you were a Meyer Lansky, I wasn’t gonna meet you.” Continue reading →

Chapter 93: The Window Slams Shut

Steph’s POV

I’m standing in line at Giovichinni’s watching everyone look at me. I hate being conspicuous, but it can’t be helped.

Hector is with me.

The entire store got quiet when we both stepped in but I nodded at Gina and got into line. No one has approached me, spoken to me or said a word. They’re just watching me.

“Nosy idiots,” Hector mutters. “You are not an exhibit.” Hector continues to mutter angry words next to me and it’s fueling my own irritation. He’s right. I’m not a side-show. Continue reading →

Chapter 92: A Door Closes

Joe’s POV

After the disaster with Torres, I’ve gotten smarter about not trusting my fellow agents, but it is hard having my only contact be Mañoso. However, I have to give him credit. He’s leading me in the right directions. His information is spot-on and it makes the job of getting these guys to talk much easier. He can tell me their likes, dislikes, vulnerabilities and obsessions and I’m not having any problems finding common ground with my suspects.

Shit, if I had Mañoso passing information to me all the time like this, I would have a 100% conviction rate.

Lately I’ve been wondering about staying at Trenton PD. On one hand, I love my hometown and I’m proud to be an officer there. Trenton needs help more than any city I know, but the opportunities for promotion stink. I checked the website; there’s a new Chief of D’s, someone named Lt. Ward. I know him. He’s from Newark and he has a good rep but he doesn’t have half the years of experience I do. My conviction rate is better and I know the area. I would have been better but I’m on this op. Continue reading →

Mea Culpas

A/N: Prompt (and title) from trish94509.

“Dumbledore says people find it far easier to forgive others for being wrong than being right.”

Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Mark’s POV—During Steph’s time in Miami

I have no idea what I’m looking at.

This looks like a basic street corner in Boston, but more ‘ethnically diverse’.

Vic’s slouched in the seat next to me, staring at the crowd of people walking by. “Spotted him?”

I look at him in confusion. “No. Have you?”

“Been looking at him for five minutes,” Vic says calmly. “Can’t take him right now. He’s surrounded. Plus, no law enforcement backup.” Continue reading →

I Learn to Waltz, Part I

A/N: OK, so this is Part I of a new series entitled: I Learn to Waltz. Many thanks to Lisa Trent, who suggested this One-Shot, but once I started writing, it was like writing for the Housekeepers’ War all over again!
Also, in this context: ‘swing my balls’ means bragging. Versatile phrase, huh? LOL.

Mack’s POV

Jorge and Javi are major! Homies who went through the first session of business etiquette classes said it was major. Worth it. They been using the skills and we hittin’ major numbers with the contracts. Javi said he expect us to take the crown this month. We asked what’s keeping us from takin’ it now.

Trenton. Continue reading →

RangeMan Reading Club: Selection One

Prompt from guynellheard.

Hal’s POV

We sensed a problem when we realized Sis was reading The Art of War.

She’s already sneaky enough. If she’s really trying to hone her skills, we’d have another Les here. That’s nerve racking.

Vince pointed out the obvious. The Art of War is thin. Barely 100 pages. Certainly not novel sized. Still, it is an amazing book. Maybe she’d picked up a critical review edition, with a bunch of academics parsing every phrase. It would make sense. It’s one of Ranger’s favorites.

Sis is devoted to the book. She reads it all the time, during meetings, during dinner, during lunch. You could be in the middle of a serious discussion with her and see her eyes slide toward the book with a barely concealed eagerness.

We’re getting lots of things approved lately because she’s in a great mood. Continue reading →

Chapter 90: We Deliver a Sheet Set

Helen’s POV

Stephanie is coming to dinner tonight for the first time in months. I realize I haven’t seen my daughter since Tank and Robert were here to confirm she was trained to their standards. I’m actually looking forward to seeing her. Mother says that Stephanie has been quieter and more thoughtful lately.

I’m thrilled she hasn’t been hurt in months.

Knowing that she’s now trained for this job and prepared for the danger that follows her around everywhere has made my life much easier the past few months. I can walk around the Burg knowing that she’s safe and that Hector or Henry is with her. They’ll protect her but if they can’t, if something happens, Stephanie can also protect herself until help arrives. I’m proud of that. My daughter is trained for her (horribly ridiculously dangerous) job. Continue reading →

The New Boys Get a Clue

A/N: One Shot Prompt from mcrmyrangerbabe. It’s a long one. I’m covering almost seven months here. Enjoy!

Month 1

SA RangeMen Recruits—Military Vet’s POV

RangeMan is no joke.

Every man hired so far has been intimidated by his new colleagues. Even the vets hitting the gym are astonished by the veteran RangeMen. They are, without a doubt, some of the most intimidating men we’ve ever seen.

They don’t play. They don’t joke. They have cliques, location based, but they’re quick to remind everyone that they’re brothers. You might be from Miami or Trenton or Atlanta but at the end of the day, you’re a RangeMan and that’s all that matters. Continue reading →

An Award Winning Story

A/N: Much thanks to Vulcan Rider for this little brain dropping! I know she didn’t expect me to go in this direction but . . . I felt inspired and my beta is devious.
 
And MUCH thanks to MantLady for allowing me to pick her brain for her extensive knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and treatments! Consider this part one.
 
Warning: You will end up feeling sympathy for a hated enemy at the end.

Alan Watkins sits in his office at the Trenton Gazette and stares out of the window. There aren’t a lot of really good, news-worthy stories to focus on lately. Just the usual business at the Capitol, some random burglaries, and the usual gossip.

Nothing Pulitzer worthy. Continue reading →