Tagged: BombShell Bounty Hunter

Steph-focused Chapters

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 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 116: Brown has lost his fucking mind

Bobby‘s POV

Occasionally, I have a really good, and really scary, thought.

I had one last night. It was so good I got out of bed to do some research. After two hours of searching, one hour of plotting, and ten minutes thinking of a co-conspirator, I’m ready.

“Candace?”

I move swiftly to catch her cup of coffee. Hal appears and I wave him off.

She smiles. “Sir. Sorry. Good morning.”

Extra glow. Good job, Hal.

“I need your help.” I wait until she opens her office and gets comfortable. I’m in no hurry and I tell her to take her time. Once she’s ready, I detail the plan to her and sit back. She’s smiling.

“You guys really like to meddle in other people’s lives, don’t you?”

I shrug. “No. But will we help our brother when we see he needs it? Yes.” Continue reading →

Chapter 114: Your Words vs. My Actions

A/N: I got playful with Mañoso in this chapter. Because I know you might be confused:

Ranger: The military trained soldier, who thinks of things in military terms.

Carlos: The closest approximation of Ranger’s core self. The part of him that only Steph gets. The vulnerable side of Mañoso.

Ric: The ‘normal’ side of Ranger. The side the guys know, the side people might be allowed to see. Mañoso’s ‘normal’ train of thought.

When you see brackets [], the personalities are arguing.

This should be fun.

Ranger‘s POV

She’s staring at me.

“Babe.”

“Carlos.”

I open my eyes, a smile curving my lips. Steph’s looking at me, a happy smile on her face. “Hey.” I kiss her.

“Hey.”

“Kinda cold for bikinis, Babe.”

“Damn.”

I laugh. Steph. The one and only. She leaves to hit the bathroom and I roll over onto my back and stare at the ceiling. She climbs back in and settles on my chest.

“Ranger?” I don’t answer. “Ranger?” She looks up. I’ve raised an eyebrow. “Carlos?”

“Babe.”

I get poked. “More than one word.”

“What’s up, Babe?”

“We need to talk.”

What does that mean? What did I do? “About?”

Continue reading →

Chapter 113: Welcome Home

A/N: Roscommon: Thank you for all your help!

Steph‘s POV

I drop my purse on the side table and kick off my shoes. I have ice cream, a blanket and a blank TV.

RMSA was a disaster.

I’m not even sure how it happened. I went expecting to have a great trip. I was going to get the guys for the manipulation, I was going to point how bad they were at managing their company, and I was going to help Lula plan her wedding.

Well, I kinda helped Lula.

I stare at the apartment I’ve spent the past month decorating for me and Ranger. It looks great, but Ranger won’t see it until Tuesday when he comes back.

I check the time. 5 p.m. If I hurry, I can make dinner. Continue reading →

Chapter 111: The Power to Hurt Me

Ranger‘s POV

One clean slice.

That’s all it took to remove James White’s head from his body.

He expected to be shot. Don’t know why. He knows his people. He should have expected a machete.

Trent passes me all the info the FBI has collected on White’s death so far. Gang killing. MS-13 with a machete. What’s interesting is that there aren’t any tags near his body.

“I’m betting Alberto, Damian’s second,” I tell Trent after reviewing the info.

“No tags.”

I point to the picture of the headless body. “That’s the tag. Contact the DEA and see if they have any informants working with or in the Cartel Juarez. If they do, see what the gossip is.” I put the info down and look at the task force. Every member, including Morelli, is here. “This had to be sanctioned, since White was their member in the FBI. This brings the full weight of the US government down on them. They’ll be ready for blow back.” Continue reading →

Chapter 102: We Come to One Accord

Tank’s POV

Lula’s quiet. That’s always nerve-racking.

“Tankie?”

“Hmm?”

“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”

Depends on what I have to lie about, but yeah, I’d lie to you in a heartbeat. Or, more correctly, I’d redirect you. “What do you want to know, Lula Bear?”

“Steph had beard burn all over her face.”

“I noticed.”

She’s quiet. “I know what I want to think but I need to know if I’m right.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t wanna be wrong.” Continue reading →

Chapter 100 Tank Speaks. A LOT.

Tank’s POV

Dinner was excellent. I’m not the biggest fan of churrascarias (overeating’s too easy) but it was great to get everyone together and have fun. Lula looked happier than I’ve seen in months and she and Steph looked excited to talk to each other. I may have to consider going back to New Jersey more often. Lula needs her ‘peeps’.

Diego and I talked about Miami and what he wants to do there. I’m impressed by him. Lots of good ideas, strong leadership skills, no nonsense. Still a little impatient but he’ll learn. We discussed possible ideas for him to try and he looked excited by a few of them.

The RMSA men aren’t quite sure what to make of him right now. Arlo likes him but Gonzo’s not sure. Diego will have to win over Gonzo in order to get the RMSA men to like him. Gonzo can be an idiot but he’s a damn good leader and Marine. They should click off that.

Mark also had good ideas for Diego. I made an effort to talk to Mark. I have to. He’s my soldier too and now that Steph has worked her magic on him, he’s calmer. Quiet. Patient. Eventually, Lula and Steph noticed and we were banned from discussing business for the rest of the night by the ladies. Continue reading →