Page 31 of Her Passionate Hero

“A handle?” she asked.

“I’m still trying to figure it out.”

She grabbed both of his big hands in her frail ones. “Well, let us figure it out together.”

“I can’t right now, I have to go out and keep watch.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mrs. J. since someone blew up Aliana’s house, I’m worried about both of your safety. I want somebody watching your house at all times.”

“But you can’t do that. You need to sleep.”

“I’ll have a friend who will be here tonight to take over.”

“Who?”

“His name is Dalton Sullivan. He’s a SEAL too. He’s on my team.”

“A sailor?”

“Yes, a sailor,” he sighed.

“Strong like you?”

“Yes.”

“Big like you?”

Hunter paused.

Mrs. Jankovic laughed. “Nobody is as big as you are.”

Hunter thought about Drake Avery and Zed Zaragoza. “I know two who are the same size,” he said wryly. “But I don’t think they’re available.” But maybe…

She let go of his hands and patted his arm. “I like sailors. You’re good boys. Aliana will see that. You come back tomorrow. I’ll make breakfast.”

He got up, picked up his dish, and held out his hand to take hers back to the kitchen. She stood up as well.

“Now bend down.” She kissed his cheek. “You protect us. Find these ugly guys. I want my granddaughter safe.”

“I promise.”

He left her house and went across the street to Mamie’s car. It was a beige Buick that didn’t look out of place in the neighborhood. But him sitting in it for hours on end would. That was fine with him. He wanted to put people on notice that these women were being watched over. He pulled out his phone and called Zed first.

“It’s been a long time. Why the late call?” Zed asked.

“I’m taking a chance. I’m basically on top of the El Monte busway, close to the 60 Freeway.”

“What the fuck are you doing there at this time of night? That’s not where your grandmother lives.” Zed was pissed.

“An old friend has a problem.”

“I don’t care. Get your ass back to Coronado. Unless you’re visiting your grandmother, you stay out of gang territory. I told you that sixteen years ago. That life has to be dead to you.”

Now Hunter was pissed. Zed might be second-in-command of his unit. He might have been the one who put him on the straight and narrow all those years ago, but he sure as hell didn’t need him talking to him like he was some sort of dimwitted child.

“Zed, I called you for a reason. If you’re going to be an asshole, I’ll hang up.”