Page 57 of Her Passionate Hero

“Quit your gabbing. We have to get this show on the road,” Zed said.

“You’re driving,” Hunter said.

Chapter Eight

“Shorinda, this is Hunter and Zed,” Aliana said.

The nurse’s eyes were wide as she stared at the two men who towered over her. She swung her glance back at Aliana.

“Girlfriend, where have you been finding these men? Can I get a subscription? I have a little saved up. I’ve been a good girl.” Then she turned back to look at the two men. “But I know how to be naughty,” she teased with a slow smile.

Aliana knew she was turning forty-seven shades of red, but when she looked up at Hunter, his eyes were sparkling.

“Shorinda, I’m sure you are quite the package, but I’m loyal to my current subscriber.” Holy hell, now she was going to need a fire extinguisher to put out her blush. They all saw it too, and even Zed was grinning at her. Sakra.

“Actually, they’re here to help with the difficulty Maminka and I have been experiencing.”

Shorinda’s eyes went hard. “Don’t think I didn’t notice all these new bruises, little girl. What the hell happened? First, you come in with blood dripping off of you, and now you look like you’ve gone three rounds with Conor McGregor. Boys, you’re not doing your job.”

“We got into town after the bomb,” Zed said.

“Bomb?” Shorinda screeched.

“Shhhhh, keep it down.” Aliana looked over her shoulder to see her mother, her eyes wide open, looking at nothing. Still, just in case something might get through, she didn’t want her to overhear the conversation.

“Bomb? Bomb? What the ’eff? Tell me what’s going on. And you two, tell me how you’re going to keep my girl and her Mama safe.”

“We’ve got a 24/7 watch on Aliana, and we’re here to see what kind of security this facility has.”

“Basically, nothing. Did Aliana tell you about the threats to her mother?”

“Yes. She’s made her confession.”

“Shorinda, that’s old news, okay?” Aliana gave her friend a hard stare. She looked around the new room and saw it was larger. “Does Maminka like the new room? Does it bother her being on the third floor?”

“Honey, she was happy two days ago.”

“Shorinda, if money were no object, where would you put her mom for two weeks while this shit died down?” Zed asked, changing the subject.

“It’s only going to take two weeks for you to get this settled?” the nurse asked.

“If that,” Hunter said.

“Well then, I’d take two weeks vacation, rent a hospital bed, and bring her to my house. It’s a three bedroom bungalow about fifteen miles from here. It’s in a great little neighborhood, and I keep it neat as a pin. You’re welcome to come see it before having your Mama come stay with me. And it’s not a matter of money. I would charge the same amount as this place.”

Then she paused and sighed. “But that’s a pipe dream because there is no way I would make Aliana pay twice’ she’d have to pay for her Mama’s spot here, then pay me. That’s not fair.”

“Done,” Zed said.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Hunter demanded. “I’ve got this covered.”

“Boys,” Aliana said, straightening up. “I appreciate what you’re doing. I really do. But now that I know this is a two-week deal, of course, I have this covered.” She looked over at Shorinda who shook her head.

“What?” Hunter demanded.

“There’s taking charge, then there’s being a steamroller.” Aliana reached up and pushed back her hair so she could see both of the offenders clearly. “I think you and Tarzan haven’t just crossed a line, I think you ran the race and managed to hit the finish line in the chauvinism race.”

“It’s sad, really,” Shorinda said. “I keep forgetting all those beautiful muscles come with a price tag.”