Page 29 of Her Passionate Hero

“No you can’t, not without my help.”

“Dammit, Hunter. I told you to go away. You listened before why not this time?” She looked at him beseechingly.

“Because now I’m thirty-one, not a dumb nineteen-year-old who had my teeth kicked in by the girl who meant everything to him. This time we’re going to resolve this shit. You’re going to let me help, and you’re going to tell me why you sent me away all those years ago.”

“Please, leave, I’m begging you. It’s what’s best.” More tears spilled. She looked wildly around the kitchen. He followed her glance. Her eyes spied the knife. For a second he thought she was going to grab it, but then she turned to face him.

“Best for who? It’s sure as hell not best for me.”

“Then me. Leave so I can still feel good about myself.” She stared past him at the counter. “When I told you to go away before, I was relieving you of a responsibility that would just make you have a crap life.” Her head swung so she could glare at him. “But it got even worse Hunter, far worse. You were so lucky you got away from the crazy girl when you did.”

“What in the world are you talking about. Mamie can’t sing your praises enough. Your grandmother adores you. You’re a Vice Principal, for God’s sake.”

“Are you going to go?” she asked, her voice a hoarse whisper.

He gently placed his hands on her shoulders, not in a million years did he want to cause her physical pain on her bruises.

“Nothing is going to drag me away.”

She closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. Then blew out a breath. She did it rhythmically. He recognized the pattern, he’d done it at his friend’s dojo, and also when he was on the rifle range. Finally, she opened her eyes.

“Fine. Just fine.”

“Are you going to tell me why you told me to leave thirteen years ago?”

She shook her head.

He nodded, unsurprised.

“We really need to get the cake out to Babička.”

“Not before you tell me what you haven’t told the police.”

“I told them that I expelled some gang members last month, and it must be retaliation for that.”

He stared at her. He found that pretty fucking hard to believe. Not the fact that she’d told the police the bullshit story, but that was what had caused her home to blow up. He looked at her and saw the telltale blush creeping up her neck.

“You want to pull the other leg?”

She stood up straighter. “What are you talking about?” she asked indignantly. “That is exactly what I told the police.”

“I don’t doubt that, but it’s hardly the full truth. Now, what the hell are you hiding, Alia?”

She just stared at him, her blue eyes shooting fire.

Fuck, he wasn’t going to win. He started to laugh.

She put her hands on her hips. “Why are you laughing?”

“Because I’m screwed.”

“Join the club. I’ve asked you to leave, and you’re being stubborn and staying. You’re annoying the hell out of me.”

“Come on, Alia, admit this is a little fun. You used to laugh.” The blue fire turned into a bit of a sparkle.

“I admit nothing.”

“I can’t even get a smile out of you?”