Page 37 of Her Passionate Hero

Shit, he’d seen the bandage on her throat and just assumed it was from the bomb.

“When did this happen?”

“Friday. She reluctantly ID’d the car, but she wouldn’t say who cut her. I’m positive she knew who did it.” Ernie rolled back and forth on his feet, clearly frustrated.

“Does the name Mateo mean anything to you?”

“No. Should it?”

“I had a run in with some members of Los Demonios a little earlier. They drove a 2015 Charger, matte black. There were no plates on the car. They said Mateo had a special interest in Aliana. I think he’s a lieutenant.”

“Well the car doesn’t match the one she ID’d on Saturday,” Ernie sighed. “Like I said, never heard the name, but I can check with the gang and narcotics division.”

“Do that.”

“Yes, Sir,” Ernie said sarcastically.

“Look, asshole, we’re on the same team.” Hunter didn’t need a territorial pissing match, not when Aliana’s life was on the line.

Ernie leaned in—he was only an inch shorter than Hunter, probably not used to dealing with anyone bigger than himself—and he was angry.

“We have detectives who are on top of this.”

“I’m the one who’s going to get Aliana to talk. I’m the one who can devote people 24/7 to making sure she and her grandmother are safe. I’m the one who can make sure these fucks back off for good.”

“You do something illegal, and I’ll be forced to put you away.”

“I won’t do anything that will get me put away.” Hell, if he couldn’t handle staying out of the frying pan, he didn’t deserve to be called a SEAL.

Ernie gave him an assessing look. “I heard what you didn’t say. I don’t like it.”

“Sue me.”

“I’m going to have my eye on you.”

“Why don’t you be on the lookout for the bastards who are after Aliana. Wouldn’t that be a better use of your time?”

“I can multi-task.”

“Since you’re so great at multi-tasking, why don’t you see what you can do with these.” Hunter popped the trunk of his car and pulled out the three guns he’d confiscated.

“What the fuck?”

“I’m giving you a gift,” Hunter said with a wry smile. “Los Demonios were kind enough to give up their weapons to me.”

“Kind? You guys have a tea party?”

“Something like that.”

Ernie carefully took the wrapped guns from Hunter.

“Hopefully you can get some usable prints.”

“Why, are you going to file a complaint against them? Seems to me if they were so kind, they might want to file charges against you.”

“Aliana might want to file a complaint.”

“Yeah, sure,” Ernie said derisively. “I’ll hold my breath.”