Page 81 of Her Passionate Hero

“You’re a good boy,” she smiled. “Now go get me a brownie and some lemonade.”

Aliana couldn’t hold it in. She laughed outright as Hunter went over to the dessert table. Mrs. Diaz stood up in the middle of the room.

“Ida is the only one who couldn’t make it,” shesaid to the assembled group. “I know we were all excited to discuss Lori King’s latest release, especially that one scene,” Mamie fanned herself, and the women laughed.

Velma looked over at Hunter as he bent over to deliver the brownies and gave him an appraising look. “Too bad we couldn’t have your grandson reenact a scene.”

Mrs. Diaz got a sour look on her face. “Really Velma, that’s taking things just a little too far, don’t you think?”

Aliana snuck a peek over at her grandmother, and she was whispering with the ‘cane’ lady. Aliana now knew that blushing was a hereditary trait.

“I’m sorry, Rosa,” Velma said, a definite twinkle in her eye. “Now, I’d like to go first. I’ve been doing some checking. I talked to Father Michael at St. Anthony’s, and he suggested I talk to Sister Xena over at the Mission First Street Mission. She told me about Hank the homeless man who hangs out over on―”

“Velma, please, for God’s sake, get to the point already,” Mrs. Diaz sighed.

“I’m just trying to tell you I definitely spent some time investigating this.”

“We all got the picture.”

Aliana glanced over at Hunter, who was rubbing his mouth, obviously trying to smother a grin.

Velma leaned forward. “Word on the street is Los Demonios is losing members and not because they’re being recruited by other gangs, they’re disappearing.”

Aliana’s shoulders slumped. After the big buildup, she’d really been hoping for new information.

“Velma, we knew that,” Rosa said sharply. “I told all of you that on the phone.”

“Well, there’s more.” She lowered her voice. “All of them were either currently attending Bertrum or had gone there at one time. That’s why you were targeted, Aliana. And―”

A tiny woman sitting in the corner eating some a plate of sweet bread snorted. “How in the fuck can that be Aliana’s fault? Everyone knows Los Demonios pretty much came from Bertrum High and Las Nuevas Espadas come from Lincoln High.”

Aliana shuddered at the name of her old alma mater. She hated that school.

“Esther, you agreed not to drop the F-Bomb today,” said a woman in a pretty pink sweater set. Her low Cuban heels, lipstick, and hair matched her suit. Aliana would bet anything she was the one who brought the pink cupcakes.

“He’s a sailor, he’s heard the word fuck before,” Esther said before popping another piece of bread into her mouth.

“You’re not listening to me,” Velma raised her voice.

“What?” Rosa Diaz asked.

“I was trying to tell you that San Marcos lost three of his prostitutes last week. He thought they were recruited by Las Nuevas Espadas, but I found out from my beautician’s cousin who is a friend of―”

“We don’t care how you found out. Just tell us the information,” Esther growled.

“Two days ago, he was able to track their last known whereabouts to Union Station. He wants those girls back, and he’s positive Aliana knows where they are.”

“But I don’t,” she protested. But she would bet anything that Nicolas did. Hunter reached over and grabbed her hand in his.

“That is really good work, Velma,” he smiled. The woman preened under his praise.

“Does anyone else have anything to add?” Rosa Diaz asked.

“I found this book a little too racy, perhaps we can choose something more appropriate next time. Something without a half-naked man on the cover?” The woman in the pink suit said. “I found this book with a man in a suit on the cover. It’s called ‘Fifty Shades of Gray’, maybe we could read that instead before our next meeting.”

Esther’s eyes began to water, and she started coughing.

Velma spoke up. “Florence, there is no way we’re not going to finish our discussion of Lori’s new book.”