Her Passionate Hero by Caitlyn O’Leary

Aliana Novak spent most of her school years being bullied. Her only refuge, was Hunter Diaz, until the day he graduated and left her to deal with the tormentors herself. But that was then, this is now. Those horrific experiences molded her into what she is today and made her the perfect candidate for Vice Principal of one of the toughest, schools in East LA. Sometimes the harder you fall, the stronger you rise. Aliana always rose to the challenge until one the most notorious gangs in East LA had her in their sights.

Hunter Diaz, scraped and fought his way out of the gangs of East LA, to serve honorably as a SEAL in the United States Navy. He has become one of the most dangerous men on the planet. When his adopted grandmother tells him an old friend is in trouble back home, he returns to the place he vowed to leave firmly in the past.

Hunter expects to find the same awkward and fragile girl he once knew. Instead, he finds a beautiful strong woman who is closed off from everything but the children under her care. Even when her life is on the line she is determined to handle things on her own. What had happened to Aliana? Can Hunter break down her walls and prove to her he is still her knight in shining armor before she ends up dead?