Page 59 of Hunter

Religion: Not stated

Employer: Self-Employed

Previous Employer: Military (Four years, honorably discharged)

Criminal Record:

Note: This was challenging to uncover due to his expunged record. I had to dig deep to find what little information I could. My program is still searching, but here’s what I’ve got so far:

•Three DUIs, the last of which involved an altercation with an officer. He was arrested but posted bail.

•History of violence.

•His ex-wife, Carla, has a restraining order against him on behalf of herself and their children.

•The divorce court granted Carla full custody after proving years of physical and emotional abuse.

•As part of the settlement, Danny was mandated to attend rehab. He enrolled at Beachside Lodge in Japan for treatment before returning to the U.S. last year.

I exhale sharply, the air thick with unease. My hand tightens around my phone as I scroll through the damning details. Each word feels like a red flag slapping me in the face. A violent past, restraining orders, rehab—it’s a web of chaos that paints Danny as a threat, not just to his own family, but Sophia too.

The thought of her being anywhere near someone like him sends a surge of protectiveness through me. My jaw clenches as I consider my next move. Do I tell her what I’ve found? Or do I wait, knowing full well this knowledge could destroy the fragile peace we’ve built tonight?

My fingers clench into fists, the urge to stand and confront him flooding through me. But I don’t. Not yet. Not when I know Sophia’s inside, unaware of what I’ve just learned.

Instead, I close the document, not wanting to digest anymore.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm the fury swirling inside me. I’ll get the answers I need, but not now. Not until I can figure out how to protect her from this mess.

Steff sits down, catching my attention. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You’re not interrupting. I was just doing something for work,” I say, shifting the conversation.

“Are you a workaholic like my cousin?”

“You could say that.”

“Then you guys are made for each other.”

“You could say that,” I reply with a faint smile, though my mind is still tangled in the earlier conversation with Sophia.

She shifts in her seat, like she’s debating whether to share something.

“Something on your mind?”

“I’ve never seen Sophia this happy. I will kill you if you hurt her.” The words leave her lips in a deadpan, serious tone I can’t help but laugh at. But then I see the fire in her eyes and the way her arms cross tightly over her chest.

“I don’t recall making a joke,” she adds.

“You don’t have to worry. Sophia is my life. I would never hurt her or jeopardize the life I want to build with her. I love her more than anything.”

Her eyes widen, and a blush spreads across her face. “In that case…welcome to the family.”

The words bring a sense of relief, though my heart still beats fast from the weight of the conversation. Before I can reply, a voice interrupts from behind me.

“It’s refreshing to hear you have such strong feelings about my daughter, Maxim.”

I stiffen. It’s Sophia’s mom.

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