Page 2 of Puma's Pride

When none of them answer, Chaos slams his fist into Gareth’s gut. “Answer him or I’ll break another bone for every second you don’t.”

“She wanted to meet us here, get Caitlin to sign over the money.” Gareth admits.

“Well we wouldn’t want to disappoint her.” Dante says, walking away as he sends a text. When the phone dings with a reply, he grins. “She’s on her way. Seems like that prison is going to transport at least one woman after all.”

Since I’m the only member she likely knows nothing about, I get the pleasure of greeting her. Normally, I don’t like hurting women, but lifting up that bitch and throwing her into the cell with the other degenerates, gives me a warm glow.

About thirty-six hours after our arrival in Chicago, we find ourselves heading back to Vegas.

As exit the base, my phone pings. I answer it to a voice I haven’t heard almost six years. “Corinne?” I ask as I point my bike toward the clubhouse.

“Malik. I’m sorry to bother you, but I need your help. I’m living in Vegas now and there’s a man who’s been harassing me. He’s sitting outside my condo. The cops said they can’t do anything. I was hoping maybe you could just come over and scare him away?”

I frown at her request. I don’t know why she’d reach out to me, much less believe I’m someone who would willing scare away a stalker. But Corinne had been a nice diversion once upon a time. Six years ago, she’d been a stunning breath of fresh air. She had no idea who I was and watching her pink with embarrassment when she realized the truth had been fucking adorable. The sex was phenomenal. I have no plans on reliving the interlude. I want Alisa and only Alisa. But I’m not one to turn my back on a woman in need. Besides, I’m always up for intimidating assholes. “Give me the address. I’ll be there in twenty.” I say once she does.

As I veer onto 612, I ping Wildcard to let him know my plans.

“I’ve never heard about this Corinne.” He says, perplexed.

“Met her when I was playing ball. Picked her up in a bar in Miami. Hot little blonde with an amazing body.” I tell him.

“Jeez, and she’s here in Vegas? Sure you don’t have a stalker?”

I bark out a laugh. “I doubt it. Unless she’s the most patient stalker on the planet. Haven’t heard from her since that night. She said she just moved here, so I’m guessing she doesn’t know anybody.”

“Yeah, but how did she know you were here?”

“It isn’t like I live incognito. She may have read that I settled here after my accident.”

“But how did she get your number?” Wildcard persists and his question does give me pause. How the fuck did she get my number?

“I don’t know. I’ll ask her when I get there. Won’t be long. Coming up on my exit now, should be at her place in ten and finished scaring the shit out of an asshole in fifteen.”

Wildcard laughs as I end the call.

I pull up to a light. My mind six years in the past, so I don’t notice the van pulling up behind me until the light changes and they ram my bike. My bike and I skid across the asphalt. Before I can grab my gun, they shoot me with a taser and its lights out.

CHAPTER TWO: ALISA

In the weeks since I’ve been living at the Vegas clubhouse, I’ve had a taste of what being the President’s Old Lady means. But I realize all those other experiences were just tastes. This is the whole fucking seven-course meal.

Dante shouts out orders like a general until everyone is off doing what they need to in order to find Puma. I watch Ashlyn struggle to ensure Reaper she’s fine leaving with Laser while Reaper stays behind to search for his uncle. As soon as he’s out the door, she crumbles.

“Do you want me to call Reaper and have him come back?” I ask her as she shakes her head.

“No, I just need a minute.” She says as I watch her struggle to regain control.

“Why did you tell him to go if you need him?” Laser asks as he rubs soothing circles on her back.

“Because he loves Puma, and he needs to help find him. I’ll be fine. I just needed to break down for a few minutes. Let me go grab my stuff so we can get to San Diego.” Ashlyn says after taking a deep breath and wiping her eyes. She walks down the hall to her and Reaper’s room with Laser right behind her. Seeing Ashlyn stand tall and telling her man to stay here when all she really wants is for him to go with her gives me strength. Once Reaper claims her, he’ll have a real Old Lady on his hands.

I wish I had half her strength.

Turning to Corinne, I see her glancing around the room. She looks so out of place and lost that I know she needs my help more than I need to have a breakdown.

“Let’s go check on the kids.” I suggest, and she nods quickly, rising to follow me.

We find Mal and Elina happily sitting on the floor. Their backs against the couch with a bowl of popcorn between them. Turning Red is blaring on the 75” television screen. My father has his phone out, ignoring the movie. I snicker as he fights to keep from glancing at the screen. Those Pixar movies are hard to ignore. Mad Max sits by the door, rising when we enter. I wave my hand to tell him to sit back down.

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