Page 23 of Puma's Pride

“Are you alright?” I ask Alisa and I feel her nod as she buries her face in my chest. I glance over at Corinne and ask her the same question. She nods as she holds her son close. I lock eyes with him and while he looks worried, I can tell he’s trying to stay strong. I give him a smile.

“Are Max and the kid who works here ok?” Alisa asks. I glance over at Max, who is talking with a young man wearing an employee vest. Both look fine. I see Max slip the guy some money.

“They’re good. The kids are safe. You’re safe. What did he want?” I ask her as I stroke her back. Feeling a tug on my vest, I look down at Elina’s pretty face. I lift her up into my arms as she snuggles into my neck while Alisa shifts away. I want to pull her back into my arms, but she doesn’t go far.

“He’s crazy.” Alisa says. “He has some weird idea that I’m going to help him rule Mexico. I don’t remember everything he said. I’ll have to think about it and write it all down.”

“Showtime slipped her phone into your pocket. I’m hoping it recorded your conversation.”

“That’s what she did? I was wondering. I was afraid to check because Juan was watching me.” She removes the phone from her back pocket and hands it to Showtime. “I want to get back to the clubhouse.” Alisa says.

“Ok, baby. Let’s get going.” Carrying Elina over to the SUV, I place her in her seat before snapping her in as Alisa slips inside. Then I help Corinne with Mal. “I’m so sorry.” I start, but Corinne just shakes her head.

“You have nothing to be sorry about. Showtime was amazing. She made sure we were safe.” Corinne says, and I smile in gratitude.

I know she isn’t used to the club life. It would be easy for her to take what happened today and turn it into the reason she and Mal shouldn’t be around the club. But she didn’t. Instead, she complimented my prospect. I watch them drive off and see Corinne leaning forward to speak with Alisa. Ever since Dante met Tally, I’ve been a little jealous of the women his club has welcomed into the fold. Each one of them is strong. It looks like I’m gathering the same quality of women into our club.

On the way back to the clubhouse, I debate on calling Sal and letting him know about his son’s latest stunt. I decide to wait. I’m hoping Chill and the others who went after him can catch him. If not, maybe we’ll learn enough from his discussion with Alisa to figure out what he’s up to so we can stop him.

We surround the SUV as Max drives it back to the clubhouse. I don’t know if it’s good news or bad that Chill’s bike is out front along with the others. I get my answer when we step inside and I see the scowl on her face as she paces the room like a caged lion.

“He got away?” I ask, and she jerks her head down.

“He disappeared down a side street. We drove around for a while, but he was gone. Spark is checking video cameras to see if he can find where they went.” Chill says.

I nod before turning back to Alisa. “What do you need from me?” I ask her.

She glances around the room and I know she’s considering the needs of the club, so I gently grab her chin so she has to look at me. “We’ll have Church soon and discuss what happened. But right now, I need to take care of you. What do you need from me?” I repeat.

I see tears threaten, but she fights them back. “I’m alright.” She says as she places her hand on my chest. “Really. We’re safe here. I’ll help Mal and Corinne get their rooms set up. Unless you need me to go over what happened and what he said to me.”

“Let’s see what Showtime’s phone caught and I’ll come find you if we need more. How does that sound?”

“Good. Thank you, Puma. I love you.”

“I love you, too, baby. With all my heart.” I kiss her and watch her follow Max down the hall. He’s carrying several bags and I take a moment to feel some happiness that Corinne and Mal did as I asked and bought enough stuff to turn the club rooms into their rooms. I really need to bring the idea of building homes on the property to a vote. But that likely won’t be today.

I turn toward Church in time to see Showtime come out. I hold out my fist and she bumps it with her own. “Thank you for taking care of them and calling me.”

She grins. “Of course, Prez. I’d do anything for them and you.”

“Your phone?” I ask as she heads toward the door.

“Gave it to Spark.” She calls back before stepping outside.

I take my seat and pound the gavel when everyone is in place. “Any update on Juan’s location?” I ask.

“I got them on a traffic cam, but lost them when they drove into a subdivision.” Sparks says. “I didn’t find them coming out again, so I’ve asked Maestro to run his program.” Maestro is a prospect out of San Diego. He doesn’t look like a biker, he looks like the type of guy most bikers would make fun of, but he’s wicked smart and a computer genius. He’s developed multiple software programs for our use. One filters through property deeds.

“Any idea how he found the women?” I ask. “Was he following them?”

“Not that I can tell.” Spark says. “I’ve checked a few cameras and can’t pick out a car that might have been tailing them. Smoke is checking them, too. I wanted another set of eyes on it.”

I’m frustrated with the lack of progress, and Spark notices. “We’ll find him. Maestro is looking into Juan’s finances and those of John Spada. But in the meantime, I have the recording from Showtime’s phone.”

“She’s a hell of a prospect.” Dice says and the others nod in agreement.

“I agree. Let’s hear the recording.” I notice a look of frustration cross over Chill’s face and I have to bite back a smile. I know Chill is desperate for Showtime to get patched in. She wants another enforcer.

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