Page 28 of Puma's Pride

“Want me to bring her up to speed, or do you want to do it?” Puma asks Diego.

Diego shrugs. “I should do it. I should have told you this a long time ago. But in my defense, I never planned on telling you any of it.”

I roll my eyes at my father’s honesty. I love my father, but I often think he still sees me as Elina’s age. He shares the history of how my parents met. I realize as he’s telling the story that I never heard them talk about their history. And with a little sadness, I realize I never asked. What kind of daughter did that make me?

When he finishes, I look at Puma. “You think my mom came from a cartel family?” I ask him and he nods. “And from what Juan said to me today, he knows her identify. He believes that marrying me gives him an advantage?”

Puma scowls at me, but I know it’s because he doesn’t like the idea of me marrying Juan. He looks at my father. “We need to talk to Sal. I’ll ask him to come here, so we can protect you.”

“Do you really think Sal will hurt him?” I ask Puma, glancing at Diego.

“He better not try.” Puma growls out as he picks up his phone. “Sal. Your youngest accosted Alisa. No, he didn’t hurt her. But he said a few things that might explain why he’s obsessed with her. We need to meet.” Puma pauses as Sal speaks. “Because I think you have information we need.” He pauses as he listens to Sal. “No, I think it’s better if you come here. You’ll understand when you get here.” When he hangs up, he gives me a soft look before turning his attention to my father. “He’s on his way over. We’ll meet in here and I will make sure nothing happens to you. Sal won’t be leaving until he agrees you are off limits.”

Diego shrugs. “I’m not worried. He’ll be mad, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing.” He says, his eyes on me.

“Me either.” Puma agrees with a sexy grin. “We have about twenty minutes before Sal arrives. Wildcard, get everyone who is in the clubhouse into Church. I want to get everyone updated and ready in case Sal loses his mind.”

When they leave, Diego gets up from his chair and takes a seat on the couch next to me. “I’m sorry for all of this.” He starts. “I never considered your mother had anything to do with Juan’s obsession. If I had, I might have been able to put a stop to his harassment. Maybe even stop him from killing Matteo.”

I feel a single tear fall down my cheek, but I don’t wipe it away. “You have nothing to be sorry for. This is all on Juan. I loved Matteo and I will always miss him. But I’m not sorry that I have Puma in my life now. Matteo and I were best friends. But our lives never really meshed. He was gone so much that I felt like a single parent most of the time. My only regret is that Elina will never know her father, but she adores Puma, and he adores her. I love my life right now. I feel like I’m really living and not just existing.”

My father nods his head as he considers my words. “I can understand that. Before your mother returned from college, I was living a good life. I was happy. Content. But the years I had with her were pure happiness.”

“And Desdemona?” I press.

He smiles and I see the warmth and love in his eyes as he thinks about her. “I love her. But our love differs from what I shared with your mother. So I understand what you’re saying. Desdemona is my today. She challenges me and I know she finds me challenging.”

I laugh with him. “It’s different from what you had with mom, but it’s still love?”

He nods. “It is. When I found her in my father’s house that day, I immediately felt a connection with her. I always hated my father, and seeing what he did to her just made that hate stronger. For many years, I fought my feelings for Desdemona because I feared that when she looked at me, all she could see was my father. It was at her insistence that she saw and loved me for me I finally accepted my feelings for her.”

I chuckle, which has him glancing at me. “You’re my father and I love you very much, but it seems like you always need a woman to help you see the truth.”

“Women are much smarter than men.” Diego admits. “Women think on so many more levels than men. I can’t imagine how you put up with our simplistic natures.”

“Well, we need someone to open jars.” I say with a laugh, standing up. “Speaking of, I’m going to make something for everyone to snack on. It might help keep tempers in check if Sal’s sugar levels are even.”

When I reach the kitchen, I find Corinne baking cookies with the kids. “What are we doing?” I ask as I join them.

Elina lifts her face and grins at me. “We’re helping Corinne make cookies!” She shouts out. I laugh at the dusting of flour on her forehead and right cheek. I lean over to rub my nose against hers. “Are you helping or making a mess?”

“We’re having fun.” Elina says.

“Good.” I reply, standing back up and sharing a smile with Corinne.

“How is everything?” Corinne asks.

I shrug. “Puma is making headway. He’s invited Juan’s father over. If anyone can help us figure out how to handle Juan, it’s Salvador Gutierrez.”

“Who’s he?” Corinne asks.

I frown as I consider how to answer the question without sending Corinne packing. I can see now why Puma and the club members keep their secrets. “He’s a business owner from Mexico, import and export.” I tell her.

Corinne studies me before nodding slowly. “Import and export. Right.” She says, but doesn’t press for more details. “This is a whole different world, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” I tell her as I open the fridge and take out everything I need to make sandwiches.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: PUMA

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