Page 37 of Puma's Pride

“Son of a bitch!” Wildcard explodes. “Was Sal working with those bastards?”

“I don’t have enough information yet. I talked with Dante and Chrome. They had a guest list for the sex club where Standish planned on taking the women. They’re checking to see if either are on it. But I plan on asking Sal about his trip today.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: ALISA

“Sal!” Desdemona calls out, greeting the cartel leader like an old friend. She’s playing the part well and I’m grateful. I know Puma is counting on us to get Sal alone and the only way his bodyguards will agree to it is if we can show we’re not a threat. “So glad you could make it. I can’t wait to show you the beautiful items we have.”

Salvador greets Desdemona with a kiss on her cheek before turning to me and giving me the same treatment. “I appreciate your letting me see them before the show. When I asked Puma, I didn’t really think he’d make it happen.”

As Desdemona leads us toward the exhibition rooms, I ignore the two hulking bodyguards following behind us. We have a plan and for it to work; we need to make sure Sal doesn’t suspect we have ulterior motives. Desdemona and I take turns showing Sal the paintings and sculptures. The guards trudge along behind us, showing no interest in the art. However, when any of the workers pass through, their interest peaks. When I spot Sal using one of the older catalogs, I get an idea.

“I’ll be right back.” I tell Sal before heading out of the room. Going to my office, I pick up an updated catalog and write a quick note on one page. Returning to the group, I offer Sal the newer catalog. “We just received these and will hand them out the night of the auction. I thought you might like an advanced copy.” I tell him, smiling and handing the catalog to him.

“Thank you.” He frowns when I don’t immediately release it. Looking down, he spots my finger stuck inside the catalog. He slips his finger into the spot and nods. “This is most kind of you.” He says, opening the booklet as he walks away from his bodyguards to stand in front of another painting. I watch him glance down and read the note I left him.

Puma wants to speak to you alone, without your bodyguards. Please.

He doesn’t show how he feels about the request, but continues studying various pieces. “I’d like to sit down somewhere and talk about the possibility of acquiring a few of these pieces prior to the auction. Is there somewhere private where we can talk?”

I glance at Desdemona, and she beams at him. “I think that is a great idea and I have just the spot.” She leads the way down the hall to our office. After unlocking the door, we follow her in. The bodyguards follow and take sentry on either side of the door while we take seats around the small conference room table.

“I’m starving.” Sal says. “How about you ladies? Do you think we can get some lunch brought in here?”

I glance at Sal and then at Desdemona. “I think I can arrange that. Let me see if one of our workers can go pick up an order at Blacktop.”

“Oh, no, we don’t want to interfere with their work.” Sal says, grinning at me. “Marco and Gregor, you go pick up the order and bring it back here.” He says to his men.

“Boss?” Marco or Gregor asks.

“I’ll be fine in here. We’ll lock the door behind you. These two mean me no harm.” Sal says, standing and shooing the men out of the room. “I’ll have their lobster bisque and crab pasta.” He says. “Ladies?”

I smirk and reply for us. “Same.” Since preparing the bisque takes close to an hour, we have plenty of time before the bodyguards become suspicious. Only minutes after they leave, Puma and Spark enter the room. I see Sal open his mouth, but Puma holds up his hand to stop him while Spark places one of his devices on the table before nodding at Puma.

“Ok, no one can listen in.” Puma tells Sal. “We’d like to look at your phone, and Spark has a device you can use to check your office for bugs.”

Sal frowns. “What makes you think I have a bug problem?”

“Because Juan hitched a ride in your trunk yesterday and gained access to our compound. He frightened Elina when he looked into her room.” Puma tells him.

Sal swears in a combination of English and Spanish. It would be humorous if I didn’t still have the image of Elina’s tear-stained face forefront in my mind. “How do you know he arrived in my trunk?” Sal asks. Spark is ready for the question and uses his laptop to show Sal the video while he examines Sal’s phone.

Sal buries his head in his hands and rocks. “This is not good.” He groans. “How did he know I was coming to see you? How did he get in my trunk?” He drops his hands at stares at Puma. “I swear to you, I didn’t bring him.”

Puma shakes his head. “Sal, do you think we’d be sitting here if we thought you betrayed us? Your men could have parked anywhere. There are plenty of spots which would have given Juan more cover. But the timing of it all is what makes me believe you either have vermin or insects.”

Sal nods slowly. “Thank you, Puma.” He turns to me and takes my hand in his. “I’m so sorry about your daughter. Is she ok?”

I smile and squeeze his hand. “She is. She came to Puma, and he calmed her fears.” I say, sending Puma a smile. I enjoy the heat in his eyes as he casts me a look of appreciation mingled with pride.

“What do we do?” Sal asks.

“I can go with you back to your office to scan it for bugs.” Spark offers. “Or maybe Sal Jr. or Josef can handle it?”

“You don’t suspect them?” Sal asks and my heart hurts to see the hope on his face.

“I don’t. But you need to make that call.” Puma replies. “I don’t believe Josef knew he was working with Juan when he abducted me. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that Juan hoped we’d kill each other. I know Juan wants me out of the way, so I can understand him setting me up. But he’s the one who brought his brother into it. He had to have known he was putting him at risk. The plan was rash and not well thought out.”

Sal nods. “I know. If I had been in town, the whole thing would never have happened.”

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