Page 40 of Puma's Pride

I shrug. “It could have been someone you know who is now working with Juan. I’d say it’s worth a look.”

“You’re right. I just assumed.” He gives a dark chuckle. “Well, we know what they say about assumptions. God. I’m tired. I’ll follow up. Let you know what I find.”

I nod and shake his hand as we both stand. Sal walks out of the room after pocketing the device Spark gave him. If he finds bugs in his office, well, it’s likely heads will roll. I’m not much of a gambler. I like my money to earn me a guaranteed return. But I’d be willing to take a bet on Sal having a rat in his nest. The odds are just that high.

I pull out my phone and hit the call button.

“Puma.” Dante’s voice comes through.

“Had a meetup with Sal.” I tell him, then give him the lowdown of Junior’s near-death experience.

“Fuck, it’s a good thing he got out of there when he did.” Dante says, but then goes quiet.

“He’s not the only one who left. He grabbed his friends, told them what he heard, and they bailed.” I tell him.

“Doesn’t mean that there might have been others who didn’t know what Standish had planned.” Dante says. “Fuck. I just assumed…”

“Yeah. We all did.” I tell him. “I don’t want to consider that some who perished in that bomb were innocent.” Chuckling when Dante snorts. “Yeah, yeah. Innocent of the plan to hurt your women. But you’re right, they weren’t innocent men.”

“You’re certain this Adella person isn’t looking at us?” Dante asks.

“I don’t think so. Sal was worried because the other families were looking at Junior and his friends since they survived. I suggested Standish set them up so he’ll go back to Adella and the other families with the idea. Since the cops are looking for Standish and won’t find him, they’ll likely buy it.”

“Good.” Dante says before signing off.

“Do you think Sal is going to find Juan and stop him?” Spark asks.

I shrug. “Maybe, now that he’s entertaining the possibility of Juan being a threat to his other sons. Do me a favor. See if you can track the attacker’s movements before and after the attack. Maybe you can get a clearer image of him. The cops may not be as diligent. Considering he’s the driver of a cartel boss.”

Spark nods. “I’m on it. Anything else?”

“No. I’m getting the women and taking them home.”

Spark chuckles.

“What?”

“Maybe we should change your name to Lion.”

“Why?”

“You’re building a pride of females.”

“Fuck you.”

We leave the office, locking it up to protect Alisa’s and Desdemona’s things before going in search of my pride. I shake my head. I’m a one woman man and that woman is Alisa.

Spark and I part ways when I spot Alisa, Desdemona, Chill, and Corinne sitting at a table with Trouble. The four women are laughing at something Trouble’s saying and I feel a twinge of jealousy shoot through me when I see my woman laughing.

As I approach them, my temper spikes when I hear Trouble’s comment.

“It’s Puma’s story to tell. Not mine. But you should ask him to tell it. It’s a good one.” Trouble says, grinning at me.

What the fuck?

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: ALISA

I glance around the casino as Desdemona and Corinne pester Trouble for Chill’s story. I don’t see anyone paying us any special attention. Not right away. But just before I turn my attention back to my friends, I spot him. He’s standing in the shadows near a small palm tree, leaning against the wall. He’s watching us. And he isn’t hiding the fact. I consider standing up to face him, but before I decide, Chill sits down. Shifting my eyes to her, I consider telling her about our audience, but when I look back, he’s gone. I didn’t get a good look at him, so I don’t know if it was Juan. He’s gone now, so I shouldn’t have to worry about him. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

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