Page 48 of Puma's Pride

“Babe.” When I hear Puma’s voice, I take a deep breath and relay the information.

“Hurry.” I tell him when he confirms that he’s on the way. “He’s on his way.”

“Good. Now we’ll just sit and wait.”

“Wait?” Corinne squeaks out. “For what? For him to kill us?“

“He’d have to get to us first.” Showtime says, not taking her attention off the man as he moves to the driver's side window.

Corinne looks at me, and I can see the fear in her eyes. It’s then that I realize she doesn’t have all the information. I open my mouth to tell her when the man yells.

“Open the fucking door or I’ll kill you.” He orders.

Showtime glares at him. “Do I look stupid to you? I’m not opening the door. Get in your car and get the fuck out of here or you’ll be the one who dies.” She shouts back.

“I’m not fucking around!” He shouts. I see him tighten his finger around the trigger.

Corinne screams when he shoots off a round.

“The SUV is bulletproof.” I tell her. “He can’t get to us.”

The guy shoots off several more rounds, but the bulletproof glass absorbs the impact. With a snarl, he unloads his pistol, having a small meltdown when he realizes he can’t get to us. His yelling masks the sound of a half a dozen motorcycles converging on our location. I see his expression shift when he realizes he’s no longer the hunter, but the prey. Running to his car, I can see he’s limping. Showtime steps on the gas just enough for the SUV to surge forward and knock him against the car. He disappears from view as we’re surrounded by eight motorcycles.

While Chill and Dice deal with our attacker, Puma stalks to the SUV and pulls open the door. He envelopes me in his arms and strokes my back. At first I think he’s comforting himself, but I realize I’m the one shaking. I take several deep breaths and let his strength calm me before pulling away.

“I’m ok.” I tell him, glancing over to see Corinne weeping in Trouble’s arms. I want to tell her we weren’t in any real danger, but I don’t want to lie to her. Our attacker only had a pistol and since the SUV is armored, we’re safe. But the threat was still too real. “Who is he?” I ask Puma.

He shrugs as he leads me over to where Chill has the man bound and laying face down on the road. It’s then that I can see the kutte. “I think it might be the guy who shot at us earlier.” Puma says.

“He was limping.” I tell him. “I saw it when he tried to escape.”

Puma circles the man until he’s on the other side before kicking him hard in the leg. The man comes to with a scream. “It looks like him.” Puma looks over at Trouble and waits until Corinne calms before calling them over. When Trouble sees the kutte, his face turns thunderous.

“Is that him?” He asks Puma.

Puma nods. “I think so. What do you want to do with him?”

“I’m in the mood to play.” Trouble says.

Puma grins. “My house or yours?”

“We’re closer to yours.” Trouble says, pulling Corinne closer. “Besides, I think our women need their kids.”

Puma looks at me, and I nod.

Within minutes, I’m driving Corinne and myself back to the clubhouse while Showtime drives our attacker’s car with our captive riding in the trunk.

I wait until I pull in behind Puma and Trouble to speak to Corinne.

“How are you doing?” I ask her.

“How do you think I’m doing?” She mutters. “I want to get to the clubhouse, grab Mal, and leave. I want my normal, boring life back.”

I grimace because I can imagine the pain this would cause Puma. “Can you please not do that today?” I beg her. “I know it seems like this life is chaotic, so I can understand your wanting to leave. But if you leave and take Mal, you’ll destroy Puma.”

“He didn’t even know about Mal three days ago.”

“I know. But he knows about him now.” I say. “Please. You and Mal are safer at the clubhouse than you could be anywhere else.”

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