Page 54 of Puma's Pride

“You should stay. Unless you’re tired of the drama.” Corinne says.

“Never.” Trouble responds and follows us through to the kitchen.

Desdemona and my dad are filling plates with tacos when we walk in. “I heard we found the runaways and figured everyone would be hungry.” She says before kneeling down in front of the kids. “You know you scared us, right?” They nod. “Please don’t do that again. I’m not ready for my hair to turn as gray as your grandfather’s.”

“Hey!” my dad protests with a laugh. “But I second that, because I think my hair went all the way gray.”

The kids each take their plates as we head into the small dining room.

“Why would our being on the roof turn your hair gray?” Elina asks.

“You were on the roof?” Desdemona asks. “How do you get on the roof?”

“There’s a hidden door at the end of the hall upstairs.” Puma explains.

“How did you know it was there?” Diego asks.

“Puma showed it to me after we moved in.” Elina explains, and I watch Puma shrink like a child caught doing something naughty.

“No movie and popcorn for you.” Diego tells Puma with a laugh. “Straight to bed after supper.”

Puma sends me a sexy grin and I laugh.

“You can’t punish, Puma.” My daughter says and I hear the plea in her voice. “It’s my fault. I’m the one who hid up there.”

“Why did you need to hide?” I ask her.

“Because we heard you and Aunt Corinne talking about taking Mal away. He’s my Old Man, I’d die without him.” Elina says, as Mal nods.

“I don’t want to leave. I just found my dad and I can’t leave Elina alone.” Mal tells his mother.

“I’m sorry you heard that.” Corinne says to Mal. “It was a grown up discussion. We didn’t know you were in the room. But now that it’s out there. Something happened today that frightened me and my immediate reaction was to leave here to keep you safe.” She locks eyes with Puma. “But seeing how everyone rallied together to find you, I realize how wrong I was.” I see Puma relax as Corinne shifts her attention back to her son. “I can’t promise that we’ll live here, but I can promise that you will not lose your dad or Elina. Ok?”

Mal nods and grins at Elina.

“You know you can always come talk to your President.” Puma tells them. “It’s my job to listen to my crew when they have problems. So if you have concerns in the future?”

“We’ll come to you.” Elina and Mal say together.

Puma nods, and we return to eating. Once we’re done, we head outside so the kids can play on the jungle gym. The sun is still up, so we take advantage. While the kids run around, I quiz Puma.

“Did you identify the man who waylaid us?” I ask him.

He nods. “Greg Spada. His brother was…”

“John Spada.” I finish and Puma nods. “What did he want?”

“Juan told him that Sal used John to kill your husband. To make way for Sal Junior to marry you.” Puma says, before telling me the rest.

“So basically, Juan’s been lying to him in order to get Greg to do his dirty work?”

Puma nods.

“What now?” When Puma just looks at me, I raise my hands. “Ok, fine. I get it. Sorry, I asked. I just don’t understand Juan’s plan. He knows the SUVs are bullet proof, what’s the point of sending Greg into a no-win situation?” I think about it and already know the answer. “Because he wanted you and the club to dispose of Greg. He’s worn out his usefulness.”

Puma shrugs. “Maybe.”

We let the kids play as I empty my mind of the day and just enjoy the moment. Puma must feel the same way, because he steps behind me and pulls me against him. I love the warmth seeping from his body into mine. But most of all, I love how safe I feel. As if nothing can touch me as long as I’m here with him. When the light dims, Puma whistles. It’s the only sound loud enough to cut through their squeals. The kids run up to Puma and he takes each of their hands to lead us back inside.

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