Page 57 of Puma's Pride

“I need to see the footage from the time we arrived.” He informs me. When I hesitate, his impatience intensifies. “Please. It’s important.”

I debate being an asshole, but something about his demeanor tells me I’m no longer his focus. Nodding, I move toward the clubhouse. I spot Spark and call him over.

“Yeah boss.” He says.

“Are the cameras still operating?” I ask him, and he glances at Sterling before refocusing on me. “Especially the ones covering the road?”

“Yeah. Of course.” He says.

I nod. “Good, I need you to pull up the recording for outside the gate. Before or after your arrival?” I ask Sterling.

“Start with our arrival. It would have happened after we gained access, but I need to double check.” Sterling says, following us into Spark’s domain.

“What are we looking for?” Spark asks.

When Sterling doesn’t answer, I glare at him. “You going to tell us what you’re looking for or not?”

“One of my men is missing.” Sterling finally says. “I don’t suspect you or your guys. You’re all accounted for and nowhere near the gate.”

“Who is missing?” Trouble asks.

“I had a cop outside, directing traffic and keeping away the looky-loos. One of my guys couldn’t reach him on the radio, so he went looking for him. He can’t find him.”

“Maybe he went off to take a leak.” Wildcard offers, but Sterling is already shaking his head.

“Not this guy. He’s anal about procedure. Fresh out of the academy and doesn’t know how to disobey an order.” Sterling says. Something about his tone has me studying the man.

“Who is he to you?” I ask.

Sterling glances at me and grimaces. “My nephew.”

“Got it.” I tell him, and I do. “I’ve got one of those myself. We’ll find him.”

While we’re talking, Spark is studying the feed. “Got him.” He says and starts the playback.

We watch as a dark Mercedes pulls up to the barricade. A man gets out of the car and approaches the divider. He speaks to the officer for a few minutes before returning to his car. Just as he reaches the door, the man collapses to the ground. The officer rushes over to assist. The man quickly subdues the cop, dragging him to the back of the car and dumping him in the trunk.

“Son of a bitch!” Sterling shouts, moving to the door.

“Hold on, he’s leaving.” I call out. Sterling comes back and we watch the car disappear.

“I’ll get traffic to pull the cameras.” Sterling says, pulling out his phone. He grabs the sheet of paper Spark hands him. The one with the license plate number of the vehicle. I know he’s already set up the search via traffic cams, but we aren’t sharing that with Sterling. He walks away from us as we continue to watch the feed. A few minutes later, I spot him.

“Stop the feed.” I tell Spark before calling Sterling back. “Who the fuck is that? Is he one of yours?” I ask. Spark starts up the recording. We see a man in a police uniform jogging down the road. He crosses the street before stepping onto the compound. Outside the gates, the darkness hid his features, but once he’s past the gates, I can see his face clearly.

“I don’t recognize him.” Sterling says.

“I do.” I growl. “That’s Juan Fucking Gutierrez. That son of a bitch is in my house!”

I rush out of Spark’s office and head straight for the game room. If Juan is here, he’s here for Alisa. I hear Sterling telling me to stop, but I ignore him. Cops in the hallway get out of my way as I tear through the common room. I reach the hall leading to the game room when I hear Elina’s terrified scream by a shot.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: ALISA

After the cops search the game room, they leave us alone. Every once in a while, one will walk by or check in on us. To keep the kids distracted, Showtime has them at the table building a Lego set. I’m not sure which one it is, because I’m too busy pacing and praying that the cops find nothing that could lock Puma or any of the guys up. I’m likely paranoid, but I can’t shake the feeling that this is Juan’s doing. Fear courses through me as I imagine them arresting Puma. What if the cops find Greg? I don’t know if he’s alive or dead, but they couldn’t have disposed of the body that quickly. Could they? The thought has me ready to scream in frustration.

“You look guilty.” Desdemona tells me as she pulls me to the couch. “You need to get it together.”

Nodding, I slump back, rubbing my hands over my face. “I feel like all I do is bring trouble to Puma’s doorstep.” I think of the other President by the same name and let out a mad chuckle. “Figuratively and literally.”

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