Page 61 of Puma's Pride

“No. You don’t.” I tell her. Although, I still have work to do to ensure Juan is well and truly out of our lives. He’s in jail as of this morning. I checked. He tried to kidnap two people in front of a clubhouse full of cops, but his dad is the head of a cartel. He has money and power, both of which can get the wrong people out of jail. Sal is supposed to be at the charity event today and I plan on making sure I get his word that Juan will never be an issue again.

One advantage of being seven feet tall is that I can easily see over a crowd. I’m using my height advantage to keep tabs on my gorgeous woman, who looks like an exotic goddess in her bright red dress that cascades over her body like water. Her dark hair and tan skin turn the color into a sinful pleasure. I take a deep breath as I watch her and consider various scenarios to get her away from the crowd just long enough to lift that skirt and…

“Puma.” A voice interrupts my sexy thoughts, and I turn to see Sal standing next to me. I’d seen him arrive and had plans to approach him, but I’m not surprised that he found me first.

“Sal.” I say. “I’d say I’m sorry about your son, but seeing as he tried to kidnap my woman and her child. I’d be lying.”

Sal nods slowly before looking out over the crowd. It gives me a chance to study him and I realize how much of a toll his son’s arrest took on him.

“I don’t blame you for being upset. I’m not happy about it, either.” Sal says. “Doesn’t mean that I won’t do everything I can to help him.”

I nod, because I’d expect nothing less. “And if he gets out and I think he’s coming after Alisa again, I’ll end him.” I tell Sal, keeping eye contact so he knows how serious I am. “I told you I wouldn’t kill him and I didn’t, but if he gets out of jail…”

“I’m hoping to have him committed.” Sal admits. “I don’t know if I’ll succeed. The cops are holding him on several charges, including attempted kidnapping and attacking a cop. My best hope is that I can take him back to Yuma under house arrest. Either way, Alisa and Elina will be safe. I can guarantee it. I owe it to them and to her mother.”

I nod. “Ok, then.” I turn away, but Sal stops me. “We have another problem to discuss.” He says.

I narrow my eyes at him. “What?”

“Greg Spada.” Sal says.

“What about him?” I ask.

“We know.” He says simply, glancing around to make sure no one is eavesdropping. “All of it. About him faking his death and working with Juan. Juan said he convinced Greg that Junior had caused his brother’s death.”

“Ok.” I say, waiting for him to get to the point.

“Juan told us what happened to Greg.” Sal says.

“Did he?” I ask, keeping my tone neutral.

“Josef wants restitution.” Sal replies. “Greg was his best friend.”

I study Sal, searching for some sign to show me his thoughts. But all I see is resolution, and it gives me a bad feeling. “What kind of restitution?”

“Old Testament. Eye for an eye. He wants blood. Either yours or Trouble’s.” Sal says, and it takes every ounce of my strength to not go off on him.

“Funny. That was the debt Greg paid. Or maybe you forgot about the body in the car?” I ask him. Sal blinks, but other than that, his expression doesn’t change. “That was one of Trouble’s men. Greg killed him and stole his kutte and bike. He used both to try starting a war between my club and Trouble’s. He didn’t succeed. But Trouble lost a man. Don’t forget that.”

Sal lets out a loud sigh. “I understand, Puma, I do. But Josef is hurting. He wants revenge. With Juan in the mess he’s in, I turned over the business to Junior and Josef. They’re calling the shots now.”

“I would suggest you explain to your sons what a war against the Demons and the Shadow Borns would mean to their business.” I tell Sal. “And I don’t just mean our chapters.”

“Fuck.” Sal says and nods. “I’ll talk to them again.”

I walk away and go to my office in the casino. Pulling out my phone, I make the call.

“Puma, how’s the charity event?” Dante asks.

“Fine.” I tell him. “But I just had a conversation with Sal and I see trouble on the horizon.”

“What kind of trouble?” Dante asks.

“War between us and the cartel.” I explain as I tell him about my conversation with Sal. “He’s going to talk to his sons again, but if that fails…”

“Let me know, and we’ll be there to have your back. If you want to set up a meeting with Junior and Josef, I’ll come to Vegas.”

“Might take you up on that. But I was also wondering if you’ve found out anything about Adella Cortez? If we could reach her, she might put a stop to this.”

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