Page 7 of Puma's Pride

“I heard. Smooth sent me a text.” She nods at Corinne and Mal. “Puma doesn’t know about them. Dante told Puma that Corinne is here, but he said nothing about Mal. It’s going to be a shock for him.”

I nod. “Yeah, I know. I think it’s best if he comes in here, away from everyone. He always stays calm around Elina. I think she can help keep him from losing it.”

Showtime looks at Elina and slowly nods. “Yeah. He’s definitely calmer around her. And you. That’s a good idea. I’ll go wait for him out in the common room and ask him to come back here. Will that work?”

I place my hand on her arm. “Thanks Showtime.”

When she leaves, I turn to see Corinne watching me. She mouths Puma and I nod. The look on her face is a mixture of relief and fear. I beacon her to join me. The movie is reaching the end, so the kids don’t notice us.

“Puma’s fine. He’s on his way back. He knows you’re here, but he doesn’t know about Mal or about what happened to you. I’ve asked Showtime to bring Puma back here. I thought it might be better than doing this in front of everyone in the clubhouse. Plus, he’s good about controlling his temper around Elina.”

Corinne jolts at my words. “You think he’ll be violent?” She asks and I know she’s getting ready to grab her son and bolt before Puma arrives.

I reach out my hand to calm her. “No, absolutely not. He won’t get violent, but he’s going to be upset. You know this.”

“But you think he’ll lose his temper?” Corinne pushes.

“I think he might. I’m more afraid that he’ll say something that he can’t take back. That’s all. He watches his words when Elina is around because the man has a potty mouth like you wouldn’t believe.” I reply, hoping to add a little levity to the situation.

Corinne’s eyes dart between me, Mal, and the door. I was so afraid of keeping Puma calm I didn’t realize how on edge Corinne is. I’m about to reassure her again when Trouble walks through the door.

“Puma is coming through the gate.” He says. I notice Corinne relax in his presence.

“I’ve asked Showtime to bring him back here.” I tell him. “Maybe you can stay?” I ask him, nodding my head at Corinne.

She’s looking at him like he’s the only friend she has in the world and I notice the surprise on his face when sees it. He nods and moves over to the window to watch Puma’s arrival. Corinne follows him, leaving me to face Puma when Showtime leads him into the room.

My heart bumps hard in my chest when I see him. I can’t stop myself from rushing forward to wrap my arms around him. He holds me tight before leaning down to kiss the top of my head. “I’m alright.” He assures me. “I wasn’t in any real danger. Just an associate who wanted to talk.”

I’m skeptical, but now isn’t the time or place for details.

“Puma!” Shouts Elina as she makes a beeline for him. Elina’s head barely reaches Puma’s knees. He reaches down and swoops her up with one hand so she can wrap her arms around his neck. Seeing him show so much affection to my daughter and vice versa always takes my breath away. I see the love he has for her and I’m equal parts happy and sad. Happy that she has his love, but sad that she’ll never know her real father. Her father, Matteo, died when she was a baby, so she has no memory of him.

“Meet my friend Mal.” Elina says, drawing me out of my thoughts. “Mal, this is Puma. He’s our President. Puma, this is Mal. He has eyes just like yours!”

Fuck. Out of the mouths of babes. I glance at Puma and see his eyes lock on the boy.

“Puma…” I start, but he holds his hand up to stop me. With some effort, he drags his eyes from Mal to Corinne. I watch Corinne shrink under his glare. Trouble steps up behind her, offering his support. Mal glances nervously between his mother and Puma. Even Elina notices the change in Puma. She pats his face with her little hands until he looks at her.

“There you are.” She says before squirming until he puts her down. She rushes around the couch to grab Mal’s hand.

“Dante said you had more than one story to tell.” Puma finally speaks to Corinne. “I’m guessing one of them is about why you didn’t bother to tell me I have a son.”

I see Corinne gulp. Her mouth opens and closes, but no words come out. I step between Puma and Corinne to grab his attention.

“You need to let her explain.” I tell him. “But before she does, realize she risked her life to get you help.”

Puma’s eyes flash with anger. “How do I know she’ isn’t the one who set me up?” Puma asks. “I was on my way to her condo when they grabbed me.”

“Corinne didn’t set you up. John Spada did. My father’s head of security.”

Puma shrugs. “I don’t know who that is. But he wasn’t the one who grabbed me. Unless he’s working for Sal now. It was his son, Josef.”

I pull out my phone and show the photo to Puma. “Did you see him?” I ask.

He glances at the phone and shakes his head. “No, I only saw Josef. I didn’t see his younger brother, Juan.”

I freeze at his words. I lose all thoughts of Corinne and Mal in the revelation. “What did you say?” I ask him, and something about my tone has Puma focusing his attention on me.

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