Page 20 of Puma's Pride

“Puma.” He says and I give him credit for swallowing his fear.

“Josef.” Sal glances at me, so I take the lead. “How did you know where to find me yesterday?”

He glances nervously at his father before answering me. “I got a tip.” He admits.

I let out a snort loud enough to make him jump. “A tip from who?” I ask.

When he doesn’t answer immediately, Sal jumps in. “Answer him, and don’t even think about lying.”

Josef scowls, but he answers. “He’s the brother of my best friend. The one who died in the car bomb meant for my dad. John called me and told me he had proof that you had set the bomb. He had a plan for me to capture you so I could question you about the attack.”

I watch him for a few minutes, letting the silence build. I watch for any cracks, but they don’t come. Time to shake things up. “Your best friend’s brother is John Spada.” Even though I made it a statement rather than a question, Josef nods.

“We’ve known John and Greg Spada for most of their lives.” Sal adds. “My boys practically grew up with them. Greg was Josef’s best friend.”

“So, were Juan and John as close as you and Greg?” I ask.

Josef shrugs. “They were friendly, but no, they weren’t best friends. Why?”

I don’t answer him right away, because I have a few more questions. “Did you actually speak with him?”

Josef opens his mouth, then closes it. “No, he texted me. Why?”

“Because it wasn’t John who reached out to you.” I tell him. “We believe John’s dead and has been for quite some time. The person who contacted you took over his identity. This man broke into a woman’s home yesterday and threatened her and her son. My son. He threatened them to set me up.”

“How do you know it isn’t the real John Spada?” Sal asks. I take out my phone and pull up the image I need. “They escaped and waited outside for me to arrive. She planned on warning me, but the man left before I arrived. She took this photo of him.” I slide the phone over and hear both Sal and Josef gasp when they recognize the man.

“Juan?” Sal asks, looking at me. I nod. “How do you know he’s been impersonating John?”

“Because for about a year, he worked as Diego’s head of security. Both Diego and Alisa recognized him.”

“So Diego and Alisa are with you?” Josef asks, and I glare at him.

“I don’t wish them harm. I heard Dom bragging about running his brother out of town, so I wondered what happened to them.”

“If Diego wants back in…” Sal starts, but I shake my head.

“I’ll tell him, but I don’t think he’s interested. He’s happy where he is, and they’re both safer with me.”

Sal nods.

“Why does Juan want Alisa so badly?” I ask Sal and Josef.

Josef shrugs.

“I don’t know.” Sal admits. “I’ve never understood his obsession with her.” When I growl, he gives me a small smile and shakes his head. “I’m sure Alisa is a desirable woman. It’s just he wanted her before he met her. I guess he could have seen her photograph and developed an obsession with her. But when he used to talk about her, he never mentioned his attraction for her. He only spoke about how she was key to his getting everything he’s ever wanted.”

“How?”

“He never said.” Sal turns to Josef. “Has he said anything to you or Junior?”

Josef shrugs. “The only thing he’s ever said is that one day we’ll be working for him.”

“Did you contact John when you grabbed me?” I ask him and he nods. So that’s one mystery solved. The traitor in Josef’s midst was Josef himself. “Have you heard from him since?”

Josef looks uncomfortable again, so I know I won’t like his response. “I tried reaching out to him. To tell him you weren’t the one who killed Greg. I can’t reach him.”

“Give me the number he was using and I’ll see what I can find.” Spark offers. “Do you have a way to contact Juan?”