Page 27 of Puma's Pride

“Of course not. For her safety, he only wanted confirmation that I had her in the States and that she had a new identity. Once that was done, he never asked about her again.” Diego explains. “He wanted the trail to go cold. The less information out there about her, the less likely it was for someone to find her trail.”

“How did you two end up married and wasn’t it a risk?” I ask.

Diego nods. “I never planned on falling in love with her. She was only sixteen when we met. She was beautiful, but she was a child. We talked often, but we didn’t meet face-to-face after she left for college. I had no intention of seeing her again until she called me after graduation and asked to see me. She suggested our having dinner at a restaurant at a hotel in Yuma.”

“What happened?” I prod.

“While we were eating, she told me she found a job in Yuma and that she wanted to come back there to live. She also explained how she was still a virgin and wanted me to be her first.” Diego says with a chuckle.

“I take it you agreed?” Wildcard asks.

“No, I choked on a mouthful of steak and the busboy had to Heimlich me.” Diego says shaking his head. “The manager wanted to call for an ambulance, but somehow she talked them into letting us go upstairs to our room.” Diego shakes his head. “I didn’t stand a chance.”

The look on his face has both Wildcard and I laughing out loud. “Women are sneaky.” Wildcard says, clapping Diego on the back in sympathy.

“I loved her. Still do.” Diego admits. “Alisa looks exactly like her.”

“Then I can understand how hard you must have fallen.” I tell him. “But if she looks like her mother, how did Sal never find out about you marrying her mother?”

“He never met my wife, and he’s never met Alisa. I kept both of them away whenever Sal came to town. Sal and I often met over dinner at a restaurant or at his house. Most of the time, I went to Mexico to see him.”

“Do you really think he’ll kill you after all this time?” I ask him.

Diego shrugs. “Who knows? But it doesn’t matter. If we need to talk to him to figure out how to protect Alisa, I’ll risk it. We should call Sal.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: ALISA

When I wake up, I’m alone but feeling better than I did. I stretch and remember how Puma wore me out. I needed the mental break he gave me as well as the nap. If he hadn’t so thoroughly used my body, I probably wouldn’t have been able to sleep.

Throwing on my clothes, I go check on the kids. They’re awake and busy playing a Lego video game using their new gaming chairs. Corinne is sitting at a table with her laptop. She smiles at me as I take a seat next to her.

“You getting any work done?” I ask her.

“Yes.” She tells me. “I’m used to working at home with Mal. Elina is a wonderful distraction for him. He usually gets lonely and wants me to play with him.”

“That’s one thing I really like about the clubhouse.” I tell her. “Elina can always find someone to play with her. For grumpy bikers, they love having a reason to play. Do you want me to take over for a while?”

She shakes her head. “No, really. I just sat down a few minutes ago and I’m working on a client’s accounts. It will keep me busy and they seem settled. Showtime gave them a snack about half an hour ago, so they’re fine.”

“Ok, I think I’ll find Desdemona. She and my father were at 1% today watching them set up the exhibits. I want to check with her.”

When I enter the common room, I find Desdemona at a table. She has her laptop open. Her concentration is so intense that I don’t interrupt her. As my thoughts drift to my mother, I search the room for Diego. I approach Chill, who is sitting alone, scrolling through her phone and scowling.

“Have you seen Diego?” I ask her.

She nods as she glances up at me. “He’s with Puma.” She says, still scowling.

“Everything ok?” I ask her. “You look ready to chew nails.”

“Men.” she says, shaking her head. “Nothing important. You doing alright?”

“I’m good.” I assure her as I head to Puma’s office. Usually I don’t insist on involving myself with club business, but in this case, it’s more my business than the club’s. When I knock, Wildcard opens the door. I expect him to tell me to go away, but he shifts so I can see Puma. “Don’t you think I should be in on this?” I ask him before glancing at my father.

“Alisa…” My father starts, but Puma interrupts him.

“Yeah, you should.” He admits, turning to my father. “She needs to know. This is her life, and it affects Elina as well.”

Diego nods before leaning forward to pour himself another shot of tequila. I raise my eyebrow at him, but he doesn’t look at me. I study him and realize he looks deflated. For want of a better term. A small trickle of fear passes through me, but I bat it away. I need to be strong and face this. Whatever this is. I move into the room and take a seat on the couch.

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