Page 11 of Chill’s Chance

Puma smirks while Chill’s mouth drops open as I give her a wink.

“He’s good with them.” I mention to Showtime as we enter the building.

She grins. “Puma loves kids, especially those two.”

“Mal, is his right? I mean, he looks like a mini-Puma.” I say.

She laughs. “Yeah. He didn’t know he had a kid. Mal’s mom tried to tell him after she realized she was pregnant, but his manager thought she was just looking for money. She found us when someone threatened Puma and tried to use them to trap him. Puma and Mal bonded pretty quickly.”

I feel a twinge of jealousy watching Puma and Mal interact. The few times I’ve been on leave, it seemed like Slade and I would just start making a connection before I’d have to leave again. I envy how much the kids love him, how comfortable they are together. They look at him like he’s a real life superhero. Maybe in their eyes he is. The man is as massive, a mountain of power. He’s living the life he wants to live with the people he wants to be with. So is Chill. Even though she’s uncomfortable in my presence, I can see how well she fits in with her chosen family.

When I went AWOL, my only thought was finding my son. I can’t plan the future until I accomplish that important task. But I wonder what I’ll do once we find him. I can’t return to my post and if I’m honest with myself, I don’t want to leave Slade again. I wouldn’t have abandoned my career so easily if it meant more to me than it does. Losing my commitment to the service started before Nicole’s death. It started the day I returned to find Chill gone. I still don’t know the entire story behind why she left. I need to find Slade and then I’ll concentrate on Chill, because I have a feeling I need to know everything if I’m ever going to convince her to give me another chance.

Puma and the kids take turns knocking on doors and talking to whoever opens them. It’s interesting to watch the expressions on each person’s face as they shift from annoyed at finding someone at their door, to smiles when they see the kids, and finally to fear when they spot Puma. Although one guy’s smile widens further when he recognizes the former NBA star. Not one of them refuses to answer his questions.

“Did you know Nicole?” Puma asks the man, and he shakes his head.

“I knew she lived in 1B, but we never spoke. But she was friends with the lady in 1F.” He says, pointing across the hall.

The smile on the woman’s face when she spies the little ones is proof that she’s what one resident called the resident grandma. “Well, aren’t you two the cutest?” She asks before glancing up and up and up into Puma’s face. “And aren’t you the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met in my life?”

Puma chuckles. “Thank you. I’m Puma.”

“I can see that.” She says, looking at his kutte. “President. I would definitely vote for you.” She says, giving him a wink. “What can I do for you?”

“I’m hoping you can help us. We’re looking for Slade, Nicole Bryson’s son. I understand you used to watch him for her.” Puma points to me. “This is his father, Hunter.”

“Daddy?” comes a voice from inside the apartment.

The woman opens the door wider as a flash of blue and purple flies past Puma and into my arms. I kneel and hold my son close, taking a deep breath as my world is whole again now that I’m holding my son.

CHAPTER SEVEN: CHILL

Seeing the look on Hunter’s face as he holds his son is enough to warm some of the frost around my heart. I never considered myself a kid person, but both Elina and Mal have changed me. I’d give my life for any of my MC brothers, but I’d burn down the world to keep those two kids safe.

“See, I told you Puma would find your son for you.” Elina says.

“You’re her hero.” The woman says, giving Puma a pat on the arm. “Would you like to come in?”

We follow her into her apartment and take seats. Hunter pulls Slade onto his lap.

“I can’t thank you enough…” Hunter says to the woman who waves away his thanks. “I’m Hunter, by the way.” He extends his hand to the woman who shakes it.

“I’m Claudia. Claudia Morgan.” She says. “Can I get any of you something to drink? Slade and I just made chocolate chip cookies.”

“I thought I smelled something amazing.” Showtime says. “Can I help?”

“Well, thank you dear.” She says, eyeing Showtime. “You like them tall in your MC, don’t you?”

Showtime chuckles as she follows the woman into her kitchen, Elina and Mal following them.

I prowl the room while taking quick glances at Hunter as he whispers with his son. He’s comforting him and I feel a pang of some emotion I can’t place. When I see Puma studying me, I turn and look out the window. Like Nicole, Claudia’s apartment is on the first floor. I see the side of the window screen is bent. When Claudia returns, I ask her about it.

“Someone tried breaking in a few nights ago.” She admits. “I heard them and told them I called the cops and that I’m armed. He took off. I’ve been sleeping with my gun ever since. In case he comes back.”

I glance at Puma, who nods at me. Pulling out my phone, I put in a call to Max, giving him instructions to add more security to Claudia’s apartment. “One of our prospects will be over later today to put security bars on your windows and put in a better door with more locks.”

“You don’t have to do that.” Claudia protests, but I shake my head.

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