Page 13 of Puma's Pride

“No, they didn’t. It was all buried so deep that they couldn’t have dug it out without help. I still have some contacts, so I got the actual findings.” Spark was former military intelligence, so saying he has connections is like saying Elon Musk has some cash. “There were only two people who could have changed the orders, sending Laser to the wrong location. One of them was John Spada. The other was Matteo’s CO, a man called Richard Torco. By the time they investigated Matteo’s death, Richard had died in the line of duty.”

“So no way of knowing who screwed up or, more than likely, who set Matteo up?” Chill asks and Spark nods.

“However, I think we all know that Spada more than likely did the deed, and Juan paid him off by killing him and stealing his identity.” Spark says.

“But Juan isn’t the one who captured me.” I say. “Corinne took his photo because she was waiting for me to arrive, and she saw him leave. Based on the timing, I’m guessing Juan found out that I wasn’t coming.”

“Who grabbed you?” Rush asks. He’d been busy picking up our take and hadn’t known I’d gone missing until they found me.

“Josef Gutierrez.” I tell them. “Seems like someone planted a bomb in Sal’s car so he thought I was looking to kill Sal.”

“Why the fuck would you kill Sal?” Wildcard asks, and I shrug.

“What a dumb shit. If you wanted Sal dead, you’d kill him face to face.” Chill adds and I laugh.

“Yeah, that’s what I told Josef.” I admit. “I guess the bomb got someone, just not Sal. The victim was Josef’s friend. Best friend from what he said. So I cut him slack for being stupid with grief.”

“You should have made him bleed.” Chill says bitterly.

“I gut punched him and I’m sending him a bill for my bike.” I remind her. “I don’t want to piss Sal off, at least not until I can talk to him about Juan.”

“Who do you think is gunning for Sal?” Wildcard asks. “Or do you think anyone is after him? Sal always has a driver who picks him up. He’s never in a car when it starts.”

“I mentioned that to Josef. Because I don’t think whoever planted that bomb was after Sal. According to Josef, the usual driver was in the hospital.” I look at Spark. “Might want to follow up on that. Find out what you can about the attack.”

Spark nods.

“Are we looking for the bomber?” Chill asks.

“Might have to. If someone takes out Sal, it disrupts our business. But that’s not the only reason I want us looking into this. Juan knew Josef grabbed me. Either Josef is working with Juan or Josef has a spy.”

“Do we care if Josef has a traitor?” Dice, our Enforcer, asks.

“We care about anyone who is helping Juan.” I say. “He isn’t getting his hands on Alisa or Elina.”

“Any word on Flame?” Wildcard asks, and I shake my head.

“Last I heard, he was in surgery. Reaper or Dante will let us know if there is a change.” I tell them. “Spark, get with Diego and get all you can from him about how Juan ended up working for him as John Spada.” Once Spark acknowledges my request, I glance around the room. “Anything else?” When no one speaks up, I slam down the gavel to dismiss Church.

When I learn the women aren’t back yet, I head to my office. I’m going over the books when someone pounds on my door. I smirk because I only know one person who feels confident enough to demand entrance. Rising from my seat, I open the door to find two little imps wanting my attention.

“You hammered?” I ask Elina, who grins at me as she pushes past me, dragging a wide-eyed Mal behind her.

“We need to talk.” Elina says, climbing on my couch and patting the seat next to her to let Mal know he should join her. He glances at me as if asking permission, and I have to hide my grin when Elina slaps the seat harder to get his attention. With a quick look at me, he climbs up next to her.

“What do I owe this pleasure?” I ask as I sit down across from them.

“Mal has a question for you.” She says, looking at Mal, whose eyes grow even larger as he turns his attention from her to me.

I give Mal a smile as I lean forward just enough to make eye contact. I hope I’m appearing less intimidating, but I don’t think I’m succeeding. “You have a question for me, Mal? It’s ok, you can ask me anything you want.”

Mal glances at Elina, who encourages him with a nod. He gulps as he turns back to me. When he still doesn’t speak, Elina loses what little patience she has and asks for him. “He wants to know if you’re really his father.” I lock eyes with Elina and try to give her a disapproving look, but I should know better. Elina is our club princess, and she knows it. “What? I’m trying to help.” She tells me, and it is all I can do to keep from laughing at her response.

I shift my attention back to Mal. “Is that what you wanted to ask me?”

When he nods, I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling at Elina’s look of smug satisfaction.

CHAPTER EIGHT: ALISA

---