Page 16 of Malicious Claim (Dark Inheritance #1)

The Setup

Makros leaned back in his chair, regarding Vanessa with the confidence of a man he knew he was at greater advantage. She sat opposite him with her legs crossed, her dress ending inches above her thighs.

The light was low in his office, an amber haze dancing across her skin, softening it more than it should. He knew better. She had the tongue that could draw blood, and the body of a woman who'd never had to fight for a thing in her life.

Vanessa raised one eyebrow, as if she couldn't care less about the way his eyes traveled over her. “You called me in here for something, or do you plan to stare at me all night?"

Makros grinned. “I have a proposition for you, bella.”

She smiled. "I should have known. Guys like you never want conversation for its own sake."

He raised an eyebrow. "You hurt me. But you're right. I wanted to ask you if you were having fun. I hate that you're bored out of your skull here."

Vanessa cocked her head to one side. "Playing the concerned host now?"

Makros drummed his fingers on his desk. "I want to make your evening more enjoyable."

Her lips parted, her breath hitching for the barest of seconds before she recovered. "And how do you propose to do that?"

He leaned forward, voice lowering. "By giving you something I know you want."

The air between them grew thick. Makros was patient, letting the weight of his words settle over her like a silk blanket.

Vanessa hesitated, then leaned in a little. "And what do you think I want?"

He didn't say anything. He stood up instead, pushing back his chair as he went round the desk at a slow pace. She shifted in her chair to watch him advance towards her, body language open but guarded.

When he finally reached her, he leaned down. One hand laid casually on the arm of her chair, the other drifting down the outer curve of her thigh. His voice, low-pitched, was a warm whisper against her ear, "Me."

Vanessa's pulse jumped. She tried to mask her reaction, but Makros caught the way her throat bobbed as she swallowed. His lips brushed against her skin in a fleeting caress, teasing, but never pressing.

"You're bold," she murmured, her voice slightly breathless.

"I'm honest," he countered.

His fingers moved higher, grazing her waist, and she sucked in a sharp breath. He could feel the heat of her body through the thin fabric of her dress.

Then, when he knew she was teetering between reason and indulgence, he pulled back an inch. "But I don't take risks," he murmured, faking regret. "And I don't go in without protection."

Vanessa blinked, momentarily dazed. "Protection?"

"A condom, bella." He let the word roll off his tongue as if the thought pained him. "And I'm fresh out."

She exhaled a laugh, shaking her head. "That's what's stopping you?"

Makros smirked. "I may be many things, but reckless isn't one of them."

Vanessa bit her lip, thinking this over. "How do we get one?"

"They sell them outside," he said cheerfully. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "You should go and get one. I'll stay right here."

She hesitated, looking past him toward the door. "You want me to go out alone?"

He brushed a thumb against her cheek. "Nervous now?"

"No," she said hastily.

He smiled. "Then go, bella. I'll be waiting."

Vanessa let out a soft sigh as she rose to her feet. "You better not disappear by the time I’m back."

Makros tilted his head. "I wouldn't dream of it."

As she turned toward the door, he pulled out his phone and pressed a quick dial. The moment she stepped out, he spoke in a low voice, "She's on the move."

Inside the club, music and laughter filled the air. The ambassador was nursing his glass of whiskey, talking politely to a business partner, when the tension in the room suddenly changed.

A man nearby, planted by Stefanos, stumbled forward and rammed into the ambassador with enough force to make him spill his drink.

"The fuck is wrong with you?" the ambassador snapped, turning to face the offender.

The man, a thick-necked brute with alcohol on his breath, sneered. "Watch where you're standing, old man."

Before the ambassador could react, the man shoved him. Hard.

Chaos erupted instantly.

Nicolai, whose alias was Sam, moved in, his voice sharp. "Step back."

The aggressor squared his shoulders. "Who the fuck are you?"

"I said, step back." Sam's tone was cold, authoritative.

The ambassador became completely distracted and was fully absorbed in the confrontation. Dan instinctively turned to watch, standing several feet away, but seeing Vanessa also go out, his attention was torn.

He followed Vanessa outside.

The night air wrapped itself around Vanessa as she stepped outside, the cool breeze blowing across the crowded street. A convenience store was a block away; its neon sign sputtered above the doorway.

She steeled herself and stepped inside, looking around toward the club.

Dan followed.

Not great.

She absolutely didn't want him to know she was purchasing condoms. Her stomach twisted into a ball of embarrassment just from thinking about it.

She walked over to him. "Dan, you can stay here. I don't have to be followed everywhere like a baby, I only need to grab something."

Dan nodded hesitantly.

Inside, the cashier barely glanced up as she walked down the aisle, scanning the small display. Her fingers brushed over the box when a voice spoke from behind her.

"Need help?"

She turned, startled, but before she could react, a hand clamped over her mouth.

Her muffled scream was lost as she was yanked backward and dragged swiftly through a side door.

The alley behind the store was dark. Before she could struggle, a cloth pressed against her nose and mouth. Her limbs went weak. Her vision blurred.

The last thing she saw was the streetlights above flickering before everything faded to black.

Dan checked his watch.

Too long.

Vanessa should have been back by now. He muttered a curse under his breath and pushed through the store doors.

The instant he was inside, his gut twisted. The aisle was deserted. "Where's the girl?"

"Missed the girl," the cashier said, not looking up. "She left a while ago with the condoms."

Dan froze. "She left?"

The cashier shrugged. "Yeah. Went out through the back."

Cold dread settled in his stomach.

His pulse spiking, he spun on his heel, rushing back toward the club.

He strode inside, his gaze scanning to lock onto Sam, who was still standing near the ambassador.

Sam's expression didn't shift much as he approached. "Where is Vanessa?"

Dan exhaled sharply. "I–I thought she came back inside."

Sam's eyes hardened. "She didn't."

A slow silence spread between them.

Then Sam turned to the ambassador, his expression turning dark. "Sir... Vanessa is missing."

The ambassador's head snapped up. "What?"

Dan felt his stomach drop.

Before he could explain it, Sam's voice rang out. "She was with you but you lost her."

All eyes turned to him. The blame was set, and Vanessa was gone.