Page 79 of Malicious Claim (Dark Inheritance #1)

The New Order

The day after Nicolai's execution, things at the Crete estate were slowly going back to normal.

People were back to work, and Don Matteo had been discharged from the hospital. He was already behind his desk in the study like nothing ever happened.

Makros had asked to speak with him, but the Don didn't expect to see Leila walking in beside his son. He didn't show it on his face, but the surprise was definitely there.

"Sit down," Don Matteo said, pointing to the two chairs across from him.

Makros and Leila sat. Her foot wouldn't stop tapping against the floor until Makros gently placed his hand on her leg. She got the message and stopped.

"Papa," Makros said, "we just found out... Leila's pregnant. You're going to be a grandfather."

At first, Don Matteo stayed quiet, face unreadable. But then, little by little, the cold look softened. Most people smiled with their mouths first but with the Don, the smile started in his eyes.

"You're pregnant, Leila?" he asked.

She nodded nervously, wiping her sweaty palms on her jeans. "Yes... just about a month in."

Don Matteo let out a soft chuckle, clearly pleased. Makros couldn't help but wonder if this was the same man who, just yesterday, doubted his marriage to her.

Don Matteo leaned back in his chair, still smiling to himself like he'd just heard some rare good news.

"Well," he said finally, "that's something. A grandchild."

Makros watched him closely. "You're okay with it?"

The Don raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't I be? It's done now. And besides..." He glanced at Leila. "This family could use some new life."

Leila let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you, sir," she said softly.

"You can call me godfather," he said with a small nod. "Or Papa, if you'd like."

Leila blinked, stunned. She glanced at Makros, who looked just as surprised.

"Really?" she asked.

The Don gave a slow shrug. "You're family now. I can't change the past. But I can choose how I act moving forward."

Leila smiled, a little shaky but genuine. "Okay... Papa."

Makros reached over and held her hand, proud and relieved all at once.

Don Matteo tapped his fingers on the desk. "Does anyone else know yet?"

"No," Makros replied. "We wanted you to be the first."

"Ahem, Estele knows," Leila reminded him.

Makros scratched his beard. "Oh, yeah, and her."

"Good," the Don said. "Let's keep it that way for now. The timing... isn't perfect. But we'll handle it."

His tone was serious again, but not cold. Just firm, like a man already planning ten steps ahead.

Leila nodded. "We understand."

The Don stood up, and so did they.

"Thank you for telling me yourselves," he said, and then looked at Makros. "You've got responsibilities now. Make sure you're ready."

"I am," Makros said.

Don Matteo gave him a long look, then nodded. "Then go on. I've got work to do."

Makros and Leila stepped out of the study. As the door shut behind them, Leila leaned into him.

"I didn't expect that to go... well," she whispered.

Makros smiled. "Me neither. But I'll take it."

"So, what now?" Leila asked as they strutted down the long hallway, holding hands.

"Dragon's going to be handling some new recruits," Makros said. "And I'll be heading out to visit the families of the men we lost. Make sure they're compensated properly."

Everyone who worked for the mafia knew the risks. No one signed up expecting to make it out alive but they did it hoping their families would be taken care of. And Makros wasn't about to be the one to break that tradition.

Leila looked up at him. "Can I tag along?"

Makros seemed to think about it for a second, but his mind was already elsewhere. He wasn't actually weighing her question, he was planning a workaround.

"No, you can't," he said simply. "But... you can help Dragon vet the new staff and bodyguards."

Leila frowned slightly. "So I get stuck in the house?"

"It's not just the house," Makros replied. "You'll be helping decide who gets trusted with our lives. That's no small thing."

She raised an eyebrow, still not convinced. "Feels like I'm being babysat."

Makros stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression softening. "No. You're being protected. There's a difference."

Leila studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. But I'm not going easy on them. If someone so much as blinks wrong, I'm sending them home."

Makros smirked. "That's exactly why I want you there."

They started walking again, a little slower this time.

"Oh, and Leila?" he added.

"Yeah?"

"Don't tell Dragon I told you to boss him around. He'll pretend not to care, but he'll give me hell for it."

Leila grinned. "No promises."

Makros had barely left the estate when Dragon appeared in the living room with the first recruit in tow. Leila sat beside him, arms crossed, eyeing the man who stood before them. He looked like he'd crawled straight out of a street fight. He tried not to stare too long at Leila.

Dragon cleared his throat. "Alright Ramirez, you know why you're here. But just so we're clear—this isn't a job, it's a life sentence. If that scares you, now's the time to walk."

Ramirez didn'tmove.

Leila narrowed her eyes. "Cute. Let's see how brave you are after we actually test you."

Dragon smirked. "Didn't think you'd show up for this."

"Makros asked me to help vet them," Leila said, her tone sharp. "And I like knowing who's going to be walking around my house armed."

Dragon grunted. "Fair. But I think I should do the talking."

Leila piped down a bit and allowed Dragon to ask the questions. Ramirez left, and the next recruit, Fabio Capello walked in. He looked too handsome to be risking his life.

After about four recruits, Dragon said under his breath, "Stefanos being buried tomorrow. Don wants him buried before we go to war."

Leila's expression didn't change, but she nodded. "As it should be."

"Makros might feel guilty to go probably," Dragon added. "You want to go?"

Leila hesitated. "Yeah. I think I should."

Dragon glanced sideways at her. "By the way... Eva Bottega. What can you tell me about your mother's operations?"

Leila stiffened slightly. "Still digging into that?"

"You're her daughter. I'd be stupid not to ask questions."

"Well, I've got no answers," Leila replied flatly. "Like I told Makros before, I woke up one morning and she was gone. I was five. No letters. No explanations. Nothing."

Dragon didn't respond right away. He studied her face like he was trying to read past her words.

"Just thought I'd bring it up," he finally said. "She's kept a really low profile."

Leila looked away, vision blurred by tears. "Not until yesterday, I believed she was a ghost."

Dragon chuckled. "I hate dealing with ghosts."

They moved on to the next recruit.