Page 109 of Malicious Claim

Makros' shoe factory.

It was one of his biggest legitimate investments, a legacy, an empire he'd built from the ground up with clean money, a good reputation, an investment in something real.

And now it was destroyed.

Stefanos was standing next to Makros, arms folded. "They didn't even try to cover their tracks."

The Orel Bratva.

The arson was retaliation for the profitable shipment Makros had hijacked and refused to pay them for.

Don Matteo watched the report from his armchair with barely contained anger. "This is what happens when you offend powerful men," he sneered, his voice bitter and cold. "Youshould have handled their demands differently. And this is only the beginning."

Makros said nothing. He did not regret that he had refused the demands of the Bratva. If you let them get their hand into your pocket, they'd grab everything.

His father was not wrong, though.

This was just the beginning.

"They want to provoke me to war," Makros said finally.

His father leaned forward. "Or maybe they want you to take them seriously. War is expensive. We're going to Moscow."

Makros exhaled slowly. He hated being summoned, like some servant answering a master's call. But this was not a fight he could evade. The Bratva was not letting him walk away.

Makros never backed down from a fight.

He looked at Stefanos. "You'll be in charge while we're away."

Stefanos nodded slowly, but his thoughts were already elsewhere.

"And Leila?" he wanted to know.

Makros hesitated. He didn't like leaving her, but he couldn't take her to Moscow.

"Nicolai will take care of her."

Stefanos smiled to himself.

That left him with complete control over Leila.

Makros and his father set out the next morning.

Leila accompanied them to the airport, standing and observing as the private aircraft took off. She had not said a word, her expression stoic, while Nicolai stayed near, his looming presence beside her as always.

Upon their return home, Nicolai escorted her in. Stefanos stood up from his chair upon seeing them.

He stepped forward, slapping Nicolai on the back. "Nicolai, you can give the young lady some room to breathe. I'll keep an eye on her for now since Makros isn't here. You can take the time off to relax. You can use the break."

But Nicolai did not appreciate the time off.

He grumbled. "You know Makros wouldn't want that."

Stefanos gave him a slow, soft smile. "Take it easy, I got her for now."

Leila observed them in silence.

Then reluctantly Nicolai moved back with his jaw clenched, but he didn't protest. She felt a little surge of relief. This was precisely what she needed.