Page 209 of Malicious Claim

From where he stood giving the eulogy, Makros noticed Dragon moving away with Leila.

He paused mid-sentence, his voice faltering.

"Stefanos gave his life for this family—"

His eyes narrowed. Dragon had picked up a call just moments ago. Now he was leading Leila away.

He abandoned the speech and stepped down from the small platform ignoring the murmurs around him. People turned to look. Some of the men started whispering. Don Matteo watched him closely. Stefanos's mother gave him a bitter look, but now more confused than angry.

Makros's pace quickened.

"Signor?" one of the Crete guards asked, stepping forward.

He raised his hand. "Stay back."

He walked straight toward the trees. But just before he reached them, Dragon turned around, pulled a gun, grabbed Leila and pointed it straight at her back.

"Don't come any closer," Dragon said firmly.

Gasps erupted from the crowd. A few security men reached for their guns but Makros shouted without breaking stride, "Stand down! Nobody shoots!"

The guards froze. Don Matteo stood up, eyebrows drawn tight.

"What's going on?" someone in the back asked.

Makros stopped several feet away from Dragon, his jaw clenched.

"Dragon," he said slowly, "what the hell is this about?"

Dragon didn't lower his gun. "I always thought something was off about you. Your marriage to her. Your organisation skills lacking the conventional OCD the real Makros exudes. Your signature...the way you handled missions."

Makros's hands twitched at his sides.

"Real Makros?" he repeated, trying to stay calm. "What are you talking about?"

His eyes darted quickly to the side, scanning the trees. His throat felt tight. Sweat started to form near his temples, but he didn't wipe it. He kept his voice steady and took a small step forward.

"You're not making sense."

Dragon's grip didn't waver. "You know I'm right."

People in the crowd started to murmur again. One of the older recruits shifted nervously.

Don Matteo moved toward them now, Stefanos's mother holding onto his arm.

"What is happening?" she asked. "Why is Dragon pointing a gun at Makros' wife?"

Don Matteo looked straight at him. "Makros. Say something."

Makros licked his lips and stayed silent. He was thinking but not fast enough.

Then a figure stepped out from behind the parked cars. His hands raised slightly, not in surrender, but to show he came with no weapon. He was wearing a dark suit and he was very identical to Makros.

Chapter Eighty

The Foolery

"Zandros," the figure said, "drop the act."