Page 34 of Malicious Claim

Leila's face burned brighter than her hair. She wanted to retrieve her hands and punch him into another century. She wanted to gauge his eyes out and feed them to the tigers the Arabian prince that once offered her a castle in exchange for her heart, domesticated. None of these things she could do because she started this stupid game.

Didn't he say it before? He would one-up everything she did.

“The bastard! Fool! Cock-a-demon! Completely and utterly deranged beast!”She cursed in her heart.

Looking at Vanessa's face made her want to dig a hole in the ground and bury herself. She would take him with her, of course.

Vanessa hadn't closed her mouth for approximately sixty seconds since Makros divulged what he had said so casually. A man who hit his head when he was a kid and a woman who could suck two dicks at a time? Was that supposed to be a match made in hell or heaven? She pondered.

“Right, darling?” He pressed down on her hand when she didn't respond.

Her eyes lifted so he could see the rage and promise of vengeance in them. He knew how disgraceful what he said was and still had the nerve to smile at her. This merciless demon was a fierce twist of fate tied to her.

She opened her mouth to respond when Stefanos appeared from behind. His presence wasn't felt until she saw the curious glint of Makros shoot past her.

Turning her head around, she found him approaching.

A small sigh of relief escaped her throat. Makros felt it, but whatever Stefanos had to say was more important than his dear wife.

Stefanos shoved past Vanessa, who still had her mouth open, and stopped before Leila, who was blocking him from going directly to Makros. He noticed and let go of her hand. Grateful to be freed of his crippling hold, she shifted to the side, allowing Stefanos to walk past her.

“Talk to me,” he whispered, bending his head to a direction no one could see or hear what they were talking about.

“No shit!” He said between his teeth when Stefanos relayed his message.

A flash of anger passed through his eyes, but it was gone in a blink. He had to be composed. If the agent posing as a bodyguard sniffed something wrong, he would dig.

How was he even sure Vanessa wasn't also undercover?

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he froze. In the next breath, he regained himself and devised a plan.

“Humor me,” he spoke to Stefanos with his eyes.

“Common, bro! Didn't I tell you no one needed to go to the hospital? The fuck did they leave him in the house for?” He raised his voice slightly.

“I'm sorry, fratello, but it is what it is.”

“Well, excuse me, I have to go make that freaking call to the hospital!” He huffed past him and went to Leila.

“Hey baby, Grandpa was rushed to the hospital. I need to make a few calls. Could you take care of things until I return? Alongside Stefanos, of course.”

“Oh my god. Is he going to be fine?” She played along without skipping a beat.

His heart swelled with pride, but he contained it prettily.

“I hope so,” he said and leaned in for a hug. “Keep an eye out on Vanessa. She may be undercover. She must not leave the section,” he whispered before letting go.

“Take care, baby!” she said after him.

Makros nodded and turned his attention to Vanessa. “Sorry, Miss Vanessa. I'll be right back after I ensure my grandfather is fine.”

“Please go.” She urged him on.

“I promise you a good time when I return.” With that, he was gone.

Chapter Fourteen

Playing With Fire