Page 37 of Malicious Claim

Arturo's eyes bulged. He began to sweat all over. He trembled, and his chest tightened, which made him struggle for breath.

Makros wondered how long it would take until it eventually happened. Ten seconds? He decided to count.

With every count, he brought the gun up and down. By the fifth count, his nose scrunched. It had happened.

“He held on longer than expected,” Giovanni said, holding his nose.

Mario didn't say a word but threw his face to the side. He had gotten the perfect opportunity not to watch a man's balls blown off. Even if he survived it, he would never be the same again.

“Bo-ss,” he called in a pleading voice as he knelt, covered with his piss.

“We don't have that relationship anymore.” His index finger circled the trigger.

“Boss, please, please!” He begged now at the top of his voice.

He pulled the trigger, and Arturo fell to the ground. Blood spilled all over as Makros smiled.

“Clean him up and keep him until I come to fetch him.” He threw his gun at Giovanni and turned around.

“You're one lucky bastard,” he heard as he shut the door behind him.

A smile claimed his face. He had decided at the last minute to spare the boy by shooting his arm. He would never steal again.

Whipping his phone out of his pocket, he dialed Stefanos.

“I want the girl in my office,” he said, feeling a rush of adrenaline pumping in his veins.

“Which one?” He answered cleverly.

“Very funny,” he said humorlessly. "The one I want to do business with.”

“Without the agent?” His voice was calm, which told Makros he had lowered it to avoid being heard by the agent.

“He can come if he likes.”

“Are you sure, Makros?”

“I want her.” He ended the call and diverted to his office.

Shutting the door behind him, he went straight to his cellar where he stacked his drinks and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. Taking a big gulp, he covered it and returned it.

A shudder ran through him. But now, he was prepared to play whatever games the agent had decided to play by coming in the disguise of a bodyguard.

He was about to take his seat when the door pushed open, and Stefanos walked in. His brow was lifting when a raging Leila followed right after him.

“Before you say anything, I tried to stop her. I told her who you wanted to see, but she threatened to rattle the agent.”

“How did she know he's an agent? You told her?”

“No!” He spread his arms in frustration.

“Stop discussing me like I'm not in the room.” Leila hissed.

“If the both of you are here, who is watching the fucking agent?”

“I'll return.” Stefanos exited the room before he could say anything else.

“You–” he began in a voice trembling with fury.