Page 40 of Malicious Claim

When he finally reached her, he leaned down. One hand laid casually on the arm of her chair, the other drifting down the outer curve of her thigh. His voice, low-pitched, was a warm whisper against her ear, "Me."

Vanessa's pulse jumped. She tried to mask her reaction, but Makros caught the way her throat bobbed as she swallowed. His lips brushed against her skin in a fleeting caress, teasing, but never pressing.

"You're bold," she murmured, her voice slightly breathless.

"I'm honest," he countered.

His fingers moved higher, grazing her waist, and she sucked in a sharp breath. He could feel the heat of her body through the thin fabric of her dress.

Then, when he knew she was teetering between reason and indulgence, he pulled back an inch. "But I don't take risks," he murmured, faking regret. "And I don't go in without protection."

Vanessa blinked, momentarily dazed. "Protection?"

"A condom, bella." He let the word roll off his tongue as if the thought pained him. "And I'm fresh out."

She exhaled a laugh, shaking her head. "That's what's stopping you?"

Makros smirked. "I may be many things, but reckless isn't one of them."

Vanessa bit her lip, thinking this over. "How do we get one?"

"They sell them outside," he said cheerfully. His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "You should go and get one. I'll stay right here."

She hesitated, looking past him toward the door. "You want me to go out alone?"

He brushed a thumb against her cheek. "Nervous now?"

"No," she said hastily.

He smiled. "Then go, bella. I'll be waiting."

Vanessa let out a soft sigh as she rose to her feet. "You better not disappear by the time I’m back."

Makros tilted his head. "I wouldn't dream of it."

As she turned toward the door, he pulled out his phone and pressed a quick dial. The moment she stepped out, he spoke in a low voice, "She's on the move."

Inside the club, music and laughter filled the air. The ambassador was nursing his glass of whiskey, talking politely to a business partner, when the tension in the room suddenly changed.

A man nearby, planted by Stefanos, stumbled forward and rammed into the ambassador with enough force to make him spill his drink.

"The fuck is wrong with you?" the ambassador snapped, turning to face the offender.

The man, a thick-necked brute with alcohol on his breath, sneered. "Watch where you're standing, old man."

Before the ambassador could react, the man shoved him. Hard.

Chaos erupted instantly.

Nicolai, whose alias was Sam, moved in, his voice sharp. "Step back."

The aggressor squared his shoulders. "Who the fuck are you?"

"I said, step back." Sam's tone was cold, authoritative.

The ambassador became completely distracted and was fully absorbed in the confrontation. Dan instinctively turned to watch, standing several feet away, but seeing Vanessa also go out, his attention was torn.

He followed Vanessa outside.