Page 46 of Malicious Claim

"What if I do?"

The corners of Leila's lips curled into a half smile. "Then I'll tell the ambassador everything. That you're behind this. That it was you who orchestrated Vanessa's kidnapping."

Makros chuckled deeply. "What makes you so confident that I won't shoot you where you stand?"

Leila's jaw clenched, yet she didn't show fear. "If you wanted me dead, I'd have been dead, Makros. And if you kill me, I'll be reunited with my family. I don't fear for my life. However, I'm warning you, I'll end your miserable life someday if you don't kill me."

Makros exhaled through his nose, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Cunning." He circled her slowly. "But let's say you do leave me. You think the world outside will welcome you with open arms?"

Leila stiffened.

"The Babros have been waiting for an opportunity. When your family died, they took over America as the number one criminal organization. And believe me,cara mia, they have not forgotten about you."

A dash of doubt crossed her face.

"They are going to find you," Makros said casually, sweeping his fingers over her shoulder. "And they are going to ensure your death is slow. But if you stay with me you'll never have to fear them."

A brief silence stretched between them.

"I don't fear them," she whispered. "I fear becoming like you."

Then she turned and walked away.

Chapter Nineteen

A Crete With a Difference

LEILA'S POV

The sound of metal clinking filled my hearing when I woke up. I felt disoriented, my body aching in places I didn’t remember injuring my wrists, the left one in particular, felt sore. When I tried to move, something restrained me.

“What the fuck?” I muttered.

My fingers scrambled at my side, brushing over a cold iron.

A handcuff.

My gaze snapped up to where the cuffs were hooked to the headboard of a massive bed. Makros's bed.

He cuffed me.

That mother fucker.

I sucked in a breath, trying to steady the fire rising in my chest. The last thing I remembered was walking away–choosing to walk away–and then... nothing. That son of a bitch must have had his men grab me the second I left his room.

"Unbelievable." My voice came out hoarse, like I'd been screaming in my sleep. Or fighting. I yanked at the chain, testing its give. It rattled against the post but held firm.

I exhaled slowly, closing my eyes for a moment.

Focus.

Anger was easy. It burned through my veins, feeding me like fuel. But panic? That was what Makros wanted. To break me. To make me feel powerless.

I wasn't powerless, and I’d never let him win.

The door creaked open, and I braced myself, expecting Makros to come in. Instead, it was someone else's voice that I heard.

"Well, well, well."