Page 207 of Malicious Claim

Leila's expression didn't change, but she nodded. "As it should be."

"Makros might feel guilty to go probably," Dragon added. "You want to go?"

Leila hesitated. "Yeah. I think I should."

Dragon glanced sideways at her. "By the way... Eva Bottega. What can you tell me about your mother's operations?"

Leila stiffened slightly. "Still digging into that?"

"You're her daughter. I'd be stupid not to ask questions."

"Well, I've got no answers," Leila replied flatly. "Like I told Makros before, I woke up one morning and she was gone. I was five. No letters. No explanations. Nothing."

Dragon didn't respond right away. He studied her face like he was trying to read past her words.

"Just thought I'd bring it up," he finally said. "She's kept a really low profile."

Leila looked away, vision blurred by tears. "Not until yesterday, I believed she was a ghost."

Dragon chuckled. "I hate dealing with ghosts."

They moved on to the next recruit.

Chapter Seventy-Nine

Burial

It was a rather cloudy morning. The sky looked sad, and was barely holding back tears. The burial site was tucked away from the main road, surrounded by tall trees and trimmed grass. A row of chairs had been set up near the grave. Some people sat, most stood. Everyone wore black.

Most of the Cretes were in attendance including two of the notable new recruits Ramirez and Fabio. Some of the other associates' families had also come. Some who knew Stefanos personally, others who had just come to pay respect.

The casket was dark brown with silver handles. It had been placed on two wooden stands next to the open grave. A priest in white robes stood beside it with a small Bible in his hands.

Near the front, Stefanos's mother was crying bitterly. Her face was wet with tears, and her shoulders shook with each sob. Don Matteo had one arm around her, holding her steadily, comforting her. Stefanos had been her only child. She wished she'd died instead of him.

Makros arrived with Leila and Dragon walking on either side of him. They walked slowly to where the family was gathered.

Makros stopped in front of Stefanos's mother and lowered his head. "I'm sorry," he said.

She looked up at him. Her face was twisted in pain and anger. She wiped her tears roughly and stood up.

"You're sorry?" she said with a cracked voice. "You killed him! You were supposed to protect him! And now he's in a box!"

Makros didn't react outwardly, but deep down he felt frustrated mostly than sad. Leila flinched but quickly composed herself. Dragon sucked in a breath.

Stefanos mother shook her head as if to clear away some of the bitterness. "You don't get to say "I'm sorry". Get out!"

Don Matteo stood up and stepped in between them. "That's enough."

He turned to Makros. "Go."

Makros looked at his father, then nodded once. He stepped back, Leila following him. Dragon stayed behind for a second longer, watching the mother, then turned and joined them.

The priest cleared his throat and asked everyone to rise before he began the prayer. Leila's eyes were closed but she couldn't stop herself from thinking about the absurdity of prayers. If the afterlife existed, they were all going straight to hell.

After he was done, the priest closed his Bible and stepped aside. "Makros Crete will now say a few words," he said.

Makros walked up slowly to the front. He should've thought this whole eulogy thing though. It was too late to regret it.

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