Page 39 of Malicious Claim

I tilted my head, a smirk playing on my lips. “I know.”

He paused, his amusement fading slightly. “But Leila, you can’t be here. I have to get to business.”

My expression darkened. I stepped around the table to his side, my movements slow and deliberate. Placing a hand on his shoulder, I felt the slight tension beneath my touch. Then, leaning in, I whispered hot against his ear.

“Alright, but let me tell you a little something, Makros,” I murmured, savoring the way his name rolled off my tongue. “You’ve seen how sharp I am, haven’t you? You know exactly what I’m capable of.”

His breath hitched, so brief, so controlled, but I caught it.

My teeth nibbed his earlobe before continuing. “So if you ever humiliate me again, if you ever try to put me in my place, I won’t just be a problem.” My fingers tightened slightly on his shoulders, feeling his muscles coil beneath them. “I’ll be the fucking disaster that ruins your business.”

Makros exhaled with a quiet chuckle. “Leila,” he murmured, removing my hand. “You like playing with fire, don’t you?”

“Only when I know I won’t get burned,” I said smoothly.

A knock at the door cut through our conversation. A second later, Stefanos stepped in, guiding Vanessa inside.

I turned to her with an easy smile. “Vanessa,” I greeted, my tone shifting effortlessly. “I hope you’re enjoying your night. How do you like the party?”

Vanessa smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. “Well, it's loud, expensive, and full of people who won't stop looking in my direction.”

I chuckled. “Sounds exhausting.”

She gave me a tired smile. “You have no idea. The only decent part was the champagne.”

I nodded in agreement. “Gosh, I love champagne.”

I glanced at Makros, who was watching us in silence and gave him a wink. Without another word, I walked out, leaving him to his business.

Chapter Sixteen

The Setup

Makros leaned back in his chair, regarding Vanessa with the confidence of a man he knew he was at greater advantage. She sat opposite him with her legs crossed, her dress ending inches above her thighs.

The light was low in his office, an amber haze dancing across her skin, softening it more than it should. He knew better. She had the tongue that could draw blood, and the body of a woman who'd never had to fight for a thing in her life.

Vanessa raised one eyebrow, as if she couldn't care less about the way his eyes traveled over her. “You called me in here for something, or do you plan to stare at me all night?"

Makros grinned. “I have a proposition for you, bella.”

She smiled. "I should have known. Guys like you never want conversation for its own sake."

He raised an eyebrow. "You hurt me. But you're right. I wanted to ask you if you were having fun. I hate that you're bored out of your skull here."

Vanessa cocked her head to one side. "Playing the concerned host now?"

Makros drummed his fingers on his desk. "I want to make your evening more enjoyable."

Her lips parted, her breath hitching for the barest of seconds before she recovered. "And how do you propose to do that?"

He leaned forward, voice lowering. "By giving you something I know you want."

The air between them grew thick. Makros was patient, letting the weight of his words settle over her like a silk blanket.

Vanessa hesitated, then leaned in a little. "And what do you think I want?"

He didn't say anything. He stood up instead, pushing back his chair as he went round the desk at a slow pace. She shifted in her chair to watch him advance towards her, body language open but guarded.

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