Page 180 of Malicious Claim

Push and Pull.

As the gates of the estate opened, Nicolai eased the car down the long driveway.

Leila was just starting to exhale when she saw her.

A familiar face.

Strolling toward them like she owned the damn place in those four inch heels, silk dress hugging her body, and flashy purse slung over her shoulder. Her hair was pinned back in that effortless way rich girls mastered. She looked like she belonged on a runway, not anywhere around the underground world which was of course Makros houses.

Leila blinked, stunned for half a second, before the memory slammed into her.

Caterina.

At Makros' club in Greece.

She recalled the exact moment she had poured champagne soaking Makros' suit after that smug little kiss Caterina had planted on his lips.

She remembered Caterina's mockery behaviour. The way she'd called her irrelevant. Decorative. Temporary.

The car hadn't even stopped before Leila opened the door and stepped out.

Caterina didn't flinch.

"Leila," she drawled, smiling like a snake in silk. "You're still feeling important aren't you?"

Leila's lips curled. "What are you doing in my house?"

Caterina gave a short, amused laugh. "Your house?"

"Yes. My house. Are you lost?"

Caterina's smirk sharpened and her gaze swept past her to Makros who'd just been alighting from the car himself. "Makros, why don't you tell her whose house it is? Tell her who's been keeping things running while you've been off playing husband."

Makros stepped out behind Leila, eyes hard. He looked straight into Caterina's eyes.

"What do you want, Caterina?"

She pouted softly and theatrically. "I saw you on TV. That little speech? Dedicating the award to her?" Her eyes flicked to Leila, full of scorn. "I've managed your shoe empire for years. And this is how you repay me?"

Makros leaned into her ear, breath hot against her skin.

"Whatever history we had," he said in a low voice, "was just that. History."

Caterina's expression barely shifted, but her eyes hardened. "Are you sure you want it to stay that way? Because I'm pulling my investment. And the Galanis partnership goes with it."

Makros didn't blink. "Then I suggest you get out, before I burn the bridge myself."

Caterina stared at him incredulously, waiting, hoping for a flinch.

There was none.

But the Gallanis! Damn him. How could he be so damn cool about such a threat? Her father owned and produced the best leathers which his company used for making shoes.

She turned to leave hoping for a fraction of a second that he would call her back or come to his senses. A few more steps forward and she told herself maybe by morning he would have a change of heart.

As she passed Leila, she kept her chin high, and her posture perfect.

Leila smiled sweetly at her. "See you never. Yeah, guess I'm actually important."

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