Mak had no intention of letting the rivalry between the Sauvage and Sidani families escalate into a violent feud of vendettas.
But Zolan had forced his hand by entering his home and potentially bringing dishonor to his wife.
So, Mak gutted Zolan’s operations in his territory, a fact he’d neglected for years.
They ensured everything was legal, making sure they had the proper paperwork to validate the arrests.
The suspects were all wanted for their ties to the Sidani, extortion, and possession of illegal arms.
Of the 67 arrest warrants issued, 49 were executed, and the individuals detained, while 18 remained at large.
Mak’s men discovered the Sidani associates had a vast arsenal of weapons, including laser rifles and rocket launchers.
Kaal’s questioning revealed that the arsenal was intended for use in attacks on their ships and safe stores.
However, his investigations were hampered by the captured suspects, who either lied about their involvement or admitted to it but refused to implicate Zolan as their leader.
Still, the Sauvage family sent a clear message, one Mak hoped Zolan had received and would take seriously, to keep away for good.
MAK
Tewa Lisade was a short, stout man with an overbearing confidence that bordered on arrogance.
His eyes held a cunning glint, always calculating his next move.
He carried himself with an air of superiority, as if he believed he was above everyone else.
He was the type of fool who preened at all times, thinking he was capable of outwitting anyone, believing he had pulled the wool over their eyes.
But it was clear as day that he was a cutthroat, greedy simpleton.
Mak remembered the first time he spotted Suri at a wedding many years ago.
He fell in love with her even as the plans for the flotilla came into fruition.
According to Akkadian tradition, to court her, he needed the consent of her parents or guardians.
This led him to knock on Tewa’s door to ask for permission.
As soon as Tewa had seen him and realized he was theŠar-In-Waitingof the Sauvage clan, he had turned on the charm, overly so.
From the get-go, Mak sensed something was off about Tewa. He seemed too rehearsed, too polished, as if every word had been crafted and practiced before being spoken.
Throughout the bridal negotiations, Tewa tried to outdo Mak with grandiose statements and exaggerated claims about his family’s achievements.
It became clear that Tewa perceived Mak as a blank check and was determined to own him in whatever way he could.
Suri had been the only reason he hadn’t blown Tewa’s head off.
He’d been smitten, enamored by her beauty, and willing to do everything it took to have her in his life.
However, a few days before his wedding night, Tewa had informed him that Suri had decided to enter a covenant.
He also mentioned he had another niece waiting in the wings, one even more beautiful.
Call him a chump, but after a period of madness, partying, and grieving, Mak had believed him and conformed to his madcap plan.
The picture of Shiloh had helped, for she was a famed beauty, but Mak had to wait for her to come of age, which would be another seven years.
