Alex Markides

**Alex Markides** is the patriarch and leader of the Markides cartel and drug empire, and the uncle of Mikey Markides. On the side, Alex runs a scrapyard as a front for his criminal activities — much like the other members of the Markides family.

## Throughout Bulletproof Series

### Brandon’s Murder

Alex is first mentioned by Sarah Tanner, when she draws connections between the Markides family and their criminal enterprises — particularly Eleanor and Alex’s empire.

Later, after Brandon’s murder, Alex appears to coach Mikey on covering up the death, and orders a meeting between himself, Mikey and Bishop. At the meeting, Alex asks about Bishop and the two become acquaintances; shortly after Alex pseudo-welcomes him into the Markides clan through prayer.

At Brandon’s wake, Mikey gives a speech wherein he explains that he viewed Brandon as a member of the Markides family and is deeply saddened by his death. He thanks Mikey and other members of his family for being close during the stressful and sad time.

### Taking back control

After Mikey announces plans to take Pike and Bishop to Amsterdam to truly understand the family business — by witnessing one of their deals — Alex decides to chaperone to ensure things go smoothly. Unbeknownst to everyone else — including Eleanor — however, he tagged along in an effort to stop the deal and take back control of the Markides family. He ends the deal between the Markides and Luis’ and tells Eleanor that they remain free as long as they stay under the radar; he reminds her of her place within the family and renounces Mikey as a stain on the family name.

Later, he talks with Bishop and reveals that he knows Mikey killed Brandon as the two were close and he was jealous. After Bishop and Pike realise that their case is dead without Alex, they help him escape from the Dutch Police.

Alex later tells Eleanor and Mikey that they were reckless for continuing the operation without his approval, and for the first time in a while, he was on the run. When Eleanor tells him that he should’ve stayed out of his deal, he tells the two to stay low and obey his orders from now on.

When Mikey plans to take the Markides’ empire from Alex, Bishop relays the information to Alex and gains his trust and — to some extent — his friendship. Alex asks Bishop to take a trip to Cyprus with him to see the family home and deal with a new problem that has arisen.

### Difficult decisions

When Alex arrives in Cyprus, he is given an ultimatum by the new Police Chief, Stefan. Stefan tells him that he can keep his businesses and live a normal, happy life, but selling drugs in Cyprus is not allowed. Alex takes offence to this deal, and the relationship between the two is immediately soured when Mikey enters guns blazing. Alex warns him to stand down, however.

Later, Bishop is able to convince Alex to take the deal, and Alex asks for a meeting with Stefan, which Bishop arranges. When Stefan arrives, however, Alex shoots him in the head and tells Mikey that he is in charge and owns the future — much to Bishop’s dismay, who seems to loose all respect for Alex at that moment.

On their trip home, Alex is informed by Eleanor that Pike is not who he seem and that something is amiss.

### Betrayal

Alex diverts the jet following he troubling news from Eleanor and, despite several pleas from Bishop and Pike to tell them what is going on, Alex insists that everything is fine and they’re just taking care of some business.

Alex takes Bishop into the office of a Markides’ safe house with Mikey, and the two accuse Pike of being a Police Officer. Bishop acts innocent but Alex questions how they can be sure that Bishop too isn't’ an officer. Alex agrees with Mikey that the only way to ensure Bishop isn’t lying to them is to have Bishop shoot and kill Pike for his betrayal.

Bishop puts on an acts and Alex seems initially satisfied until Mikey rebukes the two and they admit that they are officers; Alex looks woefully betrayed and shocked that Bishop managed to manipulate him.

He and the Markides’ men take Bishop and Pike out into the forest to kill them, but they’re able to briefly get away. Alex chases Bishop and he is eventually captured, but rescued by Pike and the NCA moments later. Alex is able to get away but abandones Mikey.

### Hiding out

Bishop and the NCA realise that it is highly likely that Alex and Mikey — now critically injured after shooting, and killing Jonesy — will have been unable to leave the country and flee to cyprus.

He manages to track down Alex and Mikey but they are able to escape the NCA’s grasp due to Cockridge’s interference in their plan. Alex takes Mikey to an abandoned shop and renounces him as a Markides, leaving him to die and allowing himself to secure exit from the country.

Fearing what Bishop has told her about Alex, Anna calls Alex and asks if it is true. Alex tells her it is not and that he held Mikey in his arms as he passed peacefully. Anna, however, is aware that this is a lie having listened to the call between Mikey and Eleanor, and agrees to help capture Alex.

Alex is captured moments later by Pike and Bishop and is distraught to find out that his own daughter betrayed him.

## References

1. ↑ *Episode 2.2*
2. ↑ *Episode 2.3*
3. ↑ *Episode 2.4*
4. ↑ *Episode 2.5*
5. ↑ *Episode 2.6*
6. ↑ *Episode 2.7*
7. ↑ *Episode 2.8*