I bite my tongue. Let ‘em keep talking, and he does.
“That’s alright, Mr. MacKenzie. My identity isn’t important. Earlier, you were quite the hitman. You may have thought that nobody was around.”
“Next, ye’re gonna say that ye’re bloody everywhere?” I snort.
“Everywhere that matters. I saw your patience when you attempted to deescalate Mr. Jiang. You had no idea why he was angry. Then you defended yourself as is your right as an American citizen. First shot to his kneecap—such a courtesy. But the one straight between the eyes, priceless.”
I contemplate. Give me something to identify ye by, ye bawbag. And what was Mr. Jiang’s connection to the stranger blackmailing me? Who at Infinity Corp had reprogrammed the social media app I created for their own gain?
“Poppa MacKenzie trained you well. Ultimately, you chose the straight and narrow for Chevelle and Mia.”
“Say their names again,” I threaten. The steam continues to dance around my hard, focused gaze. “If my clan were to learn about you—”
“I welcome it.”
My eyes shut, burning. All the promises I made Chevelle warp in my mind, tormenting me, reminding me of the lad I became, and how I blew it to shite today. “What of the cops, ye son of a rats-faced cunt!”
“Not possible. Your actions today made you more than culpable, Leith. Rage is not your friend.”
I let out a heavy, silent sigh, considering the life I took.
“Mr. Jiang’s murder has forged our relationship. I’ve taken six million and deposited it into an off-shore account with your name on it.”
“I’m gonna kill ye.”
“I just placed six mill in a Grand Cayman account—all for you! A ‘thank you’ will suffice. And trust me, the little shit you did today wasn’t worth it. I have a few more assignments for you, Leith. Then we can part ways or continue our mutually beneficial relationship.”
“Listen to me good!” I command. “Stay away from my family.”
“I respect you, Leith.” Every time the feck mentions my name, another dose of venom unleashes in me. Some fecktwad knows me, has something dark, sinister hanging over my head.
“Therefore, I’ll give you time to come to your senses. You can thank me now for adding an extra zero after your name. Or thank me later, just don’t wait too long. Because, too long, and your appreciation will come off as begging and groveling for the lives of your family. Your call.”
The connection cuts. Seconds later, the smart house's automated voice gives the warning that Chevelle has entered from the sliding glass doors. I continue to sit in a heated haze.
For the last few weeks, I’ve weighed options. I could go to the cops with the information I learned about Infinity Corp. They’d read the last name on my California driver’s license and lose their shite at the thought of a MacKenzie running his gub! I haven’t finished counterattacking the hacker who’d infiltrated the Infinity Corp firewalls. The bloody bastard knows his way around code. He mentioned offshore bank accounts. This isn’t new to him. But sure as feck is new to me. He also mentioned having other neds on his team.
My second option, reaching out to my family about a deadly predicament, will initiate a war. Though the lesser of two evils, it will break Mia’s heart, my heart, and Chevelle’s.
How safe can I keep my wee clan while holding them in my arms?
I’m a feckin’ MacKenzie.
As beads of sweat glide down my pecs and abs, I beg God for a few stops to pull before we’re to the point of involving my clan. I turn the shower back on to wash the memory of the deid from my mind.
Chapter 3
Chevelle
Only a few precious months separate the time when Lady and I downgraded from a luxury high-rise to my meeting Leith and his family in the same crappy apartment complex. The MacKenzies were kings in the making then, and it was by pure fate that they lived in the same rundown complex for a short time after our worlds collided.
Before Leith and I became friends, I played video games in the crummy ass living room, door open. Families would pass by. Moms and Dads with their kids going about their daily lives. I came to hate the distraction of watching neighbors pass by. Those interruptions sent me back to another life, my old life.
As soon as I could toddle around the house, designer kitten heels embellished my small feet. Dad spoiled me to no end, carrying me to catwalks and