this weak, angry person. I’ll be damned if I let Jae Scavello win.
“We do,” Mack replies. “I have brothers, a sister.”
I nod. “Yeah, and I know you’d never sit back and let this just play out. You’d tie them to a chair, a bed, and lock them in a room before you’d ever considered giving up.”
Mack opens and closes his mouth as if he’s lost for words. Slater lowers his chin and doesn’t look me in the eyes. They both know what I’m saying is true.
“You’re right,” Slater confirms and steps aside from the door.
Mack quickly takes his place.
Slater mutters, “Good luck, Mack, you got your hands full with this one,” and he walks away.
I place my hands on my hips, glance up at Mack and tilt my head, waiting for him to either move or to come up with more excuses that I will also ignore.
Mack breathes in deep, relaxes his body and loosely folds his arms against his chest. “It’s gonna go down like this. I’m not going to restrain you to keep you here. However, I will follow you and carry you back here, if by some miracle you actually walk all the way to Parkland.” A small smile appears on his lips.
He thinks he’s so smart. I’m going to outwit him today, but holy hell he looks hot right now. Smugness actually suits Mackson. Legs apart, grin and arms folded.
His biceps are huge, smooth, so strong… Focus, Lana.
I straighten my arms and fist my hands and stomp my foot. “Fine. Now move so I can get a move on.” I feign annoyance, but deep down I’m smiling. I can’t wait to watch Mack’s face as I’m driving away.
I had a feeling Mack wouldn’t want me to see Rex, but I also wasn’t going to lie or go behind his back. But just in case, I grabbed Mack’s keys to his red Nissan Skyline from his dresser earlier. I pat my back pocket quickly to assure myself they’re still there, and when I feel the bumps of metal I have that assurance.
Mack steps away from the door. “Sure you don’t want a water bottle for that long walk?”
I narrow my eyes. “You know that’s the one helpful thing you’ve said all morning. That would be wonderful,” I reply with a sweet smile.
Mack laughs out loud. “That sassy tone is fucking hot, Lana. We need to do some role-playing tonight.” He gives me a wink.
“We should add some ropes and whips as well. I think you need to be taught a lesson.” I mimic his wink.
“Fuck,” Mack breathes out. His eyes darken and he steps toward me. “I got ropes and whips, baby. We can go upstairs right now and you can teach me a lesson or two.”
My body warms all over and I swallow roughly. I stumble back a step and in an embarrassingly husky voice, I say, “Got somewhere to be.” I almost added but definitely tonight, to make sure we book that in. However, after I steal Mack’s car and actually see my brother, I’m not sure he is going to be in the mood. Or maybe it will be me getting taught the lesson? I shrug. Win-win for me.
Mack looks at me strangely, so I quickly turn and walk down the porch steps toward the front gate.
“I’ll fetch you that water, let you get a head start,” Mack calls out and while I’m not looking at him as I only have eyes for his Skyline parked out the front of the house, I can however, hear the laughter in his voice.
My palms begin to sweat from anticipation as I approach the car. So close to finally seeing my brother after our longest time apart, and also being able to show Mackson up. Not sure which one is more important to me right now.
The familiar sound of the screen door hitting the frame lets me know Mackson has walked inside. Glancing over my shoulder, it’s confirmed. He’s no longer in sight. With a pounding heart, I race to the red Nissan and pull the keys from my back pocket. I get to the driver’s side, push the key in and unlock the door.
I jump inside and start Fang. A laugh bubbles up at the nickname Mack has for his car. What is it with guys and nicknaming their cars? I have a beat up Nissan Altima, and while she has been around for a long time and been good to me, I’ve never felt the