The Rise of Mackin Jones

Chapter 108

The city had returned to its usual rhythm.

The pulse of life and crime moving in perfect sync—but for Luis and Maria, the victory over Varela was just another step in their endless pursuit of power.

The crown had been defended, but the cost of holding onto it was beginning to weigh on them.

Luis sat alone in his study, the flickering glow of the city outside casting long shadows across the room. He had what he wanted—control, power, respect. But as the nights grew longer, a new question gnawed at the back of his mind: How much longer could they hold onto it?

Maria entered the room, her expression softer than usual. She could sense the tension in him, the weight he carried even after their victory.

“You’re thinking too much again,” she said, her voice gentle but edged with amusement.

Luis looked up at her, his eyes dark with thought. “We’ve taken out every threat, but the city’s always watching, waiting for the next move. It never stops.”

Maria crossed the room, sitting beside him. “It’s what we signed up for. The city never stops, but neither do we.”

Luis nodded, but the doubt lingered. Control was an illusion, one they had mastered, but he knew better than anyone that illusions could shatter.

“We’ll hold it,” Maria said firmly, her eyes locking onto his. “We always do.”

Luis smiled faintly, reaching for her hand. “Then let’s make sure we keep it.”

And as the night deepened, the city stretched out below them—alive, dangerous, and waiting for the next challenge.

Luis sat with Maria's hand in his, feeling the warmth of her touch but knowing that it was the cold edges of their empire that truly bound them. They had risen together, faced every threat head-on, and emerged stronger with each battle.

But Luis couldn’t ignore the weight that came with maintaining power. He had what he wanted—control over the city’s darkest corners, but every corner was a potential blind spot, a place where a new rival could rise.

Maria stood up, crossing the room to pour herself a glass of wine.

She moved with grace, every step as sharp as her mind, her every gesture conveying a sense of dominance. She thrived in the chaos, fed off the challenge of holding what they had claimed, and Luis admired her for it. She never wavered, never let the fear of losing what they’d built creep in.

That was why they worked so well together. She was the fire, always pushing forward, while Luis stayed back, thinking, planning, and analysing.

“Varela was a fool,” Maria said, taking a sip and looking out at the city skyline. The lights twinkled like the spoils of war, the Southside and Eastside finally in their complete control. “But there will be others. There always are.”

Luis didn’t respond immediately. He knew she was right. The city had a way of regenerating its enemies. You cut one head off, and another rose in its place. He could feel it in the way the streets moved—their empire was strong, but the city had never been tame. It was a beast that required constant feeding, and even the smallest slip could undo everything they’d worked for.

“Bones says things are quiet for now,” Luis said finally, leaning back in his chair. “The Eastside is locked down, and anyone still loyal to Miguel or Varela is either gone or too scared to act.”

Maria turned, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. “Then what’s bothering you?”

Luis exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. “It’s the quiet. It never lasts.”

Maria’s smile was sharp, knowing. “You’re waiting for the next storm.”

Luis nodded. He had learnt to trust his instincts, and right now, those instincts were telling him that something was brewing beneath the surface. The city’s silence wasn’t peace—it was anticipation.

Maria crossed the room and sat beside him again, placing her hand on his arm. “We’ve faced storms before. And we’ve survived. We’ll survive the next one too.”

Luis met her gaze, his eyes hardening with resolve. “We won’t just survive. We’ll control it.”

The following week, the Southside was thriving under the Borsens’ control. Business was steady, and the whispers of rebellion had died down. But Luis still felt the tension in the air—the unspoken fear that something else was coming.

He had heard Bones’ reports: the smaller crews were falling in line, and the money was flowing smoothly, but there were still rumours. Rumours of something bigger are on the horizon.

Luis sat in a darkened meeting room, his mind turning over every detail.

He’d asked for a meeting with one of the key players from the Westside, a territory that had always been more disconnected from the chaos of the South and East. The Westside was different—organised crime there ran quieter, less flashy, but no less powerful.

And Luis had heard whispers of a man named Santiago, someone who had been making moves behind the scenes, someone smart enough to stay hidden from the usual spotlight.

Bones entered the room, his face serious. “Santiago’s people are on their way. I’ve done the digging—he’s not someone to underestimate.”

Luis nodded, though his expression remained neutral. He never underestimated anyone. That was how he had stayed on top this long. Santiago had stayed quiet in the background, but now, with the Eastside and Southside consolidated under the Borsens’ reign, Luis knew that any silence was dangerous.

“Let’s see what he wants,” Luis said, his voice cold and controlled.

Later that evening, Luis and Maria met with Santiago’s representative in a high-rise suite that overlooked the city. The man who entered was tall, with dark eyes and an air of confidence that immediately set Luis on edge. His name was Javier, and it was clear from the way he carried himself that he wasn’t just a messenger. He had power of his own, and he was here to make sure Luis and Maria knew it.

“Luis, Maria,” Javier greeted them smoothly as he took a seat across from them. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Maria smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. “We’ve heard things too. About Santiago. And about his interest in our side of the city.”

Javier’s eyes gleamed. “Santiago doesn’t have ‘interests,’ per se. He has... investments. And he’s been keeping a close eye on what you’ve built here. He’s impressed.”

Luis leaned forward slightly, his gaze hardening. “Impressed, or curious?”

Javier chuckled softly. “Both. Santiago isn’t looking to challenge you. He’s here to offer something else—a partnership.”

Maria’s eyebrow raised slightly, but her smile remained cold. “Partnerships are tricky in this city. They can turn... unpredictable.”

Javier’s smile widened. “Santiago understands that. But he believes there’s value in aligning forces, especially now that the Eastside and Southside are in your control. The Westside, however, has resources that could benefit all of us. Santiago’s built something strong—discreet but profitable. And he’s willing to share that.”

Luis studied Javier carefully. This wasn’t a simple offer. Santiago wasn’t coming to them out of goodwill—he wanted something, and Luis needed to know what that was before making any decisions.

“And what does Santiago want in return?” Luis asked, his voice low.

Javier’s expression didn’t waver. “He wants stability. The city’s seen too much upheaval recently, with Miguel’s fall and Varela’s failed grab for power. Santiago doesn’t want to get caught in the crossfire of the next power struggle.”

Maria leaned back, her eyes narrowing. “So he wants insurance. A guarantee that we won’t turn our sights on the Westside.”

Javier inclined his head slightly. “Something like that. But more than that—he wants to strengthen what you’ve built. Santiago believes in keeping the peace, in maintaining control without the constant threat of war.”

Luis exchanged a glance with Maria. This was more than just a business deal. Santiago was offering an alliance, but alliances in this city were always dangerous. Trust wasn’t something you gave easily, and Luis knew that aligning with someone like Santiago could shift the entire power dynamic.

“We’ll consider it,” Luis said finally, his voice steady but noncommittal.

Javier smiled as he rose from his seat. “Take your time. But know that Santiago values action. The city moves quickly, and so do its players.”

Luis nodded, watching as Javier left the room. This was a new complication, one that could either strengthen their hold on the city—or open the door to something far more dangerous.

Maria turned to Luis, her eyes gleaming with calculation. “What do you think?”

Luis exhaled slowly. “Santiago’s playing his own game. He doesn’t just want peace—he wants control. He’s been quiet for too long, and now he’s making a move.”

Maria’s smile was sharp. “Then we’ll need to make sure we stay ahead of him.”

Luis nodded, his mind already turning over the possibilities. The city was changing again, but this time, they weren’t just going to defend their empire. They were going to expand it.

“We’ll play along,” Luis said, his voice darkening. “But on our terms.”

Maria’s eyes glittered with approval. “Good. Let’s see how Santiago reacts when we start pushing into the Westside.”