The Rise of Mackin Jones

Chapter 20

Mackin sat across from Lambo in a dimly lit restaurant, the soft glow of the candle on their table casting flickering shadows over their faces.

The restaurant was one of Mackin’s newest acquisitions, a high-end establishment known for its discretion. Tonight, they needed that discretion more than ever.

Lambo leaned forward, his voice low and urgent.

"I didn’t want to bring this up before, Mackin, but there’s something you need to know. The power struggle within the family isn’t over."

Mackin’s eyes narrowed as he listened intently. He had known that consolidating power within the family would be a challenge, but he had hoped that with Bruno incapacitated and Drake out of the picture, the worst of it was behind him.

"What are you talking about?" Mackin asked, his voice calm but edged with tension.

Lambo glanced around the restaurant, ensuring no one was listening.

"There are others, Mackin. Allies of Drake. They’ve been quietly amassing support, and they’re not happy with the way things turned out. They think you’re too much of a risk, too unpredictable."

Mackin’s jaw tightened. "And what do they plan to do about it?"

Lambo hesitated for a moment before speaking. "They’re planning to challenge your leadership. They don’t think you have what it takes to run the family the way it’s always been run."

Mackin leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. He had spent years rebuilding himself, clawing his way back to the top.

Now, after everything he had been through, his position was still under threat. But this wasn’t about the money or the power anymore. It was about legacy. It was about securing the future of the family—his family.

"Let them come," Mackin said, his voice steady. "I’ve faced worse."

Lambo nodded, but there was concern in his eyes. "Mackin, these people don’t play by the same rules. They’re willing to do whatever it takes to protect their interests, and that means they’ll come after you with everything they have."

Mackin’s gaze hardened. "I’m not afraid of them."

Lambo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know you’re not. But this is different. This isn’t just about power anymore. It’s about survival."

Mackin stared at his reflection in the window, the flickering lights of the city mirrored in the dark glass. Survival had always been at the core of his journey, from the moment his family betrayed him, to the moment he found that bag of gold, to the battles he had waged to reclaim his legacy.

He had survived not just because he was strong, but because he had been willing to sacrifice everything along the way.

But the battles had taken their toll. He wasn’t the man he once was, and he wasn’t sure if he had the same hunger to keep fighting.

His thirst for revenge had sustained him, but now that Drake was defeated and Bruno was out of the picture, what was left to fuel him? He had climbed to the top of the mountain, but the view was lonelier than he had expected.

Lambo was still talking, outlining the challenges ahead, the dangers of the people who were aligning against Mackin.

But his words faded into the background as Mackin’s mind drifted. He had been fighting for so long—fighting to prove himself, to reclaim his name, to avenge the deaths of his parents. And now, standing at the pinnacle of power, he felt the heavy burden of it all pressing down on him.

The real question wasn’t whether he could defeat the next wave of challengers.

Mackin knew he could. He had the resources, the power, and the cunning to take down anyone who came for him.

But the question that gnawed at him, the one he couldn’t shake, was whether he wanted to.

Did he want to keep fighting? Did he want to keep playing the game his family had started long before he was born? Or was there another path, a way to break free from the endless cycle of power, betrayal, and revenge?

He thought of Lana, her voice soft but filled with conviction when she had told him they both deserved a second chance. Could he truly find forgiveness for himself? Could he forgive the family that had wronged him, and in doing so, forge a new path?

Mackin refocused on Lambo, who had fallen silent, watching him carefully. His closest ally knew Mackin well enough to sense when something deeper was stirring beneath the surface.

"What are you thinking?" Lambo asked quietly.

Mackin leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his fingers steepled in front of him. "I’m thinking that maybe... it’s time to stop fighting."

Lambo’s eyebrows shot up, his expression one of surprise. "Stop fighting? Mackin, you’ve come too far to just walk away now. You have everything—you’re in control."

Mackin shook his head slowly. "Control isn’t everything, Lambo. I’ve spent years chasing it, and now that I have it, I’m starting to realize it’s not what I thought it would be. I’ve lost so much along the way—people, relationships, pieces of myself." He paused, his voice lowering. "Maybe it’s time to let go."

Lambo leaned back, clearly grappling with Mackin’s words. "What would that even look like, Mackin? Letting go? You can’t just walk away from the Mackin family. They won’t let you."

Mackin’s jaw tightened. "No, I can’t walk away. But I can change how I play the game."

Lambo frowned. "And how do you plan to do that?"

Mackin exhaled slowly, his mind working through the possibilities. "I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. The Mackin family has been built on secrets, lies, and blood. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can take the family in a new direction—one that’s not about control or manipulation, but about building something lasting, something that doesn’t destroy everyone it touches."

Lambo stared at him, his disbelief evident. "And you think the people in the family are going to go along with that? They’ve lived by these rules for generations, Mackin. They’re not going to just give up power."

Mackin’s eyes hardened. "They don’t have to give it up. But if they want to stay in this family, they’re going to have to play by my rules. I’m done with the old ways. The Mackin name is going to stand for something different—something better. And if anyone doesn’t like it, they can leave."

Lambo was silent for a long moment, processing Mackin’s words. "You know this isn’t going to be easy. Changing the culture of a family like this... it’s going to be a war in itself."

Mackin nodded. "I know. But it’s the only war I’m willing to fight now."

The following weeks passed in a blur of tense meetings, strategic conversations, and calculated moves. Mackin had called a family summit, bringing together the key players in the Mackin empire to lay out his vision for the future.

The news had sent ripples through the ranks. Some were intrigued, others skeptical, and a few—like Drake’s old allies—were outright hostile.

The summit was set to take place in the grand hall of the estate, the same place where Mackin had once been humiliated and cast out.

Now, he would return as the head of the family, ready to reshape its future. But even as he prepared for the meeting, doubt lingered in his mind. Could he really change the Mackin family? Could he break the cycle of betrayal and violence that had defined them for so long?

The day of the summit arrived, and Mackin stood at the head of the long, polished table in the grand hall. The room was filled with the most powerful members of the Mackin family, their faces a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Lambo stood beside him, a silent pillar of support.

Mackin took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the room. These were the people who had once conspired against him, who had helped Bruno and Drake tear his life apart.

But they were also his family, for better or worse. And if he wanted to change the Mackin legacy, he would have to start here.

"Thank you all for coming," Mackin began, his voice steady. "I know there’s been a lot of speculation about why I called this meeting. So I’ll get straight to the point."

The room fell silent, all eyes on him.

"I’m here to tell you that the old ways are over," Mackin continued, his voice growing stronger. "The Mackin family has been built on secrets and lies for too long. We’ve manipulated, betrayed, and destroyed anyone who got in our way. And while it’s brought us power, it’s also brought us nothing but destruction in the end."

Murmurs spread through the room, but Mackin pressed on. "I’m not interested in running this family the way Bruno or Drake did. I want to build something new—something that’s not about controlling others or holding onto power at all costs. I want us to be a family that stands for more than just money and influence."

One of Drake’s old allies, a man named Victor, sneered from across the table. "You’re dreaming, Mackin. The Mackin family was built on power. It’s what we do. You think you can just change the rules because you say so?"

Mackin met his gaze, unflinching. "Yes, I do. Because I’m in charge now. And I’m not asking for permission."

The tension in the room was palpable, but Mackin didn’t back down. "If anyone doesn’t want to be a part of this new direction, you’re free to leave. But if you stay, you’ll follow my lead. No more backstabbing, no more secret deals, and no more betrayals. We’re going to build something better—or we’re going to fall apart trying."

The room was silent for a long moment. Then, slowly, Lambo stepped forward, standing by Mackin’s side. "I’m with him," Lambo said firmly.

One by one, others in the room began to nod, murmurs of agreement spreading through the hall. But not everyone was convinced. Victor stood up, his face twisted in disdain. "This is a mistake," he spat. "You’re going to ruin everything."

Without another word, Victor stormed out of the room, a few others following in his wake. But most of the family remained, their faces thoughtful as they considered Mackin’s words.

Mackin watched them leave, a small part of him relieved to see the old guard go. This wasn’t going to be easy—he knew that. But it was a start.

As the meeting concluded, Mackin stood at the head of the table, the weight of the Mackin family legacy on his shoulders. He had made his choice. He wasn’t going to let revenge or power define him anymore. He was choosing something different—something that could lead to redemption, not just for himself, but for the entire family.

And for the first time in years, Mackin felt something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in a long time.

Hope.