The Rise of Mackin Jones

Chapter 21

The Mackin estate had always been a fortress, a symbol of power that loomed over the city like an indomitable colossus.

But now, with Mackin Jones back in control, the estate felt different. The weight of betrayal and family politics had always lingered in the air, but Mackin was determined to change that.

He was no longer the broken man his family had cast out. He had rebuilt himself, and now, he was going to rebuild the family—but on his terms.

Mackin stood at the edge of the estate’s sprawling lawn, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The morning sun bathed the grounds in a soft, golden light, casting long shadows that seemed to dance across the perfectly manicured gardens.

It was a new day, not just for the estate, but for the Mackin legacy. A legacy that Mackin intended to redefine.

Behind him, the heavy oak doors of the mansion creaked open, and the sound of footsteps echoed on the stone patio. Mackin didn’t turn around. He didn’t need to. He knew the footsteps well.

Lambo, his trusted confidant and right-hand man, approached, his face as unreadable as ever. "The family’s gathering in the main hall," Lambo said, his voice low. "They’re waiting for you."

Mackin nodded, his gaze still fixed on the horizon. "Let them wait," he replied, his voice calm but firm. "They need to understand that things are different now. They’ll operate on my time."

Lambo crossed his arms, his brow furrowing slightly. "They’re not happy about it, Mackin. Some of them still don’t trust your vision for the family. They’re old-school. They liked things the way Bruno and Drake ran them."

Mackin finally turned to face Lambo, his expression hardening. "That’s exactly why I need to take control. Bruno and Drake built this family on lies, corruption, and blood. I’m not interested in continuing their legacy. I’m going to build something better—something that doesn’t destroy everything it touches."

Lambo studied Mackin for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You know that’s not going to be easy, right? You’ve got a lot of enemies inside this family. They’re not going to just roll over and accept the changes you’re making."

Mackin’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Let them try to stop me. They’ll regret it."

With that, Mackin turned and headed toward the mansion, his footsteps deliberate and measured. Lambo followed silently, his mind already working through the possible scenarios they might face in the coming days.

As they entered the grand foyer, the tension in the air was palpable. Family members—many of whom had once sided with Bruno and Drake—stood scattered throughout the hall, their expressions a mix of skepticism and unease.

They had all come to see what Mackin would say, to see what kind of leader he would be now that he held the reins of the family.

Mackin didn’t address them immediately. He took his time, walking through the hall, letting them feel his presence, letting them understand that he was in charge now. His gaze swept over them, cold and calculating, as he assessed their loyalty—or lack thereof.

At the head of the room, an older man named Victor, one of Bruno’s closest allies, stood with his arms crossed, his face set in a deep scowl.

He had been a thorn in Mackin’s side since the moment he returned, constantly undermining his authority and challenging his decisions.

"Mackin," Victor called out, his voice laced with disdain. "We’ve all been wondering when you’d finally grace us with your presence. Care to explain why we’ve been kept waiting?"

Mackin stopped in front of the large fireplace, his expression calm but unyielding. "I’ve been busy building something your generation could never imagine," he said evenly. "If you want to challenge me, Victor, go ahead. But don’t think for a second that I’m going to run this family the way Bruno and Drake did."

Victor’s scowl deepened, and murmurs spread through the room. "And what exactly are you going to do differently?" Victor demanded. "We built this family on power and influence. You think you can just waltz in here with your ‘new vision’ and change everything?"

Mackin’s gaze sharpened. "Yes, I do. Because I’m not interested in the kind of power that destroys everyone it touches. I’m going to rebuild this family from the ground up—on my terms. And if any of you have a problem with that, you’re free to leave."

A tense silence fell over the room. The family members exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond. Mackin’s words were a direct challenge to everything they had known, everything they had built.

But they also knew that Mackin wasn’t a man to be taken lightly. He had risen from nothing, amassed a fortune beyond their comprehension, and returned to reclaim his legacy. He was not a man who could be easily dismissed.

Victor’s lips curled into a sneer. "You think you can just kick us out? This family isn’t just yours, Mackin. It belongs to all of us."

Mackin took a step closer, his voice dropping to a deadly calm. "No, Victor. It belongs to those who are loyal. To those who understand that the old ways are over. I’m not interested in running a criminal empire. I’m interested in building something legitimate, something that will last for generations."

Victor opened his mouth to retort, but Mackin silenced him with a sharp glare. "You’ve had your time, Victor. It’s over."

Lambo stepped forward, his presence adding weight to Mackin’s words. "You heard him," Lambo said, his voice cold and authoritative. "If you’re not with us, you’re against us."

Victor’s face twisted with anger, but he knew better than to push any further. He may have had allies in the room, but Mackin held the power now, and he wasn’t a man to be trifled with.

Slowly, Victor backed down, his eyes burning with resentment. "We’ll see how long your ‘new vision’ lasts," he muttered before turning on his heel and storming out of the room.

The tension in the room eased slightly, but Mackin knew that this was only the beginning. The family was fractured, divided between those who wanted to cling to the old ways and those who saw the potential in Mackin’s vision for the future. It was going to be a long, uphill battle to earn their trust and loyalty.

But Mackin was ready. He had faced bigger challenges before, and he wasn’t about to back down now.

As the rest of the family began to disperse, murmuring among themselves, Mackin turned to Lambo. "We need to start making moves," Mackin said quietly. "Victor won’t stay quiet for long. He’ll rally support against me. We need to be ready."

Lambo nodded, his expression serious. "I’ll handle it."

Mackin gave a short nod, his mind already racing with the next steps. The future of the Mackin family was uncertain, but one thing was clear: he wasn’t going to let anyone stand in his way. Not Victor, not the old guard, and not the ghosts of the past.