The Rise of Mackin Jones

Chapter 28

The night air was thick with tension as Mackin’s car sped through the narrow streets of the city, weaving through traffic with precision and speed. Every moment felt charged, each second a countdown to something inevitable.

Next to him, Lambo checked his phone for updates; his brow furrowed with concentration.

“Got eyes on Bruno,” Lambo said, his voice tight. “He’s moving fast, just like Lana said. He’s headed to an old industrial zone near the river. That’s where the meet’s going down.”

Mackin didn’t respond right away, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. His thoughts were racing, trying to anticipate Bruno’s next move. This wasn’t just about family anymore—this was a matter of survival. Bruno was like a wounded animal now, backed into a corner, and that made him more dangerous than ever.

“This ends tonight,” Mackin said quietly, his voice like steel.

Lambo glanced at him. “You sure you want to do this? If we take Bruno down in public, it’ll cause a scene. The authorities will get involved.”

Mackin’s hands tightened on the wheel. “Bruno’s left me no choice. He’s pushed this family too far.”

Lambo nodded, his expression hard. He knew better than to question Mackin at this point. The two had been through too much together. There was no room for hesitation now.

“Let’s hope Lana’s not playing us,” Lambo muttered, checking his weapon as they neared the industrial zone. The area was a known hotspot for underground deals—shady business, illegal trades, and the kind of people who thrived in the shadows.

“Whether she’s playing us or not, we’ll find out soon enough,” Mackin replied, his eyes scanning the streets for signs of movement.

The industrial district loomed ahead, its abandoned warehouses and factories standing like sentinels in the dark. The river flowed sluggishly nearby, reflecting the faint glow of streetlights. Mackin pulled the car to a stop a block away, where they could observe without being seen.

Lambo leaned forward, studying the scene through binoculars. “Looks like Bruno’s men are already here. I count at least ten, maybe more. He’s gearing up for something.”

Mackin watched as the figures moved in the shadows, loading crates into a truck parked near one of the larger warehouses. His jaw clenched. Whatever Bruno was planning, it was big. The meeting Lana had warned him about wasn’t just another gathering of old allies—it was something far more dangerous.

“Who’s he meeting?” Mackin asked, keeping his voice low.

Lambo shook his head. “Can’t tell from here, but I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

They watched in silence for a few more moments as the tension mounted. Mackin’s instincts told him that Bruno wouldn’t be coming alone. Whoever he was meeting wasn’t just a business partner. This was someone Bruno had been hiding—someone who could help him regain his power.

“We move in when the time’s right,” Mackin said, his eyes still fixed on the scene. “But not until we know who we’re dealing with.”

Lambo nodded, sliding his gun into the holster under his jacket. “I’ll get the men in position. We’ll cover all exits.”

Mackin nodded, watching as Lambo disappeared into the shadows. He remained behind for a moment longer, taking a deep breath as he considered what was about to happen. It was all coming to a head—the years of betrayal, the countless power struggles, the blood spilt for the sake of control. And tonight, it would all be decided.

Inside the warehouse, Bruno stood near the far wall, his arms crossed as he watched his men prepare for the upcoming deal. His face was lined with stress and exhaustion, but his eyes burnt with determination. He hadn’t come this far to lose everything now.

One of his lieutenants, a man named Keller, approached cautiously. “We’ve got everything set up. Lachlan’s men will be here soon.”

Bruno’s eyes flicked towards him, his expression unreadable. “Good. Make sure there are no mistakes. We can’t afford any slip-ups tonight.”

Keller hesitated. “You really think Lachlan’s going to go through with this? From what I’ve heard, he’s not the type to risk his neck for anyone—especially not for someone in your position.”

Bruno’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t let the anger show. Keller was right, of course. Castor Lachlan wasn’t someone to be trusted. But Bruno had no other options. Lachlan controlled the last of the networks Bruno needed to rebuild his empire, and if he didn’t secure his backing tonight, it would all be over.

“He’ll come,” Bruno said, though his voice lacked conviction. “He knows what’s at stake.”

Keller nodded but said nothing more, sensing Bruno’s growing unease. He moved back to oversee the final preparations as Bruno continued to watch from the shadows, his mind racing.

The sound of engines approaching broke the tense silence, and Bruno’s heart skipped a beat. His men scrambled into position, readying themselves as two black SUVs pulled up outside the warehouse. The doors opened, and several men in dark suits stepped out, their movements precise and disciplined. They weren’t ordinary thugs—these were professionals.

Bruno swallowed hard, his pulse quickening as the lead figure emerged from the second SUV. Castor Lachlan was an imposing man, tall and broad-shouldered, his greying hair slicked back. His face was a mask of calm, but there was something dangerous about the way he carried himself—like a predator who knew exactly where to strike.

Lachlan approached the warehouse entrance, his men flanking him. Bruno stepped forward to meet him, forcing a smile as they shook hands.

“Castor,” Bruno said, his voice smooth but tense. “I’m glad you could make it.”

Lachlan’s eyes flicked over Bruno with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. “I didn’t come here for pleasantries, Bruno. You’ve got something I want. Let’s make this quick.”

Bruno gestured towards the crates stacked near the back of the warehouse. “As promised. Everything you need to expand your operation. Weapons, supplies, the works.”

Lachlan glanced at the crates, then back at Bruno. “And what do you want in return?”

Bruno’s smile widened, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Your backing. I need your connections—your men. Together, we can take Mackin down and reclaim the family.”

Lachlan stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without warning, he let out a low chuckle. “You think I’m going to risk my empire for you? Mackin Jones has already won, Bruno. He’s got the businesses, the money, the power. What do you have?”

Bruno’s face darkened, but he kept his voice steady. “I still have influence. I know Mackin better than anyone. I can bring him down if I have your help.”

Lachlan’s smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating look. “No, Bruno. What you have is desperation. And that’s not something I’m interested in.”

Bruno’s heart sank as Lachlan turned away, gesturing for his men to head back to the SUVs. Panic set in. If Lachlan walked away, it was over. Everything he had worked for, everything he had sacrificed, would be for nothing.

“Wait!” Bruno called after him, his voice cracking with desperation. “I can give you more. Whatever you want—just name it.”

Lachlan paused, turning slowly to face him. “What could you possibly offer me that I don’t already have?”

Bruno swallowed hard, his mind racing. He was out of options, out of leverage. There was only one thing left—the one thing he had sworn never to reveal.

“Mackin’s weakness,” Bruno said quietly.

Lachlan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Go on.”

Bruno stepped closer, lowering his voice. “He’s not as untouchable as he thinks. There’s something in his past, something he’s kept hidden. If you want to break him, you have to hit him where it hurts most.”

Lachlan considered this for a moment, his eyes narrowing. “And you know what that weakness is?”

Bruno nodded. “I do. But it’s going to cost you.”

Lachlan’s smile returned, though it was colder than before. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Bruno. But I’ll give you one chance. If you can deliver what you promise, maybe—just maybe—I’ll consider backing you.”

Bruno let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. The deal wasn’t sealed, not yet, but this was the opening he needed. He had one last card to play, and if it worked, Lachlan’s backing would be the boost Bruno needed to turn the tide. But if it didn’t…

Bruno pushed the thought aside. He couldn’t afford to think about failure. Not now.

“When the time is right, you’ll have everything you need to take Mackin down,” Bruno said, his voice steadier now, trying to regain control of the conversation.

Lachlan didn’t respond immediately; his cold eyes locked on Bruno, scrutinising him like a predator sizing up its prey. After a long silence, he gave a single nod. “You’ve got one chance. I expect results.”

Bruno nodded quickly, too eager to hide his relief. “You’ll get them.”

Lachlan turned on his heel, his men following without a word. The SUVs roared back to life and pulled away from the warehouse, leaving Bruno standing alone in the heavy, suffocating silence of his empty promises.

Keller approached cautiously, sensing the tension. “What now?”

Bruno stared after the disappearing taillights of Lachlan’s convoy, his mind already whirling with the implications of what had just transpired. “Now,” he said softly, “we wait for the right moment. And when it comes, Mackin won’t see it coming.”

Keller frowned, uneasy. “And if Lachlan doesn’t get what he wants?”

Bruno didn’t look at him. “He will. We just have to make sure Mackin’s weakness becomes his downfall.”

Outside, Mackin and Lambo were watching everything unfold from the cover of darkness. They couldn’t hear the conversation inside, but it was clear from Bruno’s posture and the way Lachlan walked away that something significant had happened.

Lambo lowered his binoculars, his expression grim. “That’s Lachlan.”

Mackin nodded, his jaw clenched. “I figured as much. Bruno wouldn’t be meeting with anyone else at this point.”

Lambo shook his head, his frustration palpable. “This isn’t good. If Bruno’s desperate enough to pull Lachlan into this, he’s more dangerous than we thought.”

Mackin’s eyes were fixed on the warehouse, his mind working through the implications of what he’d just seen. Lachlan was a power player in the city, a shadow figure who rarely made his moves known. If he was getting involved with Bruno, it meant this fight wasn’t just about family anymore—it was about something far bigger.

“We need to find out what they talked about,” Mackin said, his voice low. “Lachlan’s not the kind of man to get involved without something valuable on the table.”

Lambo nodded. “I’ll have our people dig into Bruno’s recent contacts. There’s got to be something we missed.”

Mackin’s mind kept returning to one possibility, though it was something he didn’t want to consider. What could Bruno have that would interest Lachlan? What leverage could he possibly still hold?

Mackin’s thoughts drifted back to Lana. The timing of her warning, the way she had approached him—it was all too convenient. Was she playing him, feeding him just enough information to keep him off balance? Or had she genuinely been trying to help him, knowing Bruno’s next move?

He didn’t have the luxury of trust any more. Not with anyone. Not even her.

“We’ll move in tomorrow,” Mackin said finally, turning back to Lambo. “But we need to be smart about this. Bruno’s going to play his last card soon, and when he does, we’ll be ready.”

Lambo gave a sharp nod. “I’ll have the men prepped. We won’t let him slip away.”

Mackin’s eyes narrowed as he watched the lights of the warehouse flicker out. Bruno’s desperation was palpable now, and desperation made people reckless. But Mackin wasn’t going to let Bruno drag him down into that chaos. He’d risen too far and fought too hard to fall back into the pit of the Mackin family’s broken legacy.

This wasn’t about the past anymore. It was about the future. And Mackin intended to be the one standing when the dust settled.

Lana sat alone in her apartment, the dim light from the street outside casting long shadows on the walls. She hadn’t heard from Mackin since their meeting at the café, and part of her feared what that silence meant.

She had done what she thought was right, warning him about Bruno’s plans, but now that the reality of it was sinking in, she wasn’t so sure anymore. Mackin’s coldness had been unmistakable. The man she had once known—the man she had loved—was gone. In his place was someone harder, more ruthless, a man shaped by betrayal and power.

A knock at the door startled her from her thoughts. She hesitated, her heart racing. She wasn’t expecting anyone, and after what had happened with Bruno, she couldn’t be sure who might show up unannounced.

She approached the door cautiously, peering through the peephole. Her breath caught when she saw who was standing on the other side.

It was Lambo.

Lana opened the door slowly, her eyes searching his face for any sign of why he was there. “What’s going on?” she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.

Lambo stepped inside, his expression unreadable. “We need to talk.”

Lana’s stomach dropped. “Is Mackin—”

“He’s fine,” Lambo interrupted, closing the door behind him. “But we need to clear something up.”

Lana frowned, her nerves fraying. “What do you mean?”

Lambo leaned against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. “Bruno met with Castor Lachlan tonight. We were watching the whole thing.”

Lana’s heart sink. She had hoped Bruno’s meeting with Lachlan would be nothing more than a desperate attempt to gain power, but if Mackin had seen it, it meant things were spiralling out of control faster than she thought.

“And?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“And,” Lambo continued, “we need to know what you’re not telling us.”

Lana’s eyes widened, a mix of fear and confusion flooding her. “I told Mackin everything I know. Bruno’s planning something big, but I don’t know the details.”

Lambo’s gaze was sharp, cutting through her defences. “You said Bruno was desperate. Desperate enough to bring Lachlan into this? That doesn’t track. What’s he offering?”

Lana shook her head, stepping back. “I don’t know. I swear.”

Lambo remained silent, watching her closely. His instincts told him that Lana wasn’t lying, but something wasn’t adding up. “Lana, if you’re holding back anything—anything at all—it’s going to get people killed.”

Tears welled in Lana’s eyes, but she forced herself to stay calm. “I’m not. I just... I just wanted to help.”

Lambo softened slightly, though the tension in the room remained thick. “Then you’d better hope you did.”

Without another word, he turned and left the apartment, leaving Lana standing alone in the suffocating silence once again. She pressed a hand to her chest, her heart pounding in her ears. She had tried to do the right thing, but now she wasn’t so sure if there was such a thing anymore.

The next morning, Mackin stood in front of the wide windows of his office, looking out at the city as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon. He hadn’t slept. Too much was at stake, and his mind was filled with the weight of everything that was happening.

Lambo entered the room quietly, handing Mackin a folder filled with intelligence reports and surveillance photos. “Our people have been digging into Bruno’s recent movements. It looks like he’s been pulling strings with Lachlan for longer than we thought.”

Mackin flipped through the file, his expression unreadable. “How long?”

“At least six months. Maybe longer,” Lambo replied. “Bruno’s been working from the shadows, trying to build something that would outlast us. We underestimated him.”

Mackin closed the folder, his jaw tightening. “We’re not underestimating him anymore.”

Lambo nodded. “What’s the move?”

Mackin turned away from the window, his eyes cold and focused. “We hit him. Hard. We take out his men, cut off his resources, and expose him to Lachlan for the failure he is.”

Lambo hesitated. “And Lachlan?”

Mackin’s gaze darkened. “We’ll deal with him when the time comes. For now, Bruno is the priority.”

Lambo gave a sharp nod. “I’ll rally the men. We’ll be ready.”

As Lambo left the room, Mackin stood alone once more, the weight of the coming confrontation pressing down on him like a storm. He knew this would be the final battle with Bruno. One way or another, it would end here.

But as he looked out at the city, a nagging thought tugged at the back of his mind—Bruno still had something left to play. There was a piece missing, something that hadn’t yet revealed itself. And whatever it was, Mackin needed to find it before it was too late.

That night, as Mackin’s forces moved into position around Bruno’s stronghold, the tension in the air was palpable. Mackin sat in the back of his armoured car, his eyes scanning the live feed from his men stationed around the perimeter of the warehouse where Bruno was hiding.

“They’re in place,” Lambo said quietly, sitting across from Mackin. “We’ve got all exits covered. Bruno won’t escape this time.”

Mackin nodded, his mind sharp and focused. “Good. We move in on my signal.”

The radio in the car crackled to life, one of Mackin’s lieutenants reporting in. “We’ve got eyes on Bruno. He’s in the back office with a few of his men. No sign of Lachlan.”

Mackin’s eyes narrowed. “Keep watching. We go in when I say.”

The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity as Mackin waited for the right moment. He knew Bruno was expecting something—he had to be. But Mackin wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of walking into a trap.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Mackin gave the signal. “Move in.”

The radio crackled again, and his men stormed the warehouse, the sounds of gunfire and shouts filling the air. Mackin remained in the car, watching the feed with cold precision.

“This ends tonight,” he muttered, his voice like steel.

Inside the warehouse, chaos reigned as Mackin’s men overwhelmed Bruno’s forces. The sounds of gunfire echoed through the vast, empty space, and Bruno’s men were falling one by one.

In the back office, Bruno paced nervously, his heart racing as he listened to the battle outside. He knew this was the end. Lachlan hadn’t shown up, and now Mackin was here to finish him.

But Bruno wasn’t going down without a fight.

He grabbed his gun from the desk, his hands shaking as he moved towards the door. Just as he reached for the handle, the door was kicked open, and Mackin’s men stormed in.

Bruno fired wildly, but it was no use. Within seconds, he was disarmed and thrown to the floor, his breathing ragged as he looked up at the men standing over him.

Mackin entered the room, his eyes cold as he stared down at his cousin.

“It’s over, Bruno,” Mackin said quietly.

Bruno’s eyes were filled with fury and desperation, but he knew it was the truth. He had lost. Everything he had fought for, everything he had sacrificed—it was all gone.

But even in defeat, there was a twisted smile on his lips.

“You think you’ve won, Mackin,” Bruno spat, his voice weak but filled with venom. “You think you’re untouchable. But you’re wrong. You don’t even know what’s coming.”

Mackin’s expression didn’t change. “You’ve lost, Bruno. Accept it.”

Bruno let out a bitter laugh, blood trickling from his split lip. “This isn’t about me anymore. There’s something bigger coming. And when it hits, you’ll wish you’d killed me.”

Mackin’s gaze hardened. “What are you talking about?”

Bruno shook his head, the smile still on his face. “You’ll see. Soon enough.”

Mackin’s men hauled Bruno to his feet, dragging him out of the office and into the waiting car outside. Mackin stood in the empty room for a moment, his mind turning over Bruno’s cryptic words.

What was coming?

Whatever it was, Mackin knew one thing—it wasn’t over yet.