The Underdog Turned Kingpin

Chapter 12: Power Plays and Phone Calls

He took a deep breath and answered. "Hello?"

"Leo, darling!" The voice that purred through his phone dripped old money and maternal disapproval. "Six months without a word! I was starting to think you'd joined a monastery and had completely forgotten about your poor old mother."

Mason's mind raced. "Come on, Mother," he said, trying to infuse his voice with affection. "Just drowning in work, you know how it is."

"Oh, I'm sure," she practically sang. "Your... 'work.' Speaking of which, have you given any thought to our Christmas discussion?"

Christmas? Shit. Mason scrambled for a response. "Uh, refresh my memory?"

A sigh crackled through the line. "The family business, Leo. Your father's legacy. I understand you have your... alternative interests, being in the old shoes of your father, but it's time you took a more active role in the legitimate side of things. I don't want to loose you."

Mason's eyebrows shot up so fast they nearly left his forehead. Legitimate business? Now that was an