But she didn’t realize or know what she was throwing away. What he could give her. What he could provide for her. He could give her something she’d never had. And he knew how to handle this. Something he’d never wanted to offer to a woman until now. Because he loathed his days without Mackenzie front and center.
Slowly he climbed out of bed and went to her, towering her small stature. He reached up and stroked her high cheekbone. “Be ready in one hour. I’ll be back to pick you up. I’ll introduce you to the people you believe are killers, drug dealers, and whatever craziness is running through that beautiful head. Afterward, if you want to send me walking, fine. You’ll never see me again. But only if you go with me. If you choose not to, well, then I won’t go away.”
“That’s not fair.”
“You’re not twelve. Life isn’t fucking fair. Of all people, you get that. Get dressed and I’ll see you in an hour.” He planted a chaste kiss on her lips, then left the bedroom.
“Asshole!” he heard her scream behind him as he walked out the apartment door.
He turned and yelled back. “You need to do way better than that, baby.”
He smiled as he jogged down the stairs, a spring in his step. Girly-girl thought she knew him and his people. She was clueless. Mackenzie never had a family. It was something that heavily weighed on her. He’d exploit that weakness by calling in the big guns. A woman who’d do anything for him. A woman who owed him a favor. Her name…Courtney Murphy.
25
There was only one reason why Mackenzie went with Derk’s demand, to assure his permanent exit from her life. Well, at least that’s the mantra she continued to repeat in her head. Honestly, she had no real hope he’d stick to his bargain. But she had to give it a shot.
After learning of Derk’s career choice, she couldn’t understand what he wanted with her. She wasn’t the type to frequent mob circles. She wasn’t mistress material or a hard-ass. Murder, drug or illegal gun selling wasn’t something she condoned. Why did he continue to pursue her? They had nothing in common. Well, except that they were both without a family. But at least he grew up with his parents.
Derk led her to the front door of what looked like a modern mansion that’d been plopped down in the middle of a suburban community. He opened the door and ushered her inside. Laughter and soft music filled the sleekly decorated home. Dark and light greys and navy blue colored schemes, along with polished silver, fine art, and dark cheery wood furniture screamed wealth.
“Oh for God’s sake, you’re here?” a feminine voice filled with snark said as a beautiful woman in her early thirties came out of the living room area. “That’s it, I’m leaving.” The woman paused, her large hazel eyes assessing Mackenzie, and then yelled down the hallway, “Ryan, we’re leaving. Jackass has arrived.”
“Lynn,” Derk drawled. His features lightened as his mouth drew up in a smirk. “How lovely you are. Still with that idiot, Ryan? You know, if you ever decide to dump his dumbass…”
The gorgeous woman raised a brow. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back as she flicked a lock over her shoulder to reposition a baby onto her hip. “Are you propositioning me in front of your girlfriend, because that’s pretty shady, slick.”
Derk shrugged. “She’s dumping me after today.”
The woman turned to Mackenzie. “Smart girl.”
“Mackenzie, this is Lynn. Lynn, this is Mackenzie Hiland.” Derk motioned between the two. She couldn’t quit decipher his tone. Respectful? Amused? Playful? Or sarcastic?
“How old is your baby?” Mackenzie asked, her eyes bouncing back and forth between Lynn and Derk.
“This is Brady, he’s nine months. The little beast. He’s going to be a big boy just like his father,” Lynn groused.
“I thought you like your boys big?” A man said, his tone full of innuendo, as he sauntered down the hall.
Mackenzie gasped. He was stunning. Amazing sapphire blue eyes that sparkled with warmth as he approached Lynn and Brady. Over six foot tall of nothing but pure muscle that bulged out from a tight US Navy tee shirt, he moved with a stealth grace.
Derk cleared his throat and cocked a brow when he caught her staring. “Yeah, that jackass is Ryan Millen. You still haven’t made an honest woman out of her yet? Figures.”
Ryan smirked. “Just wait.”
Derk didn’t bite.
“For what?” Mackenzie did bite.
“Just…wait.”
Lynn smacked Ryan’s shoulder. “Stop it.”
Mackenzie stared as Ryan leaned down and kissed Lynn gently on the lips, holding their embrace for a long moment. She noticed the gentle hand Ryan laid on Brady’s head, creating a triangular connection between them. A pang of jealousy and hurt tore right through her that she had to look away.