"Where are we going?"
"Why do you keep asking that? You're worse than Rein," Mackenzie laughed and turned another corner, driving through the city.
"Because I'm curious. You made me dress up, had the kids go play with their grandparents and you took my bloody car."
"It's a surprise, Pretty boy. Now relax, we're there soon."
"I don't like surprises. I've had enough of those to last me a lifetime," Gareth grumbled, looking out at the buildings they passed, trying to figure out where they were going. "But if it involves a luxury hotel and you wearing something sexy under that stunning dress, I could be persuaded."
"Dream on."
The puppy dog eyes he sent her made Mackenzie smile. Sometimes when he showed that playful boyish side of himself, she understood how much he had changed. Or maybe it was not a change, maybe it was Gareth being himself fully.
It was growth, not change.
Since the day in the basement, everybody had slowly given themselves permission to find a new rhythm, to find their lives. It had taken all of them a few days to digest and come to terms with what had happened and what it meant for them, but then Mackenzie had noticed people blossoming.
Especially Gareth.
He was still a workaholic, still a ruthless opponent when it came to business, not that she snooped much into that, he sometimes told her of new business deals he was involved in. He was on top of everything happening in the underground and he had no troubles controlling his cities it would seem. That, though, she attributed to Gareth be a wise people person and knowing his men and which would be best suited for each city.
It was in their home life she had seen the difference.
His promise of training and getting stronger had become a near obsession to him. Each day she saw improvements, how he could use his body more efficiently, take the stairs faster and without being out of breath or in pain after. In bed, his stamina had become impressive and his creativeness had taken a drastic turn towards something addictive.
Most of the energy he had gained he put into his commitment to fatherhood.
He would take Rein swimming, play ball or even just sit and play video games. He could spend hours being Leoni's pony and trot her around in the garden or house. They would play hide and seek, and he had gotten quite good at hiding in plain sight, laughing like a jolly Santa when they found him. And he would lie on the floor coloring with Leoni. If possible, his coloring was even uglier than his handwriting, not that Leoni minded, she would sweetly praise him and be overjoyed with his use of colors.
In all honesty, even Picasso would slap him and tell him to calm the fuck down with the colors.
It always made Mackenzie's heart swell to see him interacting with the kids. Not that he had neglected them before, he was just able to physically keep up with them and they were over the moon with his attention and ability to be part of their games, rather than observe them.
That Mackenzie shared with them.
Gareth had always been an active part in their relationship. The change was in his lack of desperation and having to try so damned hard to make her understand his feelings and intentions. He had stopped being jittery and worried when she left his sight, he still called her from work and sent cute texts, but they were not to check up on her in fear of her disappearing, they were Gareth in love, behaving the way she had not allowed him before.
The way he was deep down.
"Just a little hint, Malyshka." He smiled his most charming and winning smile at her, wiggling his eyebrows and caressing her thigh to win.
"Save it, I'm not giving in."
Pouting, Gareth dug his fingers into her thigh and then rubbed it, moving his hand up a bit. "Better enjoy that nice cool ass while you have the chance."
"If you still want to punish me after your surprise, then it's your right."
"It's always my right, Dolly."
"Somebody's full of themselves today." Mackenzie winked at him and finally pulled Gareth's sportscar into an empty lot. "Get out before you make too many promises you won't be able to keep."
"Trust me, Malyshka, I'll always want and be able to punish your cheeky ass."
Gareth helped Mackenzie into her coat. It was a shame to hide that sexy black dress she was wearing, it was a shame if she froze too, he had to be a gentleman there. Grabbing her hand, Gareth followed her from the parking lot. He really did try to be patient and it took all he had; in the end he could not handle it any longer. The two cigarettes he had inhaled while walking had not helped either. He hated not being in control.
Fifteen minutes of walking and waiting was long enough, right?
"Come on, Mackenzie," he whined. "How much longer?"
"We're here, crybaby."
Mackenzie saw that dominant beast rise in Gareth, he did not like being called a crybaby, though he was behaving like one. His nostrils were flaring and his eyes held a dangerous warning. Giggling, she dragged him inside before he got a chance to trap her.
"Welcome to Southern Roasthouse, do you have a reservation?" A very upbeat and smiling hostess had come rushing when they entered.
"Yes, Adjenkov-Sante."
The way the name rolled over Mackenzie's tongue, with joy and pride, made Gareth puff up quite a lot. That was the sexiest thing she could say.
Their name.
It was a wonderful feeling. No more keeping their marriage a secret, not to their friends and families or the world. The underground knew and were not about to mess with them.
That name meant power.
Being married to her openly was the best experience of his life.
Was it childish that he could not wait for her and the kids to come to his office to see him? To parade them around and show everybody how fucking lucky he was? If that was childish then he was ready to go there. Pop him a pacifier and a rattle and let him be childish because that would be heaven to him.
"Of course, ma'am. Please follow me, everything is ready."
Gareth curiously looked around the already crowded restaurant as the hostess escorted them through the restaurant. It had a sort of homey feel to it. The décor was maybe a bit tacky to get that southern ranch feel, it might not really be his style, it was a concept and he could see it worked.
The smell from the food was mouth-watering.
Roasthouse indeed.
Barbecue grilled meat, garlic butter, baked potatoes, fries, beer and wine. Every delicious smell reached him and tickled his senses. Whatever Mackenzie had been thinking when she chose that restaurant, he wanted her to think more often.
The hostess stopped in front of a set of double doors to a private room. "The bartender is already in there and your waiter will come to take order when you've had time to browse the menu. Please, have a great evening."
"Go on," Mackenzie urged him with a smile.
Excited, not only because it had been a surprise but also because the smell of food made him long for a hearty steak, Gareth pushed the swing door open and walked in, stopping in his tracks when he took in the room.
Fucking amazing.
"From me to you, my love," Mackenzie said from behind him. "I hope you'll have a wonderful evening."
Inside were his friends.
All of them.
Not just Cracker, Rami, Jace, Phoenix, Maksim, Dimitri and Oleksander. But also Aidan, Devil, Richard and Anthony. Vasili, Indigo and Vittorio. Fernando, Kenneth, Porter and freaking every male from the friend group. Hell, even Fabian, Gerson and Filip were there.
Gareth turned instantly and grabbed Mackenzie's chin and locked eyes with her and kissed her nose before he let go of her. "You just won wife of the century." Happiness and gratitude was plastered all over his face. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Mackenzie shuffled through her purse and handed Gareth a wad of small bills. "Just in case you and the apes get shitfaced and end up in one of your strip clubs."
"Mackenzie..."
"Consider it the bachelor party you never got." That time she grabbed his chin. "If you or my dad do anything stupid, please recall how handy I am with both a sniper rifle and an army knife."
Laughing nervously, Gareth threw his hands in the air in surrender. "Duly noted, Mrs. Tempest."
"Good boy." Mackenzie provocatively patted his cheek and ducked from his attempt at grabbing her face. The volcano in him burned in his eyes. Maybe she had pushed that one a little too far. He would survive, hopefully. "Now, enjoy your bachelor night."
"What about you?"
Why had he not thought about something like that for her? Well, he had but she had refused everything he had offered her and now she was giving him what he had not thought he needed, without getting anything herself. It did not seem fair to him.
Mackenzie winked at him and smiled. "I'm babysitting wives and girlfriends tonight at a restaurant not far from here and then we're having a spa night. Rooms have been booked at The PamHotel for all of us and we'll have a hangover brunch together tomorrow."
"The kids?"
"Agatha took them and all our guest's children to visit Adjenkov's Angels. Rein and Leoni missed their friends and Dennis and Mathilde were more than happy to let them come for a sleepover. Don't worry I've arranged a party for them." Standing on her tip toes to kiss him, Mackenzie waited. "And I remembered the goodies."
"Damn, you're cheeky today, is that because you know we have guest the rest of the week and I can't punish you?"
"That would be a stupid move, since I'm probably going to live with you after they've gone home."
Strong arms wrapped around her under her open coat before she had a chance to get away, they pulled her close to Gareth's again steel-hard body. That little shocked expression Mackenzie displayed for a second sent shivers down Gareth's spine, though the reaction to that shiver manifested on his front.
Those reactions, however small, were genuine. Nothing about Mackenzie was rehearsed. Sure, when she was acting up or being playful to make him punish her, she had calculated some of her moves and anticipated how he would react, but she was not faking her reactions.
That he loved.
When her eyes would go wide and flicker because she did not know what he was going to do. That way she would stop breathing until he reacted. And especially the way she melted into him in acceptance made him want to catch her off guard.
"Probably?" he growled dangerously, nuzzling into her neck.
A sensual sigh left her lips.
"Sniper rifle and army knife, remember?"
"Behave, Dolly." He knew she was playing with him, that he could not let go unpunished. Light kisses were peppered along her jawline until he reached her mouth.
Lips colliding, tongues seeking each other, breaths mingling. Tiny moans fighting as they met.
The kiss was passionate and deep, absolutely a punishment, the only way Gareth was able to in public and Mackenzie felt it. His control and the fire in him sending bolts of lightning through her, igniting her core like he surely had planned.
He wanted her to be frustrated when she left.
She felt his heartbeat under her hands, Mackenzie had pressed against his chest, his hold on her did not allow her to move at all. His hands had a lot more freedom, one of them burning through her dress on her lower back where he kept it to not make her move. The other moved up and down her back, marking her in ways she would feel the entire night.
"Parents present by the way," Vittorio commented with a discreet cough, pulling Gareth and Mackenzie from their makeout session.
Laughter erupted from the crowd who had followed Gareth and Mackenzie's little interlude from a distance, though they had not been able to listen in on the conversation.
"Slap a steak on them and dinner will be ready in no time, because that was hot." Jace had barely finished his sentence before Phoenix gave him his mandatory smack to the back of his head.
Glaring at Jace, Gareth let go of Mackenzie and composed himself as much as possible. Vittorio had been right. There were parents present. "It's not too late to send you off with the ladies, Jace. Just saying," Gareth barked.
"He'll behave, trust me on this," Phoenix laughed and sent Jace a warning look.
"Have a great evening guys." Mackenzie waved at everybody and moved towards the door. She lowered her voice and mischief sparkled in her eyes. "Just a thought for the evening, Pretty boy. I'm not wearing any panties."
Gareth stood there, nailed to the floor with his jaw hanging, as Mackenzie sent him a dirty look and slipped out the door before he regained his faculties enough to catch her.
The little minx!
Shit, he had to adjust himself and breathe deeply to calm himself with that knowledge. He was going to get her for that comment, true or not.
Walking a little awkwardly, Gareth joined his friends and was immediately handed a pre-dinner whiskey.
He was ready for his bachelor party.
Gareth had eaten at enough restaurants to make him qualified to know when a place delivered and when not. He never expected more from a place than what the level of restaurant should be able to offer. If it was a two-star establishment, he expected two-star quality and so on.
The Southern Roasthouse would fall in the three-star category, but it delivered four-star greatness.
Every piece of meat was grilled to perfection. Tender and juicy ribs with an amazing house sauce. Steaks and roasts alike grilled with herbs and spices for a tastebud sensation. Baked potatoes, fries, dips, salads and slaws matched with the meat and they ate like it was a competition.
Alcohol flowed throughout the evening, and though Gareth had expected it due to the intoxication levels, none had felt the inclination to go to a strip club. They ended up keeping the restaurant open long past closing time and went on to one of Gareth's night clubs after.
The night had given Gareth a chance to talk with most of his guests, he had made it his mission to get to everybody he owed thanks to, and though it was a casual evening and was not supposed to be work and some of the conversations had been alcohol induced, Gareth had enjoyed every conversation.
"You're sure, G-man?" Phoenix tried to keep a straight face. He failed miserably; he was too shocked with what Gareth had suggested. They had had a lot to drink, and he had thought Gareth had been drunk talking half the night, listening to him promise people different things.
Like he had promised Aidan a trip to Ireland to see his daughter, knowing very well that Aidan could pay for it himself. Rami had been promised a boy's trip to Monte Carlo just the two of them to watch the Formula 1 race there. Something Phoenix had found heartwarming because Rami had been there through thick and thin, always going above and beyond, rewarding him with something that both he and Gareth enjoyed and devoting time to a friend, Phoenix found admirable.
Nearly every person Gareth had talked with long enough to know what they wanted most, and he had promised them to help them get it.
"Of course, think about it and let me know, ok?"
"But you're already paying for the wedding."
"Phoenix, that's for you and Jace, this is for you. I know you'll do great and you've proven you deserve more responsibility. Take it, be more than just my shadow. Step into the light, my friend."
"And Jace?" It seemed ungrateful to Phoenix, having to ask, he had to know if Jace had gotten something too. Jace had been Gareth's friend the longest, their relationship was something Phoenix could never really understand or compete with.
It was important that Jace got recognition for everything he had done. Jace had always played second fiddle to Vasili in terms of leadership. He had had his areas of expertise and was very capable at those and had been happy with his work. But the last year and a half, Jace had been the friend who had helped with Mackenzie, had gotten stabbed and nearly died, he had worked through his pain and contributed with investigating King and later getting Gareth back. He had gotten beaten to mush by Vittorio's people to get the men they needed, and still fought like everybody else at the compound.
Jace deserved more than anybody to have his dreams come true, whatever they were, because Jace never complained or revealed anything to Phoenix.
"Ask him. He seems happy with what he wanted and what I was able to give him." Gareth smiled and emptied his drink. He knew why Phoenix asked and did not hold it against him. Gareth would have done the same if it had been Mackenzie in question.
Getting up, Gareth found his cigarettes and gestured at Cracker to follow him outside. The cool night air did nothing to clear Gareth's mind, he was sure he had more whiskey than blood running through him.
The hangover would be a bitch.
That brunch Mackenzie had arranged had better have copious amounts of bacon or he might kill somebody.
"So, how are you?"
"Drunk." Cracker smiled and leaned against the wall outside the club, lighting a cigarette Gareth had offered him.
Gareth sighed with a grin. Typically Cracker to avoid the subject. "You know what I mean."
"I'm surviving, Gareth." Accepting he had to have the conversation, Cracker let himself slide down the wall to sit on the cold ground. His legs were not functioning at optimal capacity.
He blamed Mackenzie and the free drinks all night.
Probably Mackenzie most.
Gareth feeling his legs had lost the battle with alcohol too and considering he had been walking with a cane until recently, he slid down and sat next to Cracker, still smoking and glaring at the people who dared send them wondering glances.
"I miss her, you know? It's still too surreal for me, I've not had time to think about it with everything going on."
"Take a break, Cracker. Go see your parent. Take some weeks or months on a tropical island, go skiing. Anything really, take some time to find yourself." Gareth leaned his head against the wall and looked up at the sky, the stars twinkled at them and gave him a sense of calm.
Sometimes the simplest things were the most beautiful.
"I'm thinking about it. I need to be away from the memories for a while to process it all. Try to understand really." Cracker too looked up at the stars. Not being the most sentimental guy on the planet he felt stupid looking at the brightest one hoping it was Alyssa looking down on him. "It hurts so much. Sometimes I can't breathe because it hurts so much."
"I know I didn't really lose Mackenzie, but those months of believing I had, was pure agony. I think I'm the one who might understand you the best here. And I know it hurts like nothing else."
"I'm sorry I had to put you through that."
"Don't even go there, mate. You saved her and me. My temporary pain and borderline insanity was a small price to pay." Pausing while searching for the right words, Gareth went over everything in his head. That pain of learning that Mackenzie had died still lingered in him, still burned at his heart. He could not imagine how Cracker had kept his head leveled enough to do everything he had done.
Phoenix and Gerson had filled Gareth in on that evening when they had found Alyssa, the only bright light he had found in that retelling had been Cracker's opportunity to say goodbye. To be with Alyssa in her last moments and reassure her that she had meant everything to him, and she would be remembered.
Still, it felt hollow using it to cheer Cracker up. Alyssa's death had been senseless and unnecessary.
Unfair, if Gareth had to call it anything.
"I've never thanked you for that," Gareth muttered with a guilty voice.
"Now who needs to not go there? You've thanked me plenty, Mackenzie has thanked me and seeing you two together has made it all worth it." Flicking his cigarette bud across the pavement, Cracker grabbed another and lit it. "I'm happy for you both."
"I know you are."
They sat there in silence, just smoking and looking at the stars. They connected through their silence; through the support they could give each other.
There was something meaningful in just sitting there and knowing how their friendship had evolved. How many years of having each other's backs had led to a friendship they both valued more than words.
Which was why no words were needed.
"I know you have safe houses all over the world, but if you want to use any of my properties to take a break, feel free."
"I appreciate it and might take you up on that." Cracker sighed and rubbed his temples to clear his head a little from the alcohol fog in there. "Please don't worry about me if I'm suddenly gone. I'll come back when I'm ready."
Gareth smiled and patted Cracker's arm. "I know. I'm not worried about that. I'm worried about you, my friend."
"I'll be alright. I have to." Clumsily, Cracker got up and staggered a few steps.
Alcohol was a bitch.
Alcohol was also his best friend some nights too.
Reaching his hand out, Cracker helped Gareth up. He was certain it was not healthy for Gareth's recovery to sit on the cold ground like that. It took a few tries to steady Gareth, Cracker was not exactly the pillar of sobriety to lean on, making the standing issue an actual issue.
In true brotherhood style, they leaned their foreheads against each other's and connected again.
"Anything, Cracker. Anytime, anywhere I'm a phone call or a text away and I'll be there for you."
Hi y'all.
Thank you for reading.
A bachelor party, that was a nice surprise and a chance for Gareth to enjoy his friends and talk with everybody in a more casual setting. Mackenzie did good with that one, right?
So, this is it, y'all. Tomorrow is the last chapter of Russian Roulette - Family secrets. It's time to round things up and send the family on their way with a happy ending. I hope you're ready for it, I am, though it's a bit hard to reach this point.
If you like it then pop a vote and leave comments. I'd love to know what you think.
Give me a follow too for updates. I'd appreciate that.
Love Alix