Macy's Corner Cafe

Chapter 5

The morning after the whole incident, John forces Macy to stay home. He drops her off at her house, but makes her promise to stay in bed. The cafe can be run by his truly and the rest.As soon as he opens the door for business, the black sedan stops out front. Jackson gets out and goes around to open the back door. Mason Palmer climbs out, his face stern as ever. He walks up to John. Their gaze can freeze hell over.

"Where is she?" Mason asks. "Who?" John challenges. "Don't play dumb, John. I'm here to apologize for what happened last night. It was a stupid move on our side, and I am willing to accept it." Mason says as he glares at him.John's anger flares as he pulls himself to his full length and looks Mason straight in the eye. "Do you think that a simple "Sorry" will take away the nightmares and the fear? Your actions opened a door in Macy's mind that was locked for years. See these scratches? She gave me a f*****g b***h slap while still asleep, Mason. Me! Someone who can break her neck in seconds and not overthink it. She attacked me out of fear. Sorry will not fix that. You did not hear the screams or witness the cowering. I did. I was there." John hisses as Mason's jaw clenches along with his fists. He messed up, big time.

"What should I do then? Give me some advise here?" He says, looking onto the blue orbs of John Lance, who's fuming. "Promise me you'll help me protect her. The fact that you killed Vince the way you did, makes me question your motives, but I will have to take my chances if it means Macy McCullen stays safe." John says looking at him with burning eyes. "I can do that. Will you join us again as my Second in Command?" Mason asks, looking down at his feet. "Only if I can stay at Macy's Corner Cafe as a barista. That way I can make sure she's safe." John says while starting to serve coffee. Sandra is hoping up and down, because of impatient customers. Mason nods, turns on his heel and leaves the cafe. Jackson in hot pursuit. Still a lapdog as always.

Once in the car, Mason can breath again. John Lance is not someone to mess with. He may look innocent, but he is anything but harmless. John was one of Black Dragon's most feared members. An ex-marine, he has skills in hand combat as well as firearms. g**g members called him the Black Death when they went on missions. A lone wolf, he operates at his own accord. Lethal and stealth is his endgame.Mason's phone rings and he sees it's Pax. "Yeah. What have you found?" He asks, looking out the window. "Uhm, Boss. I think it will be better if I can talk to you in person. There is a lot of info on the topic you asked for." Paxton states, sounding nervous. "I'll see you in five at my office." Mason says, his brows furrowed as he hangs up. "Jackson, to the office, please. Geek found something."

Ten minutes later, Mason walks into his office. Paxton's nerves gets the better of him and he jumps up, kicking the coffee table and sending the vase with fresh flowers flying. "Seriously, Pax? It can't be that bad." Mason huffs as he makes his way to his desk to sit down. Paxton mumbles a "Sorry" and takes his seat once more. The broken vase and watery mess taken care of. Jackson joins soon afterwards, eyeing Paxton suspiciously while sitting on the corner of Mason's desk.

"Okay. This is what I found. Macy McCullen is a twenty-three year old who lives in a cottage downtown and owns a cafe. Like you know. She was adopted when she was three..." Paxton states and Mason's brows furrow. "What do you mean "adopted"? She's not Irish or Scottish then?" He inquires. "Not from birth, no. Please wait. I'm getting there." Paxton huffs, annoyed by the interruption. His excitement spilling over.

"She was born here. Her adoption parents then took her to their native country. There she went to school and graduated with a degree in Food and Hotel Management as well as Business Management. Kind of explains the cafe. In her teens, she was kidn*pped, but was rescued before she could be sold into p**********n on the Black Market.""At age seventeen, her parents were both killed in a robbery at a supermarket in their hometown. There is still investigations going on the case. They suspect murder, assassination even. Her father was a known businessman while her mother, a renowned fashionista. After their deaths, she moved back here to stay with her grandfather, on her mother's side. Mr. McCullen's parents died in a car accident when he was twenty.""She was in a relationship with a guy called Derek Hill, but things got sour and she dumped him. He still tries to contact her, but she ignores him. He is the son of The Crouching Tigers' Second in Command, Sean Hill. We'll have to keep an eye on him." Paxton finishes and let it all sink in before continuing. "I have some photos here." He says while taking out an envelope. He displays the different pictures on Mason's desk.

Some newspaper clips among the photos displaying a wealthy couple and a young girl at posh events. Mason picks up a small color photo of a little girl with two ponytails and a big toothless smile. She resembles his little sister to the tee. He still wonders what happened to her. He used to call her "Mouse", because she was so small. Her name was Macy-Grace. He still remembers the tiny tot running up to him when he came down the hall, a scribbled picture in hand. He loved her with all his heart. Even though he was never allowed to play with her. His father made sure of it, but he would sneak out at night and take her to the library to play and read stories. Then she disappeared into thin air. As if she was never born. He recalls his mother's cries at night. Calling her name, over and over again.

His father was a merciless man. They had some financial difficulties back then. Can it be that his father sold his sister to the McCullens? No, it can't be. "Mason?" Paxton's voice brings him back from his daze. In his hand he holds another photo. "This is the day Macy was born..." He states as he hands the picture to Mason. His eyes go wide as soon as he sees the photo. A young woman, his mother Ella, with a small bundle in her arms, smiles up at the camera. She looks so happy. "Mason, Macy McCullen your baby sister whose been missing for the last twenty-two years."