CHAPTER 16: THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK
877 Words
Three days passed peacefully.
Too peacefully.
Mackenzie threw herself into work, refusing to let fear take over her life.
She met with clients.
Visited event venues.
Reviewed budgets.
On the surface, everything seemed normal.
But every now and then, she noticed the same black SUV parked a little too long across the street.
She remembered Kelvin's words.
"You won't see them."
She smiled to herself.
"I see them anyway."
---
At Lawson Manor...
Kelvin stood in the library, reading a report.
Damien entered with another file.
"Our men searched every route Ricardo has used over the last six months."
"And?"
"Nothing."
"No unusual movement."
Kelvin closed the report.
"That's exactly what worries me."
Damien frowned.
"You think he's planning something bigger?"
Kelvin nodded.
"Ricardo never stays quiet unless he's setting a trap."
---
That afternoon...
Mackenzie received an invitation to a charity luncheon hosted by the Valestia Business Foundation.
Many of Noctis' most influential business owners would be attending.
Including Lawson Holdings.
Sophia smiled excitedly.
"You have to go."
"I already planned to."
"Good."
She leaned closer.
"And wear something that reminds Mr. Lawson what he almost lost."
Mackenzie laughed.
"He hasn't lost anything."
Sophia grinned mischievously.
"Not yet."
---
The luncheon was held in the beautiful gardens of the Grand Imperial Hotel.
Unlike the glamorous gala, this event was more relaxed.
Soft music floated through the air while guests mingled beneath elegant white tents.
Mackenzie wore a navy-blue dress with a matching blazer.
Simple.
Elegant.
Professional.
As she greeted several clients, she heard a familiar voice.
"Miss Giovanni."
She turned.
Kelvin.
Without the formality of a ballroom, he seemed... more approachable.
"Mr. Lawson."
"I didn't expect to see you here."
"The Foundation invited Lawson Holdings."
He smiled faintly.
"I'm glad they invited Giovanni Events too."
Before she could reply, another man approached.
He looked to be in his early thirties, with neatly styled brown hair and an easy smile.
"Kelvin."
The newcomer extended his hand.
"It's been too long."
Kelvin shook it politely.
"It has."
He turned to Mackenzie.
"Allow me to introduce Adrian Sinclair."
"He's an old business associate."
Adrian smiled warmly.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet the woman everyone is talking about."
Mackenzie blinked.
"Everyone?"
Adrian chuckled.
"Kelvin rarely compliments anyone."
"The fact that he praised your work has become office gossip."
Kelvin gave Adrian a warning look.
"You're talking too much."
Adrian laughed.
"I probably am."
The lighthearted exchange made Mackenzie smile.
It was the first time she'd seen someone tease Kelvin without fear.
---
Across the garden...
A waiter carrying a tray watched the group carefully.
Hidden beneath his sleeve was a tiny camera.
He pressed a button once.
Then quietly walked away.
---
Later...
Guests gathered for lunch.
By chance—or perhaps by careful planning—Kelvin and Mackenzie found themselves seated beside each other.
"So," Mackenzie said softly.
"Do you ever take a day off?"
Kelvin thought for a moment.
"I can't remember."
"That's unhealthy."
"So I've been told."
She smiled.
"My father always says success means nothing if you don't have time to enjoy it."
Kelvin looked at her thoughtfully.
"And what do you enjoy?"
She didn't have to think.
"Cooking with my mother."
"Visiting bookstores."
"Dancing."
"And watching the sunrise after finishing a successful event."
A genuine smile appeared on Kelvin's face.
"You've thought about that before."
"I have."
"What about you?" she asked.
"What makes Kelvin Lawson happy?"
He was silent for a long moment.
Finally...
"I don't know."
The honesty in his answer caught her off guard.
For the first time...
She saw not the feared billionaire...
But a man who had spent so many years chasing power that he'd forgotten how to simply live.
---
Across the courtyard...
A black luxury car stopped outside the hotel.
A distinguished older gentleman stepped out.
Every security guard immediately straightened.
Damien's expression changed.
"Boss..."
Kelvin turned.
His calm demeanor vanished.
"What is he doing here?"
Mackenzie looked between them.
"Who is that?"
Damien answered quietly.
"Vincent Moretti."
"The head of the Moretti Family."
One of the oldest and most powerful mafia families in Valestia.
Vincent's eyes swept across the gathering.
Then...
They stopped on Mackenzie.
A slow smile crossed his face.
He walked toward them.
"Kelvin."
His voice was smooth.
"It seems you've finally found someone worth protecting."
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
Kelvin stepped slightly in front of Mackenzie.
A subtle movement.
But one that didn't escape Vincent's notice.
He chuckled.
"Relax."
"I'm not your enemy."
He looked at Mackenzie.
"My dear..."
He bowed politely.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Mackenzie returned the greeting.
"Likewise."
Vincent smiled knowingly.
"I have a feeling we'll meet again."
With that...
He walked away.
As soon as he was gone, Mackenzie turned to Kelvin.
"You looked... nervous."
Kelvin's eyes remained fixed on Vincent's departing figure.
"I wasn't nervous."
"I was cautious."
Damien spoke quietly.
"And with good reason."
---
That evening...
Back at Lawson Manor, Damien entered Kelvin's study.
"Our men followed Vincent."
"And?"
"He met with Ricardo DeLuca."
Kelvin's expression turned to stone.
"So..."
he murmured.
"The game just changed."
He looked toward the city lights.
If the Moretti Family had joined forces with Ricardo...
The war ahead would be far more dangerous than he'd imagined.
---
- Writer
