Page 41 of My Lord
Before Mackenzie could speak the other official did. “All right, cards on the table. We want to have you on board, we think you’re a great asset to the UK as it is. Your businesses are successful, you pay your taxes, and thanks for that, we do understand how easy it would be not to, but we don’t want anything to blow up in our faces with regards to any dodgy deals.”
Mackenzie sat back in his chair and shook his head, he laughed. “Why the fuck didn’t you just ask that in the first place? And I’m guessing you’ve been sent to dig for the dirt, haven’t you?”
“Yep, sorry.”
“Since you asked, and that’s all you’ve had to do, I can assure you nothing illegal was ever done with regards to the business dealings between myex—as you rightly point out—father-in-law and me.”
Mackenzie went on to tell them, and me, a little about his background. His father-in-law had bought his father’s business when it hit financial troubles due to the recession. He then stripped it, put everyone out of work and caused his father to have a heart attack, so he believes. The problem was, he also backed Mackenzie initially and that had been used as the leash to tie him to a family he didn’t want to be tied to. His father-in-law made it impossible for him to continue, so he walked away, leaving everything behind. He had then spent years, surreptitiously buying up stock in his father-in-law’s companies. Nothing illegal about that at all, it was concluded. We left the meeting not having a clue what it was really all about and whether Mackenzie wanted the role or not.
“Gabriella said the police called and they asked her some odd questions. She said she’s having an early night but will tell us tomorrow,” I said as we stood outside waiting for taxis.
“What was odd about them?” Mackenzie asked.
“She was asked about her working relationship with us, both of us.”
He frowned when he looked at me. “Both of us?”
“Yes, and I find that odd because I’ve only been on the scene a few months. I wonder if this attacker could be connected to a business deal, or a disgruntled ex-employee.”
“Fuck, that’s a good thought” he said.
“I don’t believe it was as simple as a bag snatch.” I didn’t mention about the rape threat, I thought that best coming from Gabriella. She knew how to cool Mackenzie down if needed.
“I’m glad she called you, Alex,” he said, and then waved his hand for a taxi. “We’ll sit down in the morning and sort this out.”
“You’re okay with us dating?” I asked, as a second taxi pulled up.
“Of course, I’m pleased, Alex, honestly. She needs a good man, and you’re a good man. I’ll see you tomorrow, we can also figure out what the fuck that was all about,” he said, opening his taxi door and thumbing over his shoulder at the Palace of Westminster.
I didn’t doubt Mackenzie had a past; no one got to his position in business without one. I’d done my research on himandthe run-in with his ex-father-in-law, although I wasn’t aware he was his father-in-law initially. The arguments were fairly well documented in the American business press. And Mackenzie wasn’t the only one confused by the meeting we’d just attended. I wasn’t sure either what it was really about. I decided that I’d call some friends and see if I could get to the bottom of it myself.
I settled into the back of the taxi and texted Gabriella.
I’m on my way home, I didn’t want to call to disturb you. Sleep well, my darling, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Alex.
I deleted the two Xs I’d typed because I thought they looked silly, then regretted it after I’d sent the message. Gabriella replied.
I appreciate your consideration, but I’d like to hear your voice. Gabriella xx
I chuckled and called her.
“Hi,” she said, sounding sleepy and sexy as fuck.
“Were you sleeping?” I asked.
“Dozing, that’s all. I like to hear from you. How was the meeting?”
“Meaningless and very odd.” I chuckled. “Neither Mackenzie nor I have any idea what it was about. They eventually got around to asking about his business dealings with his ex-father-in-law and whether anything shady went on.”
“Oh, how odd. What did Mackenzie say?”
“Vaguedvery successfully,” I said, laughing and she joined in.
“Vagued, I like that,” she said, still laughing.
“I just made it up, but it should be in the dictionary with a picture of two confused lower ranking members of our government and Mackenzie Miller.”
“You do cheer me up, Alex,” she said.
