by Renard, Loki
���Gidday,��� Jake threw herself down on the couch next to Stephanie. ���You’re my aunt’s sheila?���
Mackenzie clipped Jake lightly over the ear. ���Have some manners, brat. Stephanie is my girlfriend.���
���Right, sure thing, yep,��� Jake acquiesced, putting her dirty sneaker clad feet up on the coffee table.
���Jake! Down!��� Mackenzie admonished.
Looking momentarily crestfallen, Jake removed her feet from the coffee table and kicked her sneakers off onto the floor.
���You’re from Australia too, I take it?��� Stephanie asked politely .
Jake nodded. ���Yep, right off the plane. Going to crash with my favorite aunt for a while,��� she said, grinning hopefully over at Mackenzie.
���You’re more than welcome to stay, but remember Jake, there are rules. And there are consequences for breaking them.��� Mackenzie spoke casually, but there was a pointed note to her tone, as if she meant to evoke some long forgotten memory.
���Consequences?��� Jake asked suspiciously.
���The very same as there were last time you stayed with me,��� Mackenzie nodded.
Jake rolled her eyes. ���Come on, that was years ago. I was a kid. I ‘m not a kid anymore.���
���I don’t care if you’re ancient, you behave yourself under this roof or you’ll get your backside tanned, young lady.��� Mackenzie spoke sternly, and Jake flushed bright red with embarrassment, looking pointedly at Stephanie.
���She won’t save you. Act up in front of her and you’ll be over my lap whilst she watches.��� Mackenzie knew she was laying it on thick, but Jake had a tough hide, both figuratively and literally. It was best to make sure she knew Mackenzie meant business.
���Okay, okay, I’ll be a good girl. Will you be putting me in nappies later too?��� Jake drawled sarcastically.
���That’s an idea,��� Mackenzie mused. ���Maybe I’ll get a pacifier too, to quieten you down when you run your mouth into trouble.���
A soft giggling sound interrupted the repartee between niece and aunt as Stephanie dissolved into laughter.
���What are you laughing about, hmmm?��� Mackenzie asked good humoredly.
���It’s like watching you threaten yourself with a spanking,��� Stephanie said with a smile.
Mackenzie looked over at Jake who was frowning furiously at her. There was a certain family likeness, the sharp chin, the wide eyes, the broad smile. Jake’s unrepentant, bold approach to life wasn’t entirely unfamiliar either, but Mackenzie knew all too well where that could lead and was prepared to make very sure that her niece did not repeat her mistakes.
***
Jake did not take long to test the house rules. Mackenzie could have guessed that she would get herself in trouble sooner rather than later. She had however, been forced to retire to her study to get a little work done. Jake’s arrival had not come at the best time work-wise.
���Er, Mackenzie,��� Stephanie poked her head around the door.
���Yes?��� Mackenzie looked up, barely concealing her irritation at being interrupted.
���Uhm, I think you should probably come into the lounge.���
Mackenzie frowned. ���Why?���
���Just… come…��� Stephanie disappeared.
Muttering to herself about the dire punishment she was going to inflict on Stephanie if this turned out to be anything less than life threatening, Mackenzie followed her out into the lounge, where a sickly sweet smoke assaulted her senses.
Jake was sitting on the couch with a little pipe hanging from between her lips and a glazed, red eyed expression on her face.
���Oh hey, Auntie, want some?��� she offered Mackenzie the pipe.
Drugs. The brat was actually smoking drugs right in her house. For a moment, Mackenzie saw red. Then she spun on her heel, walked into her office and retrieved something she hadn’t used in a long time. A red oak paddle, about 6 inches in diameter. She emerged from the office with this clutched firmly in her hand and strode over to Jake, where she removed the pipe from the miscreant’s lips and set it on the glass topped coffee table.
���I don’t need to tell you that is illegal, do I?��� she said grimly, sitting down next to her niece.
���Hey, c’mon, everyone does it!��� Jake protested.
���No, they don’t. And you won’t be doing it again either,��� Mackenzie replied, grabbing Jake by the scruff of her neck and hauling her over her lap bodily. It was fortunate the brat was still smaller than her aunt, because she fought like a little devil to get free.
���Let me go!��� Jake squealed.
���No, you were warned, and now you’ll learn about the consequences of your actions,��� Mackenzie said grimly, pulling down Jake’s jeans, which were loose enough to pretty much fall down at a moment’s notice, but leaving her boy-short panties in place.
���Plea… OWWWW!��� Jake howled as Mackenzie brought the paddle down across her cheeks. If Jake thought she might receive any mercy at all, she was very much mistaken. Mackenzie had no time at all for drugs, and she certainly had no time for coddling this misbehaving little brat.
Over and over the paddle landed with hard slaps on Jake’s cheeks. By the 10th swat, Jake was crying freely, but Mackenzie continued as the brat cried, not ceasing until a full 30 strokes had been delivered to her cheeks, by which point she was writhing and wriggling like a fish, a loud, screaming fish.
���Now get up and get over to the corner,��� Mackenzie said, releasing Jake.
Jake leaped up, tears coursing down her face. ���I hate you!��� she screamed.
���Hate me from the corner,��� Mackenzie replied dispassionately.
Jake stomped off to the corner where she yanked her pants up and cried against the wall.
���Yikes��� Stephanie whispered. She had kept very quiet during the entire incident, Mackenzie had noted. ���That was harsh.���
���Trust me, she needs it,��� Mackenzie replied. ���Give that one an inch and she’ll take five miles and build a ranch on them.���
It took some time, but eventually Jake calmed down and was allowed out of the corner.
���Where is the rest of it?��� Mackenzie asked the sullen youngster.
���The rest of what?��� Jake played dumb.
���Jake….���
���Okay fine, it is in my bag,��� Jake confessed.
���Get it out and give it to me.���
Muttering and rubbing her bottom with one hand, Jake obliged, pulling out a cigarette case full of weed.
���Where did you get this?��� Mackenzie demanded.
���In Oz.���
Mackenzie’s eyes grew wide. ���You bought this through customs?���
Jake shrugged. ���Yeah.���
Forced to restrain herself from beating the brat again, Mackenzie struggled to regain a measure of calm.
���Jake, this could have got you a jail term. It could still get you a jail term. It could get me a jail term, not to mention being disbarred. Do you understand how silly it was to bring this into the country?���
���Everyone…���
���Do not tell me everyone does it!��� Mackenzie interrupted.
���Well everyone does!��� Jake yelled.
���No, they do not. Go to your room.��� Mackenzie ordered in a tone that suggested Jake would very much regret disobeying the order.
Spinning on her heel in a manner reminiscent of her Aunt, Jake obeyed, stomping off to her room and slamming the door behind her.
���What are you going to do with that?��� Stephanie asked.
<
br /> ���I’m going to flush it.���
���I meant the screaming hell-spawn,��� Stephanie replied dryly.
���It’s too late to flush her, I’m afraid.���
Stephanie giggled. Mackenzie did not so much as crack a smile.
***
Jake got over her spanking. As Mackenzie had predicted, she soon bounced back from the paddling and returned to her usual boisterous self. She took a liking to Stephanie, which was fortunate given that Stephanie was becoming a regular fixture in Mackenzie’s life. For a time, all seemed calm. But inevitably, the tides of karma brought with them the flotsam of past sins and trouble lurked around the corner on even the brightest of days.
���Cards?��� Jake arched a brow at Stephanie and grinned, tossing her head to clear her eyes of the strands of blonde hair that fell into them and threatened to blind her.
Stephanie laughed. ���Name the game.���
���Hold ‘em Texas,��� Jake drawled, her accent half way passably southern.
���What are we playing for?���
���Your virtue,��� Jake teased.
���Jake! Enough!��� Mackenzie called from her office.
���Just kidding,��� Jake yelled back.
Mackenzie shook her head, frowning down at the brief on her laptop screen. Work, work, there was always more work. Briefly she contemplated shutting the firm down and taking up residence on an uncharted island. At least the weather would be more clement, she thought as she gazed out the large floor to ceiling window. From sunny beginnings, the day turned cold and chilly. Clouds were gathering on the horizon and rolling in with speed with a wind that howled through the trees below, making them sway like blades of grass. Though she was quite warm, Mackenzie shivered.
The intercom connected to the front door buzzed innocuously and Mackenzie answered it with the relief that comes with having a reason to stop performing an odious task.
���Hello.���
���Mack, let me up.���
A voice from the past crackled over the intercom. Mackenzie turned pale. Archer. There was a voice she would have paid good money not to have heard again.
For a moment, she considered not opening the door, but if Archer was here, there had to be a good reason for it. A reason Mackenzie knew from experience it was best to be aware of before the trouble started.
���Come on up,��� she said curtly, pressing the buzzer for the door.
It didn’t take Archer long to make her way upstairs. There was an elevator, but Mackenzie knew Archer would be taking the stairs. Archer wasn’t one to open herself to the possibility of being cornered in a small space.
���I won’t be long sweetie,��� Mackenzie assured Stephanie on her way past to open the front door.
���No problem,��� Stephanie replied lightly, holding her cards close to her chest as Jake did her best to cheat.
A brief, ominous rap on the door announced Archer’s arrival.
Mackenzie drew a breath and opened the door to see the same sleek, dark woman she had known years before. Her long black hair fell almost to her waist, her dusky skin glowed with good health. She hadn’t changed her style of dress, and her leather studded pants creaked as she stepped into the lounge.
���You’re looking well,��� Mackenzie said politely.
���Thank you,��� Archer said, her voice smooth and slightly baritone, her eyes roving around the room, settling on its occupants. While Stephanie merely returned her gaze with a polite interest, Mackenzie noted with displeasure that Jake’s eyes had lit up and were following Archer’s every move. It figured the kid would share her taste in women.
���Shall we speak in the office?��� Mackenzie suggested, not bothering with introductions. It would be best if Jake were not exposed to a women like Archer, she had enough of a propensity to trouble without being encouraged to hang around with ex-cons. Archer nodded and followed her through the lounge, but not before she winked rakishly at its occupants.
���So, what have you done now?��� Mackenzie asked dryly when they were safely ensconced in her office.
Archer ignored the question as she languidly unfolded onto the couch and regarded Mackenzie under lidded eyes. ���Who’s the cutie out front?���
���No-one to you,��� Mackenzie replied, not bothering to find out which woman she was referring to.
Archer laughed. ���Still defensive, Mackenzie?���
���I have reason to be,��� Mackenzie replied.
She did have reason. Archer was a woman with a history in crime of the organized kind. She’d done time for her affiliation, but not before almost getting Mackenzie disbarred. If it had been up to her Mackenzie would never have seen Archer again. Past favors were past favors though, and Mackenzie owed Archer several.
���Maybe, but I need some legal advice and I figured you’d be the woman to provide it. It’s all above board. I’ve learned my lesson Mackenzie, and I’ve done my time. So hows about you drop the attitude.���
Archer could always be relied on for straight talking. Going straight or not, she still had the demeanor of a boss, one who knew what she wanted and was determined to get it. Mackenzie sighed inwardly and ran a hand through her hair.
���Sorry Archer, things have been hectic lately. A lot of unexpected surprises.���
���Anything to do with the little blonde?��� There was lechery in Archer’s tone.
���She’s my niece,��� Mackenzie gave Archer a dark look as she sat down behind her desk and prepared to take notes.
���Is she,��� Archer said thoughtfully.
���Yes,��� Mackenzie said with a steady gaze. No words were spoken, but her meaning was clear. ‘Leave her alone.’
���That’s nice. Family,��� Archer said, tracing her long fingers over the leather arm of the couch with a slow sensuality. Mackenzie found her gaze drawn to the manicured long nails, and a shiver ran down her spine.
���Yes.��� Mackenzie’s tone was growing grim now. Archer seemed to have no real reason for her visit. ���So what do you want help with?���
���I’ve come into some property and I want to make sure it doesn’t get taxed out of my hands.���
���A trust then,��� Mackenzie suggested. ���I will have one of the partners draw up the papers.���
���No.��� Archer replied, leaning forward where she sat. ���I want you to handle this Mackenzie. Only you.���
Her molten brown eyes trapped Mackenzie in their gaze and Mackenzie felt herself begin to fall. Gripping the desk firmly, as if the gesture might help, she recovered herself.
���It’s a minor task, Archer. Anyone can do it. I’m surprised you came to me at all.���
���Still,��� Archer smiled a slow smile that had nothing to do with amusement and everything to do with reveling in the power of their unspoken agreement. ���I want you to do it.���
���Fine. Come see me Monday,��� Mackenzie said, standing up from her desk. It was time to end this interview.
���I’ll do that.���
Archer rose from the couch in one fluid movement and with casual daring, ran one manicured finger under Mackenzie’s chin. ���It’s nice to see you again Mack, the years have treated you well.��� Her voice purred, but it held a threat too, a threat Mackenzie felt keenly.
���Monday.��� Mackenzie reiterated, her tone now steely as she opened the door to her office and ushered Archer out.
Archer swayed back through the lounge with a predatory smile. Jake looked up from the card game and met her gaze with a cheerful grin.
���Going so soon?���
Behind Archer, Mackenzie shook her head at Jake. Jake ignored her.
���I’m Jake,��� she said, kneeling on the couch and extending her hand towards Archer, who took it with an undisguised look of triumph at Mackenzie.
���Archer,��� she said. ���Nice to meet you, Jake. That’s a cute name for a girl.���
���Thanks. I like it. Keeps people on their toes,��� Jake replied, her eyes sparkling up at Archer with open invitation.
���Well, I will see you next week,��� Mackenzie said pointedly. Archer took the hint, but not before Jake slipped her a scrap of paper.
���Give me a call sometime.���
Mackenzie took the paper before Archer could pocket it. ���No.��� Her trepidation at seeing Archer again was fast turning into something else. Anger began to seethe inside her, but Mackenzie kept it controlled. That was the secret, no matter what you felt, you didn’t let others know you felt it. If they sensed an edge, a nick in your armor, they would take advantage of it.
Jake frowned. ���Hey give her that!���
���It’s okay, kiddo, I know where you live,��� Archer assured her. Jake grinned happily.
���Archer.��� Mackenzie’s tone was fast taking on a note of finality.
���I’d best be going,��� Archer said smoothly, gliding out of the apartment and leaving it in chaos.
���Why did you take that?��� Jake whined.
���Because you are not going to associate with that woman. She is far too old for you,��� Mackenzie said.
Jake shrugged. ���Age is just a number. She’s holding up pretty well for an old bird.���
���No Jake. That’s final.��� Mackenzie snapped.
Jake slipped into a sullen silence that boded ill for all.
***
���Who was that woman?��� Stephanie inquired over dinner, between the entrees and the mains.
Mackenzie took a sip of Merlot and looked at her for a long moment, deciding whether or not to tell her the truth. ���She’s an ex-client and girlfriend. She did time, I owe her favors,��� she said at last.
���Ah, that’s why you didn’t want Jake involved with her.���
