Page 127 of Merciless Monster

“Lisa thinks I’m just kidding, but holy crap! The shit a man has to go through just to put a ring on a woman’s finger!”

“You’re lucky Lisa said yes, you brat,” I laugh.

“You think I’m joking. Wait until it’s your turn, my brother. Then we’ll talk again.”

“Let’s go to the office.”

“Office? Sounds serious.”

“It is. I don’t want to be disturbed.”

This is going to be hard enough without interruptions.

“What’s up, Dante?”

“I want to talk to you about the future.”

“Okay. I’m listening.”

“Brandy?”

“Sure.”

I pour two snifters and hand one to Elio.

“This doesn’t have anything to do with a certain American woman, does it?”

“Smartass. Yes, it does.”

“What’s on your mind, brother?”

“Mia wants me to step down as Don.”

Elio nearly chokes on his brandy.

“What?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Have you lost your mind, Dante?”

“Can you really blame her, Elio? After what she’s been through I’m amazed that she’s still with me.”

“I get it, Dante. It was a rocky start for anyone who isn’t Sicilian. But leaving the organization? That’s crazy talk.”

“Is it? I’ve had a good run. I have more than enough money to live comfortably for more than one lifetime. Is it really so terrible for me to want to retire while I’m still young and full of life and enjoy the fruits of my labor?”

Elio stares at me as if he has no clue what I;m saying.

“I have a son, brother. A son who almost lost his mother. A son who was kidnapped. I want to take them away from all of this, Elio. Does that make me a bad son and brother?”

“Of course not.”

“You and Lisa aren’t that keen on having kids. You don’t understand what it’s like to wake up every morning and fear for your son’s safety.”

“Who will take over from you?”

“Are you kidding? You, you dunce. You’re a smart man, you work hard, and there’s no reason a man like you should live in the shadow of an older brother just because you were born second. You’ll have Bruno to help you. Come on, Elio. You’ve learned from me for years, but you are equally as capable as I am to run this family.”

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