Chapter 10 - THE LAST MAN WHO CALLED HIM BOSS
The final confrontation with Dante's old world came on a cold November evening.
A former associate named Victor Salerno arrived at Dante's office.
He demanded that Dante reverse his decision to withdraw from several illegal arrangements.
Dante refused.
Victor threatened him.
Then threatened Elena.
And finally, he mentioned me.
Dante's expression hardened.
But he didn't reach for a weapon.
He didn't order anyone hurt.
Instead, he ended the meeting.
Then contacted his attorney and the authorities.
Victor was later investigated for threats and other criminal conduct.
The process was messy.
Public.
Humiliating for people accustomed to solving problems privately.
But Dante continued.
He testified where required.
Accepted responsibility for his own actions.
And cooperated with the legal process.
He lost money.
Influence.
And several people he'd once considered friends.
But he gained something he hadn't expected.
Peace.
One evening, he came home exhausted.
I was making tea.
He stood in the doorway.
“It's done.”
I turned.
“What?”
He smiled faintly.
“The last illegal partnership.”
I stared.
“Really?”
He nodded.
I crossed the kitchen.
Then hugged him.
He held me tightly.
For a long time, neither of us spoke.
May you like
Then he whispered:
“I think I'm finally free.”
