Chapter 8 - THE SECRET DANTE KEPT FROM EVERYONE
Dante had been planning his exit for nearly a year.
I learned that on a Sunday afternoon.
We were sitting on the balcony of his apartment overlooking the Hudson River.
He handed me a folder.
Inside were business restructuring plans.
Legal correspondence.
Financial audits.
And documents relating to several legitimate companies he controlled.
I stared.
“What is this?”
“My way out.”
I looked at him.
“Out of what?”
He gave me a tired smile.
“The life everyone thinks I enjoy.”
I studied the papers.
“Can you really leave?”
“Not quickly.”
He looked toward the river.
“But I can stop expanding the criminal operations. Separate the legitimate businesses. Cooperate with investigators where necessary.”
I swallowed.
“And the people who depend on you?”
“That's the difficult part.”
He looked at me.
“Some have families. Employees. People who never chose this world.”
I nodded.
“I don't want them punished for my decisions.”
I studied him.
“Then don't abandon them.”
He looked surprised.
I continued.
“Help the people who want legitimate work transition into it.”
He considered that.
Then smiled.
“You make everything sound simple.”
I shook my head.
“No. I just don't think complicated means impossible.”
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then said:
“I love you.”
My breath caught.
He seemed almost startled by his own words.
I stared.
“Dante.”
He swallowed.
“I wasn't planning to say that.”
I laughed softly.
“Clearly.”
He smiled.
“But it's true.”
My eyes filled.
May you like
I reached for his hand.
“I love you too.”
