Page 131 of Deathless & Divided

Dante smiled. “That was not the answer I expected to hear.”

“There’s more but that’s the most important part.”

“I heard whispers about trouble in Chicago, but I wasn’t sure,” Dante said. “They say it’s bad enough for a war.”

“Something like that.” Damian raked a hand through his hair and asked, “I know the request is supposed to go through all the bosses, but I figured one was enough as long as it was the right one.”

“Why am I the right one, Damian?”

“Capo di tutti capi,” Damian murmured.

The Boss of bosses.

“I’ve never claimed that title,” Dante said quietly.

“You don’t have to.”

Not for it to be true.

Dante sucked in a deep breath like he was considering it all. “Regardless of what I say, the hit will go through, won’t it?”

“Probably,” Damian said honestly. “But I know you’ve got a few chips in the pool down here and a new boss might do you some good, too.”

“Who would take it?” Dante asked.

“Hard to say.”

“A new boss would do well. Lucian would love to finally get that apology he’s owed.”

Damian shook his head. “Is that all?”

“Believe me, in Cosa Nostra, an apology means more than anyone could possibly understand. It isn’t too late for the Outfit and the Marcellos to reconcile their issues if the right boss were to take the seat. A boss with the right motives and morals.”

“Who’s the right boss for you?” Damian asked, throwing the man’s question right back at him.

“That’s not for me to decide, just make sure he’s married when he comes to his first meeting. Make the hit, Damian. What else do you need from me?”

“Keep my name out of it. On all sides.”

“Will do,” Dante said. “You should have put the feelers out to the other bosses just to be safe.”

Damian wasn’t worried. “You can say I did.”

Dante laughed. “Yeah, that works, too. One more thing.”

“Yeah?”

“I heard you’re getting married.”

Damian cleared his throat, unsurprised. “Tomorrow, actually. Didn’t you get an invitation?”

“We did, but declined. I appreciated the thought but you know how it goes.”

“No apology, no Marcellos.”

“Exactly. Is your marriage for love?” Dante asked.

“Was yours?”