demise. I’ve learned to live with her near-constant presence when it comes to T, but it’s a bit annoying at times.
I tune the rest of the meeting out, concentrating on my tea and the snacks provided. I have a new plan in the works and I’ve got to nail it down perfectly. I must find a way to cross paths with Dante, and if he’s not the type of man I think he is, then we may end up at war regardless. I have a bad habit of killing wankers before gauging the repercussions, and I doubt he’ll be any different. No matter what happens in the coming months, one things is for certain: Thaddaeus Morelli will run Chicago, just as he’s always been meant to. My mate is finally ready to claim his title, and I’m thrilled being by his side. We’re the gangsters of Chicago, and it’s time more men know exactly what that means.
“I’ve spoken to her father,” Joker shares when he and Dillion stop by the warehouse two days later. They’re here to pick up the latest cash drop. Dillion drives T around like he’s his personal chauffeur. We all give the bloke strife for it. This time around there weren’t any incidents when it came to the cash drops. The imbeciles managed to count correctly prior to showing up with their payments. Andre did his part as well, and remained on their arses, not wanting the blowback from my temper.
“Brilliant. Did the tosser lose it?”
He chuckles. “On the contrary, he was extremely pleased. So much so, he’s offered to pay for everything where the wedding is concerned and gift you one of his buildings.”
Rolling my eyes, I scoff. “I don’t need some concrete bit of rubbish from the prick, and I’m not wasting one pound on his daughter, so of course he’s bloody well paying for everything.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Max. It’s one of the restaurants close to downtown. It’s worth a lot, and frankly, I’m stunned he was so quick to offer it up in gratitude. It goes to show just how happy he is over this turn of events if he’s offering you one of his cash cows. This could be good—great, in fact, for our future if he’s so eager to hand over some of his holdings.”
“It’s a proper headache, is what it is. I understand what you’re saying, but I’m not in the food business. Nor do I want to be. Customer complaints would come with a side of kidney puncture.”
“Then use it to launder money,” Dillion suggests, and my eyes light up. I’m keen on the criminal aspect, that I’m certain of. I’ve always been good at being a crook, I won’t attempt to lie to myself and pretend otherwise. It’s why me and Morelli fit so well together; he’s just as dirty as I am. Him along with the rest of our lot have the brass bollocks it takes to make waves in the underground.
“Now you’re talking, mate!”
Thaddaeus smirks. “You’re really helping me out with this? I can’t believe this is in play.”
I nod. “No need to mention it. Sappy isn’t your style. Don’t ruin it now. I’ll be off vomiting in the corner.”
They snicker at my theatrics. “The venue is booked this week to announce the engagement. This will be a prime opportunity to draw out some important names from hiding. If not this week, then for your wedding. They may be too frightened to show their faces at the announcement, but they wouldn’t dare offend us by not attending your wedding.”
“Right. I’ll have some of the guys keeping a close eye on any of them that do show up to the engagement announcement. We’ll figure out where they’re coming and going.”
“Good. What’d you think of the photo I sent?”
“I’d shag her,” I admit. She was fucking hot, took me by surprise.
He belts out a low laugh, standing. “There’s hope for you yet, Maximillian.”
“You in the business of marrying off your crew now? Your Mafia is showing.”
He shakes his head and I stand to walk them out. “No way in hell would I ever want that responsibility or the sort of pressure involved with it. You’re each hard enough to deal with as it is. We’re a group of stubborn mutts.”
“Speak for yourself, T. I happen to know I’m a proper Brit. Not all of us can be so lucky.”
Dillion snickers at my reply. He shakes his head muttering, “There’s nothing proper about you, except maybe those pressed