My Mafia Madness 4

Chapter 20 - Proposing Marriage

As Dante and Nicola were escorted to meet with the Canadian Don, the pair maintained obvious caution, with their eyes and ears open.

They needed to be ready for anything.

Not that Dante believed Don Levine would intend to do him any harm. The two of them had no quarrels with one another, no reason for any sort of bloodshed.

Reaching a large pair of dark mahogany double doors, the armed henchmen leading them through the castle suddenly stopped and turned to face their guests.

“No weapons.” the larger one proclaimed, looking directly at Dante as he spoke.

It was a statement rather than a request.

He then pointed to a table as he added, “Whatever you’re carrying, you can leave it here.”

And as an obedient guest, the Reaper gave a nod before he and his second slowly reached into their holsters and began taking out their guns and knives, one by one.

There was a large table positioned up against the wall beside the entrance to this mystery room and the pair were directed to leave their weapons there during their visit with the Don.

Standing by and watching as the Reaper and his underboss disarmed themselves, the loyal henchmen seemed surprised at just how many weapons these two were carrying on their persons.

But that was just how things were in this line of work.

When they were eventually finished and free of their weapons both Dante and Nicola held both arms out at either side as they were quickly frisked by the Canadian henchmen, just to make sure.

And as soon as they were satisfied, the men then proceeded to lead their guests in through the double doors.

The room inside was quite large and furnished in a unique style. One that Dante himself hadn’t seen in quite a long time.

The room held an antique appearance, with a quaint charm to it that he admired.

A dark brown chesterfield leather sofa sat between two matching arm chairs, positioned around an old-style fireplace.

There was a large oak desk at the other side of the room and behind it a brown leather recliner.

The floor was made of hard wood, with old decorative rugs positioned to add a homier feel to the space.

Vintage lamps with patterned shades over them were spread around the room and even though it was the middle of the day, the room appeared somewhat dark, with the large, thick curtains pulled to cover the large windows.

And there standing by a wooden bar was the man himself, Don Liam Levine.

His chestnut brown hair was cut short but had obvious curl to it and he had his crystal blue eyes fixed on Dante as he spoke.

“Well, this is certainly an honour. The infamous Reaper of New York City here in my home…”

Liam remarked with a wide grin spread across his bearded face as he began pouring himself a drink.

“I have to admit, I was surprised when I got your call to set up a meeting. I half expected that you wouldn’t show up.”

Dante lifted his left brow as he spoke in response.

“Why’s that?”

Liam turned his head to face them.

“From what I hear, you’ve been quite busy in your expanding of operations. International, if I’m not mistaken…” he admitted.

Dante smirked as he spoke.

“Correct.”

Liam smiled as he nodded.

“Impressive. I suppose business is quite good then, if that’s the case. Word on the street is you have the entire New York City Police Force under your thumb. Must be something, to have that kind of power over people.”

Dante moved his hands, placing them into his jacket pocket as he replied.

“I won’t lie. Being a billionaire certainly has its perks.” the Reaper mused.

Liam chuckled as he finished making his drink.

At that exact moment the double doors opened inwards, and a somewhat attractive woman entered, confidently striding across the length of the room in her black leather knee-high boots as she announced her arrival.

“Sorry I’m late. Had myself a small issue to sort out.” the blonde woman explained, directing her words towards Liam as she made her way across to where he was standing.

“Is he here yet?”

With a nodded gesture of his head in Dante’s direction, Liam spoke his introductions whilst alerting this mystery woman to the Reaper’s presence in the room with them.

“Forgive my daughter, Don Romano. She always does enjoy making an entrance.”

Liam apologised directly to Dante now.

“Amelia, this is Don Dante Romano, aka the Reaper of New York City... Don Romano, my daughter, Amelia.”

Turning around to face the infamous Reaper, Amelia’s chocolate brown eyes scanned him from head to foot for a moment before she then smiled a strangely familiar smile.

One that unfortunately Dante found quite eerie and off-putting.

She then slinked her way across towards Dante, stopping right in front of him with a playful smirk curving the corners of her mouth.

Her lips were covered in a bright crimson shade of lipstick as tilted her head off to the side, a strand of her blonde hair coming loose from the bun she had her hair styled with.

“So, you’re the one they call the Reaper, hmm?” she mused curiously.

“I must admit, I’ve heard quite a lot about you, Mr. Romano.”

Holding out his hand for her to shake, Dante spoke with powerful confidence.

“Please, call me Dante.” he insisted.

With a smile, Amelia reached out her hand and took his, giving it a surprisingly firm handshake before their hands returned down by their sides.

“Alright then, Dante.”

She spoke with a cocky expression now.

“What brings you here, to this little piece of paradise we call home?”

Dante could feel his heart beginning to increase its speed as he contemplated how things might go from here.

He was about to share some very important news with the two of them. News that could go one of two ways.

First, either Liam or his daughter might react badly and have both Dante and Nicola taken out right then and there.

It was unfortunately a possibility, and one that Dante had contemplated many times since coming up with this idea several weeks ago.

But on the other hand, the more preferred option would be that Don Levine saw eye to eye with him and agreed to unite their families as one.

Together they would become one of the most powerful and influential crime syndicates in the entire world.

The only problem was convincing Liam.

“I’ve come here with a proposition for the two of you. That of course, and a gift.”

Liam’s left brow lifted in intrigue upon hearing the last part of Dante’s remark.

“A gift?” he repeated, taking charge of the conversation once more.

“Paint me curious.”

“Me too.” Amelia added as she made her way over to where the sofa sat.

Turning, the Canadian Don also made his way from the bar towards where the three-seater chesterfield sofa sat.

He then proceeded to sit himself down on one of the armchairs before gesturing with a wave of his arm for his guests to follow suit.

And they did just that.

Once everyone was seated, with Liam’s henchmen standing guard around the edges of the room, Dante got right to the point.

“I’d like to propose an alliance between our two great families, Don Levine. One that will ensure both families have the support and resources they require to keep things running smoothly for everyone.”

Liam sat back casually in the armchair with one leg crossed over the other and his drink in his hand as he continued to listen to Dante’s entire proposition beforehand.

Amelia who was seated on the second armchair rested both her arms on the seat’s armrests, her eyes never leaving Dante even for a second.

“I hear that you’re into trafficking arms and ammunition across the borders. I also hear you’ve been having quite a lot of trouble with customs as well. That they’ve been making things rather difficult for you.” Dante went on.

“Is that what you've heard?” Amelia mused playfully.

Liam frowned as he spoke.

“And you’d be able to help me with this little... problem… how exactly?”

Dante smirked as he sat forwards, leaning his elbows onto both his knees.

“Let’s just say, I can make that problem disappear entirely with a single phone call.” he proudly proclaimed.

“Disappear entirely?” Amelia queried.

Both Liam and his daughter seemed unable to believe Dante, judging by the pair’s expressions as they shared a glance with one another.

“How exactly?”

“Simple. I have several reliable connections working in customs across the entire country for that matter. That and I also happen to help fund several of their training programs and resourcing. Or at least my company does. My more… legitimate company, I mean.”

“You mean Romano Enterprises?” Liam probed knowingly.

Dante nodded his head as Don Levine continued.

“Yes, I’ve heard you’re doing quite well for yourself with that little nest egg. Your company’s thriving with expansions occurring across the globe as I believe.” Liam admitted.

“What can I say… business is good.” Dante mused.

“With my connections, your little issue with transporting across the borders in the US will no longer be a concern. And with a smoother flow of produce, the money will start pouring in again. It’s a win-win situation.”

Liam pursed both his lips together and lowered his gaze for a moment as he appeared to take this information on board. Amelia looked to her father for a moment, noticing his posture and the expression on his face.

The presented offer sounded enticing enough.

But Don Levine was not a fool. He knew that everything had a price in the Mafia Underworld.

It was Amelia who chose to ask the question outright.

“And what exactly would you expect from us in return for this favour of yours, Don Romano?” she asked blatantly.

There was no reason for her to beat around the bush with this. She wanted to know what this would cost them, as did Liam.

Dante clasped both his hands together in front of him as he spoke.

“All I ask for if your promised allegiance and continued loyalty, Don Levine. Nothing more.”

Liam’s brows furrowed inwards with confusion, as did his daughter’s as they again met eyes with one another.

The Reaper spoke with a serious expression now as he looked his fellow Don dead in the eye. A show of the level of importance regarding their current subject.

To Dante, loyalty was everything.

“The time will come one day when I need to call on you for your assistance.” he explained.

“I need to know that I can count on you when that time does eventually come. And I need no doubt within my mind that you will follow through with your word. That you will come through for me and my family no matter the circumstances.”

“Say for instance we do agree to your terms. How are you proposing we ally ourselves, exactly?” Amelia queried.

“Marriage.”

Dante’s response came out short, sharp and had both Amelia and her father’s immediate attention as they both sat forward to hear more.

“Marriage huh?” Amelia spoke with a grin.

“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen I’m afraid. I mean, no offense handsome but I’m probably a bit too old for you. What are you like, in your twenties?”

Dante chuckled at her remark.

“Thirty, actually.” he admitted.

“And I wasn’t suggesting that two of us get married, Amelia.”

Once again, Liam was confused.

“Is that so?” he enquired.

“If not the two of you then who?”

“Well, as the head of my family I would be the one to tie the knot, of course-”

“-And from the Levine family?”

Liam cut in over him.

“Who exactly do you propose?”

This was it… the moment where things could go either way.

Dante was about to spill a massive secret right here and now.

One that would open countless doors and forge unanswered questions for everyone in that very room.

With one last breath in for added confidence, the Reaper made his proposed suggestion aloud with his head held high and his expression unbreakable.

“Don Levine, with your blessing I intend to marry your granddaughter, Alexa Myers.”

And just like that, the entire room went instantly silent.