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🕑 Added 2025-01-18 10:56:52 +0000 UTCWind in the Smoke
Chapter 116 - The Gentle Morning Voice
The next morning, as the first ray of sunlight crept into the sky, Dante rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed.
"Looks like it was a good night..." Dante murmured as he glanced at Susie lying beside him. Stretching and rubbing his aching back, he stood up.
Susie had turned into a fighter overnight—something he hadn't expected to see, especially not after she'd been drinking.
Dante quietly began his morning routine, mindful not to disturb the tranquility. But as soon as his feet touched the wooden floor, a faint creak betrayed his movement.
Susie stirred in bed, her face frowning at the sound. She turned over, and the blanket covering her head slipped off one corner.
She squinted, barely opening her eyes, and murmured with a mix of confusion and faint irritation:"Dante, last time you woke me up as soon as you got up. Now you want to let me sleep?"
Dante froze, suppressing a chuckle.
Leaning in close, he whispered softly, "Sorry, love. I didn’t want to wake you just to see me answering calls and reading files."
Susie let out a soft huff, squinting at him and lazily waving her hand, shooing him off like a pesky cat."Fine, fine. Go on and let me sleep a little longer. I'm tired..."
Her words carried a touch of helplessness but were so soft they revealed a hint of playfulness.
Susie turned slightly, pulled the blanket back over her head, and curled up under it, clearly not planning to get up anytime soon.
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Dante's lips. Shaking his head, he stifled a laugh, gathered his clothes in silence, and carefully closed the door behind him.
After a quick shower, he dressed in fresh clothes and headed to the back of the ranch cabin, a well-equipped haven for any need.
"Sir, this week’s data," William greeted him in a beautifully landscaped garden, handing him a tablet loaded with the organization’s reports.
Dante took it, scanning the data briefly before saying, "Get me Felipe Lobos for a meeting. These continued attacks by the Jiménez Cartel are getting on my nerves. Those bastards still don’t know who they’re dealing with."
"That might be an issue. Even Felipe Lobos can’t eliminate all his enemies, and based on what we’ve found, the Jiménez Cartel has strong allies operating within the country," William replied, his investigations into the cartel having revealed its formidable network.
"True, but I want to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Resolving to act, Dante picked up a special phone and dialed a specific number."Dan speaking. Put me through to Felipe."
"Who’s calling?" a robotic voice answered on the other end.
"His partner—the best in the U.S.," Dante stated, not as an employee but as a significant associate.
Moments later, the call connected, and Felipe’s unmistakable tone came through:"Miss me already?"
"Felipe, I hope I’m not interrupting."
Felipe Lobos, pleased with his partnership with Dante, replied, "Not at all. It’s always a pleasure talking to you. When are you visiting me in Mexico?"
"That’s why I called. I want to arrange a meeting."
"About the attacks?"
"You’re already aware..." Dante wasn’t surprised—he shared select information about his organization with Felipe to ensure transparency in their shared ventures.
Felipe’s tone shifted as he said, "Of course, but don’t worry. They’re nervous because you’re wiping out their distributors, and it’s hurting them in the foreign market."
Dante smirked. "No, the attacks are getting closer. I’m not taking any chances. I’ll hit back hard. Want to join forces, or should I handle it alone?"
"With you till the end, my dear Dante. But you’ll need to come to Mexico." Felipe wasn’t returning to the U.S. anytime soon due to an ongoing federal investigation.
"Can you meet near the border?"
"I have a mansion there. If you send your security team, I can attend without issue," Felipe replied, surprised at Dante’s willingness to venture into Mexico.
Dante nodded, his tone turning cold. "We’ll see each other soon. Someone will coordinate with your assistant to set the date."
"Take care, Dante. See you soon."
Ending the call, Dante removed the SIM card from the phone and snapped it in half."Prepare a team," he ordered.
"How many are we sending?" William asked, aware of the hostility awaiting them in Mexico, where allies and enemies were hard to discern.
"Three groups of twelve men should suffice. We’ll hire hitmen for fieldwork, minimizing risks to our own people," Dante decided, deeming it the safest approach.
"I’ll find the best," William replied.
Dante pondered the matter further. The Jiménez Cartel’s frequent attacks couldn’t be ignored. If they had tracked Susie to London, they could do the same to Montana. He couldn’t afford to risk it.
But first, he would study the cartels to understand the threats before venturing into Mexico, where his influence was weak.
...
An hour later, Dante finished his meeting with William and returned to the cabin.
Surveying the peaceful day, he murmured, "Today’s a good day for huevos rancheros..."
Everything seemed fine.
As he prepared breakfast, he took a moment to check the surveillance cameras on his phone. All was calm, with no alarms triggered.
The livestock on the ranch were healthy and lively.
For now, Dante could enjoy a brief respite before diving into the storm ahead.
