Chapter 21: Addressing More Problems
Later, Dante, who wanted to show Susie the city, personally took her to places that he had learned about just the day before, thanks to Rip.
"We have here a nice restaurant where they serve the best food you can find in this place," Dante said as one of his men held the door open.
Susie looked at all the bodyguards Dante brought to this simple meal and asked, uncertainly, "Do you have a problem with someone?"
"I'd rather talk about it later, but for now, I don't want to risk an attack with you here in Montana." Dante didn't want to be misunderstood, so he added, "I'm not sure if your enemies know you're here, but as you well know, there's no better place to kill someone than in this area."
It was true—there was no better place for an attack than Montana, and that was due to the small number of police officers stationed nearby. Since it's still a developing state, Montana doesn't have the resources of larger cities, so it's best to be prepared.
Susie smiled slightly and said, "Relax. I'm not sure what kind of situation you're dealing with here, but where I come from, we don't fight every day."
In the United Kingdom, for those involved in the drug trade, it's better to talk things out than to kill each other in broad daylight.
But Dante wasn't only doing this for her but also for his own safety.
Although he now knew who was attacking his business, he couldn't let his guard down at all, or his information could be leaked, causing him significant trouble.
"So consider it my own concern for a distinguished guest," Dante said, pointing to the restaurant entrance, where the manager was waiting to greet them.
It wasn't common to see a spectacle like this, with three black SUVs full of bodyguards parked outside a restaurant just to escort two people to dinner.
It could be said that even the governor of Montana didn't have a security team like Dante's.
"Aren't you worried about making yourself a target?" Susie didn't mind, of course; she was a woman well-trained in etiquette, and few things impressed her.
Dante, of course, wasn't one of them.
But it must be said that now that she was getting to know Dante more closely without her father's intervention, she believed he was a man built to handle the affairs of the dark world.
He had the air of a mob boss who solved his problems cleverly and didn't resort to force unless necessary.
But she was mistaken; Dante wasn't made for the underground world—he was prepared for anything that might come his way.
When they entered the restaurant, they were taken to a private table where there were other people.
"Don't you have private rooms?" Dante didn't sit down; instead, he looked at the manager, seeking an answer in his gaze.
The manager, with nothing to hide, responded honestly, "Rest assured, I assure you that all the people dining here are of very high status and definitely not interested in anyone else."
Susie raised an eyebrow and said, "I doubt that. Even the closest friends would betray someone just to show off."
There was nothing more dangerous than trusting someone, and she knew it well.
Dante smiled at this and shook his head. "Forget it; we'll sit here."
When they sat down, a man quickly brought an appetizer along with a glass of white wine and one of red. The man's gaze lingered for a moment on Susie Glass, who was, after all, a beautiful woman rarely seen.
But unlike everyone else, Dante, who shared the table with her, knew how dangerous this charming woman could be if her morals were challenged.
"I'll order a steak. Are you okay with just the salad?" Dante looked at Susie, who immediately replied, "I'll order the salad too."
"Then that's all," Dante told the waiter and handed over the menus.
While they waited for the food, Susie asked, "So, what problems are you facing now?"
"My business is doing well enough to be attractive to other suppliers of different materials and higher categories. I'm afraid that if I meet with them, it would invite the police to start an investigation against me."
After saying that, Dante added, "The Wolves, a Mexican cartel that moves coke, is trying to negotiate with me after hearing how quickly we took over New York."
"The person in charge of that group is, of course, also interested in the arms trade, but as you know, I don't do business with high-profile figures." Dante wasn't entering the coke trade yet—not because he couldn't, but because he'd have to spend too many resources defending himself from the competition.
Susie nodded, understanding Dante's words, and said, "But it sounds like a meeting you can't really refuse."
"I have contacts and leverage; I'll handle it quickly." Dante was talking about other business matters when the food arrived, and shortly after, a man in a suit with an arrogant smile approached.
Susie stopped picking at her food, and Dante calmly sipped his drink before asking, "Can I help you?"
"Forgive my manners, but I couldn't resist offering a bottle of wine to such a charming lady dining with you," the man said, pouring himself a glass of wine from Dante's own bottle. "You know, I didn't think you'd know me, but those eyes aren't of someone who doesn't."
Susie turned to Dante and asked, "Who is this... thing?"
"Thing?"
"Hmm, right now, a fly buzzing around my family, but nothing to worry about." Dante smiled grimly, looking at the man named Dan Jenkins, a man who, to this day, keeps his family in legal battles, itching to get his hands on ranch land.