Dutch was preparing his revenge, getting ready to eliminate Bronte.
Davey, meanwhile, was preparing to take over Bronte's power.
Once Bronte was dead, according to Mafia rules, the heir would be Guido Martelli. Davey had no intention of grooming Guido Martelli—he planned to bring him under control instead. But that control couldn't be out in the open. The Italian Mafia would never allow it.
"Mac, what have you been up to lately?"
In the living room of the Land mansion, Davey had Mac called in. The moment he saw him, he started scolding him without preamble.
Mac shrank back instinctively. He really was afraid of his older brother.
"I haven't done much, Davey."
"Just… occasionally… uh, a few small things. Nothing important."
"It won't affect anything, right? Nothing serious."
Mac was clearly no smooth talker. Lying didn't come naturally to him.
Davey let out a cold laugh. "I'd rather you soaked yourself in hot coffee every day."
"Look at you now. What's the difference between you and street trash?"
"Kidnapping. Extortion. Protection rackets. Running casinos."
"Oh, right. You've upgraded, haven't you? No more drinking hot coffee—now you're selling it."
Davey had been extremely busy lately. Ever since the gambling ship incident, he hadn't paid much attention to Mac.
And Mac had grown increasingly reckless.
Strictly speaking, Saint Denis now had a new gang—the Mac Gang.
Kidnapping and extortion? He was genuinely doing it. Saint Denis was full of wealthy businessmen from the East, people who had come looking for investment opportunities. Mac had them kidnapped, then demanded ransom from their families back East.
Even the casino profits weren't enough anymore. He had partnered with Martelli in the women's business as well.
Hearing Davey's accusations, Mac suddenly bristled.
"Listen, Davey. You should have Donal get better information."
"I am in the hot coffee business—with Martelli."
"But I never forced them. Those women had no way to make a living. If they didn't do this, what else could they do?"
"I protect their business. I only take a small cut. I don't strip them clean like other gangs do."
"They're grateful to me, Davey."
"As for the people I kidnapped—they're no saints. The money they make is covered in blood."
"I thought I was bad. Turns out there are worse people than me—men in fine suits doing things that are downright monstrous. Strip away their polished image and they're more depraved than I am."
"Oh, Davey, you should see it. They don't even spare little girls."
"Even a bastard like me can't stomach that."
Davey replied calmly, "That's exactly why you're standing here talking to me instead of lying somewhere with broken legs."
"I want you to give up these businesses, Mac."
He didn't want Mac too deeply entangled in the underworld. It would be better if he focused on the security company instead.
It wasn't that Davey intended to abandon all gang operations—bootlegging alone brought enormous profits. Once Prohibition came, it would become even more lucrative.
But he had plenty of men. There was no need for his own brother to take the risks.
Mac saw things differently.
"Davey, my brother."
"I know you want me to live better. Be some kind of success. Rub shoulders with the elite."
"But like you said, I'm a complete bastard. I've got no interest in any of that."
"I'm used to this life. Back when I followed Dutch, pulling robberies—that kind of thing made my blood race."
"Let me do what I enjoy."
"Can you do that for me, Davey?"
"I'm happy like this."
Davey fell silent for a moment.
The Callander brothers had never been saints.
This was the real Mac.
"Alright, Mac."
"Since you've made up your mind, I respect your choice."
"But you have to promise me one thing—get married as soon as possible."
"There are only two of us left in the Callander family."
At the word "married," Mac jumped like a startled rat.
"Oh, oh, oh—come on, Davey."
"Listen to yourself. You're joking, right?"
Davey shook his head. "I'm not joking."
"This year. No later than next year. You're getting married."
"Understand something—I'm not negotiating."
"You can do whatever you want with the rest of your life. I won't stop you."
"But on this, there's no room for discussion."
"If you refuse, I'll personally dismantle everything you're building."
"Your businesses with Martelli."
How does a man learn responsibility?
A woman is one part of it. A child is another.
Only when you become a father do you truly understand what responsibility means.
Mac sighed helplessly under the pressure. "Alright, Davey. I promise."
"But I'll need time. This isn't something you rush."
Davey nodded. "I'll give you time."
"And tell Martelli something for me. I've received word that Bronte may be planning to move against him."
"What he's been doing won't stay hidden forever."
"Tell him to prepare. He doesn't have much time."
"Once Bronte confirms the truth, he should know exactly what that means."
"Of course, he's your friend. If he's willing to cooperate with me…"
"Maybe I can lend him a hand."
...
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