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🕑 Added 2025-04-11 08:08:49 +0000 UTCWind in the Smoke
Chapter 181 - Last-Minute Changes
In spring, when flowers bloom and life is full of vitality, the growth rate of plants is astonishing at this time of year.
At any moment, let alone a week, even after just a day or two, you can feel that some plants have grown significantly.
Dante grows early-maturing potatoes in his greenhouse, which normally have a growth cycle of about two months.
Proudly, Dante smiled, full of expectations: "I’ll keep working hard—my ranch will grow even better!"
At that moment, two large dogs—Susie’s pets—showed signs of wanting to run off. At first, they simply ran in front of Dante. But a second later, the two German Shepherds seemed to have caught a scent and happily took off.
As he heard them barking and running joyfully into the distance, Dante muttered, “If you’ve got any skill, go hunt some rabbits. If not, even groundhogs are fine. After all, you’re big, strong German Shepherds. It’s kind of embarrassing to think you spend all day chasing butterflies and bugs.”
Dante, holding a small hoe, was too lazy to worry about his girlfriend’s pets and quickly got back to weeding the garden.
The vegetables were growing wildly—and so were the weeds. He had to remove the weeds from the garden and also deal with the ones growing in the pasture. There were so many that Dante often felt a bit worn out.
No one was allowed inside his cabin, the peaceful space he shared with Susie and where overly important plans were discussed.
This greenhouse, located behind his cabin, was his special work zone where, in addition to spending peaceful afternoons, he stayed in contact with his organization.
“Zz… New message.”
Just when Dante thought it would be another quiet day, a robotic voice came through the radio that usually played nonstop music. “That’s unusual…”
Leaving his task, he walked toward a wooden shed. Upon entering, a white light turned on, illuminating an underground passage.
Going down the stairs, Dante didn’t keep walking straight. Instead, he entered a black door, behind which were numerous computers operating automatically.
“What’s the situation?” Dante asked into the air in a different tone, as if expecting someone to respond.
“Sir, the FBI has located one of our largest weapons warehouses in the country and warned that if you don’t agree to a meeting, they will disrupt all activity related to SAMCRO.”
This was unusual—after all, SAMCRO was contracted by the country to manage weapons for their private wars. It wasn’t rare for country representatives to invest in those weapons, which later ended up involved in terrorist attacks or coups.
Cutting ties with SAMCRO wouldn’t just mean no longer selling weapons—it would mean being sold to the highest bidder and undoubtedly losing a significant foothold in Europe, where U.S. interests lie.
“Do they know what’ll happen if they do that?” Dante asked coldly as he approached a wall that held a special black suit.
“I told you this would happen. You’ve been ignoring them for too long. Now they’re freezing our money-laundering accounts—we’ve lost around $250 million.”
Dante didn’t react. He walked toward a wall full of weapons and said, “They’ll pay us double what they’re taking. That’ll be the condition for the meeting.”
“So, you’re going to do it?”
“Yes. Prepare the location.” Dante removed his jacket, let all his clothes fall to the floor, and walked toward a white bathroom where he began to get ready.
Yes, it was true—he’d been on the ranch too long. Now there were important matters to address. This trip would also serve to deal with the Serbian mafia.
“Tell Ghost I’ll be visiting him. He’ll come with me to the meeting,” Dante said after getting out of the shower. As he changed into a suit, he equipped all kinds of secret weapons he might need in case of an emergency.
He wasn’t worried about the FBI; that organization wasn’t a threat. What truly concerned him were possible attacks from external sources—after all, he had no control over how the FBI handled its secrets.
Once he left the greenhouse, his entire team of agents was waiting outside.
“I’m going to say goodbye to my wife. Be ready to leave immediately,” Dante said, his voice much deeper—completely different from the one he usually used with people he knew.
“We’ll be in position, boss.”
When Dante entered the cabin, he found Susie in the living room reading a book. Hearing his footsteps, she put it down and asked, “Need help?”
“I’ll handle it quickly. I’m just going to that meeting the FBI wants so badly.” Dante approached Susie, waiting for her blessing before continuing.
Susie stood up, gently held Dante’s head in her hands, and delicately kissed his forehead. “I’ll prepare the contingency plan in case you need it.”
“When I get back, we’ll get married. You can go ahead and let your family know.” Dante was sure this wouldn’t take long, and the meeting would make things easier for the future.
Smiling, Susie nodded and said, “I’ll tell your family you’ll be gone a few days, but make sure to call them.”
“I will.”
Comments
Nato J
Finally tying the knot. Good to know he is taking care of business with both friend and foe.
