Yellowstone: Wind in the Smoke

"Let me make this clear: I don't know what kind of relationship you want with me, but since I'm a reasonable man, I'll assume you're looking to be my partners in future ventures." Dante snapped his fingers. Cocodrilo, standing behind him, stepped forward with a briefcase, placing it on the table in front of the Beck brothers, who remained silent.

Malcolm glanced at the briefcase, then at Dante, and asked, "What's this?"

"I'm sure you're not short on money, and I understand we haven't violated any regulations to warrant withholding my license. That's why I'm offering you this money. If you take it, we'll forget all of this, and you'll grant me my license. If not, well, I can't predict what might happen."

Dante's words carried an undeniable undertone of threat, clearly signaling that he understood the Becks' intentions.

"I'll see to it," Malcolm conceded, realizing that this was not the time for petty disputes.

For both parties, escalating the conflict wasn't worth it.

Having achieved his goal, Dante rose from his seat and said, "Then, gentlemen, remember: this is Montana."

Leaving those parting words hanging in the air, Dante exited Malcolm's office. As soon as the door closed, Malcolm opened the briefcase, revealing what appeared to be a million dollars.

"Wasn't he just some damn college kid?"

"That's what the report said."

"I read the report, but apparently, we still don't know who Dante really is—the youngest son of the Dutton family." Malcolm smirked, intrigued by this revelation.

They had assumed Dante would be easy to manipulate, but from the moment he arrived, he'd spoken with a clarity and confidence that suggested he knew exactly what was going on from the start.

...

In the truck, Dante sat in the back, reviewing reports his team had sent him from Los Angeles. Business was booming.

After a brief, somewhat tense conversation with his father and Susie, Dante still had plenty of loose ends to tie up before returning to the family ranch.

Even sharing a room with Susie—thanks to his father's insistent invitation—was enough to leave him restless, overwhelmed by the web of lies he was navigating.

"How are the arms sales going?"

"We're not the biggest players, of course, but we've got high-quality products managed by the best, all at competitive prices."

Dante was currently focused on large-scale arms and drug sales, but with plans to expand, he knew he needed to take his core business more seriously.

"Shouldn't we deal with the Beck brothers?" Cocodrilo, who had thoroughly investigated them, had uncovered their potential to harm Dante's family if provoked.

Hearing this, Dante shook his head slightly and replied, "That would be too obvious. I don't want all my problems solved with violence—it won't help me become a great businessman."

Dante was determined not to be the kind of man who killed over every minor inconvenience. He wanted to handle non-life-threatening issues with discretion.

But that didn't mean he was naïve.

"I want them under surveillance—24/7. The moment they do something stupid against my family, I want to know." Dante had skilled investigators who could intercept any online communications.

By keeping constant tabs on the Becks, he could control them without resorting to murder.

For now, all he could do was focus on the grand opening of his pub before turning his attention to Los Angeles.

"Let's head home."

"Understood, boss."