Book 7, Chapter 27 Summary

Alone in the suite, Michael and Hagen discuss the proposition. Tom asks how long Michael has known about the offer; he's known for some time. Tom threatens to quit, and for the first time tells Michael he's tired of being treated like a brother one day, a nothing the next. Michael doesn't respond to Tom's emotions, but focuses on the business end. He convinces Tom the legal casinos they could have in Cuba with Castro out of the way will help solidify their power. Michael reasons that Russo will become too powerful and they'll be sitting ducks when he comes after them without the money from those casinos. They can use Geraci as their puppet, splitting the hit money with him, but Nick won't know it because the government, with Michael's permission, will approach him directly. Nick takes all the risk...