Cesare is intrigued. Yes, he's giving a lot of money to Samantha and expects something in return, but that's a lot different from some sort of actual political alliance. "What are you saying?" he asks, leaning in a little.

"I'm just a rich old man with a chip on his shoulder. I'm not sure how much use I could be." Though they both know that there's more to him than that. He has a considerable history of subterfuge and seizing power, and a frightening amount of ambition. He knows he's on the cusp of something great. He just hasn't figured out who he needs to stab in the back just yet to get it.