Dangerously Quiet

31.

(Unedited)

Paris

The city of love. The city of dreams. Whatever your wanderlust thoughts want to call it, Paris is one of the top cities to visit. Art, culture, fashion, and food all in one city known all over the world. On the surface, one can see the allure of it all; the people convey it well, along with the century-old buildings, the infamous landmarks, and the hidden treasures the locals provide. It's a great adventure for any tourist once they stay on the right path given. One misstep to the shadows lurking around will send you to the crevice of that lovely city.

Where there is light, there must be dark.

Ignored are the warnings given by experienced travelers or police of the dangers that prey on wide-eyed tourists. Every year the number of missing persons rises, new tactics are made, leaving officials stumped. Cases go cold, leaving the family of the victims in despair. There's only so much the law can do in their power. The reason for that is clear. 

The most influential makes the rules.

One family claimed Paris and other vicinities in France over the years. Their name grew steadily with fear, awe, and respect. The older heads who knew of their power and their help in keeping the peace for them to live freely, dubbed the head of the family, Lord or Master. The Delacourdes' power was widely known, their ease at taking hold of the underbellies of the city was continuously shown, but not everyone agreed.

Officers who believed only the law could keep the peace oppose the family greatly, stirring up the top brass's anger who were in agreement with the Delacourdes. When Dominion began to encroach on the family's territory, the heads of each precinct made it their duty to protect them. Their quick action on the drugs and abduction lessened Dominion's impact, but few escaped leading Gregforth to gain a little following. In his anger at being caught, he ditched the guise of businessman and gathered his allies when he landed. Eyes linked to the family reported his arrival and who his allies were. Raizon ordered them to stand down until Gregforth gets too confident. The man relies on power and not quality. It was the same with Talon when both he and Raizon underwent training by their fathers. The belief of quantity over quality was Talon's forte, and it was the same he taught Gregforth. Give a man what is required and believe he can use it at the level of his expectancy - that was how Gregforth was acting.

Sitting on the fifth floor of his wife's club, Renarde, Raizon listened to the numerous reports filtering in as he gazed upon the dark waters of the city. Monitors showed different scenes of clubs and streets he had control of in France. Markers showed up whenever Gregforth was spotted by facial recognition along with his new colleagues. Over the speakers of the radios, the chatter filled the floor with its noise, the sound of impounding death for the man they were tracking—a great contrast to the lush decor of the lounge room.

Located on the outskirts of Paris, he bought this building due to his wife's love for the hidden gem it was. She renovated it to suit all their purposes, but its main goal was a female lounge. It was near three tourist attractions and a few blocks away from residential areas. The club provided relaxation and safety plus the offering of certain pleasures. The first floor was the reception area, a safe place to take a deep breath after partying or to meet up with friends. On the second floor were the restaurant and bar for quiet nights. The third was the pleasure floor. On most nights, shows were held with male and female strippers where one can divulge in their greatest fantasies. Those willing to live through that fantasy for the night can visit the fourth floor with consent on both sides.

When his wife came to him with that idea, he couldn't say no to her at all. Her eyes were already glazed over with excitement as she enthralled him with stories that would happen in her club. "Is there any fantasy you wish to fulfill, kitten?" he asked of her then.