Double Standards (Part 1)

Poker Face

London

Smiling to myself for leaving Laney high strung, I headed to my office to meet with my men. It was the utmost importance to figure out Marc's next moves and put a end to it. Taking my seat behind my polished desk, I took my time lighting my cigar. As I clinched it between my teeth, I glanced at each man, then spoke. "I hope someone here has some information for me".
Stivo, one of better men, spoke up. "We've been informed that Marc and his men located her house in Mexico earlier today. Upon finding it empty, they torched it, Boss"
Nodding, I took another long toke from my cigar. "Marcus, get some men to Laney's Alabama home as well as her mother's home in California. Their next move will be one of those locations. I want have Laney's parents mixed into this or harmed. Have the men just stake the area's out".
"On it Boss"
"Good. Has Emily Michaels been handed?"
"Yes boss, she was delivered to her home a few hours ago. We are keeping eyes on her to make sure she doesn't try to contact Marc."
"That's what I wanted to hear gentlemen. Make sure the three men of Laney's are fed and given a bathroom break".
The men looked at London a bit shocked. "What? Don't question my commands, just do as I say"
"Absolutely boss"

For this next part, I stubbed my cigar out in my crystal ashtray, leaned up onto my desk, clasping my hands together. "My lady will be joining me here, at the Den for dinner tonight. Make it known that everyone under this roof had better be on the best possible behavior.  If they can't abide by my rules tonight I will personally deal with them. Understood?"
All the men gave a curt "yes boss" together.
"Good. You have less than a hour to make it known. Now go".

London attended to a few phone calls and emails before he went to fetch Laney.
Laney was laid across the bed when London walked through the door. Grinning he asked. "Cooled down yet?"
"Eat my ass London"
London chuckled and continued to talk. "Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Now go freshen up. We're going to dinner".
"Where?"
"Here".
Laney spun around with wide eye's. "You want me to eat out there, in a room full of murderers, criminals, and no telling what else?"
"Yes babydoll, and if your good, I want allow anyone to kill you....today".
Laney huffed and called from the bathroom, "what should I wear for this occasion, my prison stripes or my prison orange?"
"I'm sure you'd look stunning in either one babydoll"

London escorted her back down the long cemented hall until they reached a different metal door. Laney wasn't prepared for what greeted her on the other side. It wasn't anything like she'd pictured. As London led her through the door they entered a very elaborate bar scene. Beautiful, expensive decor. Red leather couches sat in just the right places. Pool tables lined one cornor and poker tables the opposite side.

They exited the bar and entered a more wilder scene. Loud music thumped, as girls pranced around on stage half naked.
London laughed "Would you like to hop up there for old times sake?"
"Who knows, maybe after I've downed a few" Ha, that shut him up. London tightened his grip on her arm and whispered. "You will do no such thing. However, you can strip for me whenever you like in privacy"
Laney shrugged it off and continued to take in her surroundings. Finally they made their way to a dimly lit restaurant and led to a booth in the back. "So, what do you think?" London asked.
"It's not what I imagined it to be. I assumed it would basically be smaller and grungy looking. It's actually very nice".

There was at least three hundred men throughout out the place. "So who are all these men here". "Their my men, they all work for me. The bartenders, cooks, patrons, you can fill in the rest".

Laney was stunned. Of course  he had brought a few dozen home before for meetings, but she had no clue his family spanned into the hundreds. Other than the strippers she noticed alot of attractive women walking around in snug fitting dresses.
"And I presume those are some of the men's wives or girlfriends".
"Not exactly babydoll. Those are high dollar prostitutes".