La Maison 2: Differences (Complete: BDSM mxm)

March 23

A/N: a special interlude for anyone wondering about Andrei Volkushkin (remembering Dex has cleared him from having anything at all to do with the pressure that's being applied to Frankie)

Francois

I get a shock on Friday night. A call comes through while I'm in my office, from downstairs, Perry on the front desk announcing that Andrei Volkushkin is there and asking to speak to me. I tell Perry to ask him to wait, and call Dex. Fortunately, he was coming anyway and is happy to turn up a little early.

When I finally let Volkushkin come up, I expect him to be furious at being kept waiting, but he's surprisingly calm, shaking hands with me and Dex like any other legitimate businessman. I've met him before, but he's always a bit of a surprise, especially after you've heard his, frankly dangerous, Russian accent over the phone. He's younger than you'd ever think from his voice, and from his reputation, perhaps thirty-five at most, with piercing blue eyes and sarcastic lips. His deep brown hair has a tint of red to it, that I suspect is dye, which suggests a vanity, as does his very tidy permanent scruff. He's tall but not as tall as me; about Dex's height, with that kind of rangy strength that suggests 'athlete'.

"François, thank you for seeing me."

"No problem here, monsieur, you remember my associate, Dexter Washington? I am intrigued to know why you asked to see me."

"Making use of my contacts of course. I know it isn't easy to get membership here and thought coming to you might assist." I hide my surprise at his purpose, and I don't bother telling him that every potential Dom has to come through me anyway. It won't hurt to have him believe he owes me a favor.

"I'm happy to help, but do you know what it entails? Do you already have a submissive?"

"I don't, but I have heard that this is the best club in the city, and I always have the best. I work long hours, and hard, and don't want to have to find some twink to train myself."

"That's your type then?"

"I am a sadist," he shrugs, "but I don't want some slave. I need someone who enjoys pain, but will also keep me on my toes and won't show me their neck at the first sign of trouble."

"You mean you don't want someone meek and subservient?"

"Da, that."

"Well, we aren't an escort service. We won't match you directly with a sub; that will be up to you, although we have plenty of Platinum subs who would fit your requirements, depending on the level of pain you wish to inflict. I'm sure you won't have any difficulty attracting them."

Honestly? I'm not sure how I feel about a man like Volkushkin being a member and being let loose on my subs. He's dangerous. I know from Dex's researches that he's killed, though I also know he's never been convicted. I appraise him for a moment, wishing that Gray were here to guide me with the psychology of such a man.

"If you are to be a member of my club, you will have to be willing to discuss many things that you may consider highly personal. Are you?"

"I presume I may expect utter confidentiality. From you, and from your associate." He glances at Dex, who hasn't said anything so far.

"It is absolute. You may treat my office as your confessional."

"It's been a very long time since I availed myself of one of them," he chuckles, a gravelly rumble which sounds as though it comes from a much broader man. "You may ask me anything, and I will be honest."