Dangerously Quiet

22.

Disclaimer: Italian and French translation courtesy Google Translate.

New York

It wasn't unusual to see the CEO of Braggin' Rights in the warehouse, helping packers during rush hour deliveries. The Boston born company made their new home in New York ten years ago, employing laid-off workers from the same warehouse they purchased from the previous owner. They were all surprised when they met their new boss. Dressed casually in jeans, a t-shirt, and a jacket with an inquisitive blonde kid by his side and a sleepy five-year-old on his hip, it was hard for them to get a good sense of Michael Humphrey. After months of renovations to the warehouse and training given to them, they understood the man behind the big name and riches. He was a hands-on boss, a dedicated father, and a loving husband. Though they never saw Mrs. Humphrey at the warehouse, word has it she visited the main office randomly and had her own career going. 

Presently, Michael was filling out an order for a boutique when he heard the friendly greetings outside the clothing depot. Grabbing the worker's attention who was helping with the large order, he gave her the last items for their buyer and stepped out of the large room. He didn't have to walk far. 

"If I see you here one more day, I'm hiring you full time," he called out. 

The loud amused, filled laugh of his son filled the air; the wide, cheerful smile on his face matched his open attitude, which always put Michael in a good mood. Chase has always been a happy child; even when there was tension in their home or a case of his went awry, his son always had a smile on his face. 

"I don't think Director Shaw will like that one bit. He's still on my ass about shutting down the DC offer. Hi dad."

Michael accepted his hug and let him stay in his arms until he felt the tension seep out of his shoulders. Ending their hug, he held Chase by the shoulders and looked into his now dull brown eyes. "Bad?" he asked.

"It can be handled, but it's bad. Got word after I ended the call with Lucifer and the boys."

"When can we catch a fucking break? We should take this conversation to my office," Michael said, leading the way. Workers greeted Chase as he made his way past them, praising him on his career and how smart he looked in his suits. The warehouse and main offices were his second homes in growing up; wherever his father was, he also wanted to be there. He was eleven when he first used a gun and began training like every soldier under the seal. Michael's adoption was the greatest moment of his life; he gained a father who loved him like his own blood. When his mother became pregnant with his little sister, he foolishly thought Michael would forget about his non-biological child and focus on her, but the man ahead of him proved him wrong.

Reaching the soundproof office, Chase quickly went to the encrypted laptop and pulled up the information he sent to everyone half an hour ago. Moving for Michael to view it all, he began his own synopsis of the situation.

"It's safe to say every front access Dominion had in use for his drug and routes for his trafficking are closed on both legal and illegal sides. My contacts in the DEA confirmed their closure, and the boys did on their side also. We were so focused on the main routes that they have been using for the years gone by but never thought of the alternate routes because they were ours, to begin with..." he began.

"The locals," Michael muttered in disbelief. 

"Exactly. The DEA in Texas had a dry run on targeted bike clubs, and what they found was sent straight to the Director. Shaw called me right away. Dominion had a secondary hold in the States all along; that's why they could disappear and reappear with so many resources. They were right under our noses, and we didn't even smell them. Dice was found in abundance at three MC headquarters.  One of them had ten girls in captivity; they're US citizens who were victims of local human trafficking. College-age with different backgrounds. They have locals under their payroll."