Page 52 of Henri's Little One
“So, it has to be The Alpha who issues a challenge because the Russians have broken our laws. It’s partially our fault because we have let them go their own way for so long without guidance from the council,” Gabriel observed.
“You’re right, this situation has gotten out of hand because I made a conscious choice to stabilize things here at home first.” Armand’s fingers curled into a fist.
“That was the right decision. We couldn’t afford to have Alphas like La Farge on our council. Everyone here is a good loup garou and cares about their packs.” Gabriel walked over to the bar for a refill.
“And it is because of that, I sincerely believe, that the gods have blessed us with Mates.” Henri bowed to the four corners.
“It can’t be The Alpha who makes the challenge, then we get stuck with the Russians.” Marc who had been quiet most of the morning spoke up.
“That leaves us with Alexei or Henri, and Alexei hasn’t fully regained his strength from his imprisonment.” Julien downed his drink.
“Even I can take him if he doesn’t fight dirty, but he’ll fight dirty,” Alexei observed.
“Why don’t we arrange his capture and take his damn head? We have enough witnesses to come forth against him, up to and including his own Betas. That’s the most sensible course.” Marc’s expression turned hard. “I don’t want my Colin, or for that matter, any of the Mates, further exposed to any of this until we can appoint a council who isn’t corrupt.”
“Then it’s decided, we take his head. Martin, you’ve been taking notes?” Martin nodded to his Alpha. “The next question is how.”
“We turn the Betas against him then take him at his hotel. We imprison him with Hughes, and we tell the Europeans. We force the Europeans to read the Charter, and he’s legally executed,” Rémy concluded with a firm set to his mouth.
“If only it was as simple as it sounds.” Armand sighed. Alexei’s cell phone rang. He looked at the name on the Caller ID. “It’s Boris. Excuse me, Alpha, but I have to take this. Boris knew we were meeting and wouldn’t interrupt me for something trivial.”
“Davidoff, Boris? Da. They’re at the house? They did what? Keep them there. We’re coming.”
“Gentlemen, I’m glad the limousines are outside with our change of clothes. Maxim and Anatoly are at my residence. They dosed Chernof with a triple hit of the injection he gave to Vitas. He isn’t dead, but he’s out.”
§ § §
“Fuck…” Armand uttered the profanity without thought. “What have they done? Their testimony is useless now. They are Betas who laid a hand on their Alpha. Unless we can prove him guilty of high crimes, we’ll have to execute them instead of him. Martin, take six of the Enforcers who flew in from Colorado and go to the Waldorf. Get him out of there and into one of the cells at my residence. Alpha Davidoff, did you build subbasement cells in your town house?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“Put Anatoly and Maxim there for me to interview. This isn’t going to fly unless he attacked them first and they need to say so in front of witnesses.”
Alexei bowed his head. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Go home and keep them away from everyone. The Mates can’t talk to anyone until the Europeans get here.” Armand banged his fist on the library table. “Damn those two idiots. Go.”
Alexei ran out of the library in a flash, shouting instructions at Boris in Russian.
“Alpha Giraud, as our Director of Security, you must get the European delegation and have them meet us at my residence in two hours.” Henri headed for the door.
“Alpha Daurensbourg, as Director of Public Relations, you go with Alpha Giraud, and sweet talk their delegation into seeing this situation with Chernof and Vitas our way. Bring the Charter, if you must. It should stop any objections in their tracks.”
Etienne turned his head toward Rémy, and Henri stopped to wait for him. “The limousines are outside. Theo has my suit. Can I use a room to change? I can’t go to them like this.”
Henri faced Rémy. “I also need to change to meet the Europeans.”
“Upstairs to the right on the fourth floor is an empty bedroom. Make free of the room, I’ll have Marie Claire straighten when we leave.” Henri waited for Etienne at the library door. He lifted his head. “What about the Mates? If the Russians are loose…”
Armand addressed Julien. “Alpha Bellaire, the Mates are probably at Alpha Giraud’s home. Keep them together until further instruction. Call your friend Frank to help surround the outside of his town house. Tell him we will compensate him and his men for their time. Ring the inside with Betas and Enforcers.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Julien took his phone out of his pocket and was about to dial Frank.
The Alpha stopped moving and pressed his lips together and addressed his Beta. “Martin, have Rene go to my cells in the Village to keep an eye on Hughes. If Frank Ferone is going to be at Henri’s, now is not the time for a mating. Alpha Martin go with Alpha Bellaire. The Mates must be protected at all costs.”
They nodded. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Tell the Mates that to stay safe they must remain in Henri and Vitas’ suite, and they can only talk to each other. Have the Enforcers and Betas who went to the salon remain at Alpha Giraud’s home with you and them. The other Russians might attack. I hate that we need to get them involved. But Alpha Mate Vitas probably told them more of his story today, more than he told Alpha Giraud and us so far. They’ll have to testify. There are enough of them that the Europeans can’t claim hearsay under the standards of loup garou law.”
