Chapter 66 - At the Gentlemen's club

While Emile was out playing with women together with Jacques and Stephan in a private back room at the Jockey Club de Dijon, Alexandre had already arrived early. In the office, he had hurried to arrive early in the club to meet with the Brotherhood members.

When he entered the traditional Gentlemen's club of Bourgogne, thick clouds of smoke floated in the air. Men in fine suits puffed on their thick cigars or exquisite cigarettes. A heavy smell of smoke, alcohol and perfume was in the air. Although it was a club exclusively for men, Alexandre knew that some of the members did not follow the rules and invited women into their private rooms.

The alcohol was poured out like water. At the gaming tables, men shouted and always cheered with a glass of cognac in hand.

With big steps Alexandre made his way through the main room to the stairs.

A brawny guard blocked the way up. But with a single hand movement and a secret slogan he let Alexandre pass. At the end of the narrow corridor on the first floor he stopped in front of a massive wooden door. 707 was emblazoned on the gold shield. Again a quadratic muscleman lurked in front of the door. His mine looked at him critically.

Alexandre showed him the ceremonial signet ring, which only the members of the brotherhood Chevalier de la main were allowed to wear. Before he was granted entry.

Emile held onto the small and slender waist of a pretty woman while his other hand hung over the cigar box the waiter was holding out to him. His face became dark. After he had looked at the contents of the box. That idiot! He was nearly about to yell at the waiter who had served him the wrong brand of cigars. He only smoked Romeo y Julieta, all other kinds he never bothered with. Why couldn't the waiter memorize anything. He was the owner, should his employees not at least remember his wishes by heart. Idiot! Emile decided to hire a better waiter. After five warnings the waiter had still not improved himself. Emile Mouret expected nothing less than perfection. There was no exception for the staff. After all, he paid well enough for their services. He needed staff to satisfy the wishes and desires of all the gentlemen in his club.

As the door swung open and Alexandre walked in, Emile paused.

With his chin up Alexandre examined the room. He gave off the impression of being a noble and distinguished gentleman. His demeanor called for attention. Immediately all eyes were on him. The women in the room knew immediately how important Alexandre's attention was. Their eyes were filled with desire. Greed.

He had casually buried his hands in his trouser pockets. His face was blank. But his eyes were burning. Emil had known Alexandre de Valois for far too long to be fooled by this superficial serenity. His friend was boiling in his heart.

He turned to Alexandre with a smile on his lips.

"We bachelors need a little fun too. Unfortunately, we have no sweet wives waiting for us at home." He had only meant going to tease him until he saw the man in front of him shooting daggers through his eyes. Instead, Emile did his best to break the topic. "It's rare for you to come early?"

"What have we done to earn this honor?" Stephan sneered mischievously and continued to rub the breast of girl next to him.

"Aren't we meeting for business? Why are all these women here?" Ignored Alexandre Stephan's teasing. His tone was sharp. When he settled in a black leather chair.