Chapter 106 Parrain Maximus

(Jacques POV)

The members of the mafia mafia applauded the choice of the Caïd. For them, changes will be happening even if Maximus' position was just temporary. They knew he was fair and was willing to listen to the low ranking mafia members.

The Caïd has faced many attempts on his life without investigating the who and why. Andre, the Parrain, was mostly responsible for those attempts. He wanted to overthrow Pierre and take everything he had.

Some attempts had stemmed from vengeance partly due to the bad leadership of the Parrain. Everybody wanted their cut and everybody had someone else to pay with that cut. Andre took a cut for the Caïd as well as a huge chunk for himself, leaving little to the ones who actually did the work.

The first part of our plan is working. Maximus has gone up in rank albeit temporarily while I will take his place as Councillor, giving me a role in the Mafia. With two allies in the ranks, it will be easy to overthrow the Caïd and the High Councillor although I know my uncle has ambitions of his own.

If the Caïd dies, peking order states the Parrain to take leadership unless the position is voted upon by all members. Since Maximus has the support of most of the low ranking members, there will be no contest if he were to take the highest position in the organization. My uncle will not challenge Maximus for the title. I've seen the fear in his eyes when Maximus is present. He will be putting his life on the line if he would dare challenge him.

After the announcement of the Caïd, he lowered his head, hurt that he was once again overlooked. Celeste placed her hand on my uncle's arm and I could clearly see him relax under her touch.

"Maximus, congratulations!" I extend my hand to him for a handshake.

"Fang, all our hard work is finally seeing fruition." He takes my hand and shakes it. I can see he was very pleased with the announcement. "You will take my place as Councillor. See to it Ava also rises in rank."

"I will see to it immediately." Maximus rises from his chair to join the Caïd and the whole of the ballroom fills with cheers and applause as Maximus walked to the front to recieve the blessing of the Caïd. He whispers in his ear and the Caïd nods his head in agreement to whatever Maximus had told him.

"Temporarily, Maximus would like to appoint Fang as his replacement as Councillor." The other mafia members nodded their head in agreement. Celeste came to me and gave me a hug.

"Brother, congratulations." I glanced toward the direction of Jean Luc, he was again sulking. He was not pleased with this decision.

"Sister, someone is not happy." She laughs.

"Do not worry, brother, I will fix that."

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(Jean Luc POV)

It's been three days since the party and Parrain Maximus will be visiting my territory to survey my operations. The Parrain was still in the hospital I heard although no one could confirm. No one from the mafia would dare enter the hospital knowing they could be arrested.

A little bird told me he had "cleaned" the eastern region killing the men who disturbed the sydicate as well as the greedy Conseiller who did not pay his men well. Maximus could not understand why one would keep millions to himself when his men were dressed in rags. Once you are member, you represent the mafia and thus he should be well dressed as well as taken good care of.

Today, he was coming to see my territory and my Beta was busy trying to clean the sex dens and make them look "liveable". Maximus had told the eastern conseillers, "If you are kind to your pets who do not give you money, then be kind to the whores who do." This will cost me money, but Maximus was a force I didn't want to deal with. Ever.

"Parrain Maximus and his entourage have just arrived, Alpha." My Gamma entered my office to inform me, looking flustered. The mere smell of Maximus was enough to make anyone agitated.

"As expected." I get up from my chair and fix the jacket of my suit. I needed to look sharp for the new Parrain.

I walk out of my office located in a warehouse within my pack's territory. Inside the warehouse were all the goods we smuggled in or stole. It was also chop shop, stolen cars getting chopped up for their parts.

The warehouse doors opened and I saw the helicopter land in the wide cemented space of the warehouse. Out came Maximus, Fang, the fellow Yuri, a tall man I have never seen and a young lady with caramel brown hair. Celeste!

I call on one of my men. "Quick. Do I look okay?" I straighten my tie and fix the creases in my suit.

"Yes, Alpha!" He answered me with a confused look. Bumbling idiot, there's a beautiful woman in the territory!

She was wearing a loose-fit sleeveless white blouse tucked in beige pencil ankle- length trousers with side black stripes. She had paired her attire with black high heels and carried a black Hermes Birkin bag. Dark sunglasses shaded her eyes while her long hair flowed so gracefully with the wind. The woman was très chic!

Maximus struts into the warehouse ahead of his entourage, surveying the perimeter. He nodded his head, impressed I had something like this hidden in my territory.

"Alpha Jean Luc, I'm impressed. You have given me an idea for my operations." Maximus said arms spread out in appreciation.

"Welcome to Lune Brille territory." I bow to him. "For once there are no pretenses between us. You are wolf as are I. Although you are considered, as what we French wolves call your kind, le fripouille, a scoundrel, a rogue." I tell him, sneering.

"Ah, but this rogue, who used to serve the formidable Rogue Lord, is now Parrain under an unsuspecting Caïd." He laughs. "As for you, Lune Brille is not rightfully yours to claim. There are rumors of a child of your Alpha sister. Or do you forget?" His eyes stared into mine. "If he is alive, he is of age to claim his birthright. All he has to do is challenge you for the position which, I'm afraid is not yours." He smiles smugly. The bastard knew of my past.

"You mean my nephew with the silver eyes? He is no concern of yours. We believe him to be dead." I tell him, unflinchingly, as we looked at each other in the eye. He abruptly breaks free of our eye contact and turns around to look at the people of his entourage.

"He is correct. It is no concern of mine." The others nod in agreement. He then turns back to face me. "What concerns me are your operations, the fair treatment of your men, as well as the books. You do have the ledgers ready for me to take a look at, yes?"

"Of course, as we had discuss. I would like to beg for your forgiveness. I did not know Mademoiselle Celeste would be coming. I did not prepare anything for us to eat and drink while we discuss. I will do so now." I call on my Gamma who was lurking behind to come forward.

"No need to make an effort. We are here on business. Celeste knows this. Let me take a look at the books first."

"In my office, Parrain." Maximus motions for the others to follow him upstairs to my office. I stay behind to give instructions to my Gamma for food and drink. I needed to make a good impression on Celeste. No doubt, there were other wolves who could give her the moon and the stars. I had to prove that I could give her the moon and the stars as well as the sun and the clouds of the entire sky.

"I would love a croissant, yes, and some tea please." My Gamma and both turn around to find a smiling Celeste, her sunglasses on her head, her green eyes, so mesmerizing. I glanced at my Gamma who had his mouth open, just staring at her. "Bow, you idiot!" I mind link him.

"Mademoiselle, my sincerest apologies."He bows low, his neck in submission.

"That's quite alright." She waves her hand, unconcerned with formalities. "Lune Brille, what a beautiful name. It means Moon Shine, correct?"

"Yes. During every full moon, the light shines on the whole of the territory." I try to explain the origin of the pack's name.

"I saw your territory from above. You have provided well for your pack." I nod my head in agreement to get words. I had gotten old and without an heir, I needed the support of my pack. I have done many wrongs to many of the wolves of Lune Brille and to erase the past, I had to make their future bright.

"How about you, Mademoiselle Celeste? I am surprised you would tolerate your brother's line of work. Surely, this," I point my hands to the merchandise in my warehouse, "is not the life you would like to live."

"My father is a lawyer, a defense attorney to be exact. Of course, you yourself would know, defense attorneys, like my father, are just as dirty as the criminals they defend...especially when they win in their defense. My father would always say, "Nothing is illegal until you get caught. And when you get caught, give him a call." She giggles at her father's saying. Now I understand clearly.

"Well, let's go to my office. Maximus may have some questions that may need direct answers. You will find my office quite comfortable." I take her hand and wrap it around my arm. Some of my men who were working had paused to watch me as I escorted Celeste to the office.

My future Luna.