Remy pulls up the server, clicks through to the file. His expression goes cold and focused as he scrolls through the images with the same tactical assessment he'd apply to hostile surveillance. Isabella leans in, studying the photos with her chemist's precision.
"Whoever took these has training," she says quietly. "Professional equipment. They took the time to go through and cherry-pick the images they wanted."
"Which means confidence." Remy hands back my phone. "They weren't worried about getting caught. Inside job or security compromise?"
"Both are possible. Could be a member who mapped the system, could be staff feeding information to an outside party, could be someone who hacked our digital infrastructure." I straighten. "Either way, it's sophisticated. Organized. Getting bolder."
"Client profile?"
"Simone LaCroix. CEO of LaCroix Petroleum. Oil heiress, only child, took over the company five years ago when her father died." I pull up her membership file. Rapier Strategic handles all of Dominion's vetting, so the background checks are thorough. Financial records, business holdings, family history, criminal background, references from the lifestyle community. Everything we need to assess risk and verify legitimacy. "Member for two years. Submissive, usually scenes with established partners. Always books private rooms."
"Never plays on the main floor?" Remy asks.
"Never. High-profile CEO, needs the extra discretion. Private rooms only, usually the same partners, regular bookings." I scroll through her activity logs. "Which is why the stalkerhad consistent access. She's predictable. Same rooms, same schedule, same blind spots every time."
"Makes her an easy target."
"Makes her a perfect target." I close the file. "No prior security concerns until now."
"Until now." Remy stands, moves to the window. He's thinking, calculating risks and resources. "This hits multiple problems. Security breach in Margot's club. Threat to a member. Potential intelligence leak in a system you designed. Personal because it involves family business."
"Which is why I'm talking to you." I straighten. "If this compromises Rapier Strategic's operational security or puts the family at risk, we decline and refer her to another firm."
Isabella speaks up. "Does she know what she's walking into? That protection detail with you means surrendering control of her entire life?"
"Not yet. Margot's bringing her in." I check my watch. "She should be here soon."
Remy's quiet for a moment, then nods. "We take the case.” I look at him and he continues, “It’s Margot asking. That’s family. We don’t turn down family. Standard contract, executive protection rates, you're primary on tactical. I'll handle the investigation into security breach from operational side. We find who compromised Dominion's system and we shut them down."
"Permanently."
His smile is dark. "Exactly."
The meeting's set for the afternoon. I spend the time reviewing security footage, cross-referencing timestamps with club attendance logs, building a timeline of when the stalker had access to plant a camera. The pattern's there if you know where to look. There's consistent positioning, the same blind spot used repeatedly, professional discipline in shot composition.
Whoever did this has training. They have a military or law enforcement background, most likely. Someone who understands surveillance and operational security.
When Margot appears in the conference room doorway, the woman from the photographs stands behind her.
Simone LaCroix.
She's taller than I expected. Tall enough that she doesn't have to crane her neck even without the heels. Honey-blonde hair pulled into a professional twist that probably took twenty minutes to achieve. Cream suit tailored to show curves while maintaining executive polish. Diamond studs in her ears, pearls at her throat, manicured nails wrapped around an expensive leather purse.
Every line of her screams money and control. Old family wealth combined with ruthless business instinct.
But what catches my attention is the tension. She's hiding it behind perfect posture and designer clothes, but the fear is there in her shoulders, the way her gaze tracks the room like she's cataloging threats.
She's smart. Threats are exactly what she should be looking for.
"Luc Pascal, Simone LaCroix." Margot makes the introduction with professional efficiency. "Simone, as I mentioned, Luc is Head of Operations for Rapier Strategic. He’s former Delta Force before he came home to New Orleans and built Rapier Strategic with Remy."
She steps back, making it clear this is Rapier Strategic's meeting now. She brought her club member to the firm. What happens next is our call. "I'll leave you to it."
Margot disappears down the hallway. Now it's just me and the woman someone's been hunting.
I don't stand. Don't extend my hand. Just lean back in my chair and let her come to me. I need to test how she respondsto someone who doesn't accommodate her expectations. Margot warned me she negotiated everything—even scenes. If I let her take control in the first thirty seconds, I'll spend the rest of this protection detail fighting for it.
She crosses the room, extends her hand. "Mr. Pascal. Thank you for seeing me on short notice."
