The club wasn’t open yet, but the energy was already building. Girls were warming up on stage—stretching, spinning, syncing with the bass that thumped low through the floor. Velvet Lace had its own rhythm, even before the lights hit.
I sat in the back booth, half-shadowed, watching the room like it might try something. My burner buzzed against the table, but I hadn’t touched it yet. Not until I was ready.
GreenLee was in the office with Tosha. I could hear the muffled hum of their voices through the wall—two women who knew how to run a kingdom, even if the crown was made of neon and dollar bills. They were handling things. But I had something bigger to set in motion.
I pulled out the burner, scrolled to the wolf emoji. Fenrir. Jasper chapter. Lords of Valhalla.
I hit call.
“Need you i
