ALEX:
The smell of perfume and smoke clung to the air like a second skin.
Inside the clubhouse, the world tilted just a little—low amber lighting glowing off steel furniture, worn leather couches, and half-empty glasses. The music was loud enough to thrum through your ribs but low enough not to drown out the conversations. Girls were everywhere, lounging in the booths, throwing darts, counting rolls of cash in the corner booth like it was poker night instead of payroll.
This was our place.
Our kingdom.
And today? It felt like it.
“Ladies,” I called, stepping up on the small riser beside the bar, breakfast in hand. “I’m gonna keep it short. We doubled profit this quarter. Trixie just secured the warehouse lease. And the books?”
I smirked, raising the glass. “Clean enough to pass scru
