Nancy’s eyes darted left and right as they stepped into the dim, hazy room pulsing with noise. The thick stench of alcohol clung to the air. Half-naked women laughed too loudly, clinging to drunk men who treated them like playthings. Some were already pressing lips to flushed skin while others stumbled, sloshing liquor on each other without care.
“What the hell is this place?” Nancy whispered, tugging at her brother’s sleeve as unease crawled down her spine. “Why would you bring me here?”
Her brother didn’t say a word. He just kept walking—straight toward a man lounging with a self-satisfied grin, maybe in his early forties, eyes gleaming like he’d been waiting for this.
“Well, look who finally showed up! Lucas, it’s been ages,” the man said, arms open wide. “Did you like the gift I sen
