Julian’s POV
The bass from Club Orion’s speakers thumped low and heavy, vibrating through the floor and up into my chest as I pushed through the velvet curtain into the VIP lounge. Dim red lights bled across the leather sofas, cigar smoke curling lazy in the air, thick with expensive cologne, whiskey, and something sweeter—perfume from the girls working the room.
Mr. Hale was already sprawled in his usual corner, king of Club Orion. His shirt was unbuttoned halfway down his chest, exposing that gold chain he never took off. Two strippers knelt on either side of him, their manicured hands gliding slow over his skin, massaging his pecs. He had a fat cigar clamped between his teeth, smoke rolling out as he sipped from a heavy crystal glass. The ice clinked softly every time he tilted his gl
