The bouncer presses a finger to his ear, and I sigh in defeat, dropping my head.
What am I going to do?
I’m about to turn away when his deep voice stops me. “Mr. Hale would like to see you.”
My head snaps up, and my eyes widen as he pushes the door open for me.
I step inside, and another bouncer stands beside the entrance waiting for me. Though with his stiff posture and assessing gaze, he could easily be a bodyguard. “Come with me,” he says.
This is different from the way I came in with Sebastian and Eason. The front entrance takes us through the club, and like I thought, the dance floor and bars are empty. Except all it does is enhance the sheer opulence of the venue.
Black marble-like flooring flows through the expansive space while rounded black velvet booths run along one of the side walls. Gold accents pop against the dark tones, and a long bar runs through the centre of the space, wrapping around a ceiling-high glass shelving feature like a sleek island.
How big is this place?
I don’t see any sign of the two men who entered before either.
I follow the guard as he leads me away from the club floor and down different corridors until we reach the door I recognise as Lucas Hale’s office.
The smell of cigars lingers even in the hall, and I have to push past the sick feeling it gives me.
The guard knocks on the door, and I square my shoulders.
When he opens the door, I close my eyes and take a deep breath, ready to add as much conviction to my voice as I can.
I need this passport.
Sebastian may have paid for it, but it’s mine. That was the deal.
If I can get the passport, I can figure everything else out later.
Opening my eyes, I walk into Lucas Hale’s office, my shoulders set and my chin high. Like the last time I was here, he sits behind his large desk, emanating wealth and power. His gaze follows me as I enter his office, stopping in front of his desk.
I open my mouth, ready to state my case before I lose my nerve, but I don’t get the chance.
“Hello, Emery,” Lucas says as the door shuts behind me, and everything shatters.