Elin's POV

The bar sits on a corner downtown, neon sign glowing against the night sky—'Shade.' Aaron's property, naturally. Everything in this city seems to belong to him in some way.

I push through the entrance. Music thrums through the walls, bass vibrating in my chest. A hostess checks my name against a list and directs me upstairs to a private room.

The hallway smells like expensive liquor and leather. I follow the sound of voices to a door at the end, hesitating for just a moment ...