Victor's POV

The muffled sounds of activity on the street grew louder, intruding in on my office through walls like an unexpected guest. The cheers, laughing, and sounds of desultory applause—it was all too loud for any regular business day.

Jude leaned against his chair, tilting his head. "This is business as usual around here, huh?"

I exhaled sharply and reached for my phone to call the front desk. "What do you mean?"

He smirked, tilting the remaining whiskey in his glass. "Just ...