Chapter Seventeen
It’s only been three weeks since I walked down these low steps, since I stood on this rain-slicked stoop. Behind me is a dark city, the air electric with the promise of danger. Crime and s*x. Mainstays of downtown Tanglewood. But I know the true risk lies in front of me. The brass ring in the lion’s mouth may as well be a loaded gun. I grasp the cold metal and knock it against the base.
The heavy door nudges open an inch. My heart thuds against my chest, echoing the single knock.
The men who frequent the Den are the most powerful in the city. A thief from the street wouldn’t steal from them unless they wanted swift retribution, even if the door is unlocked. But powerful men make powerful enemies, and leaving the door open feels reckless.
Unless they’re expecting someo
