The sight that greeted them was enough to make anyone pause.
Hundreds of spectators packed the underground venue, their roars and chants shaking the very air. Most of them carried the unmistakable aura of people who lived in the shadows like gangsters, mercenaries, smugglers, and all sorts of dubious characters who would never be welcomed in society.
Cigarette smoke hung heavily in the air, while money and betting slips exchanged hands at an alarming pace.
Stationed throughout the arena were numerous bouncers whose sharp eyes constantly scanned the crowd for trouble. The moment several of them noticed Gideon, Ashley, and the rest of their group, their expressions subtly changed.
Unlike the majority of the patrons, Gideon and Ashley were dressed far too well to be ordinary ruffians or low-level gamblers. Their bearing, attire, and calm confidence immediately marked them as individuals of status and influence.
