The Showdown

Amber liquid sloshed over the rim of the crystal tumbler before Adrian Hawthorne tossed it back in one swallow. The heavy glass hit the marble table with a sharp crack, joining a dozen drained bottles scattered across the lounge.

Inside the VIP suite of the Imperial Crown Club, blue neon cut through the haze of smoke. Adrian slumped deep into the leather couch, his designer shirt unbuttoned, his