Hidden in the Stars (Falling Stars #2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

and purple neon sign flashes the words Lux Hedonica with a neon-lit pinup girl kicking a leg next to the name. Xavier and I look over to each other at the same moment.
    "This is really it?" I raise one brow.
    "Yep," he sighs, looking back toward the building. "It looks like a rundown strip club."
    "I was thinking the same thing."
    "The kind with cracked out, flabby strippers?" He catches my eyes again.
    "Remember that one in Idaho?" I crack a smile.
    "When we had that stripper with the C-section scar give Chris a lap dance?" He starts chuckling.
    "That's the one," I laugh.
    The poor girl tried to cover the scar with a poorly done tattoo, and it had clearly not been long after she'd received either of the marks. Christ, we'd been some major assholes then.
    Walking through the doors, we're greeted by two large men dressed in black. They eye us both before allowing us to walk by. Next, we come to a wisp of a man in a top hat and a sleeveless red tuxedo.
    "Welcome to Lux Hedonica. This evening you will be thoroughly entertained by our lovely display." Everything about this man is over the top, but it works.
    "We're supposed to meet a friend. Redman." Xavier takes a small step forward.
    "Ah, yes. He is expecting you in the VIP booth." With the removal of his hat and a grand bow, he extends an arm out, directing us to continue. As we pass, I notice the intricate dragon tattoo wrapped around his bald head.
    "They have a VIP booth?" As I ask the question, my eyes soak up the velvet-lined walls. There are pictures of different dancers—some wearing feathers, others lace, and some with thin straps of material and tassels. The women are attractive, not strung out and withered. I'm getting a better feeling about this place.
    "Well, fuck me," Xavier exclaims, pulling my attention forward.             
    Before us is a large room laid out with lush red, purple, pink, and gold. Red and pink velvet couches, lined with black leather, fill the area five feet from the stage. Black tables and chairs covered in gold lace rest around the stage and just outside the couch area. A large gold and crystal chandelier hangs in the center of the room. Along dark purple velvet-lined walls, are plush red booths with round, black tables at the center of the booth, a gold lantern light hanging from above each one. Large antique, gilded mirrors sit behind each of the booths.
    My eyes land on Redman, just as Xavier announces he sees him. We walk toward the largest booth in the room. It has a direct view of the stage and sits on an elevated platform.
    As we move closer to the table, the bar comes into view. Shiny black and gold detail wrap around the curved bar. Red velvet stools line it. Two men and one woman, all dressed in black vests with gold chains, tend to the patrons who've arrived.
    "Hidden little gem, isn't she?" Redman exclaims once we reach the table.
    "Jesus, man, I thought this was going to be some shithole, but…well…fuck. How did you find this place?" Xavier slides into the booth.
    "Fucked a girl who tried to get a job here and came to check it out one night." Redman beams. "I couldn't believe this place."
    "So, you just asked the owner to sell it to you?" I ask, sliding in on the other side of the booth.
    "Jack, how the hell are you, man?" I clasp his offered hand and release. "Actually, I became a regular and got to know the owner. When he mentioned selling, I jumped on that shit."
    "You definitely wouldn't know this was inside," I chuckle.
    "It needs some work, but mostly it just needs some PR." Redman waves a hand in the air and a girl in tight black pants and a purple satin corset appears.
    "You want another, doll?" She smiles, bright white teeth flashing from behind burgundy lips.
    "Definitely. What do you guys want?"
    "I'll have beer, whatever is on tap," Xavier responds, but his eyes stay on the girl's chest, which is pushed up tight and bulging.
    "Same here," I say, finally finding my voice. Fuck she's hot.
    "You guys like