Everyone was screaming.
Crashing noises echoed throughout the building as bottles and glassware fell from the shelves, shattering. Clubgoers rushed the exits.
Valentin scrambled to his desk and hit a button on his laptop. A split screen with four camera feeds came up. Two of the images were of the outside of the club, revealing men pouring into the street and parking lot. Thankfully, the security guards prevented them from stomping on each other. The other two cameras showed the hazy dance floor.
“Valentin! Are you okay?!” Xan’s voice sounded from the walkie-talkie.
Valentin grabbed it. “We’re okay.”
“Stay up there!” Xan ordered. “Lock the door.”
“What the fuck happened?”
“Flashbang. Smoke bomb. Somewhere near the dance floor.”
“Anyone hurt?”
“I’m not sure about cuts or bruises but no one’s down, at least. Ears are definitely ringing.”
Valentin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Bergam?”
“Must be,” Xan coughed. “Dang, that smoke is something. Feels like I’m in a forest fire.”
“Take care.”
“I’m gonna get everyone out and check the perimeter. I’ll walkie you when it’s safe to come down.”
Wes turned the deadbolt on the office door.
The overhead lights came on downstairs, highlighting that most of the patrons had already made their way out of the building. Xan was correct that no one appeared seriously injured, although a few men clutched their ears.
Valentin pushed keys on the laptop, looking at different camera views.
Wes saw Asher and the club’s manager, Sandi, helping the last of the men from the dance floor out a side door.
“What was the point of this?” Assa asked. “Bergam just wanted to fuck with your business?”
“It’s possible,” Valentin said. “I suppose if people think stuff like this might happen, they’ll be too scared to come.”
Wes shrugged. “Maybe not. All the guys here tonight will have a great story for tomorrow’s break room talk.”
“I think Bergam’s getting desperate,” Valentin said quietly. “Even more so than before. Xan heard he doesn’t have many friends left. Fucked up one too many deals or something.”
“It sucks that a clown like him can cause all this shit,” Wes muttered.
“I’m just glad Ang isn’t around to see it.”
The walkie-talkie crackled. “I got all the customers out and sent the bartenders home,” Xan said. “That’ll piss the cops off, but I don’t care. My guys are doing a perimeter sweep now, but it’s probably safe to come down.”
Wes, Assa, and Valentin descended the stairs to find Xan and Asher clearing broken glass off the high tables.
“Why are you still here?” Wes asked Asher.
Asher’s cheeks reddened. “Xan is, um, my ride.”
Wes lifted his forehead but didn’t say anything.
“I wonder how much this is going to cost us,” Valentin lamented. “Even closing two hours early will hurt. The place was packed.”