Behaving Badly in Vegas (Vegas Love #3)

18. Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Hunter

The memory of Charlotte squirming on the chair and the blush that crept up her cheeks had me sporting a semi. I’d been out of line with her, but there was no way I was approving of her going out on a date with some fuckboy who delivered furniture. It only took one phone call to solve that problem.

Buh-bye, Ben.

I was a selfish prick and even if she did almost burn my apartment down, I wasn’t letting her go that easily. Charli Bently was a wild thing that needed taming. I could think of a dozen ways to shut that sassy mouth of hers, starting with my cock shoved between her pouty lips. She could yes, sir me all she wanted on her knees while staring up at me with those big blue eyes.

I made sure to leave the apartment early this morning to beat Leonard to Mystique if he even showed up at all. For all I knew, he was still shitting rivers from his specialty coffee with a hint of chocolate .

While in his office, I strategically inserted the camera I bought yesterday into the frame of the picture of his too-hot-for-him wife and their pimply teenage son. I checked the feed on my phone and angled the frame toward Leonard’s keyboard. You’d think I’d have learned my lesson with Trent, but unlike taping my brother having sex, this wasn’t for my entertainment. It was strictly research.

Leonard was as shady as a crack dealer selling bibles. If he was hiding something, I was going to find it.

Before leaving, I placed the package of blue sticky notes on his desk along with the receipt and his change. Three pennies. It was more of a fuck you than anything else.

I slipped out of his office and locked the door with the key no one had bothered to take back from me when I was fired. With my work done, I headed to the break room to get coffee.

Gia sauntered in a few minutes later for her own dose of caffeine. “Don’t forget about tomorrow,” she said.

“I’ll be there will bells on,” I drawled sarcastically.

“Good to hear. And Charli?” She filled her pink mug with coffee. The mug said A woman’s success is not measured by the size of her feet . I internally rolled my eyes. Feminism was overrated.

“I’ll drag her along too, although I’m not sure of the purpose.”

Her bright-red lips turned up in a smile. “Because I invited her. Does there need to be another reason?” She casually added cream and sugar to her brew, enjoying our little interaction way more than I was.

Because you’re dead set on making my life hell and making me pay for that damn video. “I suppose not.”

“Perfect. We’ll see you tomorrow then. I can’t wait to meet my niece. Ta-ta, Hunter.”

The thought of going to Trent and Gia’s was about as appealing as a rectal exam performed by Edward Scissorhands. I’d rather bleed than make small talk with a family who pretended I didn’t exist for the last year. Not even a goddamn Christmas card or a fucking cookie bouquet for my birthday. It was poor manners .

When I crawled to my father and begged for my job back, I didn’t realize it was going to include family dinners. What was next? Cake, streamers, and fucking pi?atas?

Hard pass.

I took my coffee and left the break room, practically bumping into a haggard-looking Leonard, pallid skin and dark circles under his eyes. “Good morning, Mr. Moroski. I hope you’re feeling better today.”

He glared at me. “What do you want, Hunter?”

“The question is, what do you want, Mr. Moroski? I’m here to help. Would you like a cup of coffee?” I held up my mug of freshly brewed java.

“No,” he grumbled as he stomped away.

“You sure? It’s a fresh pot,” I yelled at his retreating form, the devil on my shoulder throwing a fist pump in the air. That dick fucker deserved the stomach cramps and burning asshole I gave him yesterday. He fucked with the wrong person.

“I see you’re making friends.” Trent clapped his hand on my shoulder.

I took a sip of my hot coffee. “What do you know about Leonard?”

“Guy keeps to himself mostly. Seems competent enough.”

That was the least glowing recommendation I’d ever heard. “But is he trustworthy?”

Trent raised an eyebrow. “I trust him more than you.”

“I’m not talking about most likely to fuck your wife, I’m talking about money.”

My brother gritted his teeth. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that unless you want me to knock you on your ass again.”

I gave him a big grin. “Don’t worry about it. Unlike you, I don’t screw our employees. And anytime you want to go a round, let me know. Last time you hit me, it was a cheap shot. I’d be happy to even the score.”

“God, I did not miss this shit.”

“Awww… you’re a liar. You totally missed me.”

“Not even a little bit.”

I looked at my watch. “Wish I had time to call you out on your bullshit, but I have a meeting with Dad.”

“Wait! So do I. ”

We looked at each other and scrambled off in opposite directions, ties flying, to our own offices. Within seconds, we both arrived at my father’s door, jockeying for position to get through it first. Trent beat me by seconds, but I was right on his heels with my laptop and notes.

At our anything-but-smooth entrance, my father looked up from his computer and smiled. “You two are early. Come in, boys.” Boys . Like we were children and not grown men. It took me back to the days when Trent and I would wrestle on the back lawn beating the crap out of each other, only to face the consequences with our father. Trips to his office never boded well for either of us.

I wasn’t in the mood for a disciplinary lecture. Trent and I, for the most part, had been amicable this week. It was the best-case scenario. If he was hoping we were going to sing “Kumbaya” and roast marshmallows, he was out of luck.

“Why are we both here?” Trent asked.

I wanted to know that answer too.

“Have a seat.” Our father motioned to the leather chairs in front of his desk. Trent and I shared a wary look and sat. “I wanted to do some brainstorming with the two of you.”

Trent scowled. “He’s a junior financial assistant.”

Anger boiled inside me. I used to be the CFO. I didn’t need my fall from grace shoved in my face any more than it already was. The closet office. The junior position. The snide remarks. The jeering glances. The kowtowing to Leonard and anyone else who felt the constant need to remind me of my status. The whole thing humiliated me, although I was sure that was exactly the point.

Humiliation.

Before I could say anything, my father held up his hand to stop me. “He’s my son, same as you. The two of you have been around this hotel your entire lives. Besides your animosity for each other, the two of you are the most qualified to bring Mystique into the future. We’re losing profits and we need to figure this out. Something is out of whack.”

“You’re right,” Trent conceded .

It was more than I expected from him. Despite my bad behavior, I had a great work ethic. This hotel and casino resort was like my second home. Rose would bring us here when we were kids to see our dad. When we were old enough, we had our first jobs here. From the mail room to administration, we knew everything there was to know about Mystique.

“As I told you both, I want to go back to basics.” He went over to the huge whiteboard hanging on the wall and drew two lines in the form of a plus sign that divided it into quadrants. He wrote the word “strengths” in the first box. “Go.”

Trent and I had both done our homework. We filled the box with all the amenities Mystique offered from restaurants to shows to gambling to the luxurious rooms and spa. Dad wrote down each one, having to squeeze some into the box sideways.

“We know what we do well. Now, let’s move on to weaknesses. He wrote the word in the next box. “Give me all your thoughts.”

I stood and took the marker from my father and wrote one word in capital letters. LEONARD.

“For Christ’s sake!” Trent rolled his eyes. “Just because you don’t like the guy doesn’t make him a liability.”

“Trent’s right. You sound like sour grapes.” He picked up the eraser and I swiped it from his hand.

“Hear me out. Why did he fire my entire team except for Daniel?”

“It was unnecessary overhead,” my father answered.

“Bullshit. Trent has a team of people who work underneath him. Everyone has a specific job. My team was the same way. It’s too much for any one person.”

“Leonard’s more efficient than you were. Deal with it,” Trent scoffed.

“Again, bullshit. When you’re dealing with the type of money we bring in, there needs to be a system of checks and balances. Accountability. All it takes is one misplaced number to lose thousands, possibly millions of dollars.”

“What are you suggesting?” my father asked .

“I’m not sure yet, but something doesn’t sit well with me. How could we go from being one of the most successful casinos on the Strip to hemorrhaging money in less than a year? It doesn’t make sense.”

“I agree, it’s concerning, but what you’re proposing is a serious accusation.” My father let out a ragged breath.

“If you accuse him of wrongdoing and you’re wrong, he’ll sue the crap out of us for defamation and a handful of other offenses,” Trent pointed out.

“I’m aware of the risk, which is why I have another suggestion.”

“Which is?”

“I want to do a complete audit of all the financials over the last year. We keep it between the three of us.” It was a ton of work, but the only way to determine if Leonard was as shady as I suspected.

“And if you’re wrong?” Trent asked.

“I’m not wrong.”

“That’s all well and good to say, but you have to prove it.” My father never doubted me before, and I took this as a challenge.

“I will.” When I proved Leonard was a piece of shit, I’d be reinstated as CFO. It was a risky move on my part.

I hoped I was right.

I stayed late at work to download and print the necessary documents. It was a shitload of paperwork, but I was giddy when I got home. I dropped my keys and wallet on the hallway table. “Hello?”

“In here!” Charli and Carina were on the living room floor playing. The coffee table had been pushed to the side and they lay in the middle of the fluffy, black rug. Carina was on her back while Charli held a stuffed frog to the side and made her reach for it. “Do it again, sweetie.” Carina rolled onto her tummy and laughed.

“Did she roll over? ”

Charli smiled. “Yep. I’ve been working on it with her all week, and today, she’s been rolling around like it’s second nature. I was starting to worry because she should have been doing it by now.”

I didn’t know that. I didn’t know shit about baby milestones. I added it to my list of things to research. She also needed to see a pediatrician. It should have already happened, but I’d been so busy it took a back seat to everything else.

Getting down on the rug with them, I buried my face in Carina’s tummy and nuzzled her. “That’s my big girl.” She laughed and hit me on the head with her tiny hands. “You gonna get your daddy? Huh? I scooped her up and rolled on my back, zooming her around like a miniature airplane, arms and legs flailing. The sound of her laughter caused warmth to spread through my chest. I’d never loved anyone like I did my daughter. “Who’s got you now? Huh, princess?”

“Hunter, stop!”

“She’s tough. Aren’t you, girl?” I zoomed her again and brought her down to kiss her forehead.

“Hunter…”

Carina opened her mouth to laugh and… puked all over my face. Putrid liquid covered my eyes, nose, and mouth. It dripped down the sides of my face into my ears. I froze because what the hell else was I supposed to do? “Hel—” I slammed my lips closed, but it was too late. The contents of Carina’s stomach already seeped through and infiltrated my tongue.

“Oh, god! I was trying to tell you I just fed her a bottle.” Charli snatched Carina from my arms and laid her on the rug. Then she rushed away and returned with a wet washcloth. “Hold still.” I wasn’t going anywhere. Charli gently rubbed the cloth along my eyelids, down my nose, and over my lips. “Don’t move.” She left and returned with a fresh cloth, wiping away any of the mess she missed the first time.

All I could do was stare into her big blue eyes. They weren’t the same blue as mine. Hers were darker, like the ocean at midnight, with long lashes that fanned her cheeks when she blinked. I was mesmerized .

“How’s your stomach? You’re not going to throw up, are you?” She gently patted my face with a dish towel as she hovered over me, her long hair falling around her face like a curtain.

My weak stomach was the last thing I was thinking about. “Thank you.”

She smiled. “You’re welcome.”

I reached up and pushed her hair behind her ear. “Not only for this but for everything. I know I’m not the easiest person to be around, but I don’t know how I would have survived this week without you.”

“You’re not that bad. You have a loud bark, but deep down”—she put her hand on my chest—“I think you’re a good person who got thrown into a difficult situation.”

She had no idea what she was talking about. Didn’t know my past. Didn’t know the lengths I’d go to to get what I wanted. “You’re wrong. I’m not a good person.”

“I’ve seen the way you are with Carina. You’re going to be a great dad.”

Not you are a great dad . Couldn’t blame her. I’d missed the mark more than a few times. “Regardless, you’ve made this much easier. I’ve ridden you hard and you barely complain.” I internally winced at my choice of words.

She still leaned over me. Maybe even closer than before. Her breathing shallowed. “Not that hard yet.”

The conversation was veering into dangerous territory. Unprofessional. Not able to help myself, I brushed her cheek with my thumb. “There’s still time.”

“Yeah?”

Her soft voice made my cock swell. “Yeah. You’re not quitting on me, are you?”

Charli smiled. “Not planning on it.”

Carina screeched, the high-pitch squeal cutting the sexual tension between us. I wouldn’t be winning any Dad of the Year awards for flirting with the nanny while my daughter, who just threw up, lay on the rug ignored. I rolled away from Charli and picked up Carina .

She should have been my first priority, not getting my dick hard with the nanny. “I’ll give her a bath tonight. You’re officially off duty.”

Charli pulled back at my sudden change in demeanor. “Off duty?”

I stared down at her. “Yes. If you want to go out with the fuckboy tonight, you’re free to do so.” It came out angrier than intended. Did I want her to go out with some other guy? No, but I was afraid if she didn’t leave, I’d have her on her back by the end of the night. A bad idea for more than one reason.

“Oh, wow! That’s so generous of you,” she said sarcastically. “I guess I’ll pick up some rando off the Strip. Sounds fun.” She stalked to her room and returned with her purse. “Hope she doesn’t shit on you tonight.” Before I could respond, she was out the door.

My keys on the hallway table rattled when the door slammed. I should have felt relieved that Charli was no longer sucking the air from my lungs, but all I felt was a sinking in my chest. I’d never felt guilty in my life, but I was sure that’s what this was. I took an intimate moment and turned it into something dirty.

Made her feel dirty.

How many times had I picked up a woman for a night of fun? More times than I could count. She had every right to find a man to make her forget about me, but I really hoped she wouldn’t.