Behaving Badly in Vegas (Vegas Love #3)

50. Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Hunter

Tom walked into my office and threw a stack of papers on my desk. “You’ve got two thieves, not one.”

I picked up the papers and scanned them. “What do you mean?”

“It’s not only Leonard. His son is part of it too. Both of their names are all over this. Guess where the son works?”

As much as I wanted to know, I was more concerned with Charli. I hadn’t heard a word from her since last night. The house was too quiet this morning when I woke Carina up to take her to Rose’s. There was no fresh coffee. No witty banter. No kiss goodbye.

Just an empty, quiet apartment and my regret.

I should have asked her to stay.

I should have told her not to go.

I should have told her I loved her.

But I didn’t do any of those things. I let her walk out the door.

“Have you talked to Charli?” I blurted.

Tom sighed. “She showed up at my place last night. ”

That was a relief. At least I knew where she was. “I didn’t kick her out.”

“I know. She told me what happened.”

“She gave me an impossible choice.” I didn’t owe Tom shit, but I still felt the need to defend myself.

“If you say so.” He sat in one of the plastic chairs. “Listen, it’s not a secret that I never wanted her to work for you, and I definitely didn’t want her to get involved with you, but you’re not the same guy you used to be. I don’t know if that’s because of your daughter or Charli or some crazy epiphany, but I do know I’ll always support my sister. I also know you were lucky to have her. You’ll never find anyone as loyal, determined, or hardheaded as her. She’s one of a kind.”

Charli was all of those things and that’s why I fell in love with her. “How is she?”

“Was up half the night crying. She was asleep on the couch when I left this morning.”

I cringed. It killed me to know she cried. “I never wanted to hurt her.”

“Yet, you did.”

The guilt of that statement hit harder than I thought it would. “Yeah, I guess I did.”

“She wanted me to find out if it was okay if she left the rest of her stuff at your place until she found an apartment.”

“Of course, it’s not going anywhere.”

“Good. I’ll let her know. Now, let’s talk business. Do you want to know where the son works?”

I was still focused on Charli and didn’t have a clue what he was talking about. “Whose son?”

“Leonard’s son.” Tom snapped his fingers at me. “Keep up.”

“Right. Where does he work?”

“At the Bellagio. Looks like they’ve both been skimming from the company coffers. When we take Leonard down, it’ll launch an investigation into the son, too.”

I looked again at the papers Tom gave me. There was a corporate tree tracing back four levels and at the top were Leonard Moroski and Tobias Moroski. “You’re a genius, Tom. Thank you for doing this and thank you for not hacking into my life and destroying it.”

“No promises on that yet. If Charli gives me the word, you’re toast.”

“Understood.”

“As far as Leonard goes, I was happy to help. That guy is a total prick and—I can’t even believe I’m saying this, but—I like you better. Even though you treated me and everyone else like shit, I think you’re the right man for the job.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Thanks. When I get reinstated as CFO, I’m going to be better. It humbles me to say this, but I regret how I acted when I worked here before. This is where I want to be and I’m going to make things right.”

Tom stood and pointed to the papers on my desk. “You’re already making things right.”

“It’s a step in the right direction,” I agreed.

“I can’t say I understand why Charli fell in love with you, but you should think about making things right with her too.”

His words didn’t make sense. I was unlovable. I’d known it my whole life.

There was no way Charli was in love with me.

Was she?

Trent and I were already in my father’s office when Leonard arrived. Trent casually sat opposite my father’s desk while I leaned on the wall.

I’d been waiting for this for months and could barely contain my excitement, but it was imperative that Leonard not know about the bomb that was about to land on him.

“Have a seat, Leonard,” my father instructed.

“What’s going on?” he asked, pulling on his tie .

“It’s an impromptu meeting.” My father put his elbows on the desk and tapped his index fingers together. “We’ve been losing money for well over a year and, as I said in our staff meeting, I’m curious as to why that is. We’ve been running at near full capacity in the hotel and our casino floor has never been busier. The shows are packed, and our restaurant reservations are at a record level. I was wondering if, as CFO, you had any insight into why our profits are falling.”

Leonard sat up taller. “I do have some thoughts.”

“I’d love to hear them,” my father said.

“In my opinion, we’re overstaffed. That’s why I cut my staff in the financial department. I was trying to do my part.” My father leaned forward, encouraging him to continue. “Not only are we overstaffed, but we’re paying them too much. Ask Hunter; he does the payroll. He can attest that what I’m saying is true.”

All eyes turned toward me. I pushed off the wall and sat on the corner of my father’s desk. “We do have a lot of staff; however, they are necessary to provide the services we offer. The wages we pay are generous but not overgenerous. Paying people well gives them an incentive to stay, and with less turnover, we can provide better services. It’s one of the reasons people from all over the country come to Mystique. It’s what keeps us at the top of the hospitality industry. Customers know our services are excellent and they’ll be well taken care of. So, do I think cutting staff is the answer? No.”

Leonard shook his head. “And this is why you’re not the CFO anymore. Honestly, I don’t even know why you’re at this meeting.”

“Oh, I think you’ll find I have something very valuable to offer.”

“Doubtful.”

“I have a question,” Trent said. “Didn’t you work in Reno before coming to Las Vegas?”

“That’s right.”

“And why did you leave there?”

He waved Trent’s question away. “It was time to move on. I don’t understand what that has to do with Mystique’s profits falling.”

“Trust me, it’s relevant,” I said .

“You see, we’ve been doing some brainstorming, and we have some ideas.” My father picked up the report Tom prepared and handed it over the desk to Leonard. “What do you know about this?”

Leonard took the papers and scanned them. A thin sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead. “What is this?”

“Oh, I think you know what it is,” I answered.

“Actually, I don’t.” He set the papers back on my father’s desk.

“Then I’m sure your attorney will be able to explain it.” My father picked up his phone. “Send them in, please.”

Within seconds, hotel security and the police—the real ones this time—entered the room.

Leonard jumped out of his chair. “What the hell is this?” he yelled.

The police officers stepped forward and wrenched Leonard’s hands behind his back. “Leonard Moroski, you’re under arrest for corporate embezzlement. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.”

“This is complete bullshit! I’m going to sue your ass for false arrest and defamation! I’ll sue you all!”

My father came around his desk and stood between Trent and me. “One more thing, Leonard. You’re fired! Security will pack up your things and have them delivered.” He nodded to the police, and they escorted Leonard Morosk-hole from the building.

“That felt good,” Trent said.

“Really good,” my father agreed. He turned to me and shook my hand. “The CFO job is yours. You’ve more than earned it.”

Trent patted me on the back. “Welcome back, brother.”

“Thank you. It feels good to be back.”

My father smiled. “This is the way it was always supposed to be. It fills my heart to have both my sons here in their proper places.”

I got my job back. I had my office back. And Leonard was going to prison.

I should have been the happiest guy in the world.

I got everything I wanted… except the girl.