Triple Diamonds (Mystic Nights Book 2) (6 page)

Tawny sighed in frustration. “Yes, and they are in the process of cancelling their credit cards too. But still,” she added shaking her head morosely, “We need these security cameras in place sooner rather than later. That’s six this month alone. Our reputation is on the line. We don’t want people hearing about this—they won’t think it’s safe to come here for a weekend getaway or vacation.” She turned to Joseph looking him in the eye. “I really want you to handle this personally for us, Joseph.” He kept his shock to himself. He knew his mother and brother were incredibly busy with their new projects, but this wasn’t exactly his field of expertise. But he wouldn’t say no either. He’d work with Tom Watson, their head of security and make it happen. He thought it might be a test, and those suspicions were confirmed with his mother’s next words. “Do you think you have time with your busy schedule, now that you are running for tribal council?” There was no note of sarcasm in her voice, but her eyes told him more. She wanted him to commit himself here. To the casino. The family business. The life-blood of their people.

He knew this was also her attempt at asking him whether he thought he could handle both jobs.

“Yes, of course. I’ll get the contracts ready for the new employees and talk to Tom about who we used for the other cameras. We can get them in this week. I’m sure.” He didn’t mind the new task set before him. It was his job to handle the employee contracts and business contracts for outside help anyway. This would reduce the boredom of his otherwise tedious job. He knew how important the success of the casino was. It was vital to all of his people, too. And that had always been why he wanted to pursue a political career. But for some reason she never voiced, she’d always tried to steer him away from it. He added, “I’m sure I can handle both. Not a problem. And, after the campaign and if I win, I still plan on continuing my work here. Tribal council member isn’t a full time job, it’s not like the Senate or the House.” She narrowed her eyes and looked away quickly. He saw the flash of annoyance, or was it regret? He didn’t know. Her mask was already in place and she was back to business as she looked down at the reports on her desk. She did have a lot to do. His guilt ate at him a bit.

His mother was the hardest working woman he knew. He wanted to give her more reassurance. “As tribal council member, I’ll have the Saturday morning meetings. I’ll have to do some research, and attend some conferences on occasion. And there may be a workshop or two scheduled each month. It’s for the people. Our people,” he added.

She looked up and saw her son smiling at her with concern in his eyes. He was so like his father. Always wanting to do the right thing. Never wanting to disappoint the people he loved. Joseph had a big heart. He was noble, kind. But look where that had gotten him? Alone. Miserable most of the time, sacrificing for others while he went without. It wasn’t the life she wanted for their son. But she knew in her heart her son was choosing his own path. She couldn’t deny him that. She returned his smile. She hated to do it, but she needed to let go of her dreams for him and let his pursue his own even if it meant heartache. She could accept it, but she didn’t have to like it.

“And what about the volunteering?” she asked knowing how much he loved to do that.

He sat up in his chair. “Yes, I still want to do that too. I like doing it. It’s early in the morning. They need the help. I like being with those kids.”

Again she nodded and gave him a smile. It was his path, she reminded herself, his choice, and he was helping out with a community endeavor that needed support. But again, she would prefer he find some girl, have babies of his own, like Jonathan was doing. “Okay, Joseph. You can do it all. But, if it becomes too much, you let us know.”

Joseph knew that had been hard for her to admit, let alone say aloud, and so he agreed. It was a big step for him and his mother. He felt his brother’s hand clap him on the back with a show of support.

“I will. And I can. The council meetings and prepping for them shouldn’t be too time consuming, but I want to play a part. I’ll continue to do my volunteer work at the youth center in the mornings, and any reading or research for the committee meetings with the reserve I can do in the evenings.”

“And you will do a great job, Joseph. You always do.”

Tawny watched the exchange between brothers and was warmed by it. Being barely a year apart, they had always remained close, and she was glad for that. They had each other. She hadn’t been an only child, but her one brother had been a decade older than she, and she missed out on having a family member close in age to be that rock. It was one of the reasons she had been happy when she became pregnant with Joseph so soon after Jonathan, though both were unplanned. Both shocking surprises. And then when the girls were born seven years later, they had each other. None of her children would be alone. And she had them. It was enough, she thought as she told herself not to dwell on the past. She hated that she was getting more nostalgic with age. She missed her brother, too. He had died ten years ago of lung cancer. “Okay, if that is your path, I will support you. I love you, but I just want you to know you’ll have no time for a social life, and what social life you will have, as a public servant, will be scrutinized. Are you prepared for that?”

Joseph refrained from rolling his eyes. His mother was . . . His mother. “Mom, thank you. Your support means everything to me. And I’m glad to have it, but it’s not like I’m a senator, or running for the presidency. I just want to serve my people, here.” He enunciated the last word to let her know he had no plans to leave Lantern Hill. Not anytime soon. His heart was here with his people.

“Still . . .,” she murmured, her voice taking on a faraway quality about it. She glanced out her windows briefly seemingly lost in thought.

Joseph took the bull by the horns. “Mom, I’m sorry I took you by surprise this morning. And, I should have discussed it with you sooner. But you must have known I’d try for it. I majored in political science before I went to law school. Ever since meeting Senator Silver when I was young boy, you know I’ve wanted this.”

At that name being dropped, Tawny put her focus back onto her sons and watched them closely. Her longtime friend, a man who had helped her make
The Mystic
possible by helping her people gain their First Nation status, here in the state and in Washington, had left a mark on her young son. He’d been around from time to time and her son had always admired the man. He’d followed his progress on elections, issues, and platforms since high school, and had even worked with him one summer on one of his campaigns gaining valuable insight and knowledge. Again shaking her head, she knew it was destiny. Her son had always hoped to pursue politics. It wasn’t something she would have chosen for him, but she wouldn’t get in the way of his dreams either. She let out a sigh. “Okay love, like I said earlier, if it’s what you want, I’ll support you. But we need you here too, son.”

“I’m not going anywhere, Mom. Promise.” He tilted his head to the side showing his sincerity, his palms up and in supplication.

Tawny got up from her chair and came around to her largest son, even though he was younger than Jonathan. His size didn’t deter her from one final lecture. “And no more surprises. I’m your Mother, not just your boss. Don’t pull that in a board meeting again. But, if this is what you want, I’ll be here. Heck, I’ll even vote for you,” she teased reaching up to touch his face. He leaned into the sign of affection.

“Thank you, Mom.” Joseph then engulfed the petite woman in his arms giving her a sincere hug. “It means a lot to me.”

Jonathan was beside them both and when Joseph let go of Tawny it was his turn to give their mother her due affection. He gave a slight squeeze in parting. “Well, if Joseph has this covered, then I’m heading out for the day. Aliya is having her parents over tonight, and we are discussing baby room themes.” He rolled his eyes, and shivered at the thought. “This should be fun.”

Tawny laughed. “Who are you kidding? You can’t wait to start setting up that room.” Jonathan shrugged his shoulders, but nodded his agreement as Tawny continued. “Did you put your name on the list for housing on the reserve?” she asked.

This time Jonathan shook his head in the negative. “No, Aliya and I decided that the need for housing on the reserve is just too great. We don’t want to push any single mothers down the list just because we are married. My house is close to both the reserve, and here. We’ve decided to stay in our home.”

Tawny nodded her approval. Housing was always an issue. It was one of the things she hoped Mystic would finally be able to redress. “Well, as soon as you know the sex of the baby and the theme, let me know. I can’t wait to do some shopping.”

“Will do, Mom, though I suspect you have already done a bit of that.” He kissed her cheek which she turned into.

“Guilty as charged,” she pleaded. She couldn’t wait to hold another baby in her arms. Her grandchild.

Joseph watched as Jonathan made his escape. After he left, Joseph turned to Tawny one more time. He wanted to let her know he would go speak to Tom right away, and that afterwards he was meeting his sisters for dinner. He invited her along.

“I’ve got a dinner engagement myself.” She lied easily. “But, maybe later in the week.”

He gave his mom one more kiss and headed down to the security offices on the second floor. He wanted to speak with Tom Watson before going to his room. His relaxing time had just been cut in half, and after dinner he had plans of his own. And hopefully, after a long day like today, it would be a pleasant interlude. He needed it, because the week ahead looked like it was going to be a bear, too.

‡

J
oseph’s jaw practically
hit the floor the moment he walked into
Light It Up
. And unfortunately, both of his sisters were by his side to see it. When he’d mentioned he was heading to one of the casino clubs for a bit after dinner, both decided to join him. Eve ran the nightclub, as well as the two others in the casino, and was heading the fourth project currently under way,
Spirits in The Sky
. And even though it was her night off, she liked to check in now and again when the employees weren’t expecting it. For twenty-three, nearly twenty-four years old, his sister, well both of them actually, we’re just as driven and focused as their mother. And, she also liked to dance. And love-struck Dawn, although more bookish, also enjoyed a night out now and again eternally searching for the one to make her dreams come true.

He really hadn’t wanted his sisters to be his wingmen, but he couldn’t tell them that. Not now. If either one of them knew he had come out tonight in hopes of hooking up with a girl, and that he was interested in pursuing a
specific
someone, they would tag along to spite him, and then tell their mother all about it over coffee in the morning. He groaned inwardly at the thought of that conversation.

As soon as the threesome hit the club, he quickly masked his reaction to the sight he saw on the dance floor. Jewel, Linda, and Dinah together, not looking like kitchen staff members any longer were grinding on the dance floor, and his Jewel was in the middle, in a short grape colored cocktail dress that was showing plenty of her thighs. And to hell if they weren’t sexy as hell. Her naturally bronzed skin gleamed under the dance floor lights like satin. They begged to be touched, or better yet, stroked. By him.

Instead of heading straight to where the three girls moved, he steered his sisters towards the bar and ordered them all a drink.

Eve leaned against the bar perusing the crowded scene happily. She knew she could fill another bar easily. And as Dawn climbed onto a bar stool next to her brother, she knew without a doubt her new project would be the lure for the younger crowd she wanted to see at
The Mystic
. It would become a favorite spot for the locals, and bring in the crowds from Jersey and New York on the weekends.

Dawn sipped her cocktail slowly. She enjoyed the fruity drink her brother had ordered, but wanted to make it last. She wasn’t much of a drinker, couldn’t handle more than a few. She scanned the crowd as well. But not for the same reasons her sister did. Her sister always got a lot of attention from the younger men in the crowd and a few looked like they were working up their courage to approach her. Her sister was stunning. Tall, like her brothers, with silky mahogany hair that fell in waves nearly all the way down her back. She could have been a model, but her love had always been music and dancing, and business. Dawn knew that was what her shrewd sister was thinking about. Business. Everything was about business to her. Turning a hefty profit.

Dawn turned back to her drink, envying how easily things had come to Eve. Although twins, they were like night and day. She was short, like their mother, but her skin was fairer like her brother Joseph. Her hair a lighter shade of brown was like his too. Eve had obviously gotten her height from her father, but her coloring and beauty were all Sassacus. She, on the other hand, must have inherited her father’s genes, she thought once more.
Whomever, he was.
Heck, her mom, didn’t even have a picture of him. And she didn’t like to talk about him much. She always got that far away, dreamy look in her eyes when they asked about him. Which wasn’t often anymore. They knew it must have been hard for her to answer all their questions when they were younger. But as far as she knew, her father was an only child, parents deceased, and had never planned on a long term relationship. His life didn’t have Connecticut in it. It was elsewhere, while Tawny had never wanted to leave her people, and her home.