Chances (Mystic Nights #1) Read Online Free Page B

still remained silent. He saw no condescension in their eyes. He had worked with all of them for a long time. They trusted him. But this Jonathan, he was too big for his britches. He turned to the co-chair and nodded in his direction. He’d look at the numbers again if that was what it took to appease him.
    “Yes, Simon,” he tried to placate the man. “Four years and your numbers have been perfect. Mistakes happen. I’m not saying it’s yours,” he added quickly when it looked like Simon was about to protest again. “I’m just saying there is a mistake, somewhere, and I need you to find it. For all of us. Before the audit. Can you do that? Can you try?”
    Simon’s eyes rolled, but his quick nod was enough. Tawny decided to call it a day. “Good, and if you need help, let us know. Let’s meet again at the end of the week, and see what we have come up with.” Nods and murmurs could be seen and heard all around the massive oak table in the Mystic Nights Casino & Spa’s board room. “We are all in this together. Let’s remember who we are doing this for,” Tawny ended on a positive note. There were more murmurs and assents of agreement before everyone was finally dismissed.
    The room began to clear out quickly with the various department heads and board members heading to their offices. Her son was heading out of the massive set of double glass doors.
    “Jonathan, hang back.” Tawny’s words were spoken softly. Her small hand on his bicep made it a command rather than a simple request. When his mother spoke, he listened. Mystic Nights wasn’t just his job, it was his passion, and his family and reservation’s life’s blood. Too many people had wanted it to fail. He knew his mother had given her life to make this a success. It wouldn’t fail on his watch.
    Even before she spoke he already knew what she would say. But he prepared himself for it anyway. “Jonathan, that’s not how we operate.” Her words weren’t condescending, but advisory.
    He shook his head at his own loss of control and professionalism. He knew getting angry wasn’t the way to do business. “Mother, I’m sorry I blew up. But Simon should have been telling us weeks if not months ago that the numbers weren’t adding up. He shouldn’t have surprised us with these numbers like this today . . .”
    “He’s never had to report in early before. We kind of put him on the spot today,” she reminded him.
    “Those reports should always be up to date and accurate. And I wasn’t expecting major losses. We’ve always turned a remarkable profit.” His hand swept through his closely cropped dark brown hair, pushing it back off of his forehead.
    “I can postpone my trip if you want me to be here for the audit.” Her eyes searched his face. She was sure he could handle it, but would stay if he felt he needed her.
    “No, I can handle it. I’ll figure it out. Even if I have to examine all the books myself.”
    “I don’t think that’ll be necessary.”
    He cut her off. “No, go on your trip. I will handle this.” He didn’t want his mother to lose her vacation over this. She rarely took time off for herself.
    His mother gave him one more measured look. Her son was good at what he did, very good. Efficient and capable. Dependable. Like his father. She gave him her quick assent, but still wasn’t sure the accounting issues were all that were bothering him.
    Since New Year’s Eve he had been sullen and moody. She thought it might have something to do with the dancer he left with. But he hadn’t mentioned her at all in the weeks since. And during last night’s performance, the daggers he gave Miss Aliya Chance, well, she’d been afraid they might knock the poor girl off the stage. A mother’s instinct told her something was going on there.
    “I’ll handle it,” he repeated, misconstruing her silence for something else. She stood and began to pack up her things, giving him a tentative smile.
    “I’m sure you will,