Under the Bayou Moon Read Free

Palermo loved his son, but he clearly saw Michael wasn’t a smart businessman. He was prone to gambling and had landed in trouble on several occasions. That was the reason why their dad relied on her instead of Michael to get things done.
    Angel enjoyed working side-by-side in business with her dad. She learned everything from him; how to read people, when to show strength, and when to back down. She’d always had an aptitude for the finer points of casino management and genuinely enjoyed working at the Tiki Grand with her father.
    When Leo passed away, ownership of the Tiki Grand was split evenly between her and Michael. She knew it would be difficult to be business partners with him, especially when he spent more time gambling and chasing women than managing the casino, but things were becoming impossible. She was surprised he’d come in today. He usually only came in to ask her to sign on a withdrawal, something she wasn’t about to do anymore.
    They both received monthly revenues from the casino, which should have more than taken care of their meager living expenses. They lived in suites on the top three floors of the Tiki Grand. They didn’t pay for rent, utilities, or meals; that’s what disgusted her most about the way he ran through money. She was sick of Michael spending his earnings and coming back for more.
    In just a few more months, things would change. Angel had been saving her earnings and nearly had enough money to buy Michael out before his spending bankrupted them both. Once she bought his share of the Tiki, she planned to get a loan to renovate the entire casino. She’d been planning it since their father had passed. She’d even been able to talk him into doing a few minor cosmetic changes to the casino before he became ill.
    Once he’d been diagnosed with lung cancer, she put the plans on hold and spent all of her time trying to see to his comfort. Her dad refused to let his impending death slow him down. He went on to manage the Tiki for nearly three years before he passed. In that time, Michael moved to L.A. with dreams of being an actor, a dream that never materialized. He wound up back in Vegas living off their father’s name and money even as he faded away.
    The reminder of her loss put a lump in her throat. Angel missed her dad. He’d been a tough man, but with her, he’d always been gentle, patient, loving, and strong; qualities that seemed to pass Michael over.
    She turned to Mitch.
    “Can you watch the floor? I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
    “Sure will, Angel. Take your time and don’t let him get to you.”
    “I’ll try not to, but if you see a body tossed out of the window, you’ll know I failed,” she mused before walking away, leaving Mitch to take her place near the roulette tables.
    Angel made her way to the private elevator bank at the back of the casino. Along the way, she observed the worn carpets, outdated Hawaiian décor, and walls in need of new paint.
    Hang in there old girl. I’ll have you fixed up and competing with the big boys in a little while.
    It wasn’t just a pledge, it was a promise. Standing in front of the elevator’s polished silver doors, Angel checked her appearance. She was wearing her classic navy-blue business jacket, white button-down shirt, and a navy pencil skirt. Her sheer, black stockings were nearly transparent against her honey-colored skin, and her comfortable black pumps, although a bit worn, were still in good shape. She liked to keep things simple. A good pit boss was never seen or heard until necessary. People tended to change their behavior when they knew they were being watched. She was in the business of catching cheats, so being able to blend in was to her benefit.
    Angel pushed the pins farther into her up-do and arranged the loose curls framing her face. Ruddy brown eyes stared back at her, and for the millionth time she wondered if there was a woman or man out in the world who shared them with her. Being adopted had a