Chances (Mystic Nights #1)(24)

“He’s way too old for you.” Joseph looked shocked and appalled.

“And the guy is bad news. Stay away from him, Eve,” he added. Eve was the wild one. He wouldn’t put it past her to make a play for a much older man. She enjoyed her personal life way too much. As her brother, he’d often had to intervene when one of her friends had become too bothersome.

“Geesh, I was just making conversation.” Eve got up. “He’s not my type anyway.”

“Thank God!” both brothers blurted out in unison.

“She likes the bad boys,” Dawn chirped, laughing. Both brothers shot her a look then. Dawn knew that look. She put her hands up in self defense. “Kidding. Kidding.”

Eve winked at her from across the room. Both girls dated, Eve more frequently, but their brothers could put a damper on it, and had on more than one occasion. But it did not mean they didn’t like to tease their overbearing brothers at times. It was one way to loosen them up.

“How is construction going on Spirit in the Sky?” Jonathan asked, brazenly changing the subject.

Eve smiled broadly. She loved her job and this expansion project was her baby. “Great. In fact, they’re about a week ahead of schedule. It’ll be open for the 4th of July as expected.” Eve was proud of her idea. The rooftop club would draw in a huge crowd. The bands she planned to have and the DJs, both would bring a whole new crowd, a new element to the Mystic. The entertainment venues in the other casinos drew a younger crowd, and she hoped to take some of their clients, and lure in more from the locals and tourists. Spirits in the Sky would rival the clubs in Manhattan and Vegas. The retractable roof would allow them to use the facility year round, and the massive screens she planned to place inside the club would be a stellar attraction for bands, and high end parties.

“But the acts. Still need those secured.” He glanced her way. She’d already booked two DJs. Paulie D. was on board, and he would be a huge draw. She had him booked for the last Thursday and Friday of every month. But she knew he was referring to Stryker. The band. She had been working on that for over a month now. His manager had come to see the casino two weeks ago. The lead singer, Lucas Stryker, was off the chain talented. Writing the music and the lyrics for his band, he was beginning to make a real name for himself. And she wanted to book him before someone else snapped him up.

She had one other band booked in case he fell through. She also had a few showcases for opening night. But having Lucas Stryker, well that would be the coup de gras. She hadn’t been able to get close to him yet, make her own pitch in person, until last weekend. She’d attended one of his concerts in New York. She remembered the evening all too well. The man had been incredible. The crowds had gone wild. But Fiona was still giving her a difficult time. The red head was hard to figure out. Negotiations were currently stalled. The woman was busy. She managed several up and coming bands, but Lucas Stryker was her star and so far she kept him on a very short leash.

“It’s coming along,” she murmured and then quickly changed the subject and directed her attention towards her sister. “Well come on, Dawn. I’m hungry. And if suit 1 and suit 2 won’t join us, let’s go. Maybe we can go dancing afterwards.”

“Sounds good to me,” Dawn agreed immediately. “I’m ready to let my hair down a little even if these two aren’t.” She laughed as her brothers both glared her way.

“Don’t overwork yourself. And remember you’re epi-pen, Dawn,” Jonathan implored as the girls exited the room. Dawn ducked out with another infamous eye roll, with Eve right behind her shaking her head. They exchanged a silent look and laughed in unison.

“If this job doesn’t suck the life out of us,” Joseph murmured as his brother put his suit jacket back on, “they sure will.”

“Well, keep an eye on them for me tonight. Eve looked like she could be up to some mischief. I have a date.” The words were out before he could stop them.

“A date? Is it Aliya?” Joseph pounced. He waggled his eyebrows at his brother.

Jonathan gave him a look. “Yes, the rumors are true. I’m just surprised that the twins haven’t harassed me more about this.”

“Shit!” Joseph blew out a low wolf whistle. “She’s smoking hot. And they didn’t harass you because, um, they thought it was a rumor. This is good.” His brother teased him but clapped him on the back while he finished putting on his jacket and fixed the cuffs.

His brother was still eyeing him waiting for an answer. “For your ears only right now.” He waited for his brother’s nod, and then spilled. “I like her. A lot. Can you keep that under wraps for a bit? We are still . . . um . . . exploring this thing.”

Joseph’s smile stretched across his face. His brother had never been serious with anyone before. This was something. But he understood him wanting to have the time and space to explore what this was before the three meddling women in their lives caught wind of this. “Gotcha,” he winked. “And for what it’s worth. I like her. She seems like a good girl. And she’s a real beauty.”

“Thank-you,” Jonathan murmured as he began to walk to the door to his office. It was nearly eight. He had put in one hell of a day. But as tired as he was, he still needed to see her. The books could wait until tomorrow. One more day. But Aliya, he needed her now.