Triple Diamonds (Mystic Nights #2)(45)

Those were issues. They tried to discourage their people from gambling, and the drinking that came with it. “Yes, sadly. As hard as we try to keep our people out of the casino, they find a way in. Or they go gamble at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun. And we have seen a rise in the Western Pequot coming here. But if we ban together, then it could make it more difficult.” He knew they had counseling as well, and that helped some. Not much. But some. He knew efforts to curb excessive drinking and gambling were needed. He’d bring that up with his mother. It was something to think about.

Despite The Mystic having a strict policy of employees not gambling there, many of their people who were not employees still came. And many people from the local community, too. She knew the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods hired many of their own as well. By banning together it would be even harder to gamble, and consume the alcohol that often came with it. “Perhaps more funds into counseling services for addiction is something you should be looking into.” He looked down at her surprised they were on the same wave lengths again.

“It’s funny. I was just thinking that,” he voiced as he gave her hand a little squeeze. More money on counseling would also help relieve some of the other problems that ensue if one became an addict.

As Jewel listened more to Joseph, she knew he was destined for more than just helping to run The Mystic, though that was a job in itself. He was such a juxtaposition. Pulled apart by his heritage, by his tribe, his body marked with the warring sides of his personality, but they really showcased his dreams and hopes. He wanted to unite the two factions of their people. And after over a month together, she already knew he was the man to do it. His ambitions were grand; they weren’t for himself, but for others. He was a good man. He really cared about his people. And this was a remarkable trait in a politician. It was what their people needed. True selflessness. She would be proud to stand by his side. She voiced those thoughts to him. All but the last part.

“Joseph, you are such a good man. With a good heart.”

He laughed at her compliment. He didn’t see it that way. At times, he hadn’t always felt like a good man. When he was younger, he had gotten into a lot of trouble because of his confusion over his identity and he’d lashed out. He felt ripped apart by the way some others remarked on his heritage, his parentage. It’s why he had marked up his body, to express himself, and then later it became a way to show how he wanted to pursue a life that would make the world a better place for all his people. He’d turned a negative into a positive, wanting to fight for others less fortunate or capable than he.

They were almost near the restaurant and the parking lot by this time. And Joseph stopped short to pull Jewel into his arms. “Okay, precious, enough about me. What are your dreams and aspirations? Being a chef, I know. Opening your own restaurant. But what else do you see in your future?” He hoped she saw him in her life.

Jewel wrapped her arms around his waist as he gazed down into her dark eyes after asking such a potent question. Looking into his depths, she hoped he would be in it. He was very much becoming a big part of her dream for the future, but she couldn’t say that now. It was still too soon, she reminded herself. She didn’t want to scare this man off, and until a month ago he had a reputation to back those worries up. But he was still waiting for an answer.

“For so long, I was focused on just my restaurant. But that had to be put on hold after my parents died. The funeral expenses took most of what I had saved until the insurance money came in, and then raising my brothers, they eat!” She shook her head in astonishment at just how much two active teenage boys could eat. “But now that I am moving to the reserve again, I can begin to save again.” She gave Joseph a grateful smile. He was making that possible. Sooner than she had hoped after taking over the care of her brothers.

He kissed the top of her head knowing what she was thinking. He remembered her thank you, very much.

“What kind of restaurant do you want?” he asked.

“Oh, local flavored, kind of like The Oyster Club. Fish, local produce, local favorites, but also recipes from our people along with the more popular New England fare.”

“Sounds great, but something like that costs a lot of money to start.”

“I know.” He saw the fierce determination in her eyes to overcome any obstacles. She would not be stopped. He liked that about her. She, too, was fierce and determined to pursue her dreams.

“I’ll do whatever it takes.” Keeping her dreams alive got her through her parents’ deaths, and she wanted to keep her family’s traditions alive by passing down those recipes in a place of her own.

Joseph was reluctant for the evening to end, but other than partying at one of the clubs, he felt it best to just head home. With Jewel by his side, he tucked her into his car, and headed back to his place for whatever the evening might bring. He knew now that he wanted her in his life for more than just a fling. Their talking about their dreams had sealed the deal for him. He just hoped she felt the same way. That her life in the future included him because he was going to do whatever it took to make that dream a reality.





Chapter 16




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Joseph, with a large net bag of soccer balls swung over one shoulder, headed into the gymnasium and the equipment room.

The sounds of young men laughing and sneakers on the shiny gymnasium floor reached his ears. The high school kids who started school later then the younger kids seemed to be finishing up their game. Glancing at the court, he recognized two of the very tall players. Wesley and Lesley looked good. They played well together. Their speed on the floor, from being on the track team and years of conditioning, gave them a clear advantage over their peers. They’d never mentioned basketball to him in their brief encounters. It was only ever about track and field that they talked about. Both were excellent long distance runners, but they preferred the track and field events. Tall and sinewy, their speed kept the other two boys on the team constantly on the defense. The game wrapped up, and he was able to catch Lesley’s eye as the boys walked towards the exit after shaking hands briefly with the other players. They all headed to the exit. Wesley turned after a brief word with his brother, and he too gave Joseph a quick nod before exiting.