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But she couldn’t just blame herself. It stung that he continued to throw her lack of a formal education in her face. Granted, a business degree would have helped her when she’d first taken over Fontaine Richesse, but she’d always been a quick study and had mastered her responsibilities faster than anyone expected.
Why couldn’t he appreciate that she was better at thinking outside the box than either of her sisters? Street smarts had to count for something. She understood how people’s greedy nature could get the best of them and made sure her marketing appealed to their desire for fun and profit. Granted, she might not pull in Violet’s younger sophisticated crowd or Harper’s überwealthy clientele, but her casino was always packed and always bringing in huge profits.
On her way back to the hotel, she worried over the fact that she had too few answers and too many questions. Madison. Logan. Tiberius’s files. Her thoughts spun like a hamster on a wheel, going faster and faster but getting nowhere.
Instead of heading straight for Fontaine Richesse, she drove to Violet’s hotel for a liberal dose of her sister’s optimism.
She found Violet in the middle of Fontaine Chic’s casino, with her long dark hair pulled back into a smooth ponytail. Violet’s evening style was like her hotel, elegant, sleek and cosmopolitan. Dark eye shadow made her eyes pop in her pale face. Crystal chandelier earrings swung from her earlobes. Her form-hugging black dress showed off her lean lines and toned legs.
“Got a second?” Scarlett asked as she approached. “I need to talk to you. I really blew it with Logan and I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Come with me while I check on things at Baccarat.” She was referring to the stylish lobby bar that overlooked the strip. “We can sit down and you can tell me what happened.”
Scarlett settled in a quiet corner of the bar while Violet went to speak with her bartender. He seemed more animated than usual and their conversation stretched out for longer than Scarlett expected. While she waited for Violet’s return, her gaze drifted over the crowd. As usual, the young and beautiful occupied the sofas and chairs. Violet’s hotel attracted a twenty-something clientele from L.A., New York and Miami. They liked to party more than gamble, but when they did hit the casino, they spent more than a dozen of Scarlett’s customers combined.
One man stood out from the other bar patrons. With a jolt, Scarlett recognized him. JT Stone, Tiberius’s nephew. What was he doing here? Scarlett followed the direction of his gaze. Staring at Violet is what he was doing here.
“That’s JT Stone,” Scarlett said as Violet sat down on the sofa beside her. “I’m surprised he’s here.”
“He comes by most nights around this time.”
“You know he’s staring at you, right?”
“It’s just his way of telling me he’s angry because I stole Rick away.” Violet nodded toward the bartender who was whipping up one of his legendary cocktails.
“He doesn’t look angry. He looks hungry.” Scarlett paused for effect. “For you.”
Violet waved her hand dismissively. “Why don’t you tell me what happened with you and Logan.”
Despite Baccarat’s dim lighting, Scarlett spied bright color in Violet’s cheeks. But rather than torment her sister with more questions, Scarlett decided to let the matter drop. For now.
“Madison took off for L.A. and Logan blames me.” Scarlett paused as the waitress brought their drinks. Eager to see what Rick had made for them, she took a sip. It was a spicy blend of jalapeño and lime with just a hint of sweetness. “Delicious.”
Violet coughed, probably caught off guard by the punch of heat. “I’m not sure this is one of my favorites.”
“It’s definitely not for everyone.” Scarlett tasted the cocktail again.
“You two have fought before,” Violet reminded her.
“Not like this. He said things. I said things.” Scarlett felt hot tears fill her eyes. “I think I told him that I was done.”
“You think you told him?”
“I didn’t actually come right out and say that I never wanted to speak to him again.”
“What did you say exactly?”
“I think I told him I need someone who has faith in me.” She’d been so hurt that words had just poured out of her. “He makes me feel as if everything I do is wrong.”
“You two have very different ways of approaching things.” Violet patted her hand. “What did he say?”
“Nothing. I gave him a chance to tell me that he believed in me, or to tell me that not everything I do is wrong, but he didn’t say anything. So I ended the call.”
“It doesn’t sound like you two are done.”
“It sure feels that way. I can’t imagine a future with a man who can’t love me, faults and all.”
“Give him a little time to calm down. From everything you’ve said, being in charge of Madison has been really stressful for him. I’m sure he simply overreacted to her going to L.A. without warning.”
