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He returned to his desk, slumping over, still taking ragged breaths. “I don’t know. I really don’t. I didn’t suspect anything and wouldn’t have except for how much his behavior changed.”
“No one said anything at his office.”
“Why would they? They were all making more money. He was very generous when he could be. He was that way since the day I met him.” He had a faraway look in his eyes. When I remained silent, he continued. “I knew him in college. We were roommates then buddies. He came to Vegas when I suggested he could make a lot of money here in the restaurants and resorts, all the high-end businesses.”
“That means he trusted you.”
“We trusted each other, Hunt, but he was also a very private man. Tortured.” He shot me a sheepish look. Yeah, my brother and I were fucked up. I’d just thought Galen had gotten his shit together. Maybe I was wrong.
It was an interesting word to use. “There must be a reason Galen shifted directions, especially when things were looking up, Matt. My brother had reasons not to get involved with the mafia. Since you were so freaking close, I’m going to guess he told you about our less than Hallmark upbringing.”
“I know about your family’s background, Hunt.” He winced after mentioning it. That didn’t surprise me in the least. Hell, any good reporter could travel down that road and find out who our father had been. However, it was apparent my brother had leaned on their friendship. At least I knew why he’d taken a keen interest, and what some people might consider a less than professional pursuit to ensure every one of my brother’s wishes was fulfilled.
“That’s why he wouldn’t do anything stupid. He knew the score, the shit he could get into. We made a promise to each other when we were kids that we’d never turn out like our father.” I could remember the night like it was yesterday, although I hadn’t thought about it for a hell of a long time.
He sat down with a hard thump. “Like I said, he changed. I think pressure got to him. He wanted to provide Marissa with everything she ever wanted. I know he spent money he didn’t have in trying to fulfill the promise he’d made to her. One of their cars was repossessed and he was two months behind on a house payment for the home he owned before the one you’re living in.”
“Let me guess. He found other means of making money.” I gritted my teeth hard enough my jaw ached. Why in the fuck would my brother do something so goddamn stupid? Had he been so blinded by love that he’d allowed the poisonous blood from our father’s veins to seep through the valves? I was disgusted.
And disheartened.
But what the fuck had I done? Maybe we’d been born as bad seeds and nothing would alter our DNA, including the love of a good woman.
“Yeah, he started gambling. You know the drill. At first, he won and he was hooked. He bought a nicer car and thought he was top of the world. I warned him, but he was lost in the need for more. So he started piling up debt.”
“To the wrong people.”
“Exactly. He made me promise never to tell you or Marissa, although I was tempted to call you.”
“How the hell did you find me in the first place?”
He seemed confused, narrowing his eyes. “Galen and I were having a beer one night and mentioned you. He said you were living in North Carolina so I thought nothing of it. Why?”
I took a deep breath, holding it for several seconds. “Because I hadn’t talked to him in well over a year.” How in God’s name had my brother tracked me down? There was something I was missing about Galen’s behavior. And it had a rotten smell to it.
“Did he tell you how much debt he had with the organization?”
“I don’t know the particulars or the dollar amount. I think he did it to blow off steam as well as try and provide what he believed was a promise he couldn’t break. The business wasn’t going well, and he was working long hours. That much I knew. His investments tanked given the state of the market. I don’t think he intended on creating a problem.”
“But he went to the wrong casino.” We both had addictive personalities. He knew better. That was the bottom line.
Matt snorted. “There’s no right casino here, Hunt. The locals learn that right away. You know the scheme better than most. If you fail to meet your financial obligations with them, then they don’t handle it kindly. He got in over his head.”
I gritted my teeth, moving toward the window. How the fuck could my brother have been so stupid? “So every fucking thing in his name is blood money. His wife’s blood.”
“Wait. Don’t say that. He worked hard with the business you now own. I can tell you with certainty that the money he earned through the firm was legit.”
“With the exception of whatever came in from the two casinos owned by the Azzurris.”
“I don’t know. Maybe he was laundering money for them. We weren’t that close. At least we weren’t the last two years.”
I shook my head. “I need the name of the police officer who investigated his accident.”
“If the police suspect he was working with the Azzurris, they won’t take kindly to your interference. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Whether or not my brother owned the crime syndicate money or was required to do work for them doesn’t mean shit to me. He was a decent man.”
“Let it alone, Hunt. Think of Lily. That’s what your brother would have wanted.”
