Read Online Let it Ride (Casino Nights #1) by Melanie Jayne - Free Book Online

This segment had been her suggestion.
    She ran her hand through her hair,
trying to brush the hairline by her cheek, where she was certain a bead of
sweat was forming. Why the hell hadn’t she set her phone on the table so she
could check the stopwatch? Instead it was buried in her bag.
    She continued to follow the
discussion. “Able, I have to disagree with a part of that statement,” she
interjected.
    He smiled at her.
    “I think that we all know that there
will be investigations into our background. It’s now common for most companies
to check into their middle managers’ lives. It’s the nature of the beast. Some
states are more interested in financials and others delve into your personal
history.”  
    Remy took over and explained his
theory from the regulator’s point of view.
    She listened and then took a sip
from her bottle.
    Remy stood and spoke to the
audience. “We are willing to take your questions. There are microphones set up
in the middle of the two aisles. Please wait until you are recognized before
speaking. And everyone, remember we are all professionals, please be patient
and respectful.” The house lights rose and the stage lights dimmed.
    Francesca shifted in her seat. She
could just make out the movement of people heading toward the mics .
    Several questions were focused on
Remy and Emma’s specialties and she listened as they answered. During a
momentary lull between questions, a chill ran down her spine. She searched the
stage and then swept her gaze across the audience.
      Steven Blake stood at one of the
microphones. Fuck, this wasn’t going to be good. He had an evil grin on his
face and he was looking right at her.
    He paused before speaking, as if he
wanted to make sure all eyes were on him. “Mr. Cooper, I found your choice of
words to be quite interesting, in particular, the professional part. Ms. Luchetti , was he referring to your mother’s profession as a
prostitute?”
    Was this man serious? She spoke up
quickly. “Mr. Blake, my family’s not a subject of this panel.”
    “Why not? Everyone in this room
wonders the same thing that I do…why is it that nobody does anything about
Jimmy O’Haire’s ties to the mob? How much does he pay
for that kind of protection? That is what I, for one, would like to know.”
    She made sure that she kept her
expression blank and pretended that she was considering the answer. “Mr. Blake,
again, this panel is not about my family.” She could feel that he was going to
go off, so she continued. “However, I will answer your question. For years,
parties have attempted to tie Jimmy O’Haire and Rose
Holdings to nefarious groups. Every time they have come up with no proof. None. It doesn’t exist, Mr. Blake.” Her
legs were shaking from the adrenaline rushing through her body.
    “Listen, you little bitch, you
screwed me out of millions and ruined my life. Jimmy O’Haire fucked me and so did you. I’m going to get you. You’re going to pay.”
    Remy pushed himself back from the
table and bellowed, “Security.” He stalked to the edge of the stage to point
out the offender.
    Able stood quickly and moved closer
to Francesca’s back.
    Blake continued yelling into the mic as the security men surrounded him. “You’d better watch
out, bitch. You’ll be sorry.”
    Christ, the guy was nuts. He’d just
had a meltdown in front of his contemporaries. She watched security escort him
from the room. It was like she was watching a movie.
    Remy stalked back to the table and
grabbed his mic. “Thank you all for coming.” He then
dropped the mic back onto the table and strode to
her.
    “Let’s go, Frankie.” His large hand
was around her bicep.
    “I’m OK.” She started to push her
chair back and reach for her bag.
    “Francesca, I said let’s go.” He
pulled her onto her feet and hurried her across the stage to the side door
exit.
    They continued down the hallway; she
could hear her heels making a tap, tap sound on the tile. “Remy,