Page 49 of Badass Alien Boss

“Good luck.” She kissed him.

He’d called ahead to ensure his brother would be free. When he got to his office, Korsan’s assistant waved him through.

His brother greeted him with a hearty, sincere smile. “Have a good time?”

He’d enjoyed the time alone with Michaela, and they’d taken their relationship to a whole new level. All of that was wonderful. But she’d gotten sick, and he left with disturbing suspicions about his brother. “Fine,” he said.

“Just fine? Where did you go?”

“We stayed at the Starlight on Elyxis 4.” He watched his brother’s face for a reaction.

“Swanky.” Korsan whistled, either forgetting he’d recently talked Ruyn out of going there—or feigning forgetfulness. “It’s primo. High-end everything.”

“It should be considering what was spent on renovations,” he replied. “We’d requested one of the newly renovated Alpha Centauri bungalows.”

Still no reaction.

“Have a look!” He presented his tech tab with a holo-vid of the staff quarters.

Korsan bent his head over the device. “Was this taken before the work was done?”

“No, this is after a half-billion credits were spent to renovate employee housing to supposedly accommodate guests. There are no guests staying there. Only employees.”

“I don’t understand.”

“There’s more.” He called up a hologram of the pool taken a year ago by hotel staff. “This isbefore.” He swiped to his hologram of the cabanas and new pool tiles. “And this is after. This is what you get for a half-mil.”

His brother frowned. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying the invoices we receive from Starlight don’t match the actual work. Therehavebeen renovations, but not enough to account for what we’re paying for.”

Korsan sank into his chair as if his legs might give out. “That can’t be. Are you sure?” He brushed his hand over his mouth like he felt ill. “I can’t believe someone at Starlight would doctor invoices. I know the general manager personally. He always struck me as honest and sharp.”

Ruyn took a breath. “I don’t think it’s the GM. I think the malfeasance goes higher up the chain than that.”

“Who?” He blinked uncomprehendingly, then his jaw dropped. “You’re not insinuating—you don’t mean me? You thinkI’minvolved? How could you think such a thing?” His ears turned bright green, and he leaped to his feet.

“Perhaps I failed in my due diligence. I trusted the wrong people, but I can’t believe you would accuse me of money laundering? After all I’ve—”

After all I’ve done for you,he’d been about to say.

“This is outrageous. I’m stunned you would accuse me.” Pinching his lips tight, he shook his head.

Certainty faltered.What if I’m wrong?Korsanhadbeen there for him every single day. When he had hit rock bottomafter the attack, his brother had picked him up and given him a reason to go on. He’d hired a bodyguard for him. After their parents died, he’d taken him under his wing. He’d always been kind and generous.

Maybe he’s just a shit businessman.A few previously unknown facts had come to light recently. His brother had had other business ventures fail. He’d filed for bankruptcy once. Maybe he wasn’t crooked, just incompetent.

But Ruyn couldn’t let this drop. One way or another—he had to glean the truth. His gut and heart had to be convinced. Besides, a bell couldn’t be unrung; the accusation couldn’t be retracted like he’d never uttered it.

“The problem goes beyond Starlight. The other subsidiaries are incurring excessive expenses, too.”

“Like who?”

“Guess how much GAL Friday bills for Michaela’s services?”

He threw up his hands. “I don’t know what each and every employee and or temp hire makes.” He gestured impatiently. “But I suppose you do, so why don’t you tell me.”

“Forty thousand credits.”