Carrie not only had her sights on Gauthier Offshore Services but on Baby Jade as well. He couldn’t make sense of the phone call, but one thing was clear, she wasn’t in this alone. He had to find out who she was working with and what they had planned.
Lucky started flipping through notepads and rummaging through drawers. He powered up the computer just before his father’s assistant stepped into the room.
“Mr. Gauthier, it’s good to see you. I haven’t been able to extend my condolences about your father. I’m sorry about his passing, sir.”
He grinned weakly at the young woman. He didn’t know her well. She had only worked with Colby Gauthier for the last year or two. She was a lot different from Colby’s longtime executive assistant who resigned.
“Thank you, Wendy.”
Her eyes glanced around the room and across the desk. “Is there anything I can help you with, sir?”
“No, not right now.” He leaned back in the leather, high back chair to give off the impression that he wasn’t looking for anything specific. “I’m just picking up a few personal things of my father’s.”
“Very well. If you change your mind, or if I can get you anything, just let me know.”
He nodded as she backed out of the room. “Oh, excuse me, Ms. Scott.”
“Wendy, go fetch me some coffee. Skinny latte from downstairs.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Wendy’s face fell as she pulled the door closed behind her.
Once they were alone, Carrie glared at Lucky. “James.”
He offered a curt nod. “Carrie.”
“I didn’t expect to see you around here so soon.”
“Or at all?” he asked.
She sneered in his direction before sitting in one of the chairs across from the oversized desk. Clasping her hands in front of her, Carrie appeared poised and regal.
“Well, I’m not certain about that. However, with everything you have going on, you shouldn’t be concerning yourself with Gauthier business. I can assure you that everything is handled on this end.”
Lucky stood from the chair and moved around the front of the desk. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he rocked back on his heels and leaned against the edge. The button down shirt and her nauseating perfume left him feeling claustrophobic.
He inhaled, filling his lungs before releasing it slowly. He smiled when he noticed the way Carrie began to fidget in her seat.
“Let’s go ahead and get one thing straight so there’s no confusion. My name is Gauthier, not yours. The name on the door is Colby Gauthier, my father, not yours.” He pulled his hands from his pockets and folded his arms across his chest. “Anything that has to do with Gauthier is my business. And from here on out, I’ll be sure to know exactly what’s going on when it comes to any, and all things Gauthier.”
She locked her cold gaze on him. “Does that mean what I think it means?”
Lucky moved across the room and placed his hand on the doorknob. “What it means is, from now on I’d appreciate a knock before you barge into this office or my house for that matter.” He opened the door and motioned his hand through the air.
Carrie stopped in front of him. “You do know it’s time to shit or get off the pot.”
Lucky smirked. “Careful, Queen of Eloquence. Carrie Scott is beginning to show her true colors.”
Her chin dropped, but only for a second. She snapped her jaw shut, smoothed the hem of her suit, and pulled her lips into a hard line before turning to stalk away.
Once she was gone and Lucky was finally alone behind closed doors, he rested his elbows on his knees, placing his head in his hands. Everything was too much. His stomach sloshed and his mind was reeling. A few days ago, he couldn’t even contemplate staying in town, much less heading up his father’s company, but his mother was right. He had no choice but to step into his father’s two thousand dollar shoes.
If Baby Jade hadn’t wanted him before, she sure as hell wouldn’t want him now. It was hard enough when he was just a Gauthier by name, but to wear it like a badge of honor as CEO might just leave his relationship with her dead in the water. He wasn’t ready to sever that tie, especially not after the night they had spent together. Everything about her spoke to him, screamed out to him. It wasn’t over. As long as there was breath in his lungs, it would never be over.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Baby Jade
Baby perched herself on the rusted, iron bench in the middle of Saint Gabriel Cemetery with her knees tucked to her chin. She had spent the last hour wandering through the maze trying to clear her head and figure out a way to find Lolli, or if she should even try.
Her entire world was a joke, crumbling around her from the first moment that she stepped foot in Bottoms Up.
Less than a year ago, she had the world at her fingertips. A life she thought she would never have, a man who knew everything about her past and still loved her in spite of it all and a baby on the way. All she had ever wanted was a family, and it had been so close, only to be snatched away.
Baby wiped the stray tear before it fell.
The ache in her heart was now connected with the ache stretching across her C-section scar, leaving her hollow with the exception of the never ceasing pain. You would think she would have gotten used to the feeling of being alone, but it never got easier. She didn’t have a mother to seek advice, a father to lean on, or even a best friend to bitch to or drink her agony away with for a night.
“Ma’am, can you tell us where the Saints mausoleums are?”
Baby Jade shook off her thoughts and was surprised to see a group standing in front of her. Clearly tourists. A typical, suburban-looking mother and father with shoulder bags and fanny packs. They had two kids, one a young girl with a long braid and glasses, and the other was a boy who appeared to be a teen if she had to guess by the way he was ogling breasts.
The man was fumbling with a tourist map of the cemetery.
“Um, sure,” she responded. She gave them directions, but could tell they would probably be taking the scenic route according to their puzzled faces. They thanked her and went on their way. The boy taking a few back glances to leer at her.
If that was a normal family, maybe she should consider herself lucky.
Lucky.
Baby’s insides were twisted. Nothing felt right. Her entire core was off center.
Since she was close, Baby contemplated going to see her mother but decided against it. Her fragile psyche couldn’t handle the rejection. She wanted to bury this day. She wanted to bury the entire shitty year.
***
It was a shame that the one place where Baby Jade felt most at home was on stage. There was no denying she was good at what she did. Dancing came naturally to her, and genetics had obviously been her friend.
Dressed in a peacock-inspired corset, paired with silky boy shorts that matched her eyes, Baby strutted across the stage. A chair had been centered in front of pervert row by the stagehand. She propped her tone, dark leg on the chair and arched her heel. The five-inch stilettos she chose for tonight’s set made her almost six feet tall. She glided her hands up and down her leg before sitting and doing one of her signature chair dances. The Cure blared through the speakers as she writhed against the chair in perfect rhythm.
Once she knew she had the men on the edge of their seats, Baby stood and fixed her back to the crowd. She slithered out of her shorts, revealing the tiny, green strap of her satin thong, dipping her bare backside as each of the metal hooks popped on the front of her corset.
Baby Jade teased the rowdy crowd of drunken men by allowing the fabric to slip just enough to reveal her round, naturally tan breasts. Moving to the music, she shimmied her almost naked body up and down the pole still holding the corset in place. Once she believed the crowd was ripe for the picking, Baby widened her stance and dropped the cloth to the floor, sending the mob into a frenzy. The kind of frenzy that would have them happy to part with their very last dollar, which she happily collected as she exited
the stage.
“Nice show.”
Baby jumped at the familiar, baritone voice. The sight of the overgrown, tyrant sent her slinking back into the concrete wall.
Slade smirked. “Is that any way to greet an old friend?” He used his enormous stature to tower over her, allowing her no room to escape.
“An old friend? Are we even on the same fucking planet?” Blood flooded her head causing an intense pounding, leaving her faint.
Slade’s full lips curled into a snarl. His bright eyes danced at her obvious distress. He trailed his thumb down her neck to the dip between her full breasts. “Aw, now there’s no need to be so rude. Didn’t your momma teach you better than that?”
His hot breath met her nostrils, sending her stomach into her throat. He backed away and leaned against the opposite wall, leaving a small gap between them in the narrow hallway.
“Speaking of your mother, we had a nice little chat today.”
All of the air left Baby’s body as she braced herself against the wall to keep from hitting the ground.
“What’s the matter, love? You’re looking a little pale,” he mocked.
“Stay away from my mother.” The words seeped through Baby’s gritted jaw.
“I know how much you like to play games. It’s unfortunate that people keep falling off the grid. It leaves me with no choice but to find new play things.” He leaned in closer, all of the teasing falling away to stone cold iciness. “You might want to keep that sober little nose of yours out of my business, or you’re not going to like the outcome. I can promise you that. Just ask Lolli. Oh wait, you can’t.”
Baby’s body froze. The breath literally died in her throat. A heavy pain seized her heart, causing it to skip a beat.
“Don’t go digging up trouble, Baby. Let it go.”
Once Slade had rounded the corner, she collapsed to her knees.
“Hon, you ok?” Tara asked. The young blond was taking Jewella’s shift for the night while she was sleeping off her high in Mickey’s office.
Baby squeezed her eyes shut and took in a few breaths before she attempted to talk. “Um, yeah. I just need to use the phone and check up on something. Can you cover me?”
“Sure thing, honey. I got this.”
“Thanks,” Baby squeezed Tara’s arm. She hated having to ask for help, especially from someone at the club, but she had no choice. She had to check on her mother.
She scanned Mickey’s office and was relieved to find Jewella out cold, snoring on the ratty old couch. She dialed Pecan Grove, but got a busy signal. Panicked, she dialed Ma’Linn’s number.
“Alo?”
“Ma’Linn, it’s Baby.”
“Girl, I be tryin’ ta git yo all nig’t. No one be answerin’ da phones up der. Jus’ got off da phone wit your momma’s place. T’ey say someone try seein’ her. Caused a big scene n’ had her all upset.”
Baby’s body swayed causing her to have to clutch the side of the desk to keep from falling.
“You still der? What be goin’ on, girl? Rozalie ‘n danger?”
“Ma’Linn, you have to get down there and check on her. Hurry! I’m on my way now; I’ll meet you there.”
Baby hung up the phone and scribbled Mickey a note. She tried to maintain her composure as she made her way back through the club. She smiled at the men fawning over her and hustled through the crowd, her heartbeat thumping wildly in her throat.
She grabbed her bag, threw on some street clothes, and raced out the door. Still a couple of miles from the institution, Baby opted to run rather than take a cab. There was no time. She dashed in and out of the people swarming the sidewalks. Her green eyes darted among the sea of faces. Slade or any one of his henchmen could be lurking, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to silence her for good.
A familiar roar caught her attention and Baby Jade thought she caught a glimpse of Drew’s flashy car. She glanced back over her shoulder only to find that the car had disappeared. Without giving it any thought, Baby hurried through the crowded street. Finally, she saw the Pecan Grove sign and quickly bolted across the street in front of the old historical building, scanning the area once again. There it was, the familiar black Roush.
Drew was following her.
She didn’t have time to process the information before she barreled through the heavy doors leading to the reception area of the institution.
“Ang!”
The petite woman flew out from behind the desk. “Ssh, honey. Everything’s alright now.”
“Momma? Is she ok?” Baby panted through strangled breaths.
Ang ran her hands up and down Baby Jade’s trembling arms. “Yes, hon. She’s ok. She’s sleeping now. Ma’Linn just got here and is sitting with her. Come sit.”
Baby followed as Ang guided her to one of the waiting room benches lining the bare, white walls.
“Here hon, sit. Everything is ok now.”
She tried to make sense of what was happening. Slade’s threat, Lolli missing, and someone upsetting her mother. There’s no way it could all be a coincidence. Her windpipe squeezed tight, making it difficult to swallow the excess saliva saturating her mouth.
The contents of her stomach sloshed back and forth sending bile to her throat.
“Listen, we’ve got Rozalie sedated. She was really upset. I don’t know how the man got past the check-in desk, but he did. I promise you, we’ll address it and make sure it never happens again.” Ang peered into Baby’s green eyes, her face hard and serious.
Baby’s insides knotted, and her brain thumped relentlessly against her scalp. “Who was it?” Her muted voice was muffled in her ears.
Ang shook her head full of fire red, shag hair. “Not sure. It turns out there were two of them. Rozalie won’t talk so we don’t know what they said, but it couldn’t have been good. You know how she is about people being in her space.”
She placed her hands over Baby’s and continued, “Don’t take this on yourself, honey. I’ll personally watch your momma like a hawk. She’s safe. I promise, ok?”
On automatic pilot, Baby Jade nodded. She knew it didn’t matter. They could have a hundred staff members watch her momma, and it wouldn’t do any good. Not when it came to Slade.
“Good,” Ang responded matter of factly as she pushed herself up from the bench. “Now, Ma’Linn is in with Rozalie and has offered to stay the night. We already set up a cot. You go ahead and get yourself home. I’ll give you an update tomorrow.”
“Yeah, ok.” Baby shuffled across the lobby. Her stomach pitched. Her round, green eyes were empty as she stared ahead.
“Honey, you gonna be alright?” Ang peered up at Baby, who was half a foot taller than the petite woman.
“Um, yeah. Thanks for everything, Ang.”
“Sure, hon. Check in tomorrow, ok?”
Baby Jade nodded and ambled out of the building and onto the dark street. Her mind was racing. The threats Slade had spewed earlier left her queasy. She played his words over in her head. Let it go.
Lolli was dead. She could feel it deep in her gut.
Baby shuddered. She waded through the wall of tourists as she made her way back down Bourbon Street. She crossed at the corner and took a short cut through a connecting alley. The asphalt was littered with beer cans and liquor bottles. A makeshift bed was made from cardboard and trash bags. The ‘homeowner’ was an elderly woman with disheveled gray hair, tattered rags, and a mangy, part poodle/part only God knows what as a watchdog. She glared as if baby was trespassing on her personal property.
The yapping dog startled Baby, snapping her out of the trance she had been in since hearing about her mother. She realized she had broken her number one rule. Blindly walking the streets of New Orleans could get you robbed, raped, or even killed.
Her cautious, tired eyes adjusted to the dark and surveyed her surroundings as she rounded the corner. It was easy for her to strip away the typical tourist bullshit. Trinkets, beads, and blinking plastic cups filled with syrupy liquo
r all fell off her grid. It was the locals she was worried about. Real New Orleans natives.
She spotted a couple making out against the brick wall behind a pub entrance, groping one another with their snake-like arms slithering up and down. The woman’s minuscule skirt hiked up around her mid-drift with one leg jacked up against the wall.
A group of women cackled from across the street just as one of them busted her ass off the edge of the sidewalk. There she sat, splattered on the street giggling like a school girl.
Fucked up.
An old beater truck had pulled up to a curb where a scrawny man in a ribbed tank and pair of loose jeans leaned into the passenger’s side window. Took all of twenty seconds. Clearly a drug deal.
Baby Jade quickened her pace. Her heart fluttering in her chest and her skin was hypersensitive from the crushing anxiety. Craning her head around, she peered down the street. Fear crept up in her gut, spreading through her chest. She broke out in a jog. As she got closer to her apartment, Baby noticed the same black car she had seen on her way to Pecan Grove.
Drew.
Panic rippled through her stomach. Baby sprinted the remaining block to her apartment. She skirted past Rodney’s garage. Blood pumping. Her heart hammering against her ribcage. Her quick breaths left her winded and wide-eyed.
She barreled forward with her sights on her front door. She jammed her hand into her shoulder bag, fishing for her keys. Grasping the cold metal between her trembling fingers, Baby tugged them from the bag and fumbled with the lock.
The growl of the Mustang sent a shiver through her core, leaving her lightheaded. Drew. Slade on the prowl. It didn’t make sense. It was too much of a coincidence.
Alone, with the lights out behind locked doors, Baby Jade was thankful Ma’Linn wasn’t home tonight. Hopefully, she was safe at the institution. Ang had promised they would post security outside of her mother’s room. She was going to have to trust that for now. She was of no use to her mother, not anymore.
Bourbon Street Royalty: Jaded Series, Book Two Page 9
