He sat behind his rickety, old desk. His wire-rimmed glasses sliding down the bridge of his pudgy nose. “What is it? I’m busy.”
Jewella sneered. “Look who I caught slithering outside your office.” She tilted her head towards the door.
His gaze landed on Baby Jade. He leaned back in his seat and tugged the snug frames from his face. Out of everything working against the man, it was the stupid glasses that embarrassed him.
Unreal.
“Looking for something?” He asked.
Baby rolled her eyes, attempting to play it off. “Like you would have anything in this stinky, old closet I would ever care about. I was on my way to let you know I was leaving. Same thing I do every night. Tell your cracked out watchdog to take a chill pill.”
Jewella twisted her thin, painted lips into a snarl.
She was concerned that her harsh words about Jewella might send Mickey into a heated frenzy, but it was her only shot at getting his mind to shift gears. However, to her surprise, he just eyeballed her. She couldn’t get a read on what he was thinking.
He puckered his fat lips. “Ok, head out, but I need you to put in some daytime hours starting next week.”
“What the hell’s going on now?”
He waved his chubby hand through the air, blowing off her concerns. “No big deal. You’ll have some new girls to train.”
“I didn’t even know you were interviewing.”
His beady eyes grew dark. “Well, I didn’t know I had to run everything by you, Princess. Being the owner of this here fine establishment led me to believe I had the right to run it my way. I guess now I know.”
Jewella’s bony frame shook in the corner as she giggled.
“Don’t be a dick. I was just asking. Shit, I’m out of here.” Baby casually strolled out of the room, although her insides were screaming at her. This entire night was like a fucking dream, a recurring nightmare.
She snatched up her bag. Not wanting to run into anyone else, she slipped out the back door. The muggy, clear night was a welcome relief after being stuck in the dank building all night. Drawing in a large gulp of air, she closed her eyes as she passed the spot where she had found Lolli a few weeks earlier.
Goosebumps stippled her balmy flesh as she contemplated where the girl might be now.
It was insane how at home Baby felt on the streets, or even at the club, compared to how she felt at Gauthier Manor. That was no place for her. She would never fit in with the great Tilly Gauthier. There was no point in trying. If Lucky couldn’t accept her on those terms, well then, that would be his burden to bear.
She hustled down the dark street. She was running late and was mentally preparing herself for the inevitable cell phone bitch fit from Lucky. She nearly jogged down the side street leading to her apartment complex. However, Baby stopped cold when she heard the rumble of the recognizable Roush.
Blood rocketed through her trembling body. The sight of Drew pulling away from the curb in front of her house left her light headed.
Lucky stepped out from the shadows.
She bolted across the street, landing in his strong, open arms.
“Hey, you’re shaking.” He took her face in his hands and brushed his inviting lips across hers. “You ok?”
“Well, on top of the day from hell, I come home to find the enemy in the middle of my own personal camp. What was all that shit about?”
“Let’s go inside and we can swap tales from purgatory.” He slipped an arm around her slim waist and guided her up the walkway.
“Goodnight, Ma’Linn,” they said in unison, met by a hearty chuckle from the other side of the neighboring window.
Baby handed her keys to Lucky. He scanned the apartment before allowing her to enter. Once inside, he opened two beers and passed one to her before settling in on the couch.
“You go first,” he said between guzzles.
She took her own swig of Shiner. The cold bubbles were like magic as her shoulders slowly started to relax. “There’s some new shit going down at the club.”
He ran his palm up and down his jawline. “I really wish you’d stop going down there.”
“At this point, I think it might be better that I’m there. We may learn something new.
Lucky peered up at her through a creased brow. “What do you mean?”
She took another drink, savoring the dark ale on her tongue. “I guess I should start from the beginning.” Baby Jade proceeded to fill him in on what happened at Pecan Grove. She told him about Phillipe and how her mother had to be sedated during his visit, followed by her conversation with Ma’Linn.
He continued to rub his beard. “That’s definitely some crazy shit.” His distant gaze told her that he was trying to process the information.
She paced the room. “Yeah, well, it doesn’t end there.” She rambled on for the next twenty minutes, unloading about Slade, Mickey, and the mysterious politician. “It was really weird. Willow looked like she was high, but still had enough sense to be scared shitless.”
“What the fuck is going on down there?”
She plopped down on the couch and leaned next to him. “And what’s up with Slade sporting a suit and running around with the big dogs?”
Lucky wrapped an arm around her shoulders before finishing off his beer.
She nudged him in the ribs with her elbow. “Ok, your turn. Spill.”
He sighed and snagged her beer, causing her to stick out her bottom lip in a fake pout.
“You’re not gonna like it,” he stated.
“That’s beside the point. What the hell was that sneaky, cocksucker doing at my house?”
Baby remained still as Lucky recounted the entire conversation. At one point, her mouth fell open at the insane details about Carrie wanting her out of the picture.
Lucky plucked the key from his pocket, leaving her wide-eyed.
“What do you think it goes to?”
“Oh, I know exactly what it goes to, but I wasn’t going to let private dick know that.”
Her back snapped straight. She leveled her green eyes and tilted her head. “Well?”
“When I was in college, Dad had his sights set on grooming me to work alongside him at Gauthier. That was the plan from the time I was born. Of course, he said I had to work my way up the ladder. But in true Tilly fashion, she forbade my father from putting me in the mailroom or warehouse. She said no kid of hers would ever work in the basement. So, Colby did the next best thing. I became his gopher. You know, running errands, getting the boat washed, and spending more hours than I care to admit on the golf course. One day his beloved secretary double booked him. He had an appointment at the bank, but also had to be on a plane for New York. I begged him to let me go on the trip. I knew I was ready, but he refused. Said I still had a long way to go before sitting in on such an important meeting. Instead, he sent me to the bank. I was supposed to meet with the president, and only the president, to retrieve a file. He gave me the key. This key, and added me to the approved list for his secret security box.”
Baby’s mind was spinning. She knew it was coming. Everything was coming to a head. She had felt it in the air all day. Her stomach churned. “You think there’s something important in the box?”
He nodded. “I think it’s going to be the missing puzzle piece we’ve been looking for. I also think it puts us ahead of the game because Carrie doesn’t know what’s inside. Better yet, I don’t think she can get her hands on it even if she did.”
She rounded her bold, green eyes. “And you think we can?”
“It’s worth a shot. I was on the approved list for a few years. Maybe the old man left a backup in case he ever needed it, and we do have the key.”
She eyed the shiny metal key and nodded. “Yeah, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
She sat upright. “What do we do with whatever we find?”
His gorgeous lips curled into a smirk. “I guess that depends on what we
find, but my guess is that we use the information to ensure your safety.”
“Finally catching a break… but why would Drew give you the key? How do we know it’s not a trap?”
“I asked him the same thing, and like he said, we don’t. He claims he’s done with Carrie. Said it got too deep and underhanded, and he didn’t want any part of it. I guess the proof is in the key. He had no idea that I recognized the key, so it stands to reason that he’s on the up and up.”
He pulled her into a full embrace. “You just have to trust me. I was put on this fucked up planet to take care of you. I know it’s hard for you to believe that someone would want to take care of you instead of the other way around, but it’s true. Everything in me is driven by your happiness. Every. Fucking. Thing.”
Baby lowered her head. Lucky tipped her chin up so her teary eyes could meet his. She blinked, trying to fight the urge to curl up and bawl like an orphaned child. It was so foreign to hear someone say he wanted to take care of her for a change.
Her chest heaved as butterflies bashed around her insides, like a volcano, ready to erupt.
“Do you trust me?” He asked through a ragged breath that made her body flush.
Unable to piece together words while mesmerized by his smoldering, hungry eyes, Baby nodded.
“Good.” He held her face in his hands and leaned in until his eager mouth consumed hers. The low rumble of the carnal groan in his throat made the delicate spot between her legs wet with anticipation.
“There’s nothing else we can do about the situation until tomorrow. So tonight, I plan to kiss away every one of your concerns. Tonight, you’re mine and only mine.”
Goosebumps broke out across Baby’s sensitive flesh as Lucky plucked her up from the couch.
“I love you,” he whispered.
“And I love you.” Somehow the words managed to escape through the strangled sob lingering in her throat.
The hunger in his eyes made her insides flutter. All of the pain and resentment she once had for him diminished as he enveloped her in his masculine arms. If only for a few hours, they would lock out the rest of the world.
Tonight she would give all of herself to him. Her body. Her scar. Her heart.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Lucky
Lucky flung his sluggish arm across the bed. Surprised to find it empty, fear clutched his gut.
“Baby?” He called out as he scrambled out of bed, pulling on his jeans.
“Shower!”
Relief filled his aching chest. The sound of the water put him at ease. He shoved the plastic shower curtain to the side. The sight of the water beading off Baby’s wet, bronze skin took his breath. The image of her long, firm legs wrapped around him the night before gave him an instant hard on.
“Morning.” He leered, drinking in her perfect body. He wasn’t ready for their short, little stay-cation to end.
She popped open her eyes, revealing round pools of dazzling green. “Morning.”
Her full lips curved into a sly grin, causing his heart to skip a beat. He wanted to devour her perky, firm tits with his mouth. He adjusted his hard cock and pushed the thought of fucking her until she couldn’t walk out of his mind.
“You’re up early.”
With her eyes closed again, she beamed and rinsed the lather from her hair. “Yeah, Ma’Linn stopped by. She started coffee and dropped off some fresh beignets.”
“Nice. Café Du Monde?”
Baby’s face twisted. “Uh, no. Ma’Linn. And you would be wise to make sure you tell her that they could put Du Monde out of business with one bite. That woman believes her beignets could bring world peace.”
He snickered. He could imagine the old woman’s serious tone when it came to her cooking. “Will do. Ok, I’m gonna get coffee. Want some?”
“No, I had three cups already. But before you go, will you get me a hair clip from my bag?”
“Sure,” he responded.
He grabbed Baby’s heavy shoulder bag and dug around on the inside. He pulled out a makeup bag, two hairbrushes, a handful of books, and still couldn’t see the bottom.
“Find it?”
“Still looking,” he hollered as he dumped the bag onto the bed and rummaged through the contents. He noticed an old photo lying next to her wallet. Curiosity got the best of him and he flipped the picture over. Heaviness filled his lungs. His stomach leapt into his throat. He quickly found the hair clip.
Baby was busy towel drying her body when Lucky handed her the clip. She piled her wet hair up onto her head and secured it in place.
“Where’d you get this?” His shaky hand held up the photo.
Baby gave it a quick glance and went back to drying off. “I must have forgotten to tell you about that. It was the weirdest thing. After they had wheeled my mom out of her room, I took a look around. I hadn’t been in there forever since she refused to see me. Anyway, I guess Phillipe brought her a root beer and it got turned over during the chaos. I was cleaning it up when I found that picture on the floor. I don’t know where it came from, never saw it before, but that doesn’t mean anything. It could have been there for years. I thought maybe Ma’Linn might know. I was going to give her some time to process the information about Phillipe and then ask her about it.”
“Do you think it had something to do with Rozalie getting so upset?”
Baby shrugged while glancing back at him through the mirror. “Maybe.”
“Change of plans. I’m going to go check on my mom. I’ll go by the bank and come back to let you know what I find out.”
She snapped around to face him.
He attempted to hide his jittery hands. “Lock the door behind me. And do me a favor, stay home for once.”
“What’s the rush?” She asked with a puzzled expression.
“Just thinking it’s a good time to hit the bank. The earlier, the better.”
She slipped on her clothes and followed him to the door. He was already shoving his feet into his boots as he stumbled across the room.
“But I thought you wanted coffee.” Baby pointed to the kitchen.
He slid his t-shirt over his head. “It’s ok. I’m sure Joyce made a pot for mother.” He planted a swift kiss on her cheek and reminded her to lock up before he disappeared in a hurry.
Lucky beat himself up for leaving her in the dark. It was too premature to get into such a deep conversation. Every muscle in his body tensed as he pulled up at the manor. The fact that he was being spread too thin was starting to take a toll. The only thing he had to be thankful for was that he had Baby Jade back in his life. He swore he would never see the day. When he held her in his arms, it was like a vivid dream. The same dream he had almost every night for months.
“Well, how nice of you to come and check on your old, disabled mother.”
He regretted the laugh as soon as he heard it, but seeing his mother’s chin drop was priceless. “Why don’t you get your tail outta that bed and go make me some breakfast, woman.”
She glared at him for a few seconds before her cold, hard gaze softened. A small chuckle escaped, causing her to put her slender hand up to her mouth.
“It’s ok, mother. It’s called laughter.”
His sarcastic statement made Joyce bust out in a fit of giggles.
Tilly’s gaze darted between the two of them until she huffed. “You two are terrible.” She propped herself up against the pile of pillows. “So, spend the night with your stripper friend?”
Lucky didn’t respond. He stood and crossed the room, headed toward the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t have time for this bullshit. I told you to lay off Baby, or we’re through here. You obviously didn’t think I was serious, but I’m not going to stand here and listen to you bash her. I love her, mother.”
The old woman drew her lips into a hard line. She lowered her gaze and smoothed out the wrinkles on her pricey comforter. “I suppose we’ll just have to agree to disagree. T
ruce?”
He assumed her miniscule gesture was better than nothing. He sat in the chair next to his mother’s bed and let her drone on for the next hour while he listened to her complain about everything from the landscapers to the roof needing new shingles.
“Your father always took care of this kind of stuff.”
“No, mother. Dad always gave a list to Joyce. She is the estate manager. That hasn’t changed.”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right.”
“Good, I’m glad to see you’re feeling more like yourself today. I’ve got to head out for a while, but I’ll check back in on you later.”
Her face twisted as she shot up in bed. “But we didn’t get to talk about business. You have to take that position, James. There’s no other option.”
“Not now, mother.” He landed a peck on her cheek and took off before she could object.
Lucky grabbed a fresh button down from his closet. His fingertips grazed the key, reassuring himself that it was safe. Everything relied on that key.
He drove directly to the bank. He parked his bike, ran his hand over his beard, and tucked in his shirt. He tried to appear casual as he strolled in to the bank.
“Welcome to the Louisiana Savings and Loan. How can I help you, sir?”
He surveyed the young woman standing behind the tall counter. “I’d like to see the president, please.”
She smiled, “Do you have an appointment?”
Shit!
“No, I didn’t think I’d be in town that long. I’m sure he can spare a few minutes.”
“I’m sorry, sir. Mr. Clayton is very busy and operates under a strict appointment schedule. I’d be happy to set up a time, or maybe I can help you myself.” She beamed, flashing her mouthful of perfectly white teeth.
“Thanks, but I’ll just wait for Mr. Clayton. Please let him know that James Gauthier would like a few minutes of his time. I’ll just wait over here.”
The woman was no longer smiling as Lucky pointed to the lavish reception area. She pressed the phone to her ear and pressed buttons. She must have called Mr. Clayton to complain because Lucky never had a chance to sit down when a tall, stuffy man popped out from a side office and extended his hand.
Bourbon Street Royalty: Jaded Series, Book Two Page 16
