“Mr. Gauthier, it’s a pleasure.”
“Mr. Clayton,” Lucky responded as the man pumped his hand frantically.
“Why don’t you step into my office.” He allowed Lucky to sit before settling in behind his massive, mahogany desk. “So, what can I do for you today, Mr. Gauthier?”
“Well, as you probably already know, my father passed away a couple of weeks back.”
Mr. Clayton nodded his head, over exaggerating the gesture. “Yes, absolutely tragic. So sorry for your loss. The bank was very sad to hear of his passing.”
Lucky squirmed in his chair, adjusting one leg over the other. “Yeah, thanks.”
The man leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands together in front of his chest. “So, I guess you’re here to empty out your father’s safe deposit box.”
His heart hammered against his chest. His mouth dried up like the fucking desert. He didn’t trust himself to talk without choking on his words, so he nodded.
“I thought that might be the case since yours is the only other name on the account.”
Good old pop.
Mr. Clayton shoved his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. “We just need to take care of some paperwork, and of course, I’m assuming you have your key?”
“Yes, sir.” Lucky dug into his shirt pocket and withdrew the key.
“Very well then, let’s get down to business.”
He tried to contain the nervous bubbling in his stomach as Mr. Clayton busied himself with a stack of papers. He was minutes away from uncovering whatever Carrie had been working so hard to hide. He gripped the pen and scrawled his signature across the forms, initialing all of the highlighted areas.
“And your ID?” The banker peered at him from over the top of his glasses.
Lucky pulled his license out of his chain wallet and passed it across the desk.
Mr. Clayton picked it up, grabbed a key, and stood. “Shall we?”
“After you,” Lucky responded. He remembered the process from years earlier. He followed the President down the corridor and into the vault. After finding box number 1951, Mr. Clayton slipped his key into the tiny, metal slot and waited for Lucky to do the same.
Although he had done the exact same thing for his father a dozen times before, his pulse skyrocketed. This was too easy.
Two turns and a click.
Mr. Clayton led him into a small room. He placed the box on the wooden table and turned to leave. “Feel free to take as much time as you need. You can collect your license on your way out when you return your key. And please do let us know if we can be of any service in the future.”
Lucky nodded and shook the man’s hand. He waited for the door to close. His muscles clenched as he gripped the box, unhooking the latch and lifting the long, slender lid.
Just as he had anticipated. A single expandable file. It made sense. It was his father’s secret box. The box he shared with his mother was at another bank, and that would be where he kept all of the usual documents and keepsakes.
That’s what made him so apprehensive. Whatever was inside this box, Colby Gauthier had considered top secret, and it more than likely had little to do with standard Gauthier business.
With trepidation, he pulled the file from the box. Slumping backward in the chair, Lucky took in a deep gulp of air. Holding his breath, he pulled the papers from the file. The first few appeared to be bank statements from a personal account; one Lucky was not familiar with. He would have to deal with that later. There were files with different names on them. By thumbing through the contents, they were people his father had investigated. Photos, personal information, credit reports, and background checks.
He didn’t recognize any of the names until he stumbled across Rozalie’s file.
What the fuck?
Lucky skimmed the documents. All of them were full of the same investigation bullshit. He flipped through the files. Ma’Linn. Phillipe. A bowling ball size pit settled in his gut as he caught the name on the next page.
Jade ‘Baby’ Belhomme.
His chest tightened as he scanned the pages. His father had documented details of her life clear back to when she was a child. There were photos of her at all ages. Her haunted green eyes unsuspecting of being followed or recorded.
There was a copy of her birth certificate, her social security card, school records, and taxes. Name it, and he had it. The room started to spin as Lucky’s head clouded. He clutched the side of the table, struggling for air.
Nothing prepared him for what came next. He opened a black portfolio. Inside was a legal document with a lot legal bullshit that Lucky didn’t understand, but he was able to piece together enough to get the main points.
He swallowed back the bubbling vomit in his throat.
He stared at the single slip of paper. Unable to process the information, he flipped the page. A manila folder labeled ‘Carrie Scott’ stared back at him. He heard his heartbeat thumping in his ears. This was it; there was no tiptoeing with this one. He had been waiting to take that conniving bitch down, and now, he finally had the ammunition he needed to finish the job.
He eagerly opened the file.
Lucky’s jaw dropped as he read the single statement, scrawled in his father’s handwriting.
“I hereby grant Carrie Janine Scott a full-time, executive position, as well as 2500 shares in Gauthier Marine Transport for the duration of 99 years.”
It was signed, dated, and notarized.
All of the blood drained from his face, his heart jackhammering in his chest.
How was he going to tell Baby Jade that her entire existence had been a lie?
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Baby Jade
Another fucked up day.
Lucky bolted this morning, acting cryptic and shit. He even had the balls to tell her to stay home. She wasn’t falling for that macho bullshit, so she decided to head out and check on her mom.
“No hon, she’s still sedated.” Ang gave her that pity look that made her detest the universe and all of the people in it.
“How long do you think she’ll be under?”
She shrugged her bony shoulders. “We tried to bring her out of it this morning, but she became combative. Ma’Linn was up here earlier. At this point, I don’t know if she’ll want to see anyone when she comes to.”
Baby’s muscles stiffened. The stress was taking a toll on her already tired body. She thanked the redhead, who smiled and offered the usual, pointless words of reassurance.
She rested a plastic bottle of Barq’s on the receptionist counter before leaving. Nothing ever got easier. A damn break would be a nice change of pace.
At least she had Lucky. Her rock and wanna-be protector. If only he could get it through that gorgeous, fucked up head of his. There was no saving her. Not now, not ever. Obviously, there was no happy ending. No white picket fence. No PTA meetings. No kids. Of course, looking at her life now, it was probably a good thing she hadn’t brought such an innocent soul into this a fucked up world. He would have deserved better than having her for a mother.
She closed her eyes and ran her hands along the brick wall outside of the cemetery. The hair on her arms stood on end just before she heard the roar of the Harley come up from behind.
Her eyes widened. She noticed the dark stirring in Lucky’s deep, brown eyes, causing panic to well up in her chest.
“What is it? Are you ok?”
He smiled, but he wasn’t fooling anyone. It was a fake gesture, only for her benefit.
“Of course, darlin’. I’m good. Hop on.”
She strapped on the helmet he offered. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
She coiled her arms around his waist and tried to ignore the giant pit in her gut. She still wasn’t totally comfortable on a bike, but she suspected the uneasy feeling stemmed from his odd behavior. She shivered as they crossed the bridge, lacing her fingers together around his hard abdomen.
Curious, Baby pee
ked over his shoulder. They were in the business district, an area that she only visited when working late night parties for Slade.
Lucky zipped into a parking garage and parked in a spot labeled ‘Colby Gauthier’. He took her by the hand and helped her off the bike.
“What are we doing here?” Her eyes narrowed as she stared at him.
He held her gaze while brushing his lips across her hand. “You just have to trust me.”
He pulled something out of the saddle bags and led the way into the ornate lobby.
“Mr. Gauthier, good to see you again.” A young lady darted out from behind the large, crescent-shaped desk.
Baby was surprised when Lucky didn’t respond or even glance in her direction. However, that wasn’t going to stop the girl from trying harder.
Her face fell. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll need your friend to fill out the appropriate visitor forms.” She regained her toothy grin. “You know, protocol and all.”
Lucky stopped as the private elevator door opened. “I’ll take full responsibility.”
Baby offered the poor girl a sympathetic smile as the metal door closed. “What the hell was that all about? She was just trying to do her job.”
He wrapped his arm tightly around her waist and pulled her in close. “I don’t trust anyone in this fucking building.”
They rode in silence.
He marched down the hallway, and Baby followed, leaving a trail of gaping mouths and wide eyes. People filed out of their offices and Baby heard the whispers and snickering. She suddenly felt self-conscious in her shorts and Voodoo Queens T-shirt.
Lucky wouldn’t be thwarted, though. He barreled down the hallway, ignoring everyone in his path. Another pretty blonde stood at her desk as they approached. This one appeared to be different from the one downstairs. Kinder.
“Wendy, please make sure we’re not disturbed.”
She nodded. “Yes, sir.” She smiled in Baby’s direction. “Ma’am.”
Ma’am?
That was some mixed up shit.
He closed the door as Baby observed the room. Fancy art and bookshelves with leather-bound books lined the walls. The furniture was obnoxious. However, the glass wall offered a view of the city she had never seen before.
“Is this your office?”
He pointed to the degrees on the wall. “The late, great Colby Gauthier.”
That explains it.
It was strange sitting across from Lucky as he slipped behind the desk. He placed both hands on top of a thick file folder, the kind she remembered seeing on lawyer TV shows.
Her insides knotted. “What the hell am I doing here? You’re scaring me. Is everything ok?”
He nodded, and she sighed a breath of relief. “Did you find something out?”
“You could say that. It’s not all of the answers we need, but it’s a damn good place to start.”
Her knees bounce, her body humming. He was being vague and it was driving her mad. “I can’t take this shit. Why am I here?”
Lucky dipped his head, lowering his gaze to make eye contact. “Baby, I want you to promise me you’ll listen. You won’t get up or throw things. You’ll hear me out. Promise?”
Fireworks exploded inside of her chest. She nodded.
“Promise,” he demanded.
“What the fuck?” She glared at him, but he didn’t relent. “Fine, I promise.”
She watched as he flipped open the folder. “First, let me say that there’s a lot of information in here, but I’m going to jump to the end. Everything will make more sense after you see this.”
Squirming in her seat, Baby’s patience wore thin. “Please tell me what the hell you’re talking about.”
Lucky rolled his neck, inhaling. He slowly exhaled and rotated the last piece of paper from the folder, placing it directly in front of her.
She glanced at it. “What is this?”
“Just read it.”
He leaned in, his body resting against the desk. Baby started reading the document, but couldn’t make heads or tails of the legal crap. Nothing made sense. She recognized names, and Colby Gauthier had signed it as a witness, but that was all she could gather. She shoved the page back in Lucky’s direction, causing him to jump.
“It’s good, right?”
Blood boiled in her veins. “Is this your way of flaunting your college degree in my face? You know that I don’t know anything about this bullshit.” Her knees bounced harder. She rubbed her sweaty hands up and down her bare thighs. She fought back the urge to bolt as tears sprang to her eyes.
Lucky circled around and stood in front of her, leaning against the desk. “Baby, this is part of a document drawn up by Art Flanagan and one of Gauthier’s attorneys. Do you know what that means?”
Her body buzzed from the surge of adrenaline. Anger and frustration consumed her. She leveled her gaze. “If you don’t tell me what all of this bullshit is, I’m out of here.” She gripped the armrests, digging her nails into the leather while waiting for the hammer to drop.
Lucky cradled her trembling hands in his own, massaging with his fingertips. He was stalling, and she wanted to know why.
She watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down in his throat as he swallowed before looking her in the eyes.
“Darlin’, there’s no easy way to say any of this, so please try to keep an open mind.” He swallowed again. “Art Flanagan, my dad’s business partner, was your father. According to these documents, he and your mother had a relationship. I don’t know what happened, why you were never told, but it’s clear that my dad knew the whole time.”
Baby Jade shook her head. Her furrowed brow did nothing to hide the distant confusion in her eyes.
Lucky continued. “My dad served as a witness. When Art died, the will was simple. Because he didn’t have a wife or children, his half of the business reverted over to my father. I was there for the reading. It all sounded pretty standard, until now. This paper was definitely not part of the original reading. It must be an addendum or something. It explains that Art had a daughter with Rozalie, and my dad was supposed to do everything in his power to find you and see that the terms of the will were carried out. If you couldn’t be found, or weren’t receptive, the company would then go to one Mr. Colby Gauthier.”
Baby slumped backward in the chair. Her eyes glazed over. She couldn’t bring herself to process Lucky’s words. It was as if her brain went numb. Her insides iced over.
“Are you hearing me? This means you own half of the company. Darlin’, you’re a multi-millionaire.”
His words sounded muffled and foreign. She pushed herself up from the chair, unsure of whether or not her jelly-like legs would hold up. She reached around Lucky and picked up the rest of the folder, staring at it for a few seconds before gazing up at him.
His handsome face buzzed with excitement. The tiny glint of hope in his chocolate eyes tangled with her icy insides.
Something must have clicked because his face fell. His eyes suddenly downturned. She noticed the muscles in his neck tighten, revealing thick, pulsating veins.
“What’s wrong? I know it’s a lot to take in, but it’s a silver lining. This is the rainbow in the middle of the shit storm. Say something.”
She planted her palm in the center of Lucky’s chest. A single tear slipped down her cheek as he lifted her fingertips to his mouth, kissing each one with his soft lips.
“Please don’t do this. You promised,” he whispered.
She held the folder to her own chest and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, fighting back the flood of tears.
She turned toward the door.
“Please…”
With her hand on the knob, Baby willed herself to take a step. And then another. She held her chin high as she waited for the elevator. She could feel Lucky’s searing gaze behind her, but couldn’t bring herself to turn around.
Not now. Maybe never again.
Once she got on the elevator, she stood with her back toward
the hallway. The floodgates opened, and the tears fell as she heard his voice.
“Please…”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Lucky
Three weeks later
Tilly Gauthier paced outside the crowded boardroom. She was slowly gaining back her strength, but the long hospital stay had left her already thin frame frail.
Lucky eyed his mother and made his way down the hall, noticing the rare look of approval on her face.
“James, look at you. Your father would be so proud. I’m so glad you decided to go with the Ralph Lauren. It’s just lovely. Now, if we could just get you to shave.”
“Don’t push it, mother.”
This was it. The final curtain call. He had been fighting it ever since returning to the city. He would officially step this day into his father’s shoes. James ‘Lucky’ Gauthier, President of Gauthier Marine Transport.
Of course, he couldn’t bring himself to focus on the monumental event. He hadn’t seen or heard from Baby Jade in more than three weeks, and it certainly wasn’t from lack of trying. She hadn’t been home or to work. Ma’Linn was gone. He even tried to get in to see Rozalie. Nothing. Vanished.
He kept an eye on the news, praying she didn’t do anything stupid. He drilled Slade, whose only response was that he didn’t have time for ‘little fish’ anymore. Whatever the fuck that meant.
“We’re ready, Mr. Gauthier.” A woman he recognized from the finance department popped her head out from the double doors. He was trying to put names to faces, but couldn’t make them stick.
He hadn’t confronted his mother about the information he found in the safe deposit box either. It didn’t seem fair to out Baby’s personal business without knowing what she was going to do. This was bigger than Gauthier or money. This was her life.
“Well, the day is finally here.” Tilly fussed with his tie. “Are you ready, son?” Tilly was beaming. Pride was her favorite accessory. She looped her arm through his as they entered the room. He pulled out a chair for his mother. It was awkward and uncomfortable to be at the head of the table, but it came with the title.
Bourbon Street Royalty: Jaded Series, Book Two Page 17
