He climbed off and stretched his arms behind his back. It had been a long-ass ride since he only stopped for gas. However, he knew the long haul was only beginning.
“James.” Tilly Gauthier stood on the elaborate front porch. The room full of wide eyes darted between the two of them. His mother’s brown hair was tightly pulled back into a twisted bun at the nape of her neck. Her tall, thin frame appeared even more frail than usual. Her impeccable makeup job couldn’t hide the black bags settling under her dull eyes. She was drained, and it was taking an obvious toll.
“Mother.”
“Do you have to park that thing on the lawn? We just had landscaping work done.” She waved her slender arm toward his bike.
“Not now mother. We can argue later. What are all these people doing here?” He looked around at all of the men and women dressed in business suits, who had quickly tried to busy themselves by scanning papers and spouting off orders on their cell phones.
“It’s just business. Loose ends that I’m trying to tie up. Come in and let Joyce get you some sweet tea.” Tilly enjoyed playing the martyr, doing it all, when she actually had someone who did everything for her.
“Mother, I can get my own drink. Any beer in the house?”
“At this hour?” She twisted her face into a disapproving, but not surprised frown.
“Of course we do,” Joyce said, stepping out to the side of her friend and boss. “The boy’s had a long ride. A cold beer won’t hurt anything.”
“Really?” Tilly shot a death stare at Joyce, not that she had ever really been upset with her oldest friend. “Do you have to encourage him?”
“Humph,” Joyce grunted and opened her arms to Lucky, pulling him into a big embrace.
He walked past his mother, skimming his lips across her expectant cheek. “Yes, at this hour.”
Tilly quickly dismissed Joyce and followed Lucky into the kitchen, where he opened the fridge and searched for a beer. His heart sank when he realized there were only a few bottles of Abita Amber. His father’s beer. He considered passing, but quickly changed his mind at the sight of his mother tapping her long, manicured fingernails on the granite countertop.
He closed his eyes and guzzled half the bottle. The memories of sneaking his father’s beer when he was a teenager sent his stomach into his throat.
Lucky leaned against the wall and sighed. “Why did you call me home mother? If you need someone to help you clean out the house, you can call a moving service.”
He regretted the words as soon as he saw the way his mother cringed.
“Do you have to be so rude, James?”
“Ok, truce. So fess up. What’s the deal?” He took another long swig.
Tilly marched across the room, craning her head outside the door, glancing in both directions. She quietly closed the door and rushed back to Lucky’s side.
“It’s time, James,” she whispered.
“Time for what?”
She placed her finger to her lips, shushing him. “Everyone here worked for Art Flanagan and your father. When Art committed suicide, the vultures started to circle, but your father quickly put a stop to it. Now that he’s gone, I can see it starting again. They’re planning a takeover at Gauthier. I just know it!”
“Surely not all of them?” He asked, trying to reconcile the fact that his mother called him home because of business. It was too ironic.
“Oh, there’s one or two loyal ones left, but not many. You have to step in and head up the board, James. It’s your legacy. It’s what your father worked so hard for, for you.”
He choked as he took another swig from the bottle, causing him to cough through the carbonation in his throat.
“Everything ok in here?”
Neither of them had noticed the door open. Standing just inside was the last person he ever wanted to see.
Carrie Scott.
CHAPTER FIVE
Baby Jade
Baby Jade wanted to leave and never look back, but she couldn’t abandon Lolli. She realized that Slade and his goons were to blame. She would be all alone, and he would undoubtedly send someone to come looking for her to finish off the job.
Baby went to the restroom to clean herself up. When she returned, the mysterious man stood, waiting for her. She couldn’t help but notice his genuine smile. He seemed sincere, kind. Of course, it didn’t help that she was notorious for her poor judgment in men.
“You ok? Need anything?” He asked.
She shook her head. “No, I’m good.” She peered up at him. “Hey, thanks for everything you’ve done tonight. Really, you probably saved Lolli’s life.”
“Lolli? You know her?”
“Yeah, she used to work down at the club. I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Baby Jade.” She paused, “Now, this is where you tell me your name.”
“Shit, sorry. Yeah, I’m Drew, Drew Kenner.”
They politely shook hands, as if they had just met for the first time.
“And seriously, I’m glad I was there to help. She’s in pretty bad shape. Who would have fucked the poor girl up like that?”
Baby’s eyes widened. She sighed, trying to arrange her thoughts. She didn’t want to air her own dirty laundry in the process.
“I’m not sure,” she lied. She paced the floor in front of the chairs trying to figure out what to say next. “There’s a lot of bad blood running around Bourbon Street. There’s no telling.”
“Well, maybe she’ll be able to fill the cops in when she comes to.”
“Yeah, maybe.” She tried to appear optimistic.
Drew tilted his head, leaning, to peer into her face. “How you feeling? You looked pretty rough for a while there.”
“Oh no. I’m fine. Just not a fan of hospitals.”
He rubbed his hands over her arms. “Yeah, me either. At least you’re getting a little color back.”
“Excuse me, but are you the one who brought in the young lady?” A doctor addressed Drew from across the room.
He pointed to Baby. “We both did. She’s her friend. What’s the word?”
The doctor pinched the bridge of his nose and pressed his lips before speaking. “She’s stable for the moment. We’ll be watching her tonight to make sure she stays that way. She was worked over pretty good. Any idea what happened?”
“No, we were hoping she could tell us when she woke up,” Baby said.
“Well, that won’t be tonight. She’s in a lot of pain, so we’re keeping her sedated. The police have been called, and they’ve started an investigation. They said they would be back tomorrow after she wakes up. I’m sure they’ll want to talk with both of you.”
“Sure. We’ll be around.” Drew nodded his head in Baby’s direction.
She had a slight flutter, realizing this wouldn’t be the last time she saw him. The feeling was too much. Her head was spinning again.
“Ok, good. Well, you two should go ahead and get some rest. She’s in ICU so she can’t have any visitors right now.” He turned to walk away but stopped. “Oh, one more thing. It would help us to have a name.”
“Um, I don’t know her real name. She’s a dancer, and she goes by Lolli.”
The doctor nodded and walked away.
Drew stared at Baby, as if he wasn’t sure if she was going to flake out again or not. “Let me take you home.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can call a cab.”
He shook his head and fished the keys out from his pocket. “Absolutely not. I’m happy to do it, and that will show me where to pick you up tomorrow to bring you back to the hospital.”
She eyed him and found his blue eyes gazing back at her, sending goosebumps across her flesh. The thought of seeing him tomorrow didn’t exactly make her unhappy. “Yeah, ok.”
He placed his palm on the small of her back and walked her to the car. They drove in silence, other than Baby giving him directions to her apartment. He parked in front of her building and jumped out to open her door.
In the darkness of the
car, Baby grinned.
He extended his hand to help her out of the car and didn’t let go as he walked her to the door. She saw a slight movement in Ma’Linn’s kitchen window. She knew the old woman was still up and speculating about the night.
“So I’ll be here tomorrow to pick you up. What time works for you?”
“How about three? Is that good?” She unlocked her door.
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Perfect. Get inside and lock your doors. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She was thankful he didn’t try to kiss her or some other bullshit.
Once inside, Baby locked the door, the same door that Lucky had rebuilt right after he had kicked it in, and double-checked all of the windows. It was never good when Slade was on the warpath, and she would be on his shit list as soon he found out she was involved. She didn’t know what Lolli had done to piss him off, but Baby had no doubt he would finish what he started. She had lived it.
That’s why she tried to warn Lolli when she saw the way that Slade was using her. Like all of the girls, it was easy to swoon over him at first. A lot of money and attention can temporarily blind even the best of intentions, but it was too late. Lolli was a lost cause. She was hooked.
After a quick shower, Baby hurled herself into bed. Her exhausted body ached as her tense muscles slowly started to relax. No matter how tired she was, her mind never seemed to slow down. She thought about Lolli and what was in store for the deluded girl. She thought about Drew and how it was weird that she had never seen him around before. She wasn’t one to let her guard down easily, but he was so damn different, a breath of fresh air. She thought about Ma’Linn and hoped that her son Phillipe would show up soon. She noticed the altar on her friend’s stoop. The old woman had always spent her time saying charms and enchantments, but since her son’s disappearance about nine or ten months ago, she had become obsessed.
Phillipe was the only family Ma’Linn had left, other than Baby Jade and her mother, Rozalie. She was a nurturer and naturally took people in under her wing. It devastated Baby to know her friend was in so much pain.
Lastly, she thought about Lucky. He was always there, stirring deep in her gut. Baby tossed from side to side, finally pulling a pillow to her breasts and pressing her face into the padding, wishing it was Lucky’s chest.
She eventually drifted off to sleep with visions of his mouth on her body, bringing every part of her to life. Ironic, the only time she felt alive these days was when she was sleeping.
CHAPTER SIX
Lucky
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Lucky glowered at Carrie.
She placed a hand on her hip and tilted her head to one side. “Now, that’s no way to talk to and old friend, James.” Her pouty lips curled at the ends. “Or is it Lucky?”
His gaze darted from Carrie to his mother, who stood with her arms folded across her chest. He couldn’t read her expression, and she hadn’t exactly earned his trust. “Someone better tell me what the hell’s going on?” He gritted his teeth. He fought his inner voice as it screamed two words at him, set up.
“Son, you remember Carrie works for Gauthier now, right?”
The way Tilly pursed her lips and strained to smile made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. She was trying to tell him something.
“Yes, mother. That’s not something I would forget.” He redirected his glare to Carrie. “What I mean is why the hell are you here, in this house? You don’t fucking belong here.”
“James, when did you become so tactless? You used to be a bit more eloquent.” She stepped closer. Lucky refused to move. This was his parent’s house. She had no place here, especially during such a private time.
When she noticed he wasn’t going to respond, she continued. “If you must know, I’m attempting to take care of some accounts that have fallen through the cracks since Colby’s passing. By the way, your presence was missed at the funeral.”
Lucky’s chest bowed. If she had been a man, he would have punched her square in the face. She was trying to goad him into losing his temper.
Tilly stepped between the two of them. He witnessed her damp lashes. In his entire life, he had never seen his mother cry. Observing her weakness made Lucky’s heart heavy in his chest. He conceded for her benefit and took a step backward.
Carrie stared at Lucky, her eyes daring him. She plastered on a vain smirk. “Of course, Tilly. I wouldn’t want to do anything to upset you, especially during this difficult time.” She leaned in and gave the older woman a condescending embrace before prancing out of the room.
He gave it a few seconds before addressing his mother. “What the hell, mother?”
She paced the length of the kitchen, rubbing her hands together, deep in thought. “Yes, I know. It’s a disaster. I don’t know the details, but she’s up to something. And even worse, she has others on board.” She stopped in front of Lucky. Her eyes full of distress. “Son, I think I’m in jeopardy of losing everything that your father worked so hard for over all these years. I don’t know what to do. I can’t even think beyond the fact that I’ve just lost my husband. And now his legacy? I can’t even bear the thought!” Tilly’s usually calm voice cracked, her body trembling.
“Mother, I’m sure it’s not what you think.” Even as he spoke the words, Lucky knew they were a lie. Nothing good could come when Carrie Scott was involved.
“I’m telling you, James. Something is in the works. I’ve been in this business for a long time, and it’s a cutthroat world. You have to step up. It’s the only option,” she stated matter-of-factly.
The thought of going back to suits and the boardroom made Lucky want to hurl. His mother had to be blowing things out of proportion. However, even if there were a little truth to it, he would have no choice. He couldn’t stand his parents or the things they had done to make his life a living hell over the years, but that company was everything to his father. He poured his blood, sweat, and tears into the Gauthier Empire.
He used to sit at his father’s desk, his feet dangling from the high back, leather chair and pretend he was big and powerful, just like the admirable Colby Gauthier.
But not like this.
“James? Are you listening?”
“Yes, mother. I need some time to think. Let me check things out for myself. I’ll let you know what I find out.” He placed his hands on his mother’s shoulders. The wear and tear the last few weeks had taken on her were visible all over her sullen face. Her eyes were distant and full of fear. He was still suspicious that he was in the middle of a setup, but he was confident that his mother wasn’t in on it. Hell, she was probably the one being setup. It was obvious that Tilly truly believed the things that she was saying.
She allowed him to hug her but made no effort to return the embrace. It wasn’t her style. “Thank you, dear.” She pulled away and straightened out the hem on her linen suit. She put on her best ‘everything is perfect’ smile and opened the kitchen door.
Lucky leaned against the counter, taking the final swig from his beer.
Tilly turned back toward him and inhaled, holding her breath for a second before speaking. “I’m glad you’re home, son.”
Those five words were like a knife to the heart; embarrassed that one small nugget of affection from his mother could cause such a reaction. He had waited for that kind of nurturing from his mother his entire life. He knew she loved him, but he never thought it was the way a mother should love a son. He always assumed she had purses and shoes she loved far more, and he had finally come to terms with that.
***
“James, where are you going?”
“Out, mother. I’ll be back later.” Lucky hopped on his bike and roared down the driveway. He needed to let off a little steam. His tires peeled down the road. His chest expanded. He inhaled the nighttime air blowing in from the Gulf as he zigzagged down the familiar streets.
He decided to check in with an old friend and stop by Rodney’s to see how the shop was
doing.
“Hey man, it’s good to see ya!” Rodney clamored out from under a car he was working on and shook Lucky’s hand. “It’s been too long.”
Lucky had always valued the man’s work ethic. He would string up floodlights and work through the night, whatever it took to get the job done. Rodney had a family to feed, and Lucky could definitely appreciate that.
“Yeah, thought I’d stop in and make sure you weren’t running the place in the ground without me.” Lucky joked with his good friend. He had known Rodney for years. They were a lot alike if you took away the millions, fancy cars, elaborate houses, and loneliness.
“Oh, ya’ know, the best I can without your expertise,” Rodney mocked. “Speaking of which, what’s up? What’chya doin’ back in town?”
Lucky shuffled his feet, kicking dirt across the cement floor. “My old man died.”
“Shit man, sorry to hear that.”
“Yeah, I didn’t plan on coming back anytime soon, but there’s a shit storm brewing at Gauthier. Hoping I can take care of it and skip town before anyone knows I’m here.”
Rodney leaned against the old Chevy and wiped his greasy hands on a tattered, old bandana. “I’m guessin’ by anyone, you mean Baby Jade. I heard ‘bout the accident, man. That’s some fucked up shit. Sorry about losin’ the baby.”
Lucky swallowed back the bile in his throat. He nodded. “Thanks, appreciate that.”
The two men made small talk for a few minutes longer before saying their goodbyes. Lucky turned onto Bourbon Street wondering if Baby Jade was working. The obnoxious neon sign flashed the words Bottoms Up with an image of the backside of a woman in nothing but a thong. Strip clubs were a dime a dozen in New Orleans, and he had frequented most of them over the years, but this one was different.
The thought of Baby being so close made his heart race. He contemplated stopping for a beer, but decided it wouldn’t be fair to shake up Baby’s life. Not again.
He roared past the strip club. Lucky attempted to push the thought of her from his already jumbled brain, but couldn’t stop himself from driving by her apartment. He came to a stop at a cross section right down from her apartment. The street was pitch dark. The only light on belonged to Ma’Linn. He spotted her stocky silhouette as she bustled around on the inside.
Bourbon Street Royalty: Jaded Series, Book Two Page 3