Bourbon Street Royalty: Jaded Series, Book Two (21 page)

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. My assignment was to get the job finished, no matter the method. Regardless, things have shifted. Carrie’s spooked, even more so than usual. She’s getting messy.”

Lucky’s stomach pitched. He turned to face Drew. “What do you mean?”

“Something must have happened, something she wasn’t counting on. She’s trying to rush the job, and that’s always a bad sign. And then there’s this.” Drew dug around in his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, gold key.

Lucky shrugged. “Is that supposed to mean something to me?”

“I have a feeling it means a whole hell of a lot. We just have to figure out
what
it means.”

The muscles in Lucky’s neck constricted. “Stop being so fucking cryptic.”

His sharp tone made Drew snap his head backward. “Shit man, you are intense.” He sighed. “Earlier today, Carrie called me down to Gauthier Transport. She’s never done that before. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite. She was adamant on me never showing my face at her place of business.”

Lucky wasn’t about to share the fact that he watched the ugly altercation. “So, she gave you the key?”

Drew nodded. “Yeah, but she has no idea what the hell it’s for. She found it in your old man’s coat. She told me to find out what it goes to, and going so far as to say this job comes before dealing with Baby Jade and her mother.”

Lucky was tired of playing games. He finally felt the hand tipping. This was the break he had been waiting for, and now it was crucial that he played his cards right. “None of this explains why you’re here.”

“Like I said, I’m not out to hurt Baby, or anyone else. Whatever shit Carrie has gotten herself into has nothing to do with me. I’ve kept my nose clean and worked a few jobs. I’m not going to risk my license, or my life, for her. I know you don’t believe me, but I came to talk to Baby tonight with good intentions.”

Lucky smirked. “You’re right, that’s a little hard to swallow.”

“I get that. I’ve given you no reason to trust me, but I’m here out of good faith. I’m worried about Baby. And whatever that key goes to will help keep her safe, I’m sure of it.”

“So what are you gonna do with it if you’re so certain it’s the answer to all of Baby’s problems? You plan on swooping in on your black horse and saving the day?”

Drew shook his head. His big shoulders slumped forward. “No, I know she’s not into me. I might have had a chance if you hadn’t come home, but you did. I’m out. I know that. I just want her safe, and it’s better that I have no idea what this key goes to or the connection it has with Carrie. Knock yourself out.”

Lucky gave a hard swallow as he eyed the key that Drew was now extending in his direction. He didn’t know whether it was a scam or if he should actually trust the douchebag who was conveniently on Carrie’s payroll.

“How do I know this isn’t some kind of set up?” Lucky questioned.

Drew shrugged. “You don’t,” he replied with his hand still reaching out toward Lucky.

He took the key, gave it a quick once over, and slipped it into the pocket of his jeans. “So, you don’t want to know what I find out?”

Now it was Drew’s turn to laugh. “Hell no! I’m not touching this one. As a matter of fact, I’ll be heading out of town for a while. Need to put some distance between myself and this godforsaken city.”

Lucky knew that feeling all too well. “Probably best. There’s sure to be some people looking for you.”

“Thought of that too. I only took the money for the legwork I did. Nothing else, but I’m sure they’ll be pissed just the same.”

Nodding, Lucky eyed the man. “Wise move.”

Drew stuck out his hand, which Lucky reluctantly shook. “Please tell Baby I’m sorry for any worry I might have caused her. I really do want to see her happy.”

There it was, the reminder of why he didn’t like, or trust, the man in the first place. “Yeah, sure.”

Lucky stepped aside and watched the black Mustang disappear down the dark street. He rolled the key between his fingers as a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Baby Jade

Baby Jade smelled her before even hearing her shrill, scratchy voice.

“What the hell are you doing sneaking around Mickey’s office?

Her heartbeat lodged in her throat. She spun around on her heels and found herself face to face with Jewella. The woman was a hot mess. She had smeared makeup all over her face while sleeping with her head on the bar counter. Her eyes were heavy slits, the hollow eye sockets slathered with mascara and blue liquid eyeliner. The nauseating stench of booze and stale cigarettes rolled off her tongue as she spewed words.

“Mickey wouldn’t like you snooping around. Get outta my way!” Jewella busted through the office door. “Check it out, Mick.”

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.”