Free Bourbon Street Royalty: Jaded Series, Book Two by Kimmie Easley Page B

“Your parents and I became close after I came to Gauthier. Well, to be honest, before I came to Gauthier. It’s just the kind of relationship we have, or I guess I should say had. Not that you would know anything about that since you were nowhere around.”
    Lucky’s breaths became quick and heavy. His neck muscles tightened as he tried not to let her get the best of him. Truth was she was right. He didn’t know anything about his parents, or her. However, something had his mother upset, and he suspected Carrie would be smack dab in the center of the cluster fuck when he figured it out. Either way, he didn’t like being this close to her. The stench of her stout perfume filled his nose, making him want to vomit. Shit, being in the same state was too fucking close for his taste.
    She pointed a lone finger at the desk. “What happened here? You looking for something?”
    He widened his stance, fighting the urge to punch a woman. “What fucking business is it of yours?”
    She snapped her head back and Lucky smirked, pleased to see her surprised reaction.
    You really aren’t the same man I knew in college, are you?” She stared at him, but he refused to acknowledge their past. He wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. “I was simply trying to help. Your father and I worked together on many projects. I thought I might know where something is, if you would just tell me what you’re looking for, I’m sure I could find it for you.”
    “Whatever I do is none of your damn business. Nothing my family does is your concern.”
    “Oh, that’s where you’re wrong, James. Gauthier is a family business, one of which I am deeply involved.”
    “Not for long,” he snarled.
    Carrie cocked her head to one side, grinning, as she traced her finger along the collar of his shirt. “Don’t be so sure, handsome. I’m here for the long haul, and there’s not much you can do about it. Even if you decide to trash the rags, slap on a five piece Armani, shave that thing off your pretty little face, and prop yourself up in daddy’s executive chair at the head of the board table, you’re not going to be able to get rid of me. Carrie Scott is here to stay. Get used to it, lover.”
    He was letting her talk, hoping she would stumble, and he would pick up some useful information. The Carrie he knew wouldn’t be this cocky without good reason, but even he could only take so much.
    “Besides, we could have some fun, kind of like the old days,” she said while running her fingers up the back of his head and through his dark tufts of hair.
    Her words about their past were like a punch to the balls as he thought about the baby she aborted. Lucky slapped her hand away.
    “Not on your fucking life. Get your shit and get out.”
    She snickered, which only pissed him off more. “That’s a shame.” She gathered up her purse and walked out the door without another word.
    First class bitch.
    She was up to something, and it was going to get worse before it got better.
     
    ***
     
    Over the next few hours, Lucky had managed to empty every drawer in the file cabinets and desk. Nothing. Nothing out of the ordinary anyway. He already knew Colby Gauthier didn’t always conduct business on the up and up, especially being partners with Art Flanagan, but there wasn’t anything major in the files. Nothing worth wigging out over.
    The massive house was quiet except for a few phone calls. He let the machine pick up. He didn’t have any answers about his mother to give out and Joyce had his cell number.
    With his head still spinning, he paced aimlessly throughout the empty rooms. His insides felt as if he might implode. The tension was too much. Lucky bolted out the front door, stopping only to lock it up tight behind him, making a mental note to call a locksmith in the morning.
    He jumped on his bike and thundered past the iron gates. He couldn’t get away from the manor fast enough. He drove up and down the side streets of New Orleans. His old