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

Gauthier, it’s good to see you back in the office.”
    He tried to bypass the front desk, but the flirty receptionist wasn’t having it. Every year it was the same thing, desperate and clingy.
    He nodded and roamed past her desk and toward the elevators. There was no need to lead her on.
    He caught the expected gawks and stares as he made his way down the executive hallway. He wasn’t one to show his face in the office building often, but he was sure the stares had more to do with the death of his father than with his absenteeism.
    No one knew he had been in his father’s office a few nights ago. No one other than Carrie.
    Lucky tried to keep his breath steady to appear calm on the outside, but on the inside, his pulse was racing. He had spent so much time in this office building. He could still smell the strong, spicy scent of his father’s expensive cologne.
    He held his chin high and paraded down the corridor, recognizing some faces, while others were new and attempting to blend into the mix. Lucky read the nameplates as he passed each door, stopping two down from his father’s office.
    It wasn’t the sound of Carrie’s screeching voice that caught his attention; it was the snide way she spat out the words, ‘stripping gold digger’. Her door remained half-open, and Lucky was able to determine from the one-sided conversation that she was on the phone.
    “You know as well as I do that that stripping gold digger is only after one thing. You need to get your shit together.”
    Silence
    “Don’t give me excuses. You don’t get paid to think. Just do your damn job.”
    Silence
    “Good. Now, get your head back in the game.”
    Silence
    “Yes, I’ll call you with a time to meet when I see some progress.”
    Click
    Lucky’s heart hammered in his chest so loudly he thought Carrie might hear it. He dashed down the hall and into his father’s office, settling in behind the desk to appear busy. Meanwhile, his blood soared as anger bubbled deep in his abdomen.
    Carrie not only had her sights on Gauthier Offshore Services but on Baby Jade as well. He couldn’t make sense of the phone call, but one thing was clear, she wasn’t in this alone. He had to find out who she was working with and what they had planned.
    Lucky started flipping through notepads and rummaging through drawers. He powered up the computer just before his father’s assistant stepped into the room.
    “Mr. Gauthier, it’s good to see you. I haven’t been able to extend my condolences about your father. I’m sorry about his passing, sir.”
    He grinned weakly at the young woman. He didn’t know her well. She had only worked with Colby Gauthier for the last year or two. She was a lot different from Colby’s longtime executive assistant who resigned.
    “Thank you, Wendy.”
    Her eyes glanced around the room and across the desk. “Is there anything I can help you with, sir?”
    “No, not right now.” He leaned back in the leather, high back chair to give off the impression that he wasn’t looking for anything specific. “I’m just picking up a few personal things of my father’s.”
    “Very well. If you change your mind, or if I can get you anything, just let me know.”
    He nodded as she backed out of the room. “Oh, excuse me, Ms. Scott.”
    “Wendy, go fetch me some coffee. Skinny latte from downstairs.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Wendy’s face fell as she pulled the door closed behind her.
    Once they were alone, Carrie glared at Lucky. “James.”
    He offered a curt nod. “Carrie.”
    “I didn’t expect to see you around here so soon.”
    “Or at all?” he asked.
    She sneered in his direction before sitting in one of the chairs across from the oversized desk. Clasping her hands in front of her, Carrie appeared poised and regal.
    “Well, I’m not certain about that. However, with everything you have going on, you shouldn’t be concerning yourself with Gauthier business. I can assure you that everything is handled on this