available to take me home?”
The cabbie, reading a newspaper under his car’s dome light, looks up at me, in no hurry to answer. His drawl is slow and heavy. “Are you with Bourbon Street Boys?”
Not expecting to hear that, I stare at him with my eyebrows scrunched up for a few seconds. I could have sworn he said . . .
He continues in his rumbling voice. “I was hired to bring home people from the Bourbon Street Boys team. My fare’s already paid for the employees. If you’re on the team, I can bring you home.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m on the team.” I put my hand on the door, holding my breath as I wait for his acceptance.
“Show me your ID proving who you are or call yourself another cab.” He looks like he’s about to pick up his newspaper again, so I wave my hand in his window.
“No problem. I have ID. My name is Toni.” I don’t waste any more time, fearing Lucky’s going to get it into his head to come after me. I open the back door and slide in, flashing the cabbie one of my business cards so he can see I am who I say I am.
There’s a hint of cigarette smoke clinging to the interior of the vehicle, and the upholstery has seen better days, but I feel like my knight in shining armor has arrived just in time to save me from myself. I turn around and see through the rear window that Lucky is walking over, heading to the passenger window where I was just standing.
I grab the side of the front seat and use it to pull myself forward. “Let’s go. I’ll give you directions on the way. Head north.” I point out the front window to encourage him to hurry.
The driver turns to look at me as he points out his side window. “That guy with you?” Lucky is leaning down, his flawless face suddenly in full view.
Dammit! Now he knows I was trying to escape him. I throw myself back against the seat and hiss out a long breath. “No. That guy is most definitely not with me.”
Lucky acts like he didn’t hear, but I know damn well he did.
“Hey. Can I share this cab with you?” He smiles at me, making me want to both punch him in the face and kiss him again.
I shake my head vigorously. “No. Get your own.” I can’t look at him. That face breaks my heart. How dare he kiss me like that!
“Is he with the team?” the cabbie asks.
Lucky and I answer at the same time.
“No!” I exclaim.
“Yes!” he affirms.
The cabbie shakes his head. “Y’all need to figure out your stories. I got a job to do and I don’t earn my pay ’til I start doin’ it.”
Lucky leans into the cab, fixing the cabbie with a stare. “You were hired to bring home the Bourbon Street Boys team members, and we’re both on the team. And she’s as drunk as a bicycle, so I’m just going to make sure she gets home okay before you drop me off.”
Before I can say anything, the cabbie is looking at me in his rearview mirror and nodding at Lucky. The front door opens and Lucky gets in, slamming it shut behind him. He didn’t even have to show ID, the bastard. Bastard cab driver, too. Sexist pigs.
I glare at the two assholes in the front seat, trying to decide what to do. I really want to get out of here and find myself another ride, but I’ve got way too many alcoholic teas in my stomach, and I don’t feel so hot. I need to get home and into bed. I’m going to mix myself up a very special cocktail before I pass out, though. It’s Thibault’s guaranteed no-hangover mix. I have a feeling I’m going to need a double dose.
“We good?” the driver asks, looking at me in his mirror.
I look out the side window. “Whatever.” Lucky better not think he’s coming into my house. I’ll break his frigging nose if he does. I’m trying like hell to do the right thing here, but I can only be so strong mentally before I have to let my fists take over and do the talking.
CHAPTER FOUR
The cab pulls up to the front of my house, and I get out. I don’t bother tipping, because I know Ozzie took care of that too. This is one of those perks we get with the job;