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Jerry loudly cleared his throat.

Jimmy looked up to find Boss Cold standing there, Tamerlane and Lorre flanking either side of him. They were all dressed to the nines, and Jimmy had no problem admitting how weak in the knees the sight of Cold in a suit made him.

Black on black with fresh lilies pinned to his lapel, white spats, Christ. Jimmy was more than pleased to see Anna checking him out. Criminal or not, even she couldn’t deny how stunning Cold looked.

Jimmy waved. “Uh, hey!”

“Miss Duplin,” Cold greeted with a click of his tongue.

He looked angry. Deceptively calm on the outside, but Jimmy knew better.

Cold was severely pissed off.

Jimmy pushed away from Anna, smiling bashfully. He didn’t know why, but he felt an odd lurch of guilt, as if Cold had walked in on him doing something much more intimate than hugging.

“You know who I am?” Anna scoffed, arching her brows in surprise.

“I know a great many things,” Cold replied shortly.

Jimmy cringed.

Yeah, like where you live.

He gave Anna a quick pat on her shoulder. “Look, it really was great catching up and all, but uh, take care of yourself, okay?”

“You too.” Anne offered a sympathetic smile. “Take care, Jimmy. Try not to do anything stupid.”

“Not making a promise I can’t keep. Goodbye, Anna.”

“Bye, Jimmy!” She waved, nervously making her way around Cold and the Gentlemen.

Jimmy bounced on the balls of his feet as he turned back to Cold. “So, uh—”

“Upstairs,” Cold barked, his voice so loud it made Jimmy flinch. He took a deep breath, more calmly adding, “Right now.”

Jimmy heard Lorre and Tamerlane snicker to themselves as he raced up the stairs to the office, and his heart pounded with dread. It was the same feeling of trepidation as being marched through school to see the principal. He wasn’t sure what he had done wrong, but it was obvious Cold was not happy with him.

Cold looked around the trashed office in disgust as he walked in. “What the fuck happened in here?”

“Rowena and a half bottle of tequila,” Jimmy explained. “She was upset because she doesn’t think Dario will like her anymore if he finds out she killed Dickie—”

“She told you?” Cold stared heavenward, saying out loud to no one in particular, “I’m going to kill her.”

“Look, I’m sorry. She, she wanted to talk. I didn’t know what she was going to tell me. You know you can trust me.”

“Oh, can I?” Cold narrowed his eyes into venomous slits, his upper lip curling defiantly as he slammed the door shut behind them. “Is that why I saw you cozied up with Miss Duplin? Because you’re so trustworthy?”

“She just showed up!” Jimmy scoffed in disbelief. “I had no idea she was going to be here! Are you being serious right now? Look, I wanted to apologize for this morning. I know I upset you—”

“After all that I’ve done for you,” Cold seethed, “you let her put her hands on you. Right in front of me.”

“All you’ve done… Are you freakin’ high?” Jimmy threw his hands up in frustration. “What have you freakin’ done for me, huh? Lie to me, manipulate me, use me—”

“I’ve clothed you, I’ve fed you, I’ve provided for you, and I’ve allowed you to share my bed,” Cold snarled back, his voice rising to overtake Jimmy’s. “Everything I have done has been for you!”

“And for you too! Don’t you dare act like you’ve been some selfless saint! You do remember how this all started, right? Don’t insult me like that!”

“You mean like how you insulted me with Miss Duplin? Hanging all over her?” Cold challenged, his eyes shiny and bright with anger.