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Jimmy forced a polite smile and took her hand, placing a chaste kiss upon it. “It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Legrand.”

“Mrs.? Oh! How cute!” Rowena squealed happily. She gave Jimmy a knowing look as she teased, “Aw, look at you. Somebody is jealous!”

Jimmy could feel his flush spreading down to his neck. He hadn’t thought his displeasure was that obvious.

“It’s Miss Legrand, Jimmy.” Rowena giggled. “Don’t you worry, I’m his sister. Besides, Roddy hasn’t touched a vagina since he popped out of his mother’s.”

Jimmy stuttered for an appropriate response, but nothing would come out. Apparently he had been watching too many movies. He was such an idiot. He tried not to look as relieved as he felt.

“Thank you for sharing,” Cold drawled, stacking the ledgers on the desk in neat little piles.

Rowena beamed sweetly at Jimmy and winked.

The Legrand siblings had the same icy blue eyes, though Rowena’s gaze was not as harsh as her brother’s. Still hungry, yes, but kinder. Her very presence felt warmer, easy and relaxed, a stark contrast to her stoic sibling.

Oh, but the smirk.

It was identical, and Jimmy felt foolish for not recognizing the resemblance sooner.

When Rowena turned toward the desk, Jimmy caught himself staring at her exposed back. There were scars all over her skin. Dozens of them, long and thick, crisscrossing across her back like a corset woven from terrible pain.

Jimmy clicked his teeth together to shut his mouth when he realized he was gawking. He hadn’t seen anyone with such terrible scars before, and he was not about to even hazard a guess as to their origin. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be anything good.

“Just trying to help out my big brother.” Rowena popped back up on the edge of the desk, grinning at Cold. Her eyes suddenly widened, and she gasped. “You should bring Jimmy!”

Oh God.

Bring Jimmy where?

“No.” Cold laid his briefcase on the desk and packed the ledgers away.

Rowena didn’t acknowledge his answer, excitedly saying, “He would be perfect!” She smiled at Jimmy. “Do you own a nice suit, Jimmy?”

Jimmy fidgeted, embarrassed that he didn’t. He opened his mouth to squeak out a response, but Cold was already answering for him.

“No, he doesn’t.”

“I could take him shopping!” She clapped her hands together. “Mm, are you free tomorrow, Jimmy?”

“Yes, he is,” Cold answered again. “A perk of being unemployed. And no, you’re not taking him shopping. He’s not going to the party.”

“Oh shush. Of course he is,” Rowena insisted, not paying Cold any mind. “Just imagine how darling he will look on your arm once I’m done fixing him up.”

Jimmy dropped to the bed, anxiously watching them argue. Spending the night in a hotel room was one thing, but going to a party created a new nasty web of potential problems.

Jimmy knew Augustus had people watching Cold now. If he was seen out and about in public with the gangster, there was a very good chance that Augustus may start to get ideas about their relationship. He might try to come after him again to get information on Cold.

Maury had insisted that Augustus wouldn’t meddle in any way that could put Jimmy in danger, but he was suddenly afraid. Even if Augustus didn’t say anything, Cold might still think he was a rat if he found out that his adoptive father was a cop.

A cop who was presently investigating the gangster for murder.

Oh, this wasn’t good.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow afternoon.” Rowena completely ignored the scowling look on Cold’s face as she spoke to Jimmy.

“I’ll think about it,” Cold said after a long pause.

Rowena grinned as if he had agreed, kissing his cheek before slinking off the desk. She took the briefcase and twiddled her fingers at Jimmy in a little wave. “I’ll see you tomorrow, cutie. You fellas have fun!”