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“You were there,” Cold repeated.
It almost sounded like a question.
“Yes,” Jimmy confirmed miserably. “But no one believed me. Not the cops, not even Augustus. That’s why we don’t talk anymore. He never believed what I saw.”
Cold seemed to be thinking about something, and he was silent for what felt like an eternity. “I believe you, Jimmy.”
“You do?”
No one had ever believed him except Maury.
“Yes, I do,” Cold replied. “I’ve been able to survive this long because of my wits and my instincts. I can tell when someone is lying to me. You are not.”
“Well, I appreciate that, actually a lot, but…” Jimmy hung his head. “That doesn’t help get my dad out of prison. That’s how I got into so much debt, you know, trying to get his case reopened.”
“It’s impressive.”
“What? That I blew that much money with nothing to show for it?” Jimmy bit out, Cold’s previous comment from the other evening still carrying a sting.
“Your loyalty,” Cold corrected as his hands began to roam, moving to loosely curl at the base of Jimmy’s neck. “Any man would be lucky to have that kind of devotion.”
Jimmy was not expecting that response, and his hands came up to rest on top of Cold’s. His eyes fluttered. “Is that… is that what you want from me?”
“What do you want, Mr. Poe?” Cold countered, his thumbs rubbing over Jimmy’s throat.
“You,” Jimmy replied without hesitation as he melted into his touch. He guided Cold’s fingers to move around his throat just under his jaw, holding his wrists. It was the same way they had held each other the first time they met in Jimmy’s apartment.
There was something so intimate about this. Cold literally had Jimmy’s life in his hands if he decided to be cruel, and Jimmy was totally submissive, offering himself over without question.
“I know you’re just using me,” Jimmy said, his voice breaking, “but… I don’t want this to stop.”
“Why?” Cold challenged.
“Because I’m using you too,” he replied earnestly. He had never felt as wanted or satisfied as he did being in this man’s embrace. Nothing had ever soothed him like that beautiful voice, and he wasn’t ready to lose it. “I like… the things we do.”
Cold’s fingers flexed ever so slightly. “Mm, arrangements like ours have to be built on trust, Mr. Poe.”
“You don’t trust me?”
“No.”
“I trust you.”
“You shouldn’t. I’m not a good man.”
“I know.”
“And yet you still want to continue our little arrangement?” Cold’s lips pursed together and a wrinkle etched his forehead.
“After some renegotiations, yes,” Jimmy said stubbornly.
“Oh really?” Cold scoffed, amused. “And what makes you think I’m going to agree to do that?”
“You want this as much as I do.” Jimmy had to be right. This had to mean something. “We both know it’s not about the money.”
“What makes you so sure? How do you know I won’t get rid of you the second the last penny drops?”
“I don’t.” Jimmy shrugged. “But… we’re still talking, aren’t we?”
