Page 78

“Take good care of him,” Rowena said. “He’s had a hell of a night.”

“Mmhmm.” Cold hummed. “Good night, Rowena.”

“And I meant what I said. If they try to arrest you, I’m not letting you go back to jail,” she said defiantly, the click-clack of her heels fading out as she stomped up the stairs before Cold could reply.

“Hell of a woman,” Jules said affectionately.

Cold sighed. “Hell of a pain in my ass.”

“That too. C’mon. Let’s get your boy.”

Jimmy opened his eyes when he heard shuffling in front of him. He stared up at Jules and Cold, waving cheerfully. “Hi!”

“Heya, Twig.” Jules grinned. “Have a fun time?”

“I got choked and then I threw up on the sidewalk. Maybe in the limo? Can’t remember.”

“Sounds like a fuckin’ fun time to me.” Jules laughed, reaching down and scooping Jimmy up into his arms as if he were a baby. “Let’s go.”

Cold led them upstairs to his bedroom. “I got him from here.”

“You kids have a lovely evening,” Jules rumbled softly as he set Jimmy gently down on the edge of the bed and then took his leave.

“Bye, Jules!” Jimmy called out, waving again. He smiled dopily up at Cold. “Hi.”

“Are you all right?” Cold asked once they were alone. Concern was openly written all over his face as he softly touched Jimmy’s neck.

“It’s fine, I’m fine.” Jimmy tried to shake his head, but it increased the speed of the room spinning around him. “Just… Ugh. Despite how much I puked, I’m still kinda drunk.”

Cold undressed Jimmy, tugging at his bow tie and then undoing the first few buttons of his shirt. He raised his brow, telling him sternly, “You’re going to take a hot bath and eat something. If you puke in my bed, I am not going to be happy.”

“I won’t,” Jimmy promised, leaning heavily into Cold’s hands. “I mean, I will try really hard not to.”

Cold snorted as he kneeled to untie Jimmy’s shoes.

Jimmy stared down at him, asking hesitantly, “What did you mean… what did you mean that I gave you what you needed to get Augustus?”

“Eavesdropping, were you?” Cold removed Jimmy’s shoes and then his socks.

“Couldn’t help it. It’s not like you guys were speaking in code! I just wanna know… I wanna make sure you’re not going to hurt him.”

“No.” Cold stood and tugged Jimmy’s suspenders off his shoulders. He pulled Jimmy’s shirt over his head instead of bothering with the rest of the buttons. “We made a deal, remember? No physical harm will befall Detective Duplin, but I am going to make sure he never bothers me or my family ever again.”

“How?”

“Augustus Duplin is a liar, and now I have proof.” Cold unzipped Jimmy’s pants. “That’s all you need to know.”

Jimmy sighed, wiggling his hips as Cold removed the last of his clothing. He began to tug at the ruby ring but grumbled when it wouldn’t come off. He stuck his finger deep in his mouth to get it wet, and he noticed Cold staring at him as he sucked and licked around it. “What?”

“Nothing,” Cold said, his eyes still fixated on Jimmy’s lips.

Jimmy was able to finally pop off the ring, and he set it on the bedside table with a soft clink.

“Where did you get that ring?” Cold asked quietly, as if speaking to a startled animal.

“Mom.” Jimmy grunted as Cold helped him to his feet. “My mom’s. It was in her jewelry box.”

“What if I wanted to offer you a deal?”