Page 93

“I’m okay.” Jimmy smiled warmly as his hand came up to rest over Cold’s.

Cold leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to Jimmy’s forehead. The storm brewing in his eyes calmed and a loving smile played over his lips.

Jimmy wished like hell they were alone. All he could think about was having those wicked lips kissing his and those gloved hands curling around various parts of his anatomy. Cold had been worried about him, Jimmy could tell, and having him being so openly affectionate made his heart ache with want.

“Very touching and all, but right now you’re interfering with an ongoing police investigation,” Augustus snapped.

Whatever warmth had resided in Cold’s expression vacated at once, his eyes narrowing as he turned to finally address Augustus. “Detective Duplin. I think it’s time for you to leave.”

Augustus scoffed in disgust, biting back, “I’m not going anywhere.”

Cold rose slowly, and Jimmy could see him shudder with rage despite his cool expression.

Leaning back in the bed, Jimmy anxiously curled his fingers in the sheets. It was like watching two titans circling a gladiatorial arena, waiting to see who would draw first blood.

“Oh, but you are,” Cold assured him icily, stepping into Augustus’ space. “Right now.”

“You smug, arrogant son of—”

“You’re leaving or I’m going to call my good friends down at Strassen Springs News and tell them all about how you’ve been harassing two innocent shooting victims,” Cold purred, his eyes never leaving Augustus’.

“That’s pretty cheap, even for you.”

“Mm, no, cheap would be telling you that I think the apartments over at Baker’s Glen are just lovely,” Cold taunted, delighted when Augustus’ jaw dropped.

“Did you… did you just threaten my daughter?” Augustus snarled furiously, and his hand started to go to his gun at his hip.

“Wait. Anna is here?” Jimmy asked stupidly.

Baker’s Glen was a local apartment complex in Strassen Springs. Cold’s vague threat aside, Jimmy was stunned that his former best friend was back in the city and he’d had no idea.

Then again, Jimmy reasoned, they hadn’t spoken in several years.

“You are a fucking bastard,” Augustus continued to rage. He didn’t seem to have heard Jimmy, and his hand hovered over his weapon as he glared at Cold. “You are going to regret this.”

“All I did was make a comment about a popular apartment community,” Cold said with a charming smile. “You’re the one about to draw your gun on an unarmed man with multiple witnesses.”

Augustus froze, seeming to remember that the blinds were open and the Gentlemen were watching them. Thirdsies had his face pressed against the glass, peering in. He grinned and waved when Augustus looked his way.

Lorre flipped him off.

Augustus dropped his hand to his side, fingers curling into a tight fist. “This isn’t over,” he promised.

“Far from it,” Cold agreed.

“I’d be well within my right to hold them both in police custody as witnesses,” Augustus snapped. “I could keep them. Indefinitely.”

“Actually,” Jimmy piped up, “if you’re referring to the United States Code Title 18, section 3144? The, uh, material witness statute? Sorry. That doesn’t apply here, Augustus. First of all, since Dario and I didn’t see anything, our testimony hardly makes us material to the case. Secondly? You can only enforce police custody once you’ve proven that you have reason to believe you can’t ensure a witness’ presence in court by subpoena. Both Dario and I live here in the city, we’re both gainfully employed, and we’ve given you no indication that we would flee. You’d never get a judge to believe that either of us are a flight risk.”

Augustus’ stared, stunned.

Cold had never looked so proud.

“Trying to hold us would be unconstitutional,” Jimmy went on, holding his head up high. “Something else I’m sure the nice people down at Strassen Springs News would love to hear all about.”

“Fuckin’ suck it!” Maury cheered.

Augustus clicked his teeth together and glowered. “Fine. This is how you wanna be? Fine. You’ve made your bed, now you’re gonna have to sleep in it.”