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“Oh?”

“He’s worth more alive, right?” Trev insisted.

Cold pressed his lips into a thin line. “Potentially.”

“Then I’m claiming him as my first official prisoner.” Trev grabbed Jupiter’s tie. “Look at that. First day in the family and I’m already being so very helpful.”

“Be careful,” Juicy whispered loudly. “He looks like he might try to make a run for it.”

“Roddy.” Rowena tapped her foot with a scowl. “You can’t kill his boyfriend. That’s fucked up. Even for you.”

“Not my boyfriend,” Trev corrected. “My prisoner.”

Although the depth of his affection was already obvious because he hadn’t been able to keep his damn hands to himself, Trev reasoned that Cold might appreciate this approach more. If nothing else, to save face in front of the rest of his family. After all, sparing Trev’s boyfriend might make him look too soft, but allowing Trev to take custody of a prisoner might be an easier sell.

He just had to determine exactly how valuable Jupiter was to Cold. He had no idea what it would take to be able to walk out of here with him, and Trev doubted that even all the money in his lockbox would be enough to pay for Jupiter’s release.

The very fact that Cold hadn’t killed Jupiter on sight was a positive sign at least, and Trev had to hope it was a reason that didn’t end in Jupiter’s eventual death.

Maybe Cold needed information from Jupiter?

Perhaps he wanted to use him as leverage the same way the Luchesi family had used Trev?

Trev’s mind spun with all the possibilities, trying to find one that would somehow result in him and Jupiter being able to run off into the sunset and—God, that was stupid. That was the least likely outcome, especially given Cold’s penchant for murdering multiple members of Jupiter’s family.

Which he just had to throw right in Jupiter’s face.

Okay, wait.

That was a good thing.

Cold wanted Jupiter to be rattled, to be on edge, maybe even afraid—because it would be easier to get whatever it was Cold wanted out of him and certainly Jupiter would have to be alive for whatever that was.

Hopefully.

“Fine,” Cold said, snapping Trev out of his mind’s whirlwind. “Bring the prisoner to the parlor.” He eyed Rowena. “Why don’t you get Mr. Cusack something to eat?”

“You are not putting me on crazy old man duty!” Rowena warned.

“Jules.” Cold nodded his head toward them. “Please escort Rowena to the kitchen with Mr. Cusack.”

“My pleasure.” Jules reached out his hand to Juicy. “Hey, you like popcorn?”

“Popcorn?” Juicy stared at Jules’s hand as if it might bite him. “Is this a trick?”

“I dunno. Might be.” Jules shrugged, gently touching Juicy’s shoulder and herding him toward the kitchen. “Let’s go find out, huh?”

Rowena growled. “This isn’t over, Roddy.”

Cold waved.

Rowena flipped him off and then stalked after Jules and Juicy.

“You too,” Cold said firmly, his icy gaze falling on Trev. “This doesn’t concern you.”

Trev cackled and then promptly sneered, “Yeah, fuck you.” He strolled right up to Cold, pushing Jupiter’s hands away when he tried to stop him. “You said it yourself! You don’t trust me. I’m not family. Blah fucking blah. Message received.” He pointed at Jupiter. “He’s more fucking family to me right now than you are. We would have been fine without you.”

Mickey twitched.