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“You will cease all operations involving Mr. Champignon. Your entire family will sever ties with him.” Cold smirked. “I don’t care what he threatens you with. Trust that whatever it is, I can make it much, much worse.”

“You know we have to answer to the council now,” Sal said disgustedly. “I can’t promise?—”

“That’s not my problem,” Cold cut in. “That’s yours.”

Emil glared at Sal. “You’re really gonna let this motherfucker push us around? Huh?”

“Shut the fuck up.” Sal smacked the side of his head.

“Hey! Fuck you!” Emil hit him back. “I’m so tired of your fuckin’ shit!”

“Shut up!” Sal barked. “I’m workin’ this out.”

“Work on my fuckin’ dick, you asshole!”

Cold politely cleared his throat.

“What?” Sal growled.

“I wasn’t done,” Cold said calmly. “In addition to giving Mr. Champignon the metaphorical finger, you will turn over any remaining Luchesi properties here in Strassen Springs to me. Do not even try to deny it. It’s how I knew you idiots would come here because you only have but so much real estate. Also, you will lift the hit on Mr. Prospero and cease pursuing him at once.”

“What?” Trev gasped.

“That traitorous piece of shit—” Sal started.

“Is now a member of the Gentleman and therefore under my protection,” Cold said firmly. “As far as you’re concerned, he doesn’t exist. Put him completely out of your head. Do you understand?”

“And what the fuck if we say no, huh?” Emil spat angrily. “What if we say to hell with our old man and fuck you right in your stupid fuckin’ smug face? So what if he goes to fuckin’ jail? Maybe I don’t give a shit. Fuck you, bitch ass?—”

“Then I’ll kill you.”

“What?”

“You heard me,” Cold said, his voice dropping to a low and dangerous tone. “I will kill you and the rest of your pitiful family. I’ll kill your friends, your wives, your mistresses, even your fish. I will completely erase anyone and everyone who could possibly care about you so when you’re put in the ground, the only people who will be present are the gravediggers to cover up your casket.”

Emil opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out.

“Ha!” Trev cheered. “Fuckin’ suck it, you motherfuckers! Hear that? No one there but the assholes throwin’ dirt on you and the maggots eating your fuckin’ brains! Oh, wait, except you don’t have any brains because you’re fucking morons! Fuck you!”

Cold arched a brow.

“Right. Sorry.” Trev grinned and hugged Jupiter tight. “Got a little excited.”

Sal made a face. “Fine. Whatever. Jupiter’s your fucking problem now and we’ll cut the fed loose. Happy?”

“And the properties,” Cold said firmly. “Next time your family tries to sneak into my city and purchase real estate, I will not be so kind.”

“Understood.” Sal nodded. “We’ll take care of it.”

“I expect you will or we’ll be seeing each other again very, very soon.”

Sal grabbed Emil and dragged him out of the garage. There was a side door Trev hadn’t been able to see before from inside the office, and Sal slammed it shut behind them as they left. The building rattled, dust fell, and it was quiet for a few moments as the tension bled out of the space.

“Wow.” Trev clung to Jupiter, though he stared at Cold. “You’re a lot fucking smarter than I thought you were.”

Cold snorted. “And you’re a lot dumber than I thought.” He scowled. “What part of stay at the restaurant did you not understand?”

“Maybe the part where you pretended to get fucking murdered and your stupid blood splattered all over me?”