Page 105 of Cold Hard Cash

“Jules!” Jimmy bolted to his feet, staring at all the blood. It was everywhere, and he tried to keep the room from spinning as he stuttered, “What’s, what’s wrong? The blood...”

“It ain’t mine,” Jules panted, grimacing miserably. “It’s Boss’.”

“Rod,” Jimmy gasped, his heart seizing against his ribcage. “How bad?”

“Well, it sure as fuck ain’t good.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Jimmy thought he was going to be sick, his chest crushed by anxiety and fear. “Is he... is Rod gonna be okay?”

Jules came forward, big hands grabbing Jimmy’s shoulders and squeezing. “The doc is on her way, okay? But we gotta get ready. Lorre and Pym are bringin’ Boss. They were right behind me. You’re gonna help me get all this shit set up.”

Trembling, Jimmy nodded tearfully. “Tell me, just tell me what to do.”

“Come on,” Jules urged, gesturing to Jimmy to start stripping the bed. They pulled off all the sheets, Jules throwing down a plastic tarp. Jimmy didn’t even know where he had gotten it from. It was just suddenly there, Jules shoving one end at him to drape over the bed.

They tucked it all around the mattress, and Jules dragged one of the bedside tables out of the way.

Tamerlane was there next, his face bloodied and carrying a large fluorescent lamp, panting, “They’re not here yet?”

“Does it look like they are?” Jules snapped, taking the lamp and positioning it next to the bed.

“Fuck you!” Tamerlane spat.

“Fuck you!” Jules barked back. “They’ll be here.”

“What happened?” Jimmy asked in a tiny, frightened voice, wrapping his arms tightly around himself.

Tamerlane glanced at Jules before replying, “Meeting with the Luchesis. Went bad. Real bad. We got a rat in the house.”

“You mean a traitor?” Jimmy clarified.

“Uh huh,” Tamerlane said with a nod. “No one knew where the meeting was going down until the last minute. And yet, some fuckhead with a gun came blazing in, aiming for Cold and Matteo Luchesi. Matteo didn’t get hit, but Cold...”

“He took two bullets, both gut shots,” Jules said gently, trying to soothe the terrified look on Jimmy’s face. “He’s bleedin’ bad, but he’s fightin’. We got Doc Queen on her way, and that’s the baddest bitch I know.”

“Can’t you take him to a hospital?” Jimmy squeaked.

“And get him arrested? Fuck, come on now,” Jules gruffed. “Cops are all over the place as it is now. Another big fuckin’ problem.”

“Wh-what is?” Jimmy stammered, trying to follow along.

“Cops were on their way before the gunman started shooting,” Tamerlane explained. “We heard sirens before the first shot.”

“A setup,” Jimmy gasped, hastily scrubbing his hands across his face. “But by who? The Luchesis? Would they risk taking out their own guy to get Cold?”

Tamerlane and Jules exchanged concerned looks as if they had already said too much. Before they could decide on whether or not to confirm Jimmy’s suspicions, there was a new commotion from downstairs. It was a rush of raised voices, something being knocked over and broken, and a loud groan of pain.

Rod.

Jules and Tamerlane rushed off out of sight, leaving Jimmy to stand there feeling like a fool. He didn’t know if he needed to go help, if he needed to be doing something. He was scared and useless, his heart clinging to his tonsils as he rocked back and forth on his heels by the bed.

Jules returned, Boss Cold in his arms, limp and pale. “Come here, help me,” he grumbled at Jimmy, nodding for him to join him at the bed. “Hold his head.”

Jimmy obeyed, cradling Cold’s head as Jules lowered him.

Cold was sweaty, almost gaunt from the blood loss, his eyes fluttering open to see who was touching him. He seemed to relax when he saw Jimmy, groaning softly.