Page 113 of Cold Hard Cash

Closing his eyes, Cold took a deep breath and gently grasped Jimmy’s hand. “I can’t tell you.”

“What the hell, Rod?” Jimmy jerked his hand away, hurt and confused. “You just suddenly somehow magically figured out who killed my mother, and you won’t freakin’ tell me?”

Cold reached for Jimmy’s hand again, his voice soothing as he tried to explain himself. “Jimmy. Do you want to get your father out of prison?”

“Of course I do,” Jimmy fussed, desperate to understand. “But what does that have to do with—”

“Everything,” Cold said quickly. His eyes were actually pleading, a quality Jimmy had never seen before with Cold.

“I don’t understand.”

“I need you to trust me. And I am going to invite Detective Duplin over as soon as possible.”

“Are you kidding me?” Jimmy snapped, his voice hitting a particularly shrill note.

“No,” Cold said stubbornly, “he has his part to play in all of this. If we’re going to get justice for your mother and save your father, we need Detective Duplin’s assistance. We need proof.”

“He’s not gonna help,” Jimmy scoffed.

Cold smiled slyly. “Oh, yes, he will. I’m going to make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

“Too early to be quotingThe Godfather,” came a loud grumble from the other side of the door.

“Good morning, Jules,” Cold chuckled.

Jules pushed open the bedroom door and lumbered in, a little tousled from sleep. He had changed out of his bloody clothes, wearing sweats and a thin tank top that stretched over his broad chest.

“What? No breakfast in bed for the patient?” Cold pouted at his friend.

“Fuck you. You can get it yourself. I know you’re feeling fine ‘cause I had to fuckin’ lay there and listen to you givin’ it to Twig last night.”

Jimmy’s face flooded a spectacular shade of red. “Wait, you, you were out there? In the den?”

“I said I was crashin’ on the couch,” Jules replied. “What fuckin’ couch did you think I meant?”

“Not that one!” Jimmy groaned.

Cold grinned, warmer than Jimmy had seen before, and laughed softly to himself.

“So. What’s the word, Boss?” Jules asked, quick to get to the business at hand. They had just been attacked for the second time. They had to make a move. The giant was obviously antsy for direction.

“Get Tamerlane and Lorre, see if they can find our good friend Corman,” Cold commanded sternly, that particular tone making Jimmy shiver. “Detective Duplin is going to be paying us a visit today. If I’m right, we have a beautiful opportunity to end the war and take out the trash at the same time.”

“Think Corman’s turned?” Jules said bluntly.

Cold glanced at Jimmy, his eyes flickering back to Jules, replying carefully, “I think it’s safe to say he’s no longer our friend.”

“Got it,” Jules rumbled. “What do you need me to do?”

“Keep everyone calm,” Cold ordered. “I have a plan. Tell them this will all be over by Friday. I still have the ring, and I’m sure Matteo Luchesi will agree to another meeting. If Tamerlane and Lorre can’t locate Corman, tell them not to worry. I expect we’ll be seeing him again soon.”

“You got it, Boss.” Jules nodded, smirking softly as he added, “Don’t fuck yourself up gettin’ your fuck on, all right?”

Jimmy’s blush blazed bright while Cold snorted in reply, “I’ll be fine. Worry more about our crew and less about my dick.”

Jules cackled to himself as he left, the doors slamming shut in his wake.

Stretching his legs and grimacing, Cold eyed Jimmy with a playful smirk. “Well, I need to take a shower...”