Page 124 of Cold Hard Cash

“I really do wish—”

Cold silenced him with a kiss, letting it linger until Jimmy was gasping and flushed. “Trust me,” he urged, lightly touching Jimmy’s neck.

“See, now that’s just not fair because when you do that? My brain like, turns off, and then all I can think about is sex.”

“Good,” Cold chuckled, kissing Jimmy’s brow before rising up to his feet. “Go see your father. I’ll be waiting for you at the club. You need to be there by five o’clock, so keep track of the time. Don’t be late.”

“Visiting hours are only until two.”

“Are they now?” Cold said mysteriously, winking playfully as he fetched his jacket. “Jerry is waiting for you downstairs. Enjoy yourself, Jimmy.”

Jimmy quirked an eyebrow as Cold left him to ponder whatever the crap he meant by that. He finished eating and got dressed, riding the elevator down to find Jerry.

Arriving at the prison after a quick limo ride, Jimmy went to sign in at the front desk as always. He was surprised when the guard led him not to the normal visiting room, but another part of the prison he had never been in before. He was brought to a small room, his jaw dropping when he saw his father sitting in front of him at a table.

“Dad!”

“Jimmy!” David exclaimed, quickly getting to his feet and dragging his son into a big hug. “Oh, my God! I should have known it was you! They said my lawyer was coming, wow, I can’t believe this!”

Jimmy could feel tears stinging his eyes, glad the guard had left to give them privacy, burying his face into his father’s chest. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been able to give his father a hug. “I can’t believe this! This is, this is great!”

“I can. I think your new boyfriend has some good friends in the prison.”

Jimmy blanched, stuttering, “M-my boyfriend?”

Giving him a knowing smirk, David teased, “Didn’t take long to hear all about Boss Cold’s young, handsome kept boy. Ahem. There was also an unusually high donation made to my commissary account and all of the Gentleman family here have been extra friendly.”

“Uh... surprise?”

“Christ, son,” David laughed. “This is why you didn’t want to tell me about him last week?”

“Uhhh... yeah.”

David gestured for Jimmy to sit down with him. “I can’t say I approve exactly, but it seems things are going better than you expected. So tell me, son. Are you happy?”

“I am,” Jimmy gushed. “There is so much more to him than just being a crook, you’ll see. He is so kind, and he’s so good to me. I mean, hell, arranging this? So we can actually really see each other?”

“No more inch of glass between us,” David agreed with a warm smile. “I definitely appreciate it. Everything he has done has made my life here much easier. And you do seem very happy, son. I noticed the new threads, guessin’ those are from him?”

“He’s been taking great care of me,” Jimmy said, eager to give his father a good impression of Cold.

“I’m allowed to be cautious. I am still your father.”

“You know, you’re actually taking this really well,” Jimmy said skeptically.

“Jimmy,” David drawled, “I’ve been in prison for almost twenty years with all kinds of people. Being a criminal... is complicated. People aren’t always black and white, especially when they have a record.”

“Don’t worry,” Jimmy said. “You’ll be able to decide for yourself soon.”

“Oh, will I?” David laughed. “You and your gangster boyfriend gonna bust me out of here? Prison break, eh?”

“Not exactly, but you see, Cold thinks he knows who killed Mom.”

David’s face dropped. He closed his eyes firmly, asking as calmly as he could, “Does he now?”

“Yes,” Jimmy confirmed. “Augustus lied about the case because the Luchesis threatened Anna. He hid evidence, like, it’s... it’s crazy.”

“Tell me about it, son. We got some time.”