Page 129 of Cold Hard Cash

No, he had to let him keep talking. Augustus was listening. They had to keep Corman talking no matter what. This had to be part of Cold’s plan. It just had to be. This is what would free his father.

“I’d spent years serving the Italians and kissing that fucking thing,” Corman was still ranting away. “It was finally going to be mine, all fucking mine, along with the kingdom of Strassen Springs. And it will be, now hand it—”

“You killed the Don to start the war,” Jimmy snapped in realization. Even as upset as he was, he knew he needed more. He had to keep going. “You knew his sons would fight over who was going to lead! Just like now, you were trying to start a war between the Gentlemen and the Luchesis—”

“Shut up, fuckin’ Scooby Doo,” Corman snapped. “You think you’re so clever putting all of this together? Ha! But the joke’s on you. Both of you. Especially you, Cold, you fucking cock-gobbling prick.”

“Oh, that really hurts my feelings coming from a cowardly busted little cunt,” Cold said smoothly.

“Fuck you,” Corman spat, leveling the gun at Cold. “I’ve spent months planning this. I have the Luchesis all behind me... they’re eating out of the palm of my hand. Who do you think gave me the gun? Huh?”

“The Luchesis who don’t know you killed their father yet,” Jimmy mumbled, clinging to Cold’s arm.

“You know,” Corman said with a languid sigh as his eyes hunted over every inch of Jimmy’s body, “I had so much fun sticking it to your mom all those years ago... I would love to know what it would be like to stick a few things in you. Ruin that pretty face—”

Cold lunged forward, the barrel of the gun hitting his chest as he bared his teeth, snarling, “You will not fucking touch him.”

“Tough talk coming from a dead man,” Corman sneered, grinning wildly. “I have been waiting for this... for so long.”

“Ungrateful waste of flesh,” Cold drawled in disgust, his icy eyes sparkling with his fury. “I was good to you, I took you in, I took care of you. I made you a Gentleman.”

“You treated me like a fucking child!” Corman roared back, slamming the gun against Cold’s chest. “I’m done with you! I’m fucking done with your condescending bullshit! I’m smarter than you, and I’ve finally fucking won!”

“Well,” Cold said calmly, “I guess that means you’re out. And when you’re out... you’re out.” He raised his hand, index and thumb in a mockery of a gun aimed right at Corman’s head. He smiled softly and whispered, “Bang.”

Corman looked confused and angry, growling, “Rot in hell, Legrand.”

“You first.”

Corman pulled the trigger.

Jimmy’s chest violently convulsed, screaming, “No!”

Nothing happened.

The gun didn’t fire. Corman’s eyes bugged out of his head, and Jimmy thought he was going to faint, as Cold grinned.

Collapsing against the vanity as Cold lunged forward to grab the gun, Jimmy’s knees had turned into jelly. Cold cracked the weapon against Corman’s face, watching with unbridled satisfaction as he crumpled to the floor.

“The gun...” Jimmy gasped, trembling all over.

“Funny thing about guns,” Cold said, smirking smugly as he pressed the heel of his shoe against Corman’s throat. “If you want to kill someone...” He pulled out the clip, grinning slyly. It was empty. “They require ammunition.”

Corman’s nose was bleeding, the man gurgling and glaring up as Cold dropped the gun down beside him. “How? Fucking how?”

The door of the dressing room opened suddenly, and in walked Matteo Luchesi. He had the receiver from Maury’s pawn shop in one hand, a gun in the other.

Jimmy was pretty sure that one was loaded.

“Ring,” Cold said, reaching back to Jimmy.

Jimmy’s hands were shaking too badly.

Cold gently reached for him, taking his hand and carefully working the ring off his trembling finger while grinding his foot down on Corman’s neck.

“Matteo,” Corman gasped, “I didn’t—”

“Shut up, Corman,” Matteo snapped. “I heard everything.”