Page 131 of Cold Hard Cash

“This was your plan,” Jimmy said quietly, wiping his face. “You set Matteo up... you knew Corman was the murderer. But how?”

“He made that remark about you being blond at Tamerlane’s party,” Cold replied. “I thought it was strange, but I didn’t think anything of it until I saw your photograph. Then I realized he couldn’t have known what color your hair was unless he’d seen you as a child. The night he killed your mother.”

“And Gregory Rees?”

“Gregory Rees is Rufus Corman,” Cold explained, kissing Jimmy’s forehead. “An alias.”

“Aren’t the Luchesis going to be mad you got Matteo killed?”

“Why? Corman was obviously working with the police and betrayed us all. He was the one wearing the wire,” Cold said flatly.

“He wasn’t... oh.”

“Now you’re catching on.” Cold chuckled.

“How could you be sure Matteo would give him an unloaded gun?” Jimmy asked quietly. “What if he’d tried to betray you?”

“Jules gave Matteo the guns,” Cold snorted. “The first one, the unloaded one, he put in his jacket when he searched him. The second one, the one that had ammo, Jules didn’t give to him until after I came backstage to find you.”

“You really thought of everything,” Jimmy said with a strained smile.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you,” Cold said, his voice taking on a soothing tone. “I couldn’t let Corman know what I was planning. He could not suspect it was a trap. I needed your response to be real.”

Jimmy pouted at all the deception but nodded, saying quietly, “It’s all really over now?”

“Yes,” Cold promised, kissing his forehead sweetly.

“And my dad is really getting out?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you,” Jimmy sighed adoringly. “Thank you for everything. I’m... I think I’m in shock. I just can’t believe it. This is real. This is really happening.”

“Mmm, believe it,” Cold purred, smiling slyly.

Jimmy closed his eyes, letting himself relax against Cold. His heart was full, he was exhausted, and he had never been happier. He reached for Cold’s hand, lacing their fingers together.

Cold gave Jimmy’s hand a gentle squeeze, leaning his cheek against his hair.

“I love you,” Jimmy whispered softly.

Icy eyes flickering over Jimmy’s face, Cold muddled over those words thoughtfully. He didn’t say anything, but he smiled, warm and sweet. He leaned in to kiss Jimmy tenderly, and Jimmy melted against him.

“You know... it’s still technically your birthday,” he mumbled over Cold’s lips. “Just saying.”

“Mmm. I suppose there is one last present I’d love to open up.”

“I’m all yours.” Jimmy smiled brightly.

“And this,” Cold said softly, guiding Jimmy’s hand to his chest, over his heart, “this is yours, James Poe.”

Jimmy was already so emotionally compromised that Cold’s unexpected declaration was nearly enough to break him. He was tearful in moments, kissing Cold frantically, hands roaming as he gasped, “I’ll take it.”

Cold easily took control of the kiss, forcing Jimmy to slow down, take their time. He kissed him sweetly, passionately, and purred contently, “Mmm, thought you might be interested. Pretty fair trade.”

Jimmy actually laughed, grinning from ear to ear as he teased, “Sounds like a hell of a deal to me.”

Chapter Twenty-Five