Page 39 of Cold Hard Cash

Jimmy opened his eyes, realizing he was on the floor. He saw Rowena hovering over him and Cold crouched next to her. Cold’s brow was furrowed, and Jimmy could have sworn he actually looked concerned. It made his heart skip a beat, waiting for the room to stop spinning.

“Are you okay?” Rowena asked with a little frown.

Jimmy looked around. “Is he... what happened? Where is everyone?”

“Corman left to go lick his booboos. Everybody else is out playing by the pool. You fainted, sweetie,” Rowena said, gently petting his hair. “No tummy for blood, huh?”

“I guess, uhm. No. Not really.” Jimmy groaned, struggling to sit up and staring at Cold. The gangster was dressed again as if nothing had happened, but there was a faint spray of blood spattered on his cheek that Jimmy couldn’t take his eyes off of.

Cold glanced at Rowena with a questioning look.

She cleared her throat, tapping her own cheek. “Got a little somethin’ on you.”

Cold made a face and stood up with a frustrated sigh. He took out his handkerchief, dabbing himself off. Everyone else had left the room except Jules, who was currently humming to himself as he wiped up some more blood from the floor.

Jimmy’s stomach twisted at the sight. “What... what did you do?”

“Oh, it was just a few little love taps,” Rowena reassured Jimmy, patting his shoulder. “Corman actually looks better with a broken nose!”

Jimmy was horrified. “Broke his...? Brokehis nose?”

Cold scoffed at Jimmy’s reaction, stalking toward the bar to make himself a drink. He poured a second for Jules, sniping, “Should have taken his finger.”

“There’s still time,” Jules offered with a grin, joining him in a toast.

“Oh, my God,” Jimmy gasped, revulsion rising up to meet the bile dancing in the back of his throat.

Rowena frowned sympathetically. “Sweetie. Corman is bold, and he’s not exactly the most loyal Gentleman. This was a long time coming. You see, he was the last one to join, and he only did when it was clear Roddy was gonna win. Plus, he—”

“Rowena,” Cold warned. “I think that’s enough story time.”

“Oh, yeah?” Rowena hissed, jumping up and whirling around to face her brother. “Hey! How about you tell me a little story? Like why the fuck didn’t you tell me what you were up to!”

“I knew,” Jules said with a shrug, chewing on a lemon rind.

“Not helping!” Rowena shrieked angrily.

“It was business,” Cold said icily. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

“And that’s why you let me take him out shopping? Let me think it was cool to hang out with him? Oh, because it’s just business?” Rowena snapped, completely fearless as she got right in her brother’s face. “What do you really want with Jimmy?”

“We have an arrangement,” was Cold’s calm reply, not moved by his sibling’s rage.

Rowena scoffed disgustedly, her eyes searching his face for some sort of clue.

“Mr. Poe and I are going to have a little chat about it right now,” Cold said, ignoring Jules’ loud chuckle and approaching Jimmy. He offered his hand and pulled him up on unsteady feet.

Jimmy wobbled, but his pulse fluttered at the contact. His stomach was beginning to bubble with nervous energy again. He had no idea what to expect from Cold now.

Glancing over his shoulder at his sister, Cold smirked. “Enjoy the rest of the party.”

“Roddy,” Rowena said sternly, “we’re not done talking about this.”

“Good night, Jules!” Cold called out, ignoring her and curling his arm possessively around Jimmy’s waist as they made to leave.

“Night night! Night, Twig!” Jules replied cheerfully, laughing as Rowena fell into an enraged bout of cursing that would make a sailor blush.

One of her shoes came flying by, clattering on the floor as she shouted after them, “Not done!”