Page 72 of Cold Hard Cash

“Take good care of him,” Rowena commanded. “He’s had a hell of a night.”

“Mmhmm,” Cold hummed. “Good night, Rowena.”

“And I meant what I said. If they try to arrest you, I’m not letting you go back to jail,” she said defiantly, the click-clack of her heels fading out as she stomped up the stairs before Cold could reply.

“Hell of a woman,” Jules said affectionately.

“Hell of a pain in my ass,” Cold countered.

“That, too. C’mon. Let’s get your boy.”

Jimmy opened his eyes slowly when he heard shuffling in front of him, staring up at Jules and Cold with a cheerful wave. “Hi!”

“Heya, Twig,” Jules snorted with a grin. “Have a fun time?”

“I got choked, and then I threw up all over the sidewalk. Maybe in the limo. Can’t remember.”

“Sounds like a fuckin’ fun time to me,” Jules laughed, reaching down and scooping Jimmy up into his arms as if he were a baby. “Let’s go.”

Cold led them upstairs to his bedroom, telling Jules, “I got him from here.”

“You kids have a lovely evening,” Jules rumbled softly, setting Jimmy gently down on the edge of the bed and taking his leave.

“Bye, Jules!” Jimmy called out. He grinned dopily up at Cold. “Hi.”

“Are you all right?” Cold asked once they were alone. Concern was openly written all over his face as he softly touched Jimmy’s neck.

“It’s fine, I’m fine,” Jimmy said, shaking his head. “Just... despite how much I puked, I’m still kinda drunk.”

Cold slowly began to undress Jimmy, tugging at his bow tie and undoing the first few buttons of his shirt. He raised his brow, telling him sternly, “You’re going to take a hot bath and then probably eat something. If you puke in my bed, I am not going to be happy.”

“I won’t,” Jimmy promised, leaning heavily into Cold’s hands. “I mean, I will try really hard not to.”

Cold snorted, kneeling down to untie Jimmy’s shoes.

Jimmy stared down at him, asking hesitantly, “What did you mean... what did you mean that I gave you what you needed to get Augustus?”

“Eavesdropping, were you?” Cold began to pull Jimmy’s socks off.

“Couldn’t help it,” Jimmy said. “It’s not like you guys were speaking in code! I just wanna know... I wanna make sure you’re not going to hurt him.”

“No,” Cold said, standing back up and pulling Jimmy’s shirt right over his head instead of bothering with the rest of the buttons. “We made a deal, remember? No physical harm will befall Detective Duplin, but I am going to make sure he never bothers me or my family ever again.”

“How?” Jimmy pushed, pouting.

“Augustus Duplin is a liar, and now I have proof,” Cold said, quick fingers tugging at Jimmy’s pants and suspenders. “That’s all you need to know.”

Jimmy continued to pout, wiggling his hips as Cold finished undressing him. He began to tug at the ruby ring, grumbling when it wouldn’t come off. He stuck his finger deep in his mouth to get it wet, Cold staring at him as he sucked and licked around it. “What?”

“Nothing,” Cold said, his eyes still fixated on Jimmy’s lips.

Jimmy was able to finally pop off the ring, setting it on the bedside table with a soft clink.

“Where did you get that ring?” Cold asked, as if speaking to a startled animal.

“Mom,” Jimmy said, grunting as Cold pulled him to his feet. “My mom’s. It was in her jewelry box.”

“What if I wanted to offer you a deal?”